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care of
Mr. D. G. Smith
As there are but two that now live who were once members of
a large family, the parents, and nearly all of the children have
gone to a better world than the one we inhabit, each one, before
bidding adieu to earth, gave undeniable proof of the happy change
wrought upon the heart.
It becomes me, (as the only male left) to say a few words in
relation to the very unnecessary, and I might say, sinfull course
pursued by us for several years past, and as we wish atlast to
meet those who have died happily saved by gracem we should try
the very few days we shall yet live in this world of sorrow, to
amend our course, especially towards each other. We should mutually
consent to look over the past. I have had my sorrows long &
many. The afflictions of various kinds & sometimes very heavy,
thro' which I have passed, astonishes me when I think of them
that I yet live. I feel almost entirely alone in this life, were
it not for my little family a wife & three children I should
feel very little concern about anything below the skies. I have
been in this large & growing city nearly eight years, and more
than two years of that time lying upon my sick bed several times
supposed to be dieing, and now enjoy once again good health,
altho my afflictions have been very severe I nevertheless feel
grateful to God for his unbounded goodness to me & mine. I have
not known at any time of my life the need of friends so certainly
as I have the past winter, my means being limited & every
thing so high in price, and my health feeble. Now that I have regained
my health I hope to put forth more exertion and be better
able to meet the necessities of our little charge.
Poor Eliza feels very much the loss of her Husband. Mat
died triumphlenty. Eliza was untireing in her attention. She
manifested more of heartfelt devotion than any one I ever knew.
She is a good woman, & an affectionate wife, during his long
illness she was truly constant in every attention.
I pray God we may all atlast meet in Heaven.
It is all most dark but I could not bear the idea of letting
this letter start without saying a few words myself. I regret
very much I did not know that you and your Husband was here. I
should have gone to see both of you, and thought hard of your
Betty, Maulsby and Pink. I have taught them to call you aunt
Ellen and uncle Smith and to love you both. Betty and Maulsby
are up at Ma's and will remain there untill fall. Betty has
grown to be quite a large girl speaks french and performs remarkably
well on the piano. We are not able to own one but have
rented one for her. She often talks of you and wants to see you.
I have promised her that she should pay you and her uncle Smith
a visit when she is grown. She is thought to be very much like
you. How is Howard he is nearly grown by this time. Remember me
to Mr. Smith and family. I shall be glad to hear from you at any
time and hope to see you both here. My dear Ellen the times are
very hard. We have seen a great deal of trouble, but when I see
you I shall tell you all. Write soon. I remain as ever your
sister.
can make out to read this I could not see.
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