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Letter written to the sister of a deceased woman, detailing her last weeks alive. Describes the woman's illness, struggles with dysentery and a painful throat, visits by a doctor, and seeming recovery. Notes the woman tending to her child and her religious piety.

Writing to his brother in Springfield, Massachusetts, about a cholera epidemic that has spread from Montreal to Detroit. “It has been hitherto confined almost, if not wholly, to men of intemperate habits.” Mentions the deaths of five soldiers with the U.S. Army troops on their way to Chicago. Notes his estimates of cases and deaths overall. Believes that the Board of Health has acted “injudiciously” by not publishing bulletins warning the inhabitants and providing health advice. Acknowledges alarm and anxiety. Reports that he and Edward are staying at a home three-quarters of a mile from town “in a clean, airy situation” near a physician to ride out the wave of illness. Feels it is necessary to "guard our store, tho I do not expect to sell any goods."

Asks whether there are any cases of cholera in Philadelphia and how business, his own included, is going. He suffers from some symptoms of cholera, and his wife is experiencing "bilious colic." Plans to stay in Dover until they feel better and to avoid cholera.

Discusses the cholera cases reported by the Board of Health. Cholera rages but only among the "lower classes of people, the intemperate, the licentious, & the wretched." There is no safety from cholera in the country, but says that by living prudently it can be avoided. Describes the premonitory symptoms and compares Philadelphia's outbreak to New York's. Hopes recent lightning storms will check the disease due to changing atmospheric conditions. Some people have fled the city. Notes family health and his involvement in settling church disputes.

Asiatic Cholera rages among intemperate and temperate, spreading along "navigable water courses." Account of the course and spread of cholera in Albany, including people fleeing from sick relatives, the fast pace of the disease, and cases of residents close to their house. Describes premonitory symptoms and medicines to take. Fears Southern slaves will suffer the most from cholera, particularly in Georgia and the Carolinas.

Warning his brother of an epidemic which he believes to be caused by the “vengeance of an offended God!” and speaks about the moral and spiritual importance of temperance. Describes the disease as being like cholera and recommends eating “plain foods” and avoiding green vegetables to avoid it. Received information from a local doctor that scientists believed it wasn’t contagious until “the air in a city or town has become so much infected as to be putrid.” States that “drinkers and prostitutes” have been the first victims. Originally enclosed a handbill discussing the “effect of Cholera on Spirit Drinkers” which he requested to be posted in town and hoped that his brother would not take offense to [not present]. Left work at the Lunatic Asylum to work for one of Salisbury’s new blocks. N.B.: It is now known that they were experiencing the second wave of the cholera epidemic.

Discussing cholera outbreak in New York and expectations that it may come to Newark. Religious reflections and musings on assurances of faith, obeying Christian commandments. "Cases of the Cholera are daily occuring in our town not only among the filthy and intemperate but in respectable and pious families." Asking after acquaintances.

Anxious about friends' health in New York City. Following newspaper accounts of cholera cases. Panic in Newark, New Jersey. Tells of burning beds of cholera patients. Notes other illnesses amongst friends, including "bleeding at the lungs" and "bilious fever." One woman is engaged to her doctor. Elegant red Amboy, New Jersey, oval stamp with ornaments.

Description of the cholera epidemic in Utica. Notes her use of diet, avoiding heat and evening air, and carefully managing social calls to prevent catching the disease. Religious reflections and thoughts on fear. Detailed observations on spread of disease, the people it struck, and speculation on causes. People predisposed to get it from lifestyle or location, noting that middling classes largely affected but that imprudence heightens the risk. Notes on funerals and making coffins.

Description of astronomy studies and illustration of the solar system. Notes early thoughts on celestial bodies. Comments on the particulars of the solar system, including details of Mercury, Venus, Earth, the moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Herschel [Uranus]. Discusses comets, stars, how the sun remains stationery, and orbits.