Recently I spoke to members of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants in Florida's capitol about the four brave Pilgrim women who survived the first disastrous winter in Plymouth, Massachusetts. I'll tell you more about them in another post. One of the audience members brought me a letter (transcribed) that had been in her family since it was written in 1802.
It's the beautiful and tragic story of a young mother whose 39-year-old husband has just died. She's writing to his brother with the sad news and more. I hope (like me) you can appreciate the language and ideas that she (and our ancestors) might have used. Sometimes as family historians we are more concerned with the dates and locations than the effects and consequences of those events. Betsey is lucky to be able to write at all. It was not common for girls to be taught reading and writing. I keep her spelling as a reminder that in 1802, there were no dictionaries or spelling conventions. Webster's Dictionary didn't appear until 1828. Betsy also uses no punctuation, but I have added it for ease of understanding.
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Personal letter from Betsy Hawks in Rutland, Vermont to her brother-in-law
6 November 1802
Dear Brother -
I am through the mournfull dispensation of providence called to mourn the loss of my beloved pardner. Att the same time you are called upon to lement the loss of a dear and affectionate Brother. The loss is great to you, but to me it is much greater. Here is my little ones sighing out that mournful complaint, "What shall we do? For Papy is gone."
You may judge for yourself the distriss I am in. Your brother was sick five weeks with a long billious attack fever [possibly malaria causing jaundice]. Then a nervis fever [possibly typhoid causing delirium] set in which put a period to his life. He was exercised with great pain through the whole of his sickness and often said he should never get well.
I asked him is he was willin to die. He said he was. That was a great sattisfaction to me. I often told him I should be willing to part with him, as my loss was his unspeakable gain. That if God saw fit to take him away in the midst of his days, I desire to acquiess in it.
He often told me that I should take good care of the children, which words drew tears from my afflicted eyes. He was much concerned about Moses for fear he would not have good learning. He often called him to his bed and would talk to him til it seemed that his little heart would break. He often called the little girl and gave them good council and told them he was going to leave them, which word pierced Fanny to the very heart.
He died 26th of October in the 39th year of his age. My Mamma died 30th September with a billious fever. She lived only seven days after she was taken.
I would inform you of our health which is good at presant, through devine goodness. I have been better this fall than usual. My brother desired me to write to you in regard to what Mr. Hawks owed you and how long could you conveniently wait for our pay, as we have a payment to make for our farm from the first money we collect. That is if you can wait.
I wish you to send word now how much it is that we can tell better how to calculate. I wish you to write the first opportunity & wish you to come and see us, if it is in your power.
I want to see you very much. I hope you will write soon for I want to hear from you and your family very much. I conclude by subscribing my self your sincere friend and much afflicted sister -
Betsy Hawks
P.S. You must excuse my errors for I have not wrote so much for seven years. We have this day received a letter westward and they are all well.
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This is a gentle reminder how hard life was for those who came before. Betsy is lucky to have her brother nearby to help. We know that her son Moses grew up to become a grandfather and thus continue the family line.
See you next time for another family history tyd byt (which is Pilgrim spelling for tidbit)!
I am impressed by the basic values of this woman and her family. She devoted herself to her husband. He was who gave the children their responsibilities and tasks. She was responsible for her debts and spoke of her repayment of them plainly and honestly. She spoke with respect and sincerity. Worthy of our study if we too would like to do well!
ReplyDeleteAnother thing: this man knew his body was ending, but his soul lives on today be cause of his tradition to his family and community. Thanks for sharing this letter
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments, Jane! Letters are so valuable to learn about people. That's the only way I got to know my father's mother! I wonder if people will save emails in the future...
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