Dear brother, brother-in-law and sister-in-law

We are all doing well, Thank God, and we hope and wish that you are also all right

Now we want to let you know that our father from Rettmar came to stay with us for one year, he became ill and died and was buried here, he reached the age 89 years and 7 months. From Roloff I am letting you know that there was an investigation about the theft of sheep and he that he was sentenced to 7 months. He sold his farm and now he is renting. Sophie could not save anything but 400 [?] Thaler [/?] and she bequeathed it to the children. The rest Roloff blew in 2 years. Also, I would like to let you know that [illegible] the old mother died also. Please let us
know, how you use your cattle and how much you earn of it (you wrote, that this is your main income) and how much a head of cattle costs. We have sold 3 pigs, the weight 1060 [pounds] and got 154 [?] Thaler [/?] for them. For a cow we were offered 60 [Thaler]. Write to us why you do not have any sheep, in our opinion they would bring you in more earnings. The old Ernst Bäthge sends his regards, he wants you to know that his daughter Henrietta has married a farmer [illegible] in Rauthein. I would like to see you; dear brother, very much, let me know if you would
like to come here again if you could. I am worried about our sister Sophie, we would like so very much to see her. I was so glad that you have written to us and we would be so happy to hear from you soon.

Write and let us know what your house looks like, also how much land you have. Did you move, because you have a different address now. We send you our regards, and our Auguste sends her love to your children and would like to get a letter from them too.
And I, Heinrich Pape, am asking now my sister, if she could not write me a letter. I also would like to know whether you have received my marriage announcement.

With my best wishes I remain

With love

your brother-in-law

sister, and sister-in-law

Mascherode 23 January 1860

Julius Meier and wife