I sit down for the third time to write you a few lines in hopes that it may have the Effect of Bringing back an answer. your Silence alarms me, for I can account for it in no other way, unless through sickness or death, which may God Forbid, that either Should be the cause, at last I have the Happiness to inform you that I have received a letter[.] {page 2} James and Robert they are in Good Health and are at present staying in New York, they said the reason they neglected writing to me was that they were so knocked about. they couldent reckon on being a month together in one place. However I trust that nothing will prevent them for the Future of ocasionally sending me a few lines. God knows its a small Favour to ask, but they dont {page 3} know the value of it as I do,- for you have all pushed forward to new scenes and new Faces, and thear are things that generally have a charm in them, while there is nothing left to me, but old remembrances, and them are not always the most cheerful. My arm is quite well now, But I havent yet succeeded in getting anything to do may God send me something soon. But this is a Bad time {page 4} of the year for servants as no one stays in the City that can manage to leave it. I hope you wont let me be disapointed in receiving an answer this time, and that it will be the Bearer of no unpleasant News, for God knows the troubles of this world is hard to bear, as I Can well testify. I will Close this in the hopes that it will find you all in Good Health,--

I remain your ever affectionate Sister

{signed} Kate Armstrong

Give my love to Willy and the children

I once more take up my pen to try would it induce you to send a reply. I do not Pretend to know the cause of your silence, but from whatever motive it has originated, I have felt it most painfully. I do not mean to enter upon any History of my self, as most probably it would not be acceptable, neither can I tell you anything of the rest of the Family, as I know as little {page 2} of them as I do of youself, for you all seem to avoid Communication with me, likely tis because that I am the most desolate. However, I must only try and be content, as tis worse than folly to complain. Methinks I see you smile at my Presumtion in in supposeing that any of you would waste you time in thinking of me, perhaps too, I am wrong in wishing it, but it is such a lonely thing to be without one Friend in the whole wide world, to care whether you live or die, sink or swim, {page 3} ah, How often when reflecting on it, oh I Bitterly lament my Poor darling Father, sadly, sadly, oh I miss him, he has not left his equal behind him, But Gods will be done.- I suppose this will share the place of its Predecessors, and be condemmed to oblivion, but though I am prepareing myself for another disapointment still I couldent help making one more effort to try and win you from your silence, Heaven sees, the Boon I crave is neither very troublesome nor expensive. just a few lines occasionally to say that you {page 4} are all still on the land of the living, and just to enquire How I manage to get along..- But I had better conclude, lest I tire you, so hoping this will find you all in good Health, and wishing you many Happy New Years. Believe me to remain your ever

affectionate Sister

{signed} Kate Armstrong