Transcribed Letter from William Smith1 - Geni

Transcribed Letter from William Smith1 (c1796-?) to his father-in-law Elias Avery2 (1768-1837) and mother-in-law Sarah “Sally” Barber3 (1773-1837) on the news of the death of their daughter Elizabeth Denison Avery4 (1803-1824), written at Farmerville, December 16, 1824 (Envelope Missing) To: Mr. Elias Avery Dear Parents; We take the first opportunity to communicate to you the heartrending contents of the enclosed, which we received by this day’s mail - How insecure is the mortal existence of humanity- Where are all the anticipations of a long and happy life, of our dearest E.4 and her fond parents and friends? gonegone forever- a few brief months have passed since she was with us, in health and now- with her kindred spirits above- we hope and have reason to expect that you are measureably prepared for this last soul trying scene of affliction- we have certainly had just grounds, particularly from Josephs5 last letter, to fear that the next, would be, to tell us that death had taken from him the partner of his- ah, what can I term it?- the thought is almost insupportable- Maria’s6 own feelings and the thoughts of those of her dear parents, rendered her nearly inconsoleable, she feels now, as though she was left alone in this wide world, that she can say dearest Eliza no more, and dearest Mother may the mercies of Heaven enable us to endure the trying scenes we are to pass, with fortitude and resignation- John intends going to Aurora in the morning, for the first time since he came here- the feelings fo the friends in Aurora, of the once dear E are easier imagined than expressed- do let us hear from you soon as we are very anxious to know how it fares with our friends to the East. We are Your weeping children, W1. and M.B.6 Smith

Footnotes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

[William Smith (c 1796 - )] [Elias Avery (1768-1837)] [Sarah “Sally” Barber (1772-1837)] [Elizabeth Denison Avery (1802-1824)] [Joseph Ridgway (c 1796-)] [Maria Barber Avery (1801-1826)]