US Cover W/ Letter & Scott#26

I purchased a US Scott#26 attached to a cover last year for $3 on ebay. When I purchased the cover it was stated that the envelope itself was falling apart, They weren't kidding, The front was separated from the back and the flap was separated as well. My attraction to the cover was the clean cancel, fresh appearance of the stamp and the fact the original letter was still with the cover.







I researched Mrs. O.E. Daggett of Canandaigua, N. Y., Turns out she was one of the managers at the Ontario Orphan Asylum of Canandaigua, N. Y., from 1864-65. She was married to Reverend Daggett, O. E. (Oliver Ellsworth):Who wrote a sermon he had given at his church,First Congregational Church,in regards to Abraham Lincoln's death,Per the request of several prominent local people,["A Sermon on the Death of Abraham Lincoln"], April 15th, 1865 (Canandaigua, NY: N. J. Milliken, 1865)


The letter included to Mrs. Daggett is very hard to read and I'm not sure of the sender, Other then it's Mrs. Daggett's niece. The letter is very difficult read due to my lack of reading old hand written letters. I was looking to see if anyone may be able to help me transcribe this letter?

It will be easier if you could upload these pages in higher resolution.

How?

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Go to

http://tinypic.com/

search the scan on your computer and click "Upload Now"

enter the confirmation code they will ask you

****

copy entirely what is now typed under :


"MG Code for Forums & Message Boards"


paste it here in the message,


This is not look to be a very hard to decipher, but the higher resolutions scan will be more than welcomed.

Here goes. Only missed two words. Perhaps another reader will catch it.

"My dear Mrs. E. I have a favor to ask of you which I feel sure you will grant me. Mrs. Curtiss, who, perhaps you know, has been with me during this past fortnight until Tuesday. (two words missed) I was to part with her I cannot tell. My little boy is, I fear, going to prove too much for me. I have plenty of milk, but whether I can give it to him without sacrificing myself is questionable. With Mrs. C's management I would add the bottle to it, but alone I do not dare - and I am afraid of being reduced to the necessity of a wet nurse. Mrs. C said she had partly promised Mrs. Granger to go to her after the termination of this engagement upon which she is about to enter. But if Mrs. G would release her or rather if she could get off (her promise does not seem to have been conclusive) she would return to me through July and August - how I want you to speak a word for me. I really feel almost as if my poor child's life were depending upon the issue. He is fine from (Last four words crossed out) Mrs C. expects to be with you next week. She will tell you all about us. Since she left I have passed a most anxious time - not made any more comfortable by a very painful breast which seemed fine some days to grow worse instead of better. To day, too, the child's bowels ae surely disordered, and I am so inexperienced that I feel quite discouraged. If you can (Underlined) do any thing by your voice to insure Mrs. C's return to me, I am sure you will. David is as anxious for it as I.
It is quite dark & I cannot see to write more - If you will do me this service, I will do as much for you when you require it.
(The last ten words were underlined)

Affectionately,

M"

A very tender, gripping letter apparently from a young mother asking for help. Thanks for letting me read/transcribe it.

Thanks so much for the help IPmiller! I'm greatly in debt to you for the help. Hopefully I can return the favor soon.
Thanks for helping me share this letter with our community as well.

It's any amazing insight to read the trials and tribulation people endured back then.

Wow that is amazing! Sounds like she was very stressed out over her son and apparently wanted the help back..What a sad read huh?

Do many covers have letters in them?

You wonder what the outcome was. It is very poignant plea for help feeding the child.