Martha (Mrs. Charles) Lincoln to Sister-in-law Ellen Lincoln
Broad Ford, Va., June 13, 1857
Dear Sister Ellen,
I suppose you are all rather anxious to hear from us by this time as Sarah was sick when I wrote to Mother. She was teaching school at that time and expected to teach two weeks longer, but she continued to get worse and was obliged to close her school two days after I wrote.
(Original transcriber’s abridgment: Detailed account of illness and symptoms. Terribly ulcerated mouth and throat. Doctor comes every two or three days, maybe she would have gotten along better had he come oftener, but she couldn’t be sure as to that. Twins born May 30th.)
I do wish you all could see what a handsome pair of twins they are. They have such pretty little round heads and faces. One of them is named Grace Adelia and the other Edward Loomis. Sarah named them. She thought Grace was a short name and couldn’t be nick-named. They’re doing very well.
(Doctor says she has too many callers and that it must be stopped until she is better.)
June the 15th
We had a new Dr in to see Sarah today. He said she must be moved up stairs where there would be more air in the room, and more quiet. He says the reason that she don't get better is because she is so nervous. We have just moved her up stairs. We set the bed between to (2) windows and let the blinds down. The Dr given her some Laudanum and made us all come down and leave her alone. I went up on the porch a few minutes ago and peeped in at the window. She was sleeping nicely. I believe I have written about all that I can think of at present. We are making 75 lbs cheese a day. There are a good many of our cows that didn't have calves this spring. They sent off one load of cheese to Lynchburg. It sold for 16 cts per lb and their cow merchant requested them to send me on as soon as possible. Alice and Sarah Bell grow very fast and are just as mischievous as they can be. Alice didn't like it at all because she had to give up the cradle to the babies. I had a good deal of trouble to get her to sleep. Very often when I have them she tries to get me to put them down and take her. Since I have had them to take care of Alice feels as large to me as Sarah Bell. I went up a few minutes ago to see Sarah, she says she feels very comfortable indeed and thinks she will get well pretty soon. She told me to tell you that the babies were born a month sooner than she expected them. But she said she had been so poorly for two or three weeks before hand, that she didn't know what might happen at any time. The babies are bright and wide awake little ones, they look very smart. Sarah says she don't know what to attribute having twins to, simply it is coming to Smyth County. There have been twins born on this place once, onetime before. We have a white girl hired to help me take care of Sarah and the babies. But she is young I have to tell her every little thing I want.
She should do. We saw Aunt Mary Lincolns death in the Tribune. Sarah wants you to send this letter to Petersham. I wish I could write a better one. Please look over mistakes I haven't time to read it over. I can't write any more. Alice is crying for me to take her, and one baby crying in the cradle, and I have the other in my lap. They are very good through the day. I have to get up with them four or five times through the night. Farewell with much love to you all. Write soon all Mary Lincoln?
I send you a pattern of the night caps I made for them. It looks like a little sunbonnet on them. I have been making clothes for them every chance I have. Sarah says she slept all night and feels a great deal better this morning. This is in the chamber over mine whenever she wants any thing she knocks on the floor with a stick.
N. L. Look to Mrs. Laura G. Lincoln, Petersham, Mass.
Broad Ford, Sept. 13, 1857
Dear Mother,
I am afraid you will think I have been very negligent about writing to you during Sarah’s illness and should have written before this but did not consider her in much danger, until since the last mail left a week ago, and hoped every day to be able to write she was better. Two weeks ago the physician attending her told me the medicine he was giving her had not the desired effect and requested me to send for Dr. Dunn to consult with him. Dr. Dunn saw her twice, Sunday and Monday, and assured us she was in no danger whatever, but would certainly be well in a few weeks. He prepared a wash for her mouth and changed her medicine from carbonate to tincture of iron. We remained quite easy for several days until we found she was growing worse instead of better, when I sent for Dr. Goodwin, who has lately come to this part of Va. and lives about ten miles from us. He was from home and did not get here until Sunday, one week ago. He told us her throat and stomach were very badly diseased and left directions for her treatment until Thursday, as he had some patients in an opposite direction from his home and could not get back before that time. Wednesday morning she was so much weaker we sent for the Dr again but as he was not at home he did not get here until night. An hour or two before he arrived we all thought she was dieing, but was a little better when he came. He ahs been staying here ever since excepting a few hours at a time, when he is obliged to leave to see some fever patients. Dr. Goodwin has strong hopes now of her recovery, but says she is in great danger. If she can be supported a few days on such food as the ulcerated condition of her throat will permit her to swallow she may get well.
