76-12-17  Waitsburg, Walla Walla Co. W. T.  Sabboth Night by Candle Light  Dec 
the 17th 1876                 from R & C Henderson 
Dear Father    (Elisha Damrell),                      
It is by the kind will of our Savior, I am permitted to answer your very kind 
and affectionate letter we recd the  the other day, bearing date Nov the 24th. 
 We are all so glad to hear from you once more in Life and Proud to hear you 
are all well, for health is one of the greatest blessings we can have on this 
Earth.  We are all stout and hearty except Robert.  I cant boast of his 
health.  he is better some times and at other times worse,  He spits up almost 
a teacup full during the Night and Mornings.  Coughs hard, is taking codliver 
oil and whiskey.  at present, thinks it does some good.  This damp foggy and 
Frosty Weather is very  hard on him though he is out a good deal of the time, 
the children are a bed.  I am alone, Robert, went over to one of the Neighbors 
this Evening to see a man from Walla Walla, who wanted to trade a heavier 
wagon for a lighter one.  I guess they will talk trade in the morning before 
breakfast.  It is very lonely since Emmet started to School.  He is boarding 
up to Waitsburg it was the best we could do as there is no school in this 
school House.                 
We dont know whether he will learn much up there that he or to learn or not, 
the school is very much erauded.  there is 40 schollors, I believe.
Emmet is heavier than his Pa and as tall, if he dont stop growing pretty soon 
he will be the longest Henderson I ever seen,  it is pretty hard to do without 
Emmet this winter as Robert is not able to work though he does more than 
?_______.  We are very sorrow to hear of Poor Grand Mas Eyes being sore.  I 
hope and trust the Health of the Afflicted may be restored If it is the Lords 
will, Health before Wealth all the time.  Some cant have either and it does 
look pretty hard, times is reasonable good at here at present.  When Peopple 
has plenty to eat and wear they are ort not complain.  We had vary high water 
here in last.  it rained more here this Fall than the old settlers ever seen 
it before. (water raised in our cellor nearly 2 feet, it was nearly over the 
first bin of apples which made them very ugly to handle.)  Pa you speak a bout 
loosing our address pretty often.  Our time wont be out here until a year from 
next March.  I wish Robert could sell his lease here now.  if he could get in 
to something to make a living easier.  He is not able to farm and it is very 
little that he is able to do.  Fear he cant walk any distance until he is 
almost out of Breath.
You spoike about Brother Ben writing to you.  they are Poor hands to write we 
hardly ever  hear from them.  the last we heard, Willie Henderson was down 
here a week ago.  He got a letter from them they was all well, and it seems as 
if Bens and Samps are coming to this country.  They are not satisfied.  I 
would be glad in deed if the Brothers and Sisters that is on this coast could 
be in visiting distance as there is no more relations nearby.  We are almost 
scattered to the fore winds.  oh may we all meet someday if not in this world 
I trust it may be in a better one.  Pray for us that we may all meet there.  
our kind regards to you all, write soon.  from you loving Son & Daugher, R. & 
C. H. and Family