Dear Son & Daughter
A.B. Foster & L Foster I have been sick since I received your last letter. have been confined to the house four weeks am last able to be out again the ballence of the Family have been well we have verry cold weather here snow 18 inches Deep you spoake of your Crops as being good Mine was verry light in consequence of the heavy July raines and hot Sun right after that scolded it I only had 253 bushels from 50 acre I did not rais enoughf to pay my expences the cold has been in tens the first of the month the stood at 24 below zero. I lost my best horse. Died with inflamation of the Bowels which will make Bad for me in the Spring. I bought a thrushing Machine last winter and we last summer made enoughf to pay for it

I am getting Feable so you must excuse my not writing sooner. Henry is get wood up for summer at presant as we have fine Sleighing Snow rather Deep on the timbers

Wheat sells for .40 to .60 cts per B. Pork as low as $2.10 to 2.70. per ham? ? 15 corn 18 potatoes 40 times Dul money scarce

Where is Wesley write if you know have you heard from Uoz for the last three years if so write if you exspect to see me in the flesh againe you will have to come and see me

Your Loveing Father
J.W. Foster

~*~

~contributor's notes: This letter was written prior to 1879. John W. Foster was my 3rd great-grandfather, and Alfred Foster was my 2nd great-grandfather.

~contributed by Jolynne Bockman