I don’t suppose I have written a very plain account of her case for I have been hoping, fearing and dispairing and have been kept up so much at night I can hardly write at all. Sarah’s courage has never given out at all. I will write again by the next mail, as I know your anxiety will be much greater now than before receiving this. The little ones are doing well but make a good deal of trouble. If Sister Martha wasn’t the kindest and most patient woman in the whole world, I don’t know how we should get along.
I must close this as I have an opportunity of sending it to Marion, where it will go a day or two sooner than if sent to this office.
I remain your affectionate son, N.L. Look
(A letter on same sheet from Olivia, sending it on to her mother at West Boylston. Says Dr. (her husband) says Sarah was not given correct treatment at first, also would not have gotten in such condition, etc.
Also tells of Willard Stone coming to carry Ellen’s effects to their home.)
Broad Ford, Sept. 16th, 1857
Dear Mother,
If you have received the few lines I wrote you by the last mail you will probably not be unprepared to hear that Sarah is no more. She breathed her last last night at half past eleven. We were quite unprepared for her departure so suddenly. The Dr. had left the day before to return tomorrow and we did not think her much worse, than she had been for a week. I was taking care of her alone and after I discovered she was failing I had only time to collect the family. She died without a struggle and scarcely a groan, retaining her mental faculties to the last.
O, dear Mother, can you imagine our lonliness? I feel as if I were deserted and the sympathy of strangers only heightens grief. I can’t write more now, but will write more particularly in a few days. Do write to us. Affectionately, your son,
N.L. Look
She will be buried tomorrow
(Olivia wrote the following letter to her mother transmitting N. L. Look’s letter. She also wrote similar letter to sister Ellen and copied the letter from N.L.L.)
Friday Eve.
Dear Mother,
We received this letter this afternoon. I have copied it and written some beside to send to Ellen. My eyes already smart severely from weeping and writing and it is almost eleven, but I must not leave till morning to write anything, there is so much to be done then. May Heaven comfort you and all of us in our grief. Oh, to think of that husband and all those little children. God comfort them too.
Mother, I can’t bear to think that Sarah’s remains should lie there among strangers, and I don’t suppose Loomis is really able to bear the expense of sending them here. How can you better use some of your money than to pay the expense of having them brought here? The Dr. says, as poor as he is, he would rather pay 10 dollars than not have it done.
I called to see Emily this afternoon; she is somewhat more comfortable than she has been, though she had quite a distracted night last night. Mr. Towne’s little girl died last night. The Dr. is going to make an examination tomorrow, as he feels desirous of knowing more certainly the nature and extent of her disease.
Write soon. Good night, yours affectionately,
Olivia.
Spring Hill Cemetery, Marion, Virginia
Broadford, Sept 29th, 1857
Dear Mother (Laura Graves(Lincoln))
Perhaps some of you have been expecting a letter from me before this time, but I have felt so sad and comely that I have not felt like writing if I had the time to spare.
I suppose you have this received Mr. Looks letter containing the sad intelligence of the death of dear Sarah.
The next day after her burial, little Grace (Grace Adelia Look) took sick and before 4 o'clock A.M. her little spirit left its earthly home; and went to its mother. It seemed as though she called it with her. We don't know what could have been the matter with her. She seemed to go all at once and nothing we could do seemed to do her any good. The evening after her Mother was buried, I thought I never did see her look so bright and well. She never had been sick but one before that. Edward(Edward Loomis Look)very often has sick turns. Grace always was the smallest. Her mother use to say a great many times she did not believe she could ever be raised; she was so small. But she always seemed so well. I had great hopes of raising her. But we were again reminded that "we know not what a day may bring forth" we were greatly in hopes a few days before Sarah died that she would get well; The Dr said her symptoms were certainly better. A week before she died we thought there was no chance for her recovery and several times I took my seat by her to say something to her about her situation. But something seemed to choke me so I couldn't say a word. Mr. Look told me one evening that he would like for me to talk with Sarah about her situation; he said he had tried but couldn't unless she would be more willing to say something about it.
I went up and told her that we had sent for Laura (Laura Lincoln Look)to come here. She asked me what we done that for; was it because we thought she was dangerous; I told her that we didn't think there was any chance for her to get well; She said she did not think she was dangerous and asked what made me think so. I told her that her stomach was so weak it couldn't take scarcely anything, and her throat was so sore, and she was so much reduced and looked so badly, besides all the medicine that the Drs had given her failed to have the desired effect.
