File:RebeccaLetter.jpg

Scan of a transcribed letter from Rebecca B. Church to her brother and sister. Scan was received from Eleanor (unknown), stevehod@aol.com, who's mother typed the transcription. Eleanor is a direct descendant of George and Rebecca Dawson. The transcription below was done by Richard Brady Williams on 28 Mar 2012.

Transcription

Brownsville, Indiana July 13, 1845

Worthy Brother and Sister

A few days only has rolled their ample round since I rote you. And at that time all were in tolerable health, everything wore a cheerful aspect. And we were looking with anxious expectation for better, happier days. But Alas, Alas. How changed O How changed the scene. I have been called by the cold and cruel hand of death to drink deeply of the bitter cup. Yes even to its dregs Luvinia your Worthy, Amiable Brother. your afflicted Sister. Rebecca's kind and affectionate Husband Her children's tender Father is no more. Yes Sister George is dead O Solemn Solemn thought George my George is at this moment numbered with those beyond the flock O how changed everything wears a gloomy aspect - All Nature moans and How can I refrain. One week ago yesterday morning he was in his usual health ate his breakfast about seven in the morning. arose from the table and went to the barn to put a horse in the stable. And gray being there with her colt kicked at the strange horse and struck my Husband in his bowels he staggard and would have fallen had not his nephew been present and caught him we carried him into the house and sent for a physician But it was past the wit of man to save him his intrals were broken he suffered an immence for about thirty hours told us he was going to leave us and said give me one more drink of water before I go he had his senses to the very last He expressed an anxiety to stay to raise his children Then takeing them by the hand bid them farewell He then took my hand in his cold hand and bid me farewell I feel his cold clasp yet he shook hands with his Father my Mother and Orinda and some others then gave a heavenly smile and died.

O may my end be like his It was death swallowed up victory last Monday about this time we consigned him to the silent tomb it is now about half past one last Monday my all were laid low in the dust. He was very patient in his illness never heard to murmer nor complain he died sunday a little past twelve we kept him as long as we could. I feel like I were entirely ruined I know not what to do And in the midst of a throng I am lonely and every side I turn I behold the works of his hands those hands now mouldering and turning to their mother dust He can never come to me but I must shortly follow him my health is very poor I look upon my little ones as orphans cast upon the wide world without a parent to protect them. Poor things are yet to young to feel their loss. Mother is still with me But is quite unwell Orinda did not have me to go to her school last week I do not know what I should have done if they hadn't been here Father is vary lonely Poor man the stay and staff of his old age is gone May the Lord help me to supply his place as far as lays in my power We are looking for you every day come soon Write as soon as you receive this Mother wants you to come before she goes home I must draw my letter to a close for the bearer is waiting Please receive our best wishes our folks join me in love to you This from your afflicted sister

Rebecca B. Dawson

Analysis

The language used in this letter is somewhat dated by modern standards, and it is clearly written by a distraught woman who is being pressed for time by a waiting letter carrier. There is still plenty of useful information to be obtained here, however.

• Rebecca B. Dawson's husband's name is George
• She writes to her brother (who's name is not mentioned) and her sister Luvinia on 13 Jul 1845
• George was kicked in the gut by a horse and died within two days. This event occurred a week and a day prior to the writing of the letter, so ~5 Jul 1845.
• Present at the time of death were "his father" and "my mother" and "Orinda"
• George was buried the following Monday
• George and Rebecca had multiple children
• Rebecca's mother is "quite unwell."
• Orinda has a school
• Rebecca requests that Luvinia and their brother come visit before their mother leaves, suggesting that they live nearby but not close enough that they would have heard about the incident and ensuing funeral during the past week.