(04) Letter: L. Jefferies to Edward Stabler, January 19,1837

Baltimore 1st Mo 19th 1837

I do not recollect the time when such a length of time passed (when I was looking for a conveyance to Sandy Spring) that nobody was going. I almost dispared of getting the epistles to your Monthly Meeting; and sent them to Alexandria, from whence I hope they have reached you, and may prove salutary counsel & admonition _ also encouragement and comfort _. And through the favour of my esteemed friend Edward, I am pleased to address my epistle for the benefit of thy dear Mother, as also thee & thine. Last evening I received a letter from her, but do not know by whom, found it on the mantle piece on my return from J Marsh's, where they are all well, and judge from its contents she has heard nothing from Baltimore since the Quarterly Meeting, and I know feels deeply interested in all that concerns us. Edward soon recovered from the poorly spell he had when you were here, and has been gaining flesh ever since he and Mary paid a short visit to Alexandria which recruited both considerably. Edward had business, and Mary took the advantage of a visit at the same time. Edward says he weighs more than he has done since he has lived in Baltimore, which is encouraging, as he has had raher a discouraging time. The little one is very well grows fleshy and more interesting every day as her ideas expand and she expresses them distinctly and sweetly to a parent's ear. We have all had the influenza but now all in a comfortable condition, which is to be esteemed a great favour. There has been a good deal of severe illness in the citty. The Drs say a complication

of disease, a part of which is influenza, and in some cases "Gastric" fever. Ann Whitaker formerly McPherson has been critically held, is better, but still very ill. Also Thos Mackenzie's wife (who was the daughter of George Norberry) has been, and still is very low, her's has been attended with delerium that made it more distressing. her mind is restored to reason, but still under much concern that she is not prepared for the change that will probably take place e'er long. In her delerium it was the subject of her distress, and she resisted sleep, until it almost left her sleepless, under an apprehension that her time was short and she had no time to loose in sleep. They are good orthadox frds but we of the other side have had the sitting-up to do. She is a worthy woman, and I trust will be restored to her husband and four little children. And our valued friend E Thomas, has had a suffering, sorrowful season. The disease in her breast has never staid its progress since it made its appearance. After the second surgical opperation, when it appeared again, she thought she could not submit to a third; but Philip (urged by the Physicians) was so anxious to have it done that, after putting them off for several weeks that she might get every thing, and go to see the sick &c she submitted, though never freely consented to have it done. It was an awful opperation. There were three different lumps, hard (comparatively) as stone, and all the breast was to be taken off. Yesterday week it was done. The Drs were 54 minutes performing to opperation, and found it more difficult than they had expected. Dr Wright said the roots were so matted

and tangled it was very difficult to get them. He was asked if the thought they had got them all? his reply was "indeed I do not know" _ and asked, how she bore it? he said it was an awful opperation and for three hours she suffered extreem pain, quite equal to the knife _ since which she has intervals of ease, but much pain, and a great deal of inflamation of the wound attended with fever _ and not been able so sleep, with considerable nervous irritability _ though at times a comfortable quiet mind, indeed some times even cheerful. This morning I sent to know how she was. The answer was she had a better night and slept more than she had since the opperation and was better. I have heard several times second hand from the Dr and I believe he has but little hopes of her recovery _ in which I also believe and cannot but regret that she was urged to have the knife used. She was cheerful and actively [?] in her family and society, and seems to be [just?] cut off, when probably she might have been with some time longer to our edification and her own comfort _ for to the last she did appear to love every body and have enjoyment in mixing with her frds _ it was done a week ago and she has never been moved from nearly the same position, and does not expect to for a week to come. The day before it was done she told Philip they must wait one day longer. She must go to see Grace Knox in her affliction, which she did to mutual comfort & satisfaction . Poor Grace she has experienced a sad bereavement _ her

husband Reynolds Knox fell from the roof of a house (when he was at work) and was so much hurt, he only lived 20 minutes, he was near his home, and was carried in without his wife having any intimation of the accident. She saw them bring him into the house and called to bring up stairs without knowing how much he was hurt, he did not appear to know any thing and expired while she was batheing his temples _

My letter must go to the office and I have only time to say our love [unstedly?] to all aff~ L. Jefferis

Edward Stabler P.M. Sandy Spring Maryland