She said she knew that, but she believed she would get well; She told me to bring her up some biscuits and butter and a cup of tea, and she would eat it, and she thought she would be better by morning. She could not eat a piece of bread for more than a week; all she could eat then was something that she could drink. The Dr came, that night and he stayed with us for three or four days, only left long enough to go home and get more medicine. The second day after he came he said she had some favorable symptoms. For three or four days after that he said that her symptoms were still better. All she could eat was a cold custard made out of the white of an egg; and a little chicken broth. The Dr left Tuesday and expected to return Thursday. The morning he left he looked at her throat and said it looked better and he thought it would get well, he said she was doing so well he thought as could be expected. She certainly looked better and could swallow a great deal better Wednesday night Mr. Look told me he did not think it necessary for me to stay up stairs that night; he could do all the waiting on that Sarah would want. I went to bed not thinking she was any worse. A little after 10 o'clock Mr. Look called us to come up stairs that Sarah was a good deal worse. The moment I entered the room I saw she was breathing her last. I tried to get her to speak; but alas; she was too far gone. In less than an hour, she was asleep in Christ. She died without a struggle and scarcely a groan. She did not seem to be suffering much, it appeared as though she slept herself away. She was buried in a black dress, a French embroidered collar and chemisette and under sleeves,a pair of black silk mitts, and her hair combed the way she always wore it, and her velvet on. She looked more natural than she had done for two weeks. She was buried in a family burying ground on this place close by the house. A few hours before she died she asked Mr. Look if he was not discouraged; he said, he was, and asked her if she was not; she said no. She never got discouraged, but spoke all the time about getting well and what she was going to do. The day a week that she died we thought she couldn't live but a few days. But for three or four days before she died we were in great hope that there was a change for her.
[I believe this next part goes with this letter]
A week before Sarah died I asked Mrs Roberts, one of our neighbors, to talk with her about dying. I could not unless she was more disposed to talk about it herself. She told her that she had been sick so long, she hoped she had been praying most of the time. She said she had neglected that longer than she ought to have done. Mrs. Roberts then asked her, if it was the Lord's will to take her if she would be willing to go? She said yes, but she thought she would get well. Mrs Roberts spoke to her two or three times about it that day. It did not seen to excite nor disturb her in the least until late in the afternoon. She requested us to send for a minister to sing and pray with her. He came that night, but the Dr objected to his going in the room until the next day. The Dr thought then she was still improving and he thought best for him not to see her unless she inquired something about him. She never asked whether he had come; not anything about him. And he went away without seeing her. I have been very sorry that we could not impress it upon her mind the danger she was in, and get her to say something about it. But she never seemed alarmed. Nor didn't care to say anything about it. But always talked of getting well, as soon as her throat got well enough to swallow something more nourishing. The sonenep (?) went out of her mouth into her throat. Besides she had a severe diarrhea, that could not be checked but for a day or two at a time. She had to stop taking medicine for more than a week; her stomach could not bear it. There was a good deal of the time for two or three weeks before she died; that she was flighty at time. His wearing apparel intend to lay away for Laura and Sarah Bell; poor little thing she don't know what the loss of a mother is. Laura is going to school. This leaves us all well; but very sad and lonely. But we know that you all sympathize with us. I send you a piece of Sarah's hair. Can you believe that she is no more. Write to us soon, for a letter from you will do us much good. I cant writing none if I had room. I close with much love to you all. Janette(married George Holmes) how are you getting along? Farewell
M. J. Lincoln (Martha Jane Woodward)
Broad Ford
November 8, 1857
Dear Mother,
We received your very kind letter in due time and ought to have answered it before, but have been very busy making brooms and Martha has her hands full taking care of the children and the household. We are all well as usual excepting Alice, she has not been well for two or three months. She has suffered with diarrhea most of the time and we thought she had worms and doctored her accordingly without much effect. Dr. Goodwin called in here yesterday and we got him to prescribe for her and we hope she will soon be better. Edward (Edward Loomis Look) is a puny little fellow and is sick most of the time. He is five months and eight days old and does not weigh over nine pounds.
The funeral sermon of Sister Sarah was preached at the church today. It was to have been preached three weeks ago today, but Mr. Campbell, the minister, was sick and it was put off until today. He took his text from the ninth chapter of Eccl. and 10th verse, 'WHATSOEVER THY HANDS FINDS TO DO, DO IT WITH THY MIGHT, FOR THERE IS NO WORK, NOR DEVICE, NOR KNOWLEDGE, NOR WISDOM, IN THE GRAVE, WHITHER THOU GOEST." Alice (Alice Maria Look, married Charles Wesley White) was so sick this morning that Martha did not go, I was sorry she could not. We stopped making cheese yesterday, will not make more till Spring. We have made about $1500 worth this season and 8000 brooms, but I'm afraid that on account of money matters, we will not be able to sell all of them. Our crops are all very good, we'll have about 800 bus. of wheat to sell, which we hoped to get one dollar a bushel for, but I'm afraid we shall not be able to. We have fifty fine fat hogs, thirty of which we will sell and the rest salt down for our own use. If it was not for the hard times and we could sell everything for last year's prices, I think we should clear about a thousand dollars apiece, but as it is, don't know how we'll come out, but certainly shall not fail at present. Martha(Woodward) expects her sister Virginia(Woodward/Neff/Howe)here to spend the winter with us, I am glad she is coming for Martha needs someone to help take care of the children. Loomis (Loomis Look) expects his brother Josiah here this Fall and perhaps his father will come with him. He says he will write to you before long, as he promised to do. He is very lonesome and wishes to be remembered to all. Martha sends love and says she would have written some in this letter if she had time. Remember us all to our brother and sisters in Petersham when you write to them. Janette, please write to us when you can and George (George Holmes, husband) too. I will close this epistle for we have to give it to the mail boy in the morning.
