New York, May 31st 1837
My dear John
I received your letter yesterday afternoon, and felt very happy to hear from you. I can scarcely compose myself enough to write, for Charley, the the little rogue, is making so much noise, and asking so many questions that I am almost bewildered. I feel your absence, my dear husband, very sensibly; this morning, I could hardly bear to go to church alone, but I made an exertion and went. Mother has gone over to William to dine, therefore, I am quite alone today; she is coming back this evening however. I expect they will all get a fit over there when they hear you are not coming home untill June.
When I think of the many perils you have to encounter while travelling I can scarcely keep up my spirits, but as you wish me to keep a good heart I will endeavour to, for your sake. I do not doubt that you miss home and all its comforts, but sometime we do not know the value of a thing untill its taken from us.Edward has come to take me up with him and I shall have to leave writing untill I come back.
10 oclock Sunday Evening.
I have just returned from Margarets and left them all well; she is very much marked with purple spots and I presume will be for some length of time. She thought quite hard of me for not coming to see her sooner, but I thought best to wait as long as possible.
Ma spent the day with me last week and is coming this week with Father; he felt very sorry for me and wished me to come and stay with him untill your return, but you know I an more comfortable at home than I could be down there with my children. We make out as well as can be expected without you. Richard markets for me once a week and saves Mother the trouble of going. She has been sowing for Ma for a week past and has been a great deal of company for me. I don't think I could do without her while you are away. They think over at the other house that she will be gone all summer if she stays untill June, but I won't believe that you will be absent so long. I hope in your next letter you will have better news for me. I presume that you have reached Cin/ti some time before this and hope you are well rested and find your business affairs not quite so deranged as you expected no matter what comes, bear it with as much fortitude as is becoming for you very well know that I am not a discontented disposition and would be very happy with you whatever comes to pass. Charley and John are very well and would be very glad to see you, I know. Charley is so full of mischief, we hardly know what to do with him; he takes any thing he lays his hands on and puts it down the privey. I wish you was home to govern him a little. Johney is as cunning as ever, he is getting six teeth which makes him fretful sometines, I suppose he will forget you before you come home, but Charley won't, he often talks of Pa and going down to the river and so on. Our grape vine is growing very fast, you will be astonished to see it, and that vine on Richard's fence is one also, you remember, I thought it was a trumpet creeper, so we will have grapes in abundance. Oh how I wish you was home but I will try to bear the seperation with patience, however painful to us both. You must write a very long letter next time, for you don't know what a comfort it is to me to receive them, it seem so long to wait 8 or 9 days before I hear from you.
But I must conclude, wishing you a very good night. Your friends are all well and Join me in love to you. Take good care of yourself for my sake, for it would be a dreadful thing to get sick so far away from home. Mother sends her love to you, and accept a large share from your affecttionate Wife
Sarah Ann
(Editor's note: Sarah Ann was 24 years old. Home at this time was 162 Barrow St., Greenwich Village. "Charley" is Charles Knower Randall, born September 1834. "Johney" is John Randall, second son, born September 1836. He died before his third birthday. "Mother" is Mary Knower Randall; William Hannaford Randall is John Randall's brother. He and their mother, Mary Knower Randall, apparently lived on Franklin Street. "Father" is John Limberger, Sarah Ann's father. "Ma" refers to John Limberger's second wife, Mary Buckley. "Margaret" is Margaret Limberger West, Sarah Ann's sister. John Randall was 29 years old when he replied to her letter. It is addressed to Mrs John Randall, care of his business, Vanwinkel & Randall, 189 Water St, New York.)
Cincinnati June 6, 1837
My Dear Wife I rec'd your two letters 22nd & 28th this day just arrived from St Louis safe & sound. These two letters have comforted rn very much I can assure you. Oh dear me I have to stay here yet 10 days. I an realy disappointed. I have anticipated on leaving here the 10th but not now 'til 16th or later. I do feel a little better than I did 4 or 5 days ago as I as now 700 miles nearer to you but still 1000 miles yet from you. My dear wife how I do long to be with you a my dear little children. I do not know how I can content myself. I am absolutely homesick. How I shall stick to home when I once see home again. I have been 12 days gone from here. I go on the Star Boat. I am perfectly contented now to live in NewYork with you for ever. I never wish to leave you again. I was not aware that I did love you & home so. It is the fact. I have only 5 minutes to write shall write again tomorrow or next day. I am well & in better spirits than when I left here. My business will turn out better than I expected. My dear Sarah Ann how I long to be with you. No matter it has been all for the best. Keep up your spirits I soon shall be with you. Kiss the dear little boys for me. Give my love to all & accept a great share for your self accept this from your ever affectionate husband. If I had time should write a longer letter. John