[Nantucket October 1, 1828]

No. 2

The ships are now fitted out as much better than they were when Father went as a superb steam boat is better than an anchor hoy. But the voyages, always perilous, and proportionally longer, the Alexander carried out the other day, 114 pounds of spare twine and spare rigging in the like ratio-the consequence of the dullness of the summer business. The [torn section of page] will not have laid up much for the winter. Was it not for the fish market, they would starve- beef can not be had for less than 10 cents, although in the fall it may be had for 7 by the quantity-. In June I got a mess of eels and behold there were no onions in the house- after searching all the groceries so in vain someone told me that Winslow had some. I called and his wife sold be two, so large, with the tops to them, for which I gave her 4 cents, all the family being hungry for chowder, I thought them cheap, when lo! I met Winslow at the door, who scolded his wife, said she had no right to sell them, and said as much, that I should give them up! Onions now are but Socts per bushel, Flour $ 5.75 per bbl. New butter from the farms 30 ct—Eggs 16 c per doz. Groceries same as in Cincinnati—apples 60 cents per bushel-Father lately requested me to get a peck of peaches. I beat him down to [?] a peck. Now said I, Lydia, here is some as good as Ohio, She marked one, made a queer face "Why Reuben, I'd carry them right back!" We have all had peaches enough. Lydia sticks for Ohio, and it is amusing to see how earnest she will get in her descriptions- but I can't say too much of the fish—two smacks are going all the time— they have brought codfish, mackerel, and swordfish all summer. The bluefish have become plenty and it is fashionable for every lady to go fishing-l expect I have taken 200 ct of eels during the summer —when I go I get enough generally for aunt Hussey, Eliza, Nancy, and some to split and broil for breakfast. They are much better in summer than in winter, though good at all times. We take them in the following manner - when the night is dark they come in shoal water to catch the little fish- having a lantern that only gives light in front with peculiar kind of spear, wade along shore and with one having a knife hanging from a lanyard, cut his neck and string him up with a sail needle and wade along towing them after you. Some go in a boat with a great torch and pick up barrels, which always command 6 cents per pound- I told Lydia one evening I wanted two or three eels for breakfast, but it was now bed time. I however lighted my lantern and went down to the front of the house and stuck up a squitty (or what they call a salmon trout in N. Orleans) took him up on the spear in less than 3 minutes from leaving the house.—Being rigged for it I went down again and before I got as far south as the twine factory, I had one for Nancy, one for Eliza, and a large eel! We have had a number of humpbacks brought in and Father, Lydia, Harriet and myself make it fly -

I stood cook myself the other day, to a piece of blackfish lean with some pork and onions what sort of a mess think I had? Thus it is, and if things were equally divided in this world, I know not what amusement it could be to live it—. I have mentioned my fishing voyages to be a little amusing but heaven forbid that I should be to interest myself in eeling. Speaking of humpbacks I have often repeated to the family that there is no situation in which Father would now be delighted to see Harriet when she had a cloth pinned under her chin, and a piece of boiled fluke or fin about the size of a large inkstand . What do you think that Deborah? Can't you see her once and a while, daubing into her eyes instead of her mouth-get hold of a tough place and tug, tug, and be as fierce - and then when she is taken out to be washed, she grunts and holds out her other hand before the firs is half washed and says cha! cha! Pointing to the grease and dirt- Father requests me to say that she has learned to take snuff - He sits a great deal in the great north front room and when he feels disposed to have a frolic with her, he only has to have the doors open communicating with the room and as soon as she gets in she begs for his snuff box, which she presses against her nose with both hands, and snuffs and blows til her face is red.

[now Lydia writes]

October 1st Dear Father and Mother

I cannot let this opportunity pass without addressing those who share so largely in my affections, it will be impossible for me to say anything more interesting than what Reuben has already written, yet if it is with Father and Mother as it is with me, they will accept of it however simple it may be, for I am highly pleased and gratified with anything that I receive from absent friends. Since I left you I have enjoyed a special state of health. I had anticipated a very fatiguing journey but was very much disappointed the greater part being very agreeable, the most disagreeable part was coming from N.Y. I am so very sick on the water, but Oh what changes in my absence, my poor children gone and another in her place. My brothers, however promising, are no more, yet it must be so, those whom we most sincerely love are torn from our embrace, and I sometimes fear that our dear Father will not tarry long with us, as he is quite unwell at times, our Mother is everything we could wish. I presume to say there is not a better woman on the Island than her, or one better fitted for her condition. Our little pet is very fond of her for she generally take her out every morning to feed the pig and the fowls and she will take a handful of corn out of the basket and throw it on the ground for them, she can almost say grandmother, she improves very fast and is very fond of kissing and wants to ba! ba! every little boy that comes to the pump which means kiss. It has been expressed that she was the handsomest child on the Island. I presume then that she is none the worse for being born in the woods. If Father and Mother had never seen the little prattler I should not say so much about her. Deborah would be very pleased to see her running about after the cat and saying tat! tat! At the table she generally eats what she wants first

and then everything goes to the cat that she can find. The other day I took her to Aunt Hussey it being very still in the kitchen where she was. I went to see what she was doing. I found her very busy carrying eggs out of the closet and putting them on a chair. Mother wishes to be remembered most affectionately to all....she has heard so much concerning you all that she feels well acquainted. I visited Aunt Hussey's on Sunday, they appeared to be doing very well now. Aunt is able to go about without her crutches which is more than she expected. Benjamin's wife is a very amiable woman and very kind to aunt and Priscilla. I have never visited Uncle Bunker's and have never been invited, and that I don't care, for I feel very independent, and have more friends than I can visit. Eliza Glover has a very fine boy 3 months old, born on the same day of the month that Harriet was, and almost as handsome. Nancy and her family are very comfortably situated at present. Her youngest child is a very smart boy. Eliza calls her son George B. Glover, Charles has by this time arrived. If Reuben should go away this winter I know what Father will do, as he is so unable to attend to any kind of business. I am in hopes that he will be better as the weather grows cooler. I wish to be remembered to Thomas & William and would expect a line from them. I hope that Deborah will in a short time be able to write me a letter and write me more whether the pet hen that she got up to Josiah Leed's has laid any eggs, and whether the Creesy rooster that we brought from Mr. Ross's in the wagon, crows on the fence when a stranger is coming, and how many ducks there are, and whether old broken wing has any goslings and how many goose eggs she has got on the Wooden Bowl in the milk room. I would like to change with her and give her some fried fish. I have been quite busy this summer setting hens. I have set two hens and raised 8 chickens, all these things I like to know about and whether she has saved pieces of cloth on the hen's tails to keep them from setting, she will be able to inform me better than anyone of the family. I wish Mother to write me anything and everything, and will all be pleasing to us. Reuben Coffin and wife, Moses and Christopher will leave here in a few days for Cincinnati, with this will be a small present for Deborah which I hope she will accept as a token of affection from her affectionate Mother, I would gladly send something of more consequence, but I am afraid that it would be an inconvenience for them to take it. At father's request I will write some lines that I used to sing. I beg that you will receive them from your affectionate daughter.

Lydia Pinkham