Full transcription:

(?) Village March 20th, 1830

My Ever Dear Mother,
                                    Mr. Searl told me at dinner he should go by your house on his return to Bridport, I thought this a good opportunity to write a few lines to let you again hear from me – This village is much alarmed at present, for fear of the small-pox or a species of it which Dr. Allen calls the “Very (Lord)” Mr. (Jarad/jorad) Barber[’s] wife died last Monday with the disease, leaving eight small children the oldes about twelve years old, the doctors give orders to have her remains buried at night, and the house cleansed and every precaution to prevent further range of the malady. O heard today the family were all sick with it and unable to get nurses. Dr Allen says those who have had the (kine) pox have this disease much lighter but does not wholly prevent. I want Josephine inoculated, she is the only one of my family but what has had it I think I shall have to wait until I see Dr. Gory. I have the most confidence in him
I just got home well went I came from your house, but we met with an accident. Mr. H. though the sleighing was so much gone that we would strike on the Fair then by Mr. Wooster and have a good sleighing to Mr. Haven’s, but we have not gone a quarter of a mile before the horse and (cutter) both went in. We unharnessed him immediately and broke the ice from him within a few feet of the shore, he then got out without difficulty. We met with nothing more uncommon and (?) the Fair good the rest of the way.
I want to write to Polly and to cousin Mary but shall not now have time; Show this to them and tell them I intent this for you all but you Mother have the first claim for I know you feel the most interested for me – I want Mary to come the first chance, to right me up a little[.] I think she will have my girls bonnets to make if she does not engage herself before I see her – I have looked for you in every day the ground was froze, but it has got so muddy now I expect I shall not see you before it gets settled going. (?) (their) Fair bridge near where we use to live is impassable
(next page) I expect [for travel routes that] the best by Felix Burton in Cornwall. I should be very glad if Father or Frederich could come over by horseback. I head Uriah has moved, I want to see him and Sally and the children. If it is not sickly here and the peoples fears are (groundly?) with regard to the small pox I should be glad to have Sally stay with me whilst Mr. H goes to New York which probably will be in April. I attended the wedding to Father Brewster a week last Thursday morning and carried all my children, we are not gone from home but a little over two hours – I shall expect for Polly to write soon; a letter would come to me direct if you sent by Gordon Searl. I want to hear from all my Bridport friends every individual – I though I should have seen Brother and Sister Fletcher before now or brother Daniel but it appears they have not come yet – It does not seem here like the home I left – I hope in time to get reconciled. I left too much behind me that I loved – My children are a greater care here than they were there. Much love to you and Farewell

Betsy Hayward