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Franklin County: E. to Edward McPherson, February 16, 1859

Summary:
E. writes of Cousin C's illness, but mostly discusses Edward McPherson's mother's recent death. She also mentions the marriage of Lizzie Law and the declining health of Jane Boggs.


February 16th, 1859

Frederick

Many thanks Dear Edward for your letter received in due time & which should have been replied to before this, but your Cousin C -- is still upstairs & of course, I have many more interruptions than usual & my time more fully occupied. She is better in some respects, but continues very weak, & has for some days suffered much from nervous depression. She is however better today & has been sewing a little. Your letter, while it saddened our hearts so much, was very satisfactory, for you told me nearly all I wanted to ask you respecting our dear Aunt, who had been so continually connected with us, all our lives, & with whom our intercourse has always been so sweet & pleasant. I wrote to Kate as soon as she returned to Hagerstown & she replied to me

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in a long & interesting letter just after I heard from [added: you] But one thing has grieved us -- neither of you have said whether your Mother thought or spoke of us during those last sad hours. You know it is very gratifying to be remembered at such a time, while you can make all allowances for such an omission under the circumstances. I thought it probable you both might have forgotten to mention it. Truly, I cannot conceive of a more painful, trying situation for you to be placed in, than you were, the evening of your arrival in Gettysburg. I wonder it did not make you both sick.-- I am thankful however it passed without any ill effects & that you were comforted by the sympathy of so many attached friends as your dear Mother had, few have so large a circle, for she made them wherever she went & retained them to the last. She was greatly admired in her youth, & I think, was equally as much so in later years, though in a different way. However pleasant & gratifying this may be, it is a

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small matter compared to the satisfaction of knowing, that she bore the image of Christ, having been "made meet through his blood, for the inheritance of the saints in light," & removed from the church militant to the church triumphant where I trust, strong & divine grace she will be permitted to welcome her dear children. "One thing is needful" My dear Edward & God is teaching you this lesson by these sad dispensations nothing else will avail in the last, trying hour. We all approve of your plan to continue at housekeeping - it is just what I thought you would do -- you will be more comfortable than boarding, having such a trusty, faithful person as Tresy. By the time you receive this, Lizzie Law will in all probability have taken the most important step of her life. You have never spoken of it to me. What do you think about it? I wish I could feel entirely satisfied in relation to it, however, she is so entirely confident of happiness herself, that no one else need disturb themselves. She is so very dear to us, that we cannot help

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feeling a more than common anxiety when her happiness for life is concerned. I have had much this winter to keep me anxious about some of my friends -- Aunt Robinson has been very delicate for some weeks past & a letter from Baltimore yesterday, tells me that my much loved young cousin Jane Bogg, is declining very rapidly -- her health has been delicate for more than two years, but for the last month, it has become evident that she will not be much longer with us. But she is ripening for Heaven & this is our comfort. I am very glad your Aunt Polly can be with you, you would be so desolate. Your cousin C- desires me to say (in which we all join), that she wants you to come to see us as soon as you can. We had a letter from Mittie a short time ago, she is very much pleased with Chicago. My love to your Aunt - & much love also to Mrs. McCreery & say how much I would like to see her. I see Mr. Van Wycke is still with you. I cannot realize that there is now but yourself to receive a message of love -- O how sad-- Do write us soon & accept our united love--

Ever yours

E



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