65-04-09  9 April 1865   Benton County Oregon from Ruhamah Canterbury to E & A 
Damrell                    

Dear Father an mother you vary kind letter February 3 came last maile April 9 
wich gave us much plesure .  We are all well and hop this lines may find yo 
joying the same good blessing.  I am a lone this butiful sabbath day.  Mr. 
Shorte staide here last night I havent seen but few people  that I ever new 
but have good knaibur.  the childern will starte to scool this weke.  Alley an 
ony can spell vary well an grorrse fine.  alley wayes 49 -- ory 40 mitty 41.  
We have gethard a little sock  - gaine.  We have nine hogs we feed wheat.  
Mother I believe we can live wher as lik us en ware I wood like to see you all 
I cold talke more then I can right  Eliza Elizbet an John is well an doing 
vary well th old fox line in calafornia.  I wante you send your and Father 
ages also likeness if yo cn get them.  tell my buth an sisters to rite to me 
an remember mea at an alter of prare and I will do the same.  o mother war 
fast hasting to the grave near separate with hills an mounta. I thank the lord 
an saviour for that hoe that I have beyond this vae of tears.  blessd be the 
dear uniting love; that will not let us part our bodies may far off remove we 
still are one in hart joind in one spirit to our head were he apoints we go 
and still in Jesus footsteps tread and shar his praise below.  I must leav 
this subject.  tis spring is bacward and cold more then common.  we have made 
som garden.  te childern has corne  it is sun down.  i have bin all day 
riteing thease lines  I donte know that can read these lines mother I feale 
sorry that you an Fater has to live so lonely  try to kepe  some more one the 
laxe with you.  I donte think that Father cold stand the tripe tha have so 
meny kindes of water to drinke if you was only here yo colde live much easeer. 
 wea have solde a bout thirty five dollars woth of egges.  I sete one dozson 
hens.  one of Eliza naibr has solde a undard an twenty five dollars wort of 
eggs since laste fawle.  you see that wea can live in Oregon.  I must bringe 
my letter to a close whether you can read this lettr rite ofton so noting more 
but remains you effection childern until deth good by Ruhamah Canterbury      
                           Eizabeth Damrell  Agus Damrell
 This letter is from Ruhamah Canterbury to E & A Damrell
Alice is the above Alley.   Ony is a girl   Mitty is a boy Milton.