1829 Letter

1829 Letter (Transcription)

West Chester Penn – Sept 3rd 1829

To Mrs. Zeruah Beaumont

Dear Sister

Affliction is ours, we have this day laid the Silent Tomb your poor little nephew Sister, doubt not he is now in a better world and beyond the reach of pain and affliction with others of who went before him who were near and dear to us. Our Sister Hannah continues ill, very ill and I thank God for the conviction the ? and consoling conviction that rests upon my mind that should it be His will to call her also hence she is fitted for a better and Happier State of existence. I think when our friends lie ill, perhaps upon the bed of Death we should not let our every day worldly affairs govern us too much and to keep us away from them those who do so many find their ? filled, afterward with bitter and vain regrets that they did not fly to them and if possible comfort them and help to Smooth the Bed of Death. I mean not to insinuate any thing of the kind to you Dear Sister. I think I know in some measure the difficulties that attend your leaving home to cause such a distance with your children in this warm weather and without any person perhaps to take charge of your affairs in your absence but I must urge you to if possible to come up to us as soon as you can – with any kind of convenience. I do not wish to alarm you unnecessarily but I do expect the most gloomy result – Our Dear Sister I fear cannot long continue with us, the dreadful disease prays upon her dear frame Setting the power of medicines apparently at defiance and Seemingly(?) Severing link after link of the chain of life and prostrating more and more every hour her vital powers. Oh how sadly is her appearance altered! But yesterday at it were in the Bloom of youth and Beauty flushed(?)

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with health and ? out with hope! Now alas  fear she lies upon the Bed of Death. I may I know I may be mistaken. It may not be the will of heaven to remove her so soon. Think of the situation of our poor father and mother worn down with care and affliction. Oh why are they so continually afflicted I often ask myself. Tis the will of heaven doubtless(?) that those things should be so but it pains me inexpressibly(?) to see the life they have to live. It embitters tenfold the cup of bitterness that heaven has suffered to reach my life and of which I have been made to drink so freely – I feel like a lone lost wonderer my hopes of earthly happiness are ? gone. I fear forever But I never promised myself much happiness in their ?. It grows late and I must ? their hasty Skitch(?) – It comes from a heavy heart that is overflowing with Sorrow and grief.

I cannot enter into particulars now and no doubt ? many things that you would like to know but I hope you will come up Soon  and hear and see for yourself – no more at present- Farewell and may God bless you and your sorrowful Brother and all who live.

John Newlin

Thursday Evening 9 Oclock

P.S. Friday Morning 7 O’clock – Hannah rested pretty well last night. She is I believe not any worse than she was last evening – But we do not entertain much if any hope of her recovery. Dr. Worthington and ? were here last evening. ? said it was a “hand base” they said she might have burnt(?) Brandy and Sugar(?) if it did not ? ? She took of it several times in the Evening and it tasted very good she thought. She has ? begging for Brandy & they were afraid to give it to her. Rebecca thought in the evening Meat(?) She was ?.

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Taking the complaint But I hope it will not turn out to be that – ? ? ? ? ? and ? & wife. The Doctor and wife dined with us yesterday – I can ?  ? more At present having to ? the mail.

Adieu(?)

John Newlin