July 27 Wednesday – Sam wrote from Elmira to his mother, Jane Clemens, and family. “We are glad you are all so well satisfied in Fredonia.” Sam wanted his family near, but not too near. He’d been impressed by the “intelligent faces” in Fredonia during a lecture there and recommended the town to his sister Pamela, who rented a Fredonia house right after Sam’s wedding. Sam bought a house for them later. Pamela Moffett, daughter Annie, son Sammy and Jane Clemens lived there. Margaret, the family’s maid got lonesome for St. Louis and left. Sam announced he was going to write a 600-page book, but it:

“is a secret for a few days yet…I shall begin it about a month from now. By request, Orion has sent me his note-book of the Plains trip” [MTL 4: 175-6].