Sending sympathy for loss of child
Author
Recipient
Date Written
Oct. 13, 1850
Hiram W. Chase was 27 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Otis Read Corbett, was 32 when it was received.
Hiram W. Chase died 38 years, 3 months, 12 days after writing this.
It was written 172 years, 5 months, 14 days ago.
It was a Sunday.
Lafayette, Indiana
Oct 13, 1850
Dear Brother, Sister:
It is a longtime, very long, since we have written to you and we feel that if apologies would atone for past neglect of duty that we ought to be profuse in making them. But “procrastination is the thief of time” and differing from time to time has produced this long silence.
We are all well, which is as good news as need be communicated. Sophia’s health is very good, indeed, she can scarcely be said to have had a sick day since the birth of little Freddy. We entertained some fears of little Fred, through July, August, and September, owing to his being teething and the bad season of the year for summer complaints. A great many children died, but he passed through with but trifling danger though he was at one time very sick. My health has been uniformly fine. There has been no cholera here this season but within the last two months, there have been a good many deaths from Dysentery or Flux as it is termed here.
We felt to sympathize with you deeply in the loss of your little girl, here but parents can appreciate the feelings of parents in parting with their children. When we buried little Mary, we felt indeed that home was desolate. How gloomy and sad it makes parents feel to see the little clothes and play things of the departed little ones. I was forcibly struck with the deep pathos and beautiful and touching simplicity of some remarks of the Editor of the Knickerbocher on the death of his firstborn son. Speaking of his fond hopes of his future prospects and history, which had been blighted by death, he says, “Ah, that history was a tale that is told, his little life was wounded with a sleep and he is taken from the evil to come. Better that the light closed should fade away in the morning’s breath, than to travel through the weary day and gather darkness and end in storm. It is well with the child.”
Sidney’s watch came in due time and also Adelia’s key which is a very pretty one, and for which I am
Greatly obliged. Poor Sidney, it is I have no doubt, “well with him.”
Little Fred has got to be a fine boy. He is now going on ten months old and almost walks. We think a great deal of him and should miss him sadly. We suppose little Walter has grown to be a large boy and will soon be able to render assistance to you.
Business has been rather dull the past season in the law but seems to be opening a little better at present. Wheat and corn crops were abundant suit here, although in many parts the corn was impaired by the draught.
We have no news to write and will therefore close, hoping to hear from you soon.
Yours affectionately,
H. W. Chase
Otis R. Corbett
Adelia B. Corbett
P. S. Sophia sends her love to you and a kiss for little Walter.
Scans of Letter
