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A letter jointly written by George and Irene Richards and directed to Irene's mother, Rebecca Austin Lincoln. George discusses married life and compares the rich produce of Illinois with the meager produce of Boston. Irene discusses her social life, her cooking, and her diet.

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Irene discusses her home, her neighbors, and general domestic activities, remarking that she would not exchange her house "with a king or a princess." She also comments on the weather and her health, and inquires about the preparation of yeast for "yankee bread."

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Irene writes that "my time has about arrived"; four days later, George announces the birth of a son (Henry Lincoln Richards).

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In a jointly written letter, George Richards reports on family news, especially son Henry, while Irene describes George's prior invitation to the Lincolns to move to Illinois, an invitation Bradford Lincoln "refused decidedly".

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George discusses the development of his infant child and describes reactions to the birth within the local community. He describes recent events in adjoining Macoupin County (the "State of Macoupin"), and goes on to comment on the difficult economic circumstances then prevailing in Illinois, especially following the legislature's passage of a "stay law" making it difficult for Richards to collect outstanding debts. He contemplates a return East.

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Irene Richards discusses gardening, her social engagements and private occupations in Hillsboro, the health of her family, and the development and activities of her son Henry.

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The author, possibly George Richards' sister Katherine, writes of Hillsboro and the West, saying that Irene Richards resides ". . .in the pettiest little cottage, in the pleasantest part of one of the most delightful villages in Illinois." She also describes baby Henry and inquires about friends in Massachusetts.

Scope and Contents The author describes the development of her child and comments on the possibility of her family moving from Massachusetts to Illinois, saying ". . .I would like to have them with me but not here. [T]is no place for an old man like father nor such an one as mother. [I]t makes my heart ache when I think for an instant as their living here. [T]is good for young strong beginners, but for an old man or a young man without strength, it is no place at all." Irene goes on to describe how life in...

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Irene mentions recent social activities, the development of her child, and a friend who intends to move from Hillboro into Iowa Territory.

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Irene reports on her social life.

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Personal and social news, from George Richards in Hillsboro to Irene in Boston.

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News of daughters Susan (b. c.1845) and Alice (b. c.1850), from Irene Richards to a travelling George.

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News of family and friends, to George in Hillsboro.

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Whitney writes from Columbia of the "sickness" then prevailing in Charleston.

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Richards upbraids a relative of Irene's over a financial matter.

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Augustine Lincoln's response to the above.

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A letter written enroute to Charleston, where George and Irene were travelling for the latter's health.

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A letter to seven-year-old daughter Alice, on the trip south with Irene.

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George Richards tells his daughter of the exotic sights of Charleston, especially the slaves at the Whitneys (where George and Irene were staying). "Mother seems to be a little better today and we are in hopes she will soon get well and then we shall come home."

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Further tales of Charleston, including diet, weather, and interactions between the Whitney children and the family's slaves.

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George tells Elisabeth of Irene's failure to recuperate, and of his determination to sell his property.

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In a long letter to Elisabeth written after Irene's death on 5 May 1857, George Richards speaks of his feelings on returning to Illinois after his years in the East. He tells her of land he has purchased in Hillsboro Township, on which he will eventually build and to which Elisabeth and George's three children will eventually move.

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Richards describes his new property for his older daughter, Susan.

Scope and Contents Richards discusses his farmland and how its acreage will be divided and used. In seeking to prepare Elisabeth for the West, he describes how Illinoisans have changed in the years since he first settled in the state, saying ". . .the roughest & worst of them have moved West and the others are all prosperous, & with prosperity has come new ideas. . .but being in the transition state their efforts are rather ludicrous, it is rather hard for a man or woman who was born & raised in a...

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Back in Illinois in the spring of 1858, Richards writes to his son Ned (b. 1852), still in Massachusetts.

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A letter to Alice in Massachusetts.

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A letter to Alice in Massachusetts.

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A letter to Ned in Massachusetts.

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The author, writing to Alice, describes the development of a horse named Dolly and gives an account of his progress in building the house that his family will eventually occupy.

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The author discusses a family dispute regarding the will of her grandfather, Bradford Lincoln.