B-51-7
page 1
Beloved Friends Nine Partners LI 8th of 4th mo 1809
Expecting to have an opportunity in a few days to forward to tyou by Mark Coffin, who I am informed expects to take with him two Children from the School, I seem not willing to let so good an oppertunity pass with improveing it a little in this way, if only to inform that we are yet in the body, and in tolerable health, tho my dear Phebe is afflicted much of her time with pain in her hip and back, so that at times it is with considerable difficulty she gets about, or sleeps comfortably, but her desire to have things in her line put to the best advantage for the institution occasions her exertion many times beyond the proper medium, to her own increase'd difficulty in these respects, which is increased for want of domesticks more prudently disposed in puting things to the best advantage. It dos seem trying much so, at times, to be thus confined, and necessarily attentive to many things in this time of our life, wherein I had in days past, had a hope to have been more at liberty, from the cumbers of time things, to have spent more time in visiting my brethren & sisters both in their private and collective capacities, and to have travelled quietly down to the place of final release, but now it at present seems to be alotted us to be separated from our nearest connections and home friends as well as many others that we would gladly pass some of our time with, & when it will be otherwise, we know not, this is a place of many trying occurrences, and was it not of necessity on our part, on account of our outward difficulties we should not be long here I believe, but from its being a means to keeping us from falling in arears annually, we have been the more [illegible] thereto and endeavoured to be faithful as poor servants to many masters, and overseers, and dont find that we pass quite without measure
