Letter to Daniel Clement from Lucy Emes, Jul 11 1837
This letter relates news of the death of Moses Clement (1758-1837), father of Daniel Clement (1796-1872), Lucy Clements (1793-1869), and others.
Addressed to "Mr. Daniel Clement, Hebron, N.Y."
Whitingham Vt, July 11, 1837
Dear Brother & Sister
Believe me when I say that our dear Father is dead! O what unwelcome news. I have this day received a letter from my daughters in Lowell, informing me of his death. He had a fit of the apoplexy, last March, and one in April. He remained very sick a long time, and was deprived of the use of his limbs. He finally recovered from his sickness, so as to be as comfortable as he had been for two or three years, until Tuesday morning June 27th, he was then more unwell than common, he was better however in the afternoon, ate his supper and went to bed as well as usual. About a quarter before seven, he told Mother he should want some dry wood to kindle the fire in the morning, she went out and got it, and when she came in he was just going into a fit. He never woke again but died in about 15 minutes. His funeral was attended on Thursday. John and his wife, and Frederick and William, were there. Mother was very sick last April with choleramorbus. I don't know whether you have heard of the death of Uncle Elijah Perham, he died last February. Our family are all well, likewise the rest of your friends in this place.
You must come to Whitingham as soon as you can, for I want to see you very much. Please write the first opportunity. Mr. Burns has moved to Halifax. Charles Blanchard is married, and lives with his father. Brother Asa's lawsuit terminated in his favor. I shall send this letter to Mr. Chase's, and they may send it to you. I must close wishing health and prosperity.
Accept this from your sister
Lucy Emes
Notes:
- "Choleramorbus" is an old name for gastroenteritis, and is not the same as the disease known as cholera.
- It's not clear which daughter Lucy refers to, since none of them are known to have lived in Lowell (adjacent to Dracut) near Moses.
- "Apoplexy" may refer to incapacity caused by a stroke.
- Funeral attendees are probably John Clements (1782-1867), Frederick Clements (1803-1850), and William Clement (1804-1878), all Lucy's siblings and who would have lived nearby to Moses at the time.
- Uncle Elijah Perham seems to be Elijah Perham (1762-1837), brother of Rachel Perham (1763-1838).
- Charles Blanchard )1809-1896) was the son of Rachel Clements (1787-1843) and Josiah Blanchard (1781-1853), which makes him Lucy's nephew.
- Mr. Burns is William C. Burns (1784-1862), who married Lucy's sister Hannah Clements (1791-1870), and who lived in West Halifax, Vt, which is near Whitingham and Jacksonville.
- Brother Asa is Asa Clement (1784-1851).
- Mr. Chase is Samuel Chase (1789-1878), who married Lucy's sister Betsey Clement (1800-1880).