Letter from David Pendleton Oakerhater to Mrs Mary Burnham
December 5, 1878
Paris Hill. New York
Thursday December 5th 1878
My dear House Mother
I was very
glad not sick every day I am
pretty well now In morning
Half past six oclock In my room
Mr Wicks ring the bell I hear
I get up I make fire very nice
warm In room I am Glad very
nice chair I sat down I think it very
much very soon again Mrs Wicks
ring the bell I hear I go down stairs
nice chair I sat down and sing and
pray I eat breakfast nine oclock I go
to School I study hard Eleven oclock
School is out Little while I walk I saw
nice two crows fly up I saw everything
I come home very nice time Half past
one oclock again I go to School Half past
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three oclock School is out evening
seven oclock little while I go to School
Mr Wicks talk nice talk I know I am
Glad very soon School is out again I go
down stairs and Sing and Pray I am
Glad Wednesday Nov 27th 1878 after
dinner I go walk very nice walk I went
to Sagmont I saw chicken turkey In
the barn very soon I look at chicken
yard I saw nice white geese afraid
me go way what is the matter afraid
me look here all Good morning geese
nice day Good bye Miss Allie Wicks to
much laugh Miss Allie Wicks steps
to much laugh very soon very tired
long walk I think Mr Wicks not come
I come to Sagmont nice house I go up
stairs I sat down I glad to see Good
many white people going men and
girls talk nice talk some I know
I am Glad very nice Sing I liked it
very much I go down stairs hard rain
and Some Snow cold rain I want
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home very fast walk I come home
very tired little nice time
Thursday Nov 28th 1878 I was very Glad
no School Ten oclock I go to Good church
Mr Wicks speak tell about Jesus some
I know I am Glad I come home very nice
time evening again I go to lodge
I Glad to see many people In the
lodge Mr Wicks first speak tell about
Jesus many people. Joy. so Happy
I liked it very much very nice Sing
and all clapped both hands I am
very Glad nice supper I come home
I have very nice time my heart so Happy
Sunday Dec 1st 1878 I was very Glad
I comb my hair Ten oclock I go to
church Mr Wicks speak tell about
Jesus some I know I am Glad
I have lords supper1 very Happy day
I come home I eat dinner Half past three
oclock my bible and read Mr Wicks
talk nice talk I know I am Glad
every day walk very nice walk
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some long walk some and little
while walk Good time I was very
Glad I liked write Half past four
oclock I get up I make fire very nice
warm in room I Glad I sat down
I write to you this letter I gasp very Soon
I sneeze what is the matter of me
I think so my Dear House Mother
I was very Glad and I hope you will
very soon please tell to Give my
love oh I think my white sisters
not sick all pretty well I think so this
morning all Good morning
Good bye
your friend
David Pendleton
