Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2016.02.0003 |
Object Name |
Letter |
Date |
1813 |
Title |
1813 Feb 1 Samuel Brown to Margaretta Brown |
Scope & Content |
Letter from Samuel Brown (Natchez, MS) to Margaretta Brown (Frankfort, KY). Samuel Brown informs Margaretta Brown of the birth of his daughter, Catherine Anna "Nancy" Brown. She was born on January 4, 1813. He also discusses his fears for the health of his wife, Kitty, who has had a relapse of the illness that she suffered during her pregnancy. [Transcription] Natchez Feby 1 1813 A month has elapsed since the date of my last letter & my fear & anxieties for the safety of my dear Kitty are not abated. On the 4th ult. she was delivered of a fine daughter & for two days after the vomiting a fever abated so much as to have the most flattering grounds of hope. But since that time my mind has been tortured with the most dreadful apprehensions sometimes I have fully despaired at others my sanguine spirit relieved me & I was indulging the most pleasing anticipations of a continuation of that domestic felicity of which I have so often boasted to you when some unforeseen accident again cast a gloom over my heart. For two days past my fears have been increasing & unless some speedy change takes place I shall soon be as miserable as I have been happy my poor little Nancy is not much larger than when I first saw her & has never yet drawn nourishment from her mothers Breast. I have scarcely fortitude to endulge my paternal affection for her-Should I loose her mother I could hardly hope to raise her or to live to see her educated- My poor little Susan & my lovely Boy have attained an age when a father can do more for them. But when I think of the loss they may sustain my heart sinks within me. Never my dear Sister have I felt affliction like these those I have suffered during the last disastrous year. Where they will end that Being who has sent them upon me only knows. Since October my dear wife has never left her Bed & I have hardly had my cloaths off during that long period. Mrs. Elles & Mr Percy have been with me almost constantly & whatever our sister & Brother could do they have done for our little family. Still still my dear Sister how often have I turned my aiking heart to you & my Brother & wished for such friends in my neighbourhood for what friends have I like you. If a heart in affliction could be flattened the kind attentions of the people of Natchez & the vicinity to my dear Kitty would have delighted me for had I been the greatest or the best of men or she the most beloved of women they could not have shown more sympathy & attention. I delayed writing in hopes to tell you something more agreeable -The moment I can relieve your mind you shall hear from me- Yours Sam Brown [Address Block] Mrs Margaretta Brown Frankfort Kentucky [Postmark] [illegible] Feb 2 |
People |
Samuel Brown Margaretta Mason Brown Catherine Brown |
Search Terms |
Childbirth Children Illness |