Freedom June 6^th/65

 

Dear Brother Henry

                                    Again it becomes my painful duty to record to you the death of my husband who died the 20^th of last month He fell asleep in the arms of Jesus dying without so much as one struggle—Oh happy dying I hope my end may be like his. He was confined to the house the first of February but not to his room he was able to go from room to room untill the last of April. He was then confined to his bed He had no pain during his whole sickness except the morning before he died in the evening and then he had a sharp pain in his left side Mr Chapman was a of strong faith in the promise of God and had his lamp filled & burning for his Master's / coming—he had acquired an acquaintance of a short duration and none knew him, but to love him & our neighbors bestowed every attention on him possible for them to do Now again I am alone in the world—no not alone, neither for I have children & as good children as any one need to have—

 

Oh Henry it seems that you have drank the cup of sorrow to its overflowing—How sad was I feeling when I saw the death of Selden in the Main Farmer I read it and reread it it seemed as though it could not be possible but alass I fear it is too true I wish you would write and let me know all the particulars of his death I would like to come up and see you all if could but it is a thing impossible to get a team that a woman can drive Hollis is to work by the month / with a Mr Sumner Glidden about two miles from home he has $15. a month so he could not leave to go with me. If I could go in the stage or by the cars I would come this month I could not stay long for I have a cow to take care of and Euphonia is going to school. Henry I think you might come and see us you have a team of your own it would be good for you to come it would take your mind of from your troubles perhaps in some degree We have had some very sudden deaths here of late two of my near neighbors have lost their wives two smart women as we had here some four or five men have lost wives here within a few weeks in this neighborhood Death has lost a part of its terror to me since my husband died yet it is to be dreaded to some extent. My health is very good at this time Father & mother are better than they have been for a year give my love Father Henry Dowst                                                

 

Julia A Chapman

 

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you will see I have written this in haste so pardon all mistakes write soon

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