68-11-23 Yolo County California  Nov 23, 1868   to A & E Damerell from Eliza 
Norton
                  
Dear Grand Father & grand Mother
After a long delay I will try to write you a few lines.  we are well and hope 
the same with you when you receive this scrap.  This is Monday.  I was to Pas 
yesterday.  They are all well and a doing well.  They live about 7 miles from 
us.  The reason I did not write sonner I was waiting to get my Photograph to 
send to you.  John did not get any.  he not time to go.  I have one that was 
taken about a year and half ago he says that is not good enough to send that 
far. I  received your letter some time ago with your Picture in it.  it looked 
so natural but could not speak to me.  it seame but a short time since I left 
old Mo when I look back and yet it has bin a long time.   I would like to see 
my old native land once more but it is to long a journey and to many axcidents 
hapens.  there was an earth in October that was felt all through our 
neighborhood. every body felt it but us.  it done a great deal of damage in 
sanfrancsisco.  the People are so wicked in this Country as general speaking. 
 no wonder the wrath of God came down upon them.  We have had one rain last 
week. the first since last spring.
I think we have a good prospect for a crop this year.  Our crop grows while 
you freeze there in that cold Country.  John and his Father sold $2,500 
dollars worth of wheat this year and kept enough to do them a year.  We all 
live to greater.  We have got a good home and it Paid for so we are settled 
unless something veary strang takes place.  We live about 18 miles from the 
railroad.  Our place is worth about $8000 dollars.  I wish you was close 
enough to send you a sack of flour.  we have not had any corn meal in our 
house since we have bin to the Country.  Agustus is working for John now 
harrowing in wheat.  You can see how much my little Sammy has grown since I 
sent his picture to you before he was 15 months old the first one.  Now he 
will be three years old in Febuary.  he had a sore on his mouth.  you can see 
it in his picture.  you must send me grand Pas Picture.  I will send Johns as 
soon as I can.  You must excuse this poorly written letter.  I wrote it on my 
lap and sammy to shake me first one side and then the other.  When you write 
tell me when you heard from will Powl and where his Post Office tell Mary Beal 
if she wants a picture she will have to write to me first and tell me where 
she is.  my love to all inquiring friends and good Share for you selves.  
write as often you can.  your letters are all vary gladly recieved.  Eliza 
Norton