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Smallpox. Difficulties due to snow. Installation of water pumps. Family news and details about children. Sending six copies of the Messenger to distribute.

Manuscript document relating to the trial of Samuel Utter for the charge of fornication, possibly penned by a defense attorney. Solomon Stewart accused Samuel Utter of "improper intimacy or criminal intercourse with Emily S. M[c?]Combs or some other young woman in his barn" in April 1857. Stewart describes witnessing Utter and the woman together, their reactions upon being discovered. Disputes the reliability of the evidence, pointing out inconsistencies and doubts, including the belief that a woman caught fornicating would "hide her face in shame & fly." Other witnesses provide alibis for Utter and M[c?]Combs and argues the lack of subsequent pregnancy proves no fornication occurred. Believes that Stewart, "disposed to be talkative," fabricated the story "to make himself important."

Valentine's Day poem, entitled "An Invocation," sent to recipient in Swanzey, New Hampshire. Calling on angels watch over and protect the recipient, a woman with a "true, gentle soul." With embossed lace envelope.

Attributed to L. P. Bowen in a later hand. Comedic poem joking about and insulting the various men courting Emily and underscoring the writer as the best match. N.B.: While the writer signs the piece from Shanghai, China, no corroborating evidence indicates Bowen was abroad at this time. Further research is needed to discern whether this is the place it was written or part of the comedy.

Has sewing to do, a baby “to wear,” and house to clean before leaving for Charlemont. Illustrated letterhead: “Ohio University.”

Had hoped the recipients, her niece and nephew, would have visited last summer, "but as you say mosquitoes are great pests quite enough to frighten one not accustomed to them, as for ourselves, we are so used to them we do not much care for them." Remarks on the death of her child, Margaret, and religious hopes to meet her in the afterlife. Hears little news where they live, "It is very quiet indeed here, with little else but the chirping of a bird or buzzing of a mosquito to break the monotony of our lives."

“The Education of Woman.” References the “arrogant assumption of superiority of intellect” of men. Argues that the intention of not properly educating women is to ensure that “the female portion of the species should never become women, but should always remain girls.” Speaks against the practice of solely educating women on domestic skills such as cooking and embroidery. States that the education of women is “of the utmost importance not only to the present generation, but also to those that are to appear in indefinite succession in the theatre of existence.” Given before the Excelsior Literary Association. Pages tied together with a small piece of red ribbon.

Sends two copies of a pamphlet on her parents.

Four newspaper clippings from the Boston Traveller respecting the Samuel G. (for Sarah W.) Morrill v. Nelson A. Hume rape case. Sarah Morrill, a spiritual medium, accuses Nelson Hume of raping her while in a spiritual trance, and threatening her life when she threatened to inform her husband.

Comments on well-attended local celebrations at the Dutch Gardens. Meeting acquaintances at the ice cream saloon, including a man she loves. Laments someone being a "miserable Drunkard." Enclosing scraps of fabric from her new dresses (one included), and wishes she could also send samples from her bonnets.