Accept this with much love to all,
Your affectionate son,
C.F. Lincoln
Broad Ford, Thursday Evening, Dec. 16, 1857
Dear Mother,
This has been another of those pouring, rainy days that precludes the possibility of working outdoors and makes everything wear a gloomy aspect to those not particularly afflicted. How much more so to those so lately bereaved as we have been, your own feelings will better imagine than I can describe. Then it is just three months since dear Sarah died. It certainly seems to me longer than any three years since I became acquainted with her. True on two occasions she was absent for a longer period, but then we were frequently exchanging messages with a prospect of again meeting in a short time. But now the thought that I can never see her more in this world, that I can never more share the joys and sorrows of this life with her is at times almost overwhelming. Every object that meets my eye both animate and inanimate; her vacant chair, her room, furniture and clothing and above all our dear children keep constantly in mind the loved one so lately departed. Laura and Sarah Bell speak of her and ask to see her likeness almost daily. And not long ago Sarah Bell started up out of a sound sleep in the night to tell me she had “just seen Ma, out in the back room with her old black shawl over her head”. The dear child had been dreaming, I suppose. I never until lately realized the distance we are from all of our family. It would have been a great satisfaction to have had our friends with us during her sickness and death. I believe Sarah never for a moment doubted but she should get well, and during her sickness she laid a great many plans for our future happiness. And not more than an hour before she breathed her last, when I was moving her, she tried to help herself and expressed a fear that she should wear me out in taking care of her. I asked her if she ever got discouraged about getting well, she replied she did not but thought she should be able to ride in a few weeks. I had my fears at times, notwithstanding the Doctor’s assurances she was in no danger, and had thoughts about is so much I thought I was in a measure prepared for the worst. But when the trying hour came I found how little I knew my own heart. As soon as light I sent for Laura, who was at school about three miles from home, and when she arrived I took her and Sarah Bell to see all that remained of their dear mother. They clung to my neck and sobbed as if their hearts would break. And Laura, almost frantic with grief, said, “Oh dear Pa if I could have only seen Ma once more before she died”. It seemed too much for a parent to endure.
Sarah was buried in a family burying ground two or three hundred yards from the house, that has a substantial fence around it, where there is plenty of room for the whole family if we should die in this country. You express a wish in your last to have Sarah’s remains removed to Petersham. Nothing would give me more pleasure than to comply with your request if I should remove from here, but I have no expectation of leaving here at present. Little Grace was buried at her left side and a space left at her right where it is my wish to be laid if I should die anywhere near here. And I hope in that event her body may be allowed to remain by my side. I intend in a short time to have grave stones placed at both graves. Until Sarah’s last illness I had hardly ever thought of the possibility of her being called before me, and the fear that I might be taken away without leaving her and our dear children comfortably provided for has given me more serious thoughts than all other causes put together. Alas, how vain are all human calculations.
Mr. Taylor was here a few days ago. He is expecting to have a school taught in his family and offers to board Laura if I will send her there to school. I shall embrace the opportunity, as much as I hate to have her go from home. It will be thirty miles. Mrs. Taylor is a very amiable woman and has three pretty girls, two of them a little older than Laura. I can never expect to get her in a better family. Sarah often expressed a wish that Laura and Sarah Bell might be sent to Mt Holyoke to be educated when they were old enough, and I intend if possible they shall go there. I have written upon one subject only simply because I can think of no other in connection with Sarah’s friends. I find it is a literal truth that “Out of the abundance of the heart this mouth Speaketh”.
I hope we shall hear from all of you often, for be assured that letters from Mass. always give us a great deal of satisfaction. Charles and Martha send love. Give my kind regards to all the brothers and sisters. And hoping I shall see you at no very distant day, I subscribe myself,
Affectionately, your sonNathan L. Look
TO: 1858
Lincoln-Look Letters
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