Love letter to husband
Author
Recipient
Date Written
May 15, 1849
Susan M. Walker Trafton was 26 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Charles T Trafton, was 27 when it was received.
Susan M. Walker Trafton died 42 years, 11 months, 4 days after writing this.
It was written 174 years, 6 months, 23 days ago.
It was a Tuesday.
Kennebunk
May 15th, 1849
My Dearest Husband,
Many thanks for your kind, and truly affectionate letter, which came to hand yesterday. It certainly is a source of much pleasure to me, to know that although I am separated from my dearest friend; yet he thinks of me, with unaltered affection. He cannot be unmindful of the stronger, and ever constant love of one, who from her childhood has honoured and esteemed the husband of her choice.
Yes, dear Charles, I can say with pride, that I may note, their rich, or great, or would exchange my lot, with any of my friends, while I am confident of possessing the love, and respect of my husband; this is my highest ambition, and although at times I feel, I sadly err, yet my heart never changes, but will remain steadfast until its last pulsation.
I can say with confidence, that your expressions of affection, never for a moment, awakened feelings of “vanity or pride”; my feelings towards you, would not sanction out emotions, but I trust feelings of a higher order. Believe me, when I say, when your honor is as dear to me, as my life, and while strength of body, and mind, are in my possession, you need have no fears, of its being wrested from me, without a violent effort.
Your advice, or as I call it, my new commandment, I think an excellent one, and it does not appear so hard to keep as many that or left on record in the Bible. Why is it that “the creature is more easily obeyed than the Creator & it is very wrong, I admit, yet it is, an indisputable truth.
I am very glad your visit satisfied you, in regard to my future prospects, as for myself; I feel fifty percent better than before you came. I continue pretty well, only weariness & restlessness at night, attended with some pain, which is to be expected. If it is your desire, I will take the Lyra as you requested, but there is no especial need of it as I am not troubled in the way you feared.
I spent this day at Mr. Boyd’s. Last Thursday, he came for me in the morning, with words from his wife, that she was to have a favorite dish of mine for dinner, and wanted me to come over, and partake of it. I had a very pleasant visit, and did not lack for conversation.
Had a note from Mary A. Stone, last week, inviting all down, to spend the day this week. She said she wanted me to see “their baby”, they seem much pleased with her—We shall go down, if the weather is pleasant, but there seems little prospect of it now, as it is very cold, and unpleasant. We had a violent rain storm Sunday night, and it has been very cold, ever since.
Howard continues the same as when you were here, he told his grandfather tonight, that he (Howard) “had a dirty face and looked like a harness maker,” where he heard it, I cannot tell, but he always has remarks to make. He talks of you every day, and will not forget very easily. Please excuse this half sheet, as I have no more time, or paper, and I wished you to hear, at the time you looked for this letter.
Yours affectionately,
Susan
Scans of Letter
