University of Virginia Library

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I have been wanting to write to you ever since I received
your kind and comforting letter; but my feelings have
been such that I could not. Oh my dear Sister you know not the
desolation of my poor heart!!! All of my prospects of earthly
happiness are forever blasted!!! My dear, dear Husband is gone
& I am left with two fatherless little children to make my way
through life as I can. Mysterious are the ways of Providence,
but all is done in wisdom, & will work for our good if we will
but put our trust in our Heavenly Father. This I am trying to
do, & I hope grace sufficient will be given me to bear up under
my great-very great affliction. Oh that I had been better prepared
to part with my loved one. As you said he bore his sufferings
with so much patience that we were not aware of his condition,
& until the day before he died too we felt sure he was
improving. Were it not for the blessed hope I have of meeting
him in a better world, where sickness & parting never come, I
would be in the very depths of dispair. I do bless the Lord, that
even in his dying hour, he looked to the Sinners friend, & was
enabled to breathe his last without a struggle or a groan, & left
an assurance that he had a hope of Heaven. Brother told you I
know of his peaceful death. What a great cause of thankfulness.
We sorrow not as those without hope. Indeed some say that we
ought rather to rejoice than weep. Oh that I could see you & all
at home. My poor Mother how much I feel for her. Oh my dear Sister
if it were not for the salvation of his soul why was he taken
from his dependent family—widowed Mother & unprotected Sisters?
Oh yes he must have been taken from "the evil to come."

I expect to go the the University tomorrow & will write to
you from there. The poor little children are better than they have
been. Lucy has been suffering a good deal with her bowels, but
for the last few days has suffered less. Minnie had one of old
attacks last Sunday-fever & one spasm-but today is as well as
usual. Poor little dear she says her Pa is dead.

I have received Bro. Wheelwright's letter & will answer it
soon. Oh tis so comforting. Give a great deal of love to my dear
Mother for me & tell her I am coming to see her as soon as I can,
& also to Fannie, Carrie, & Sister Mag. Oh we are a deeply afflict
ed family. The family all send you & all much love. My love to
all enquiring friends. Good bye. Pray for us. Ever your Sister
affectionately