Letter from Charlotte to Samuel Cowles, 1833 February 22.

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    Farmington, Friday February 22nd 1833


    My Dear Brother


    I have been expecting a letter from you for many a long and weary week, and ma says the road to the post-office is almost worn out by our walking so many times over it, in fond expectation of receiving, at last, a letter. But each time, the result of the visit to the office has been only a fresh disappointment. I had almost concluded not to write until you had answered by letter. For aught I know, you have written, and the letter gone sadly out of the way. And besides, I know you have not so much time for writing as I have. My time is at present rather limited. My evenings, which are all the time I have out of school, are principally devoted to studying. I study the Chemistry you purchased last winter, and Worcester’s History.


    The principal reason of my writing to you, is, to inform you of a recent affliction experienced by Mrs Seymour. About 2 weeks since, she had a letter from Mr James Seymour, stating that Henry had left his employer, and gone, they knew not where. For about a week, nothing was heard of him. At the end of that time Mr Seymour received a letter from a friend of his in New York, saying that Henry was with him. Last week he made his appearance at his mother’s house. He is now gone to West Hartford to spend a few days. There is a great revival of religion in the place,-- more especially among his immediate relatives. Great as his mother’s joy was at seeing



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    her son, she was very sorry that he had left Auburn at this time, as there is a great revival of religion there. Uncommon attention is paid to the subject by all classes. Mr Seymour sent in a request for prayer for his nephew, “the only son of his mother and she a widow.” A protracted meeting is considered as the immediate cause of the revival.


    A very sudden death has happened in our neighborhood. Perhaps you knew that Mr George Robinson’s family boarded with Mrs Seymour. Wednesday morning Mrs Robinson was taken in a convulsion fit, and at 10 o’clock she died. Her husband has been in Columbus this winter but he came home about a month ago. He appears like a disconsolate man. She has left four children, the eldest only 9 years of age. What an afflictive dispensation of Divine Providence, and so unexpected. Last Sabbath evening I spent in her room. She was very lively and sociable, indeed she always was. Tuesday she and her husband went to Southington, and took tea at Mr Charles Robinson’s. The next morning, as Mr C. Robinson was on his way to Hartford he called to inquire how they got home the preceding evening, and imagine, if you can, the surprise and horror which he felt, when he saw her apparalled for the tomb. The funeral will be attended this afternoon at 2 o’clock. Sabbath before last Mrs Robinson went to church for the last time, and heard Mr Vanarsdalen preach from these words; And all the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty and nine years, and he died. The sermon was upon the brevity of life, and the certainty of death. He said that the little bubble which had been launched on the ocean of life, after having seen 9 centuries, burst, and the stream was left to flow on as before. Toward the close of his discourse, he said, “The time will come when sickness will arrest your course, the time will come when death shall glaze those now sparkling eyes, the time will come when you will be laid in your coffin, the time will come when the cold clods of the valley shall lie over your perhaps now beautiful form, and your weeping friends turn away in anguish from the spot which covers your remains; and when a stranger inquires for you, the answer will be, She is dead. More than all these, the time will come when you will stand at the bar of God. Are you prepared for this?”



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    This, my brother, is a correct extract from a discourse which was solemn and impressive throughout. Some think him the greatest orator that entered our desk. He preaches like one acquainted with sorrow, and so he is. In 8 years he has buried father, mother, and 7 brothers and sisters. He has lately lost his last brother, and is now left alone, as it were in the wide world, without a relative living. Well might he preach upon the subject of death, when he has been bereaved by it of all his connexions. And this instance of mortality is an affecting verification of his words.


    Friday Evening.


    I have this afternoon attended the funeral of Mrs Robinson. It was at the meeting-house, and there was quite an assembly. An address and prayer by Mr Porter,-- also singing. It is getting to be the custom to sing at funerals. The tremulous voices of the few who sang, betrayed the emotions which they felt on committing to the dust one so generally beloved as Mrs Robinson. But if the grief of those friends was such, what must be the anguish of that husband when he considers his lonely situation.


    I wish to know when you expect to come home. We shall be very glad to see you at any time. Chauncey says he should like to have you be here in May, as he will be at home then.—Do you go to singing-school? There is one here this winter. Ma wants to know whether you attend church regularly, and what sort of preaching you have. What clothes do you think you shall want when you come home. Ma wishes to know just where you are every Sabbath evening. Charles is a very good boy, and supplies your place in every respect as well as can be expected from a boy of his age. We have used your brooms altogether, and like them very well. How do you like your apples and nuts? I hope they will assist you in spending your time pleasantly. You see my paper is full, and I must close. Now you must write to me as soon as you can. It is 9 long weeks since you have written to me. Don’t put it off so long again, for I shall be out of patience, and that, you know, would be a sad thing to


    your Sister Charlotte


    [along the left margin on the last page:]


    On the 26th of February we expect an address from Professor Olmsted. When you write, tell me all about the Temperance meeting at Windsor on that.


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