Rockwell Letters: Lavinia Hard Rockwell

To Mrs Belinda Hard (New Lisbon, Otsego Co., N.Y.)

                                                    Oconomowoc, Oct 11th, 1846

My dear Mother

Your kind letter was duly received and read with much pleasure. I was surprised and very glad to hear of your visit East, but really, Mother, are you not getting a roving disposition?  When I wrote last I then intended to have another letter to meet you on your return, but have been so busy that I have scarcely seen a pen since.

The  week after I wrote, Jane and myself went into Milwaukee also Miss Ella.  We spent ten days very pleasantly. One day and night at Mrs. Hewitts on Walkers Point. (I) found her well but the three children that she took charge of were sick and very sick for a fortnight. We then went to Mrs Cory’s and from there visited around (a) litt1e in the same style you did at Watertown. While absent Jane attracted considerable attention and if living in town I think would be quite a belle this winter. Spent one afternoon at Mrs Hull’s with the clergyman’s family and the Bishop.  Miss Kemper (the Bishop’ daughter) his two sons and a niece are down to take up their adobe near Nashota, about six miles from us.

Their Chapel is nearly completed and the Congregation and communicants Increasing.  This fall a number of church families have moved into the town. One of the students was here yesterday says the Chapel is filled every Sunday.

I have not been down since you left as we have preaching every Sunday in our Chapel.  It Is now completed excepting pointing. John S has ordered eight settees to be completed within a month so that it will be nicely fixed for the winter.

It is our design now to have a select school this winter if we can procure a teacher. The youngest Miss Townsend is capable but has not yet decided. The Doctor has purchased a lot between the Log houses and the house they live in intending to put up a good house and complete it sufficiently for the family to move in should Mr. Collins want his this tall. We find the family very pleasant indeed and think very much of the girls, to say nothing of the Doctor. The second daughter has been very sick with inflamation in the head but has recovered. Mr. Sax’s store is completed and part of their goods arrived, four of Houghs Patent Skirts too deposited at our door.  They are like Ohloe’s. The Boot and Shoe merchant, Mr. Daniels has purchased a lot between Mr. Beman’s and the tavern, and puts up a shop this fall and house next spring. Mr. Sage has put up a very pretty addition to his house and Mr. Barton has whitewashed his. These, the above named are all the improvements since you left,  with the exception of our new fence around the wheat lots, twenty acres of fine looking wheat. The house is very quiet, all in bed and sleeping but Jane and myself. Jane is In my bed sick and I am taking care of her, but I will begin to the beginning of the chapter.  It has been very sickly throughout the Terrritory.  The street through the village escaped till about four weeks since and from that time to this there has been from one to three sick in every house mostly chill fever or ague, either of them bad enough.

The morning that we left for town our hired man Jones complained of not feeling very well but got up after breakfast and thought if not better he should go home that day. We left on Thursday morning. Henry went with us and returned Friday, John S staying at home to oversee the family. Mr Jones grew worse so fast that when the horses got home, he could not ride and continued to grow worse until the next Wednesday afternoon when he died.

John S and Henry took care of him till two days before his death when they sent for his brothers.  It was chill fever terminating in congestion of the heart.   The next week Henry was sick for two days and then commenced shaking with the aue.  We cured him up in a week and he left on Saturday Morning to attend court in John’s place at Sheboygan, that afternoon John S felt very unwell and took blue pill Sunday was in great pain but thought it nothing but his old complaint of the liver.  Monday by dint of constant rubbing with red pepper arid vinegar we kept him comfortable.

Tuesday he felt some better and was out doors also Wednesday.  On that night at twelve he grew chilly and had a chill that lasted him two hours. He come Partially warm and went to sleep for a few moments. On waking he was very very cold, no pulse and very much troubled for breath and for one hour we were tearful that he would choke to death. I can tell you, Ma, that we stepped faster than we ever did for the croup.  I  never was no frightened and I think the Doctor was some (too).  We were now satisfied that It was the chill fever and he came very near having congestion of the heart.  The chills return every other day.  On Friday night he was very sick but after that Doctor succeeded in breaking it. Now he is very well.  The next Tuesday after John was so very sick, Ella began to complain of being cold in the morning and about noon had a high fever, at one o’clock she grew cold and head was hot.  Jane started for the Doctor, went to every store and finally raised him. We worked over her about two hours to prevent the disease seating on the brain.   Doctor was fearful she would have a fit but we took her in time.  One of our neighbors lost a little boy about her age with the same complaint, chill fever terminating on the brain.  She is now quite well but looks rather pale. The next Friday Jane commenced having the dumps but did not give up until Monday.  We do not know what is the matter of her.  The stomack is out of order and she looks very bilious but no fever but little pulse no pain and very weak.  Today she has taken a emetic and the second portion of calomel which we hope wi11 remove her disease.  She has been sick over a week.  In the mean time John S has had three of his men go home sick with the ague but they have returned.  The weather now is so much cooler that we flatter ourselves that the sickness is nearly over. There has been but very few deaths.  Albert has got to be a great farmer. He is out with his Father all day, sews wheat, builds fence and drives oxen.  Frank has been very well since the cool weather commenced to brace him up, and I am perfectly well but have not gained much flesh as yet.  I am happy to hear that you enjoyed your jaunt home.  Hope it will be an inducement for you to come again. 

Monday afternoon, Jane remains about the same.

Mrs. Pierson has been very sick but is better.

Mrs. Packard has a daughter one week.

How does Albert like staying from home.  Give my love to him, tell him the children speak of Uncle Albert, I Should like very much to have a letter from him. I filled my sheet without saying one word about Con??.  You must have enjoyed the visit very much.  I certainly did your description of it.  I did not know but Grand Ma would come home with you. I flatter myself that when I go home again I shall be able to visit Watertown as I should like very much to see them all once more. You did not say one word about your health. Is it better than while here.  You must have very quiet times this winter and I hope you will get rested.  How is Pa’s health?  We all send much love and the children many kisses. 

                                    Write often. Yours truly

                                                            Lavinia.