My dear uncle, aunt, and niece,

On February 21 the letter from America arrived in Albersloh, and a few days afterwards Anton took an ox to Wolbeck to be slaughtered and brought the letter along. So I read that uncle is still alive; I have thought that maybe he was dead because we never received an answer to our letters, We have always said that our letters perhaps were not delivered over there.

I am still here in Wolbeck and am the housekeeper for the pastor. I’ve been with him now for 17 years. His name is Friedrich Homann and he was born in Albersloh. He is 61 years old. We don’t have much in the way of farming, almost everything is leased. His annual income is approximately 1,000 Taler. We have two hogs which we are fattening for our own consumption. We have a nice garden close to the house. Right now my second youngest sister Sophie is here to help me. She is much smaller than the other sisters and brother. In a few weeks she will return home. Usually I have a maid to help me out. Because the vicarage in Wolbeck is under construction, the vicar is staying here in the rectory for room and board. He is a young man of 30 years. He was born near the Dutch border. He is very animated. He comes from a large estate, but is a very simple man. I get along very well with him.

My sister Josephina, the third oldest {between her there is Maria and then Josephina) is quite tall. She is also quite heavy-set so farmwork is too difficult for her. But she has always been able to help quite a bit. Now since January she is also the housekeeper for the chaplain in Hausewinkel, which is about 10 hours from Albersloh. She wrote me a few days ago that she likes her new job. She could have gotten married if she had wanted to – but once she didn’t like this, and then she didn’t like that – so now she has done as I have and has refused marriage. I also did the same thing of my own free will. My mother was not very happy at first, but now she is happy that I am what I am. She says to me now: “You are so much better off!” Whenever I visit at home she says: “This life is better for you!” because we children are all quite frail, and this is much better than getting married. Mother is much healthier than we are. Marie was always the strongest of all of us, and now she is so frail, because she now has the children –they have two living, 3 are dead. The doctor says that her lungs have been affected. Lately it has improved a little bit. She will come here to Wolbeck and take the “Kneipp Kur.” The doctor says that there is no other treatment for her and that this will help.

About two weeks ago I went home for a visit on a Sunday afternoon. I also visited Bleckmanns and she was feeling quite well, better than I was. The time before, my brother in-law took me back to the rectory in the evening. I can go home easier than you can, dear uncle! When I get to the Grosse Harmann Forest from where I can see our house, I am always happy that I can still walk home. At home there are still Elisabeth, Anton, and Katharina. She is the youngest. Anton is also quite delicate and small. He would be better off as a clerk in a store than as a farmer. Katharina is quite tall. Liesbeth is smaller . They are all working hard. Our Aunt Josephine Horstmann died last fall. August Horstmann, Franz’s brother, finished his education last spring and became a priest. The pastor and I went to Horstmanns for his solemn ordination; it was just like a wonderful wedding, 60-70 guests. One of the Toellers has also become a priest, but he went to America. I don’t know where he went, though.

Our aunt, Mrs. Steinhorst, died November 1, 1893; she was 79. Our dear father died January 24, 1889.

The other farm matters they will certainly write to you about.

Now, dear uncle, I would like to suggest something to you. You write that you are still so healthy and strong, and you must have money, too. Why don’t you come over here to Germany? That would be such a great joy for you… a crossing now takes only 9 days. Several years ago at Wolbeck we had visitors from America. For us children it would be a great joy to finally meet our uncle in person.

Now I will close this letter and hope you will fulfill my wish… And please write whether this letter was received by you … I would like to recommend myself and my loved ones to you in your prayers. I will also remember you in my prayers because I am able to attend Holy Mass every morning

Warmest regards.

Anna Husam

My sister Sophie also sends many kind wishes; she is staying with me right now.