.MTE5NA.MjEzMw
17 September 1862
and an undated note from Selina Powell to Hattie Powell on the back page.
Powell Papers – 65 P875, Box III, Folder 2
- - - - -
Locust Hill Sep 17th
My dear Brother
Writing letters lately
has become to most of us only a melancholly
duty and even when I am offering my deepest
sympathy to you and dear Selina under
your last sad bereavement I must
announce another afflictive dispensa
tion of divine providence which you,
with all who knew our dear Ellen as
we know her, will feel to be a severe
bereavement. In the present circumstances
of our family she seemed to be the
bright chain which bound us together
in family union and we have a sad
feeling of unrest, scarcely knowing whither
to turn – Poor Mr. Gray is the most deeply
afflicted person I ever saw and I really
fear will never be able to turn his
attention to anything else, he has so
long exclusively devoted himself to his wife.
[2]
Kate, as you may know, is in great grief
and can never cease to miss such a mother
but youth and necessity, assisted by her
christian resignation to Gods will, will
in time restore her cheerfulness, but even
she can never fill her mothers place
to her father, Oh my dear brother, if we
had no other than earthly comforts
what could support us under our present
calamities, but our Heavenly Father has
promised to lay on us no heavier burden
than we are able to bear and that strength
shall be given sufficient for our day of
trial – I came here more than four weeks
ago upon hearing that dear Ellen was
ill and Jane and myself nursed her
night and day with Mr Grays assistance
at night until the morning of the 13th
of September, when her great and pro
tracted sufferings were ended by
a peaceful and happy death, she had
become so weak that she could not
speak much, but enough to leave her
Testimony to the sufficiency of her
[3]
Saviors love, and power to cast out all
fear of death and fill her heart
with a confident hope of a better
and more enduring inheritance –
Mama is as well as usual, but much
depressed and I think I see a gradual
decline within the last six months –
Mr Gray will take Arthur to Mrs
Gordon about the 1st of November
I fear both he and Kate will miss
him greatly but it was his mothers request
All your friends here join in much
love and kind sympathy to you and
dear Selina and the girls, May God
bless and comfort you and grant
brother with the assurance
that although our loved ones can
not return to us we shall go to them.
Your ever sincerely attached
Sister A M Powell
(On back of letter – a note from Selina Powell to Hattie)
I recd a letter from Nina this evening. She is well
Your Aunt J. & Kate send much love. Sarah has
sold the best Piano for 350, the next at 225 & she
does not say what became of the one in the girls
parlor which she says was not moved – She writes
now to know what she shall do with the remainder
of the furniture & advises that if we have not a
reasonable prospect of returning, to have it sold –
We have concluded that this will be best for all
the heavy furniture – The little store room was
broken open – she does not say what was taken
out except the ____ pickle, but I suppose any
thing else that they wanted – Mrs Thompson, the
Medical director's wife) boasted at Martinsburg
that she had taken off three feather beds.
Sarah collected $100 in school bills. Mrs Long bought
the carpet – The parlor furniture was moved to Mrs
Burwells & some of the matresses & beadsteads – Sarah
went ______ to the _______ _______ & asked per
mission to remove some of the furniture, but was
flatly refused – This is the principal that ___
tells me about our things – She does not say
much about the people – The Conrads are well.
If she tells you more you must tell me
when you write – I must bid you Good night.
I finished this letter tonight before Kate
rides to the Depot & she goes very soon after
breakfast – Your devotedly attached mother –
You can send this letter of your Aunt Ann's on to
Bec or Nina when you are writing to them.
