a letter from Jamestown in 1880

English version

Amerikabrev

Skapad av Ted mån, juli 30, 2007 23:11:59

A translation of a letter from Jamestown NY , Febr 10, 1880.

Most beloved Child and grandchildren…Gods mercy and care about you in Sweden and us here in America and my thoughts to all relatives though Jesum Christus in this world and in next.

Thanks dear Son and daughter in law for your letter from Wimmerby Jan.19, that came to me Febr. 9 th, and I will answer at once as you wish. I am happy to see that you all are at good health and going on well, Thanks God. As you surely understand it is hard getting old, but I feel quite strong and have a good time with my daughter , son in law and grandchildren. There are no difficulties in our house and we are altogether like one and times go by and daily life is like a stream to the finial goal, our home in Heaven. So the best is to use this time on earth so we need not regret our lifes.

We read in your letter that you really helped your son Axel studing although it is hard times and we share your happiness that he has done so very well. Sure our God in his mercy will do that Axel in the future will show all that care back to you.

Jonas and Christin ( son in law and daughter ) tell you sincerly that if Wictor wants to come to America, it is no idea to pay him English lessons at school in Sweden. Even if he can read English in a Swedish way, he had to know the dialect and schools here are free. About the future just God knows but we will give you a piece of good advise. If he is ready to learn and is an honest boy that will be the best way to be a good and capable American. You may understand that he will be taken care of and live with his cousins the best we can do in
our house.

I also read that you are expecting us come and see you personally but we send you some photos. But on the other hand you ought to come and see us. We think that there are far better possibilities here compared with Sweden But of course you had to decide that by yourselves. But as you write that your profession as a butcher is not that profitable any longer and that there are problems with money and that winters are hard and just have what you need to live.

You didn’t write in your letter if you still own land or if you have sold it. It would be nice to know about the harvest.. Write about that in your next letter and don’t let me wait as long as this time. I had in mind to write before Christmas, but my brother in law Sjöstrand was ill and he is now dead, burried Sunday before Christmas.

So now I finish writing and as I can not help my sister in law, I send her ”one dollar”, to spend on the children. My daughter and son in law and their children give you and their cousins unseen the best wishes and from me with the heart of a mother until my last hour on earth. God knows if I will live and in my own name write another letter.

Christina Pettersdotter

Kindest regards to my sister Carolina and her husband and children. Carl Fredrik and his wife and children send their love to his mother.