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Comments on illnesses in the family, working hard, Christmas and New Year celebrations. Asks after friends and family. Written on presidential campaign letterhead, featuring portraits of Horatio Seymour (1810-1886) and Frank P. Blair, Jr. (1821-1875). “I hope these portraits wont offend you but it is all the kind of Paper I have.”

Notes changes that have occurred since they went on a Fourth of July ride three years ago, including marriages, a friend moving to Iowa, and Thirza moving to Michigan. Discusses his work. Was teased when people discovered he had a letter written in a lady’s hand awaiting him at the post office. Trying to clarify their relationship status, and settle a disagreement that got blown out of proportion due to epistolary miscommunications. “But Thirza we have been correspondents some time and if we were not or never intended to be I should dropped all this long ago, but I always considered it as a mutual engagement long before you went West.” Hoping to move west soon but is uncertain whether parents will allow him.

Cora J. Brown’s Song Book. Dated October 25, 1869 on the cover but the songs inside date from September 1869 to October 1870. Songs included: Safe Within the Vail, Over on the Other Side, the Happy Song, Angry Words, We Love to Sing Together, Ring the Bell Watchman, Don’t Kill the Birds, the Famous Girl, Weaver John, Daisy Deane, Viva L America, and Follow your Leader. Pages attached together with thread.

Hand-made booklet with pencil and watercolor illustrations of garden scenes, the name "Florence Isabelle Parsons," young girls, a floral bouquet, the exterior of a home, and a scroll with faded pencil inscription that reads "Be a good girl / and strive to / learn all you / can. / Florence I. Parsons / Rebecca Kilmer."

Wants to have her dress "fixed over," but feels she can't afford the cost and doesn't want to ask her parents who would likely oppose the expense for something "the least bit stylish."

Had been sick. After recovering, traveled to Detroit for a lecture engagement. Will write a column for the Independent.

Notes respect due to women. “I respect a woman in all classes, even if a depraved one… and should I see one of these imposed upon I would defend her the same as yet I would another woman.” Briefly comments on Lizzie’s mail carrier, a dream he had of her, and attending church. Discusses the fire department using men to pull their engines due to a livestock epidemic “…On the engine ropes you would see police men news boys boot blacks, fine dressed citizens, poor Irishmen, negroes and firemen.” Notes citizens’ quick responses and their hoping to avoid “a rep[e]titon of 1849 when this city was half burnt up or like two late fires, viz Chicago and Boston.” Mentions Fire Chief [Henry Clay] Sexton and the impact the lack of horses and oxen has had on businesses, including the hiring of African American laborers to "draw their wagons. Every thing that is able to draw anything is pressed into service.” References joining lodges and a Thanksgiving faux pas.

Writing to her cousin about family news. Notes cases of "putrid sore throat" in the community, including fatal ones among children. Neighbor, Mrs. Munson, recently died, leaving behind "a large family of small children." Details of local railroad accident on Christmas Eve, with over twenty fatalities and others suffering burns. Mentions New Years celebrations and attending a molasses pull.

Requesting they be ready to defend Seymour Winchell "in a bastardy proceeding." Winchell is accused by a woman who had previously tried to "swear a child on Mr. Makelely and failed" and has been "delivered of her third bastard child." Believes one of her other children is the product of "incest of the most revolting character." The mother took the stand against Hubbard's objections and swore Seymour Winchell was the father. Engaging Newkirk and Chace in the expected proceedings, especially as they were involved in the Makeley case. Written on J. C. Hubbard, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, stationery.

Has been in a serious accident on a horse-drawn wagon. Her sister has written a book. References Spiritualism.