This is the first page of the letter. It begins on a sheet separate from the cover. The dark handwriting at the beginning of the letter is that of William Nickle (1761-1842). Here is a closeup of William's handwritten portion of the letter:

William's handwriting reads as follows:

[Month and day torn off, but on or before June 22] 1841

[Dear So]n and Daug[h]ter. I take this way of Letting you know that we are all well[,] thanks be to God[,] and hope that these will find you all Enjoying the sam[e] Bl[e]s[s]ing and your two sons[. W]rit[e] to us as soon as you get this and let us know if your Brothe[r] Ja[me]s was at your hous[e. H]e is gone away from wher[e] he w[as an]d Left his fam[i]lie and [P]olly says the[y] knows not where he is[. H]e went off Last [F]eb[r]uary and Left loanes behind and the Credit[o]rs put him in gaol [jail. H]e is got out and was hear [here. W]e hav[e] hade [had] a Letter from your Uncel David and one from your Uncel James[. T]hey are all well[. T]ell My Dear son wm [William] that I remember him at a hre of grace[.]

May [G]od bl[e]s[s] him amen[.]

Here is a closeup of Mary's handwritten portion of the letter:

Mary's handwriting reads as follows:

June 22d The above is from your father

Dear Brother and Sister, I take my pen in hand to inform you that we are all well; We have not forgotten you though at so great a distance from you, we still bear you on our minds, We would like to see you all, but as an All wise Providence has separated us in this world, so that we cannot see each other face to face we may still speak to each other with the pen. Brother John returned from your house in about three weeks from he left home. he is now farming for Mr. Farnes Huston, Sister Hannah is teaching school, and recieves ten dollars per month, She has a large school and gets along very well; She comes home every two weeks, She still says that if you come up next fall she would like to go down with you and see the country. This has been a very sickly season in these parts, Alexander Sollinger's and his wife were both very sick, but are now somewhat recovered, Brother Andrew lives in Wm Bell's house, his children were almost all sick but are now got well, Mr Glenn was not expected to live for about give or six weeks, he did not preach any from the 11th of April until last Sabbath two weeks when he attempted again. Col Samuel Huston was married on the 8th of April to Miss Mary Gardner, they are living at Dempsey's furnace, Rebecca Bell is also married to Mr James Christy of Scrubgrass township, Joshua Davis Esq performed the ceremony, Brother Andrew has another son which he calls, Martin Van Buren, William's wife has a[nother daughter] and calls it [E]mily Catherine [. . .] Wm [. . .]

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