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Includes advice to Maria on course of reading or study (no novels or poetry until after learning philosophy and history). Remarks on the education of women; believes that the "fashionable course of study" for women weakens their intellect and makes them unfit for many duties of their "sex & station." [Original in the Michigan collection]

Staying at a boarding house in New York; description of house and boarders. Making a silk cloak.

Regret at having to move to Louisville as a result of her husband’s employment. Description of Louisville.

Father of a young boy wishes Breed to take in his son to learn a trade as his mother apparently spoils him. The mother writes that she would like the best for her son.

Comments on the difficulties of moving in the city. Notes on fashion. Describes her new house. Visited the Strong's home in Newtown, "a very large cottage situated on a fine green lawn, on the shores of Flushing Bay." Visited the Academy of Design. Criticizes a letter she received, written in poetry. "The letter was in Poetry, and so much nonsense-- I never saw committed to paper."

Writing to family in Bath, New Hampshire, describing her new home. Has hired a Dutch and an Irish servant. Comments on various news about friends and family, health concerns. Notes the burning of the side-wheel steamboat George Washington on Lake Erie. Requesting more frequent communication from family and for them to send her "some of your eastern papers."

Thoughts on letters, family illnesses, death. Notes on advancing their legal case relating to their father's death. Matters relating to housing, money, acquiring a new position as a navy officer in New Orleans. [NOTE: see also undated letter by Mary B. Penrose.]

Romantic letter commenting on wanting to write to her and visit her, but had to stay "in this city of Goths & Vandals." Describes visits with male colleagues, including reciting poetry, admiring favorite authors, and enjoying "quite an intellectual visit." Reflections on childhood, aging, and religious preparation. "I am now a man, and am sweeping on toward the close of my existence with the velocity of lightning." Includes quotes from poetry. Wax seal imprint includes musical notation and lyrics "Good Night Alls Well."

“Miss, Elizabeth Fortune." Divination that declares Elizabeth is to be married within ten months and that she will have a total of eight children. Describes both the physical appearance of her future husband and provides a timeline of their marriage including periods of difficulty. States that she will not have to deal with a “whiskey drinker.” Includes phonetic spelling.

Writing to her cousin and aunt in Boston. Has been ill since she began working at the mill. Comments on acquaintances, pay days, and girls and women coming to Lowell to work. News of some girls who stole from others in the boarding house.