Letter: "Cousin Sue" to Anna Parker Wetherald, May 30, 1872

Huntingdon May 30, 72. Dear Cousin Anne,

Knowing that youre as well as Aunt, and cousins are interested to hear of dear Mother's state I begin a letter to you this evening. I received Cousin Esther's kind letter/please thank her for it/ and should have written before but that there has been so little change in Mother, from day, to day we scarcely notice the change, but its looking back a week, we see that she has taken many steps forward, towards the place of her rest, for she has lived such a useful life, that we cannot doubt, but that she "will rest from her labours, and her works will follow him". If her throat had not been affected with paralysis, so as to make her swallowing difficult and if her appetite had been restored

I believe that Mother would have lived many months, perhaps years, but in all these three weeks, she has not taken as much nourishment as a baby of a week old would take, so that it is a marvel to us, how her life has been so prolonged. She does not suffer any pain, her only discomfort is from the dry state of her mouth and throat, & the soreness, and stiffness of her right side, from lying so long, & from the drag on it of the poor lame side, which has never had the least sensation, nor ability to move. And that makes it so difficult to lift or move her, it seems such a dead weight dragging back, she lies now almost entirely on the left side, not being comfortable on her back, & entirely unable to lie on the right side; for some time it was a rest for her to sit up in bed, propped by some one sitting behind her, but now she is too weak, she cannot support herself upright.

For several days last week she was so restless wanting to be nursed every few minutes, and having so much distress, & discomfort from want of sleep, that we felt almost in despair, but on Sunday the Dr. gave us some powders that have such a composing influence on the [illegible] that she is much more quiet. & partly from their effect, to partly from weakness I think, she sinks easily into sleep: She is quite conscious, & her mind clear when she wakens, knows us all perfectly, but speaks very little now, and that with great effort.

We think with great comfort of the many beautiful things she has said to us, & of her expressed readiness to leave the things of this world, and join those who are waiting for her beyond, twice she said she had seen [Haworth?], and Sarah, and added "and thy dear Anne is so near me!" I said "oh Mother, how does she look," she said sweetly "So well all pain, and distress gone." She has found so much strength to comfort in having the Psalms repeated to her, & has often gone to sleep, supported on the

sweet words that are "spirit and life for her." The 1 '21st. & P39th. are her special favorites, & she would often repeat with me the lives that impressed her most deeply.

Sisters are still here with her, we have all felt that we could not leave her, and indeed it takes our whole force to nurse her, Now staying with her the easy part, & two the latter part of the night, and dividing the day in the same way.

I told her this evening, that I was writing to Aunt Wetherald's family, & asked her if she had any message, she answered feebly "my love." - It has been a long, and sad watching, but we feel as if our dear Lord had almost finished in her His perfect work. -

Please give our united love to the family I was glad to hear particulars of Aunt's health, when I told Mother I had received the letter She said "I should have loved to see Ann again;" adding "she too has been blessed in her children, and in having Joseph with [illegible]."

I hope to hear better accouns of Isaac Bond's health. -- I was very sorry not to see you when you were in [town??], and hope the next time circumstances will be more favourable for you to pay us a visit, I have been here constantly the last three weeks, have been at home only one night, & for two short calls in that time. -- I hope you saw Dr Ring, and his daughter I regret very much not having seen them. --

Good bye now, with much love, I am your attached Cousin Sue.

[81.5028.187a]

[partial post mark: MAY 31 8 AM MC]

Mrs A. V. Wetherald Sandy Spring P. O. Montgomery County Maryland