Rachel Todd letter to Charity Rotch, Farmington, May 25th 1808

              B-311-7  
	
			Farmington  May 25th  1808
	Dear Charity
			Although I fondly hope, to have
	the pleasure of seeing thee; & thy dear husband,
	at Farmington, within a week; or ten days, at farthest,
	still I feel desireous, of scribbling a few lines, to
	my much value d friend, at this time, & think it
	will reach  N.York, before you will probably, quit
	that City.  The favourable accounts, of thy health, my
	dear C. given, in thy two last letters, were indeed,
	a sweet balm. To the hearts of your ever solicitous
	E. & R. Todd oh! May thy former health, & strength,
	be reestablished, & when reestablished, be of long, long
	duration- the time of your absence, my early belov d
	friends seems long, indeed, but the Idea, of the benefit,
	which, might be received, has been our consolation,
	at all times- you will doubtless, feel interested, &
	wish, to know something, respecting the fever, which
	prevails among us, alas! My account must still be
	unfavorable, it does not abate, but rather increases
	& grows, more malignant, the number of sick, just
	in the town street, are less, than when I write you
	last, but from 2, to 5, miles out in every direction the
	people are distressed beyond description- numbers are
	taken from a state of health, to violent delirium, & from
	delirium to stupidity, & some; from stupidity to the
	grave all in the short space of, from 12 to 24 hours,
	few however, had died, in comparison with number
	of the sick our family have been favor d to escape so
	far, whether we shall [illegible] hour longer, is all uncertain,