Transcribed from a xerox copy of the original letter. I have added some punctuation and the paragraph structure to make it more readable.
Eleven Brothers, August ...
Dear Catherine
Having written many letters and waited a long time and not heard from you and being very anxious to hear, I concluded to write again, perhaps I may have better luck this time. The last letter I received from you was last winter, in that you told me of the birth of your little son and asked me to name which I did immediately and begged you to answer directly. I fear you never received it. Oh Dear Catherine, you don't know the anxious thought that passes through my mind about you ... you would often send me a line to let me know how you are and how you get along; it would be a great comfort to me to hear of your welfare and that of the Dear babes, for be assured your well doing lays very near my heart. If you wish to hear from us you must be a better correspondent, but I will not accuse you of neglect for fear of doing you an injustice. Your letters may have miscarried. If you should receive this, answer it immediately and give me every information respecting yourself and children and your affairs and how you are getting along and whether your parents are living and how they all are and whether you still keep house and whether you send the children to school.
The last letter I got from you was gratifying to me -the kindness expressed by your parents for the welfare of those who are dear to me. God grant they may have those Dear parents to guard and I most sincerely hope they may be spared many years to them in after life. I am old and in the course of nature can't expect to remain here long and of course can never expect to see any of you unless you could come in and bring the Dear little ones and that I can scarce expect though it would gladden my heart to have one of the children with me - the offspring of a dear son. You most often remind them of their old grandmother who wishes them every blessing both here and there often and thus be good and obedient children. You must let me know how little Joseph comes on and whether he grows fast, as to your affairs here I gave every information I was capable of if you should want more let me know and I will get Dr. Dawson [presumably the husband of Ann's daughter Sarah Newton Jones] to write you if you wish it.
Our crops this season have been very abundant, both wheat and corn now in the fields. Hope your crops are good. The people here being all strangers to you it would afford you but little pleasure, so useless for me to tell you anything about them. Some few I know you have heard Joseph speak of. Aut Sillen [?] the old lady is still living and all your aunts and cousins with a number of little strangers. Margaret [Ann's daughter Margaret Chiswell Jones] has five: three sons and two daughters. Mary had a very severe spell last winter and was reduced to the brink of the grave. She is hardly recovered her strength yet. Sally Ann in now fourteen, a very nice pretty little girl. Mary [Ann's daugher Mary Eleanor Jones] has five children, Sally [Sarah Newton Jones] has too lovely young girls grown an ornament to any society. Sally has nine sons and daughters. As for Ann M, she says she won't marry, she turns all her beaux off. I don't know whether she will or not. Elizabeth [Ann's daughter] is now grown and Leonidas [Ann's son]. They are all living with me.
Ah my Dear Catherine, this world is a world of trouble. There is not one exempt from care and trouble in one way or another but at the same time we should endeavor to submit ... will of kind providence ... now it's a great trouble to me that I never shall see any of you but thats light to many others that passed through but I have to bear up under them all. I know my Dear Child you have had your sore trials but I hope that the lord will bring you through them all and enable you to bring your children up in the fear of the lord, which is the beginning of wisdom and may the lord enable you so to do. My children join me in love to you all; we are well and hope this may find you all enjoying the same blessing. Kiss all the children for me. Your affectionate mother, Ann N. Jones