Maria Townsend letter to Charity Rotch 12th of 6th Mo 1820

              B-197-4
  
                   Wooster 12th of 6th Mo 1820
  Respected friend
                Since thou wast pleased to interest
  thyself so much in our happiness in the enjoyment
  of our dear little one, I now find it in my heart
  at this sorrowful season to address a few lines to
  thee.   We have this day buried our son, he is
  gone, we thrust, where thou saidst, "other little
  Thomas's have gone."  He ever preserved that placid
  disposition, for which he was admired by thee.
  Every [illegible] added day, he was spared to me, the 
  strong ties of nature became still stronger, and bound
  him more closely to my heart.  But it pleased God
  in a moment to sever those ties and take him
  from me.  He hath done it for the best and
  wisest of purposes.  May it please God to open my
  heart that I may receive instruction, and discern
  by the assistance of his Spirit what that good thing
  is, which he would have me to do.  For behold
  he hath sent chastisement, and affliction upon me, 
  and surely he would not send it vainly, or unnecessarily