folder 15: October–December 1852

When you have the courage Sister dear please write to our dearest Mother, and tho' I cannot ask you to be cheerful I can ask you not to express all of your sorrow, unless dear it relieves you to do so - I would not make this request did I not know that you feel even more if possible for our beloved Mother than the rest of us do - She is so distressed you perhaps may have heard that Father has been removed from the Custom House - but Uncle Henry received an answer to his letter from Fillmore stating that Father had resigned, so you may not feel distressed on that account.

Uncle Andrew & Aunt Lou leave N.Y. on the 23^rd. I must now my dear Sister and Brother bid you for the present adieu - If by writing this I lesson one pang of your deep sorrow I shall feel that my love and sympathy for you is not entirely in vain. With my hearts [sic] best prayers for your health and happiness with your other dearest little children I am as ever your most aff. brother [signed] H.L.P.King

[upper right corner] Allentown 17^th October 1852

My beloved Afflicted Children !

I cannot address you singly as the Father & Mother of that departed babe you seem now equally dear to me ! In what words Oh my children can I express the agony I have endured since the rect [receipt] dear William of your afflicting letter of the 8^th & can it be possible that I shall no more on earth behold that beautiful face - hear that sweet voice - hold in mine that soft dimpled hand or fold to my fond heart that form so beloved ? Oh God! thy ways are inscrutable - But this we do know "that He doeth all things well" In the first moments of anguish this is hard to / understand or believe It is nevertheless true. He gave you that precious lamb to keep for a few short years - he endowed her with beauty & attractions above most children, he permitted your hearts to be wrapped up in this lovely flower. He now takes her to himself, to draw your hearts to Him who now shelters that sweet lamb in His bosom. My children may God! grant that the death of this beloved child may draw your hearts to Him who died for you. God! gave his only son to die the cruel death on the cross - that through him the sins of the world may be forgiven. Can we not then trust this blessed babe to the keeping of Him who died that we may find a place in a better world - Oh! my children I feel that I have set you but a poor example of Christian Fortitude. I suffered trifles to disturb my happiness when I may have been happy - Now that real trouble assails us I feel crushed to the earth - fearful what the morrow may bring forth. With all of your love for that child my William you can bear it better than my Tootee can. Her station is indoor with everything to remind her of the chasm which death has made in your family. Her love is as not greater than yours - but her cares were. Her health too is not so strong - May God!

give you strength to bear with Christian fortitude & resignation this terrible blow. If we could but with the eyes of faith look beyond the dark & narrow grave - We would see that loved one now in the glorious garb of an angel - singing hymns of praise - She will never again ^ feel hunger or thirst - pain or death. It is true she has no longer a place on earth - but she occupies a better place in heaven - Let us try & be reconciled to the will of God! She can return no more to us but we may go to her. Let us take this chastening not only as a mercy & blessing to that dear angel but also to our bereaved selves. Your tears will flow the wound of your hearts will still bleed - but if we seek help and consolation from God! we will find rest & consolation We must all die! a fearful truth?! Our precious Isabel has past [sic] through the dark valley a little before us - her path was made smooth by the love of the Savior who said "suffer little children to come unto me & forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven" "It is not the will of my Father that one of these little ones should perish" What divine consolation . Let us take hold on these promises & feel consolation from Him who alone can give us rest. Now is the accepted time - Let lay all of our sins - all trouble at the feet of our blessed Savior - looking to Him only for forgiveness & consolation -- The blessed influences of the Holy Spirit & time will will make the burden of our grief lighter -

This blow was so sudden - It is true I had become very unhappy at your silence - I began to fear sickness - I was not prepared for death. How changed in a few hours have been our feelings - but yesterday poor Appy had dressed her doll - & finished her dress. how proudly she folded up the dress not to be opened until we reached home They then each one made make out a little memorandum

of what was to be got for each dear child - The mail came in late & good brother Henry went down to the Office he brought us your letter to Lord - I begged Georgia to open it & let me know why Tootee had not written. I soon too soon heard the sad cause. Oh! what hours have since been past!! How for-tunate that dear Cousin Amanda was with you at that try- -ing moment. May God! reward her for all her kindness to us - My poor child! May God! preserve you - & you my William what a task to write that letter - I fear much for you my Tootee. Remember my child there are yet 3 precious children left. Oh! may they be spared to you. How I long & yet dread to return to you. How different from the happy meeting we were so fondly anticipating. Oh! my Tootee my Tootee may God grant no further misfortune awaits us. Your letter of the 4^th I have never received. I hope I may not be too soon by taking passage on the 30^th. We have had severe frost here & hope the cold weather has extended to Savannah & the Isld. I have ever regretted leaving you this summer each mile which took me from you seemed to drag back my heart to you & those beloved children. Too late too late now for repentance - Oh! could I have foreseen this event no power would have induced me to leave you . But my children remember It is the Lord who gave & it is the Lord who has taken to himself this darling child - He knows best what was for her good. Had you possessed the wealth of the world you could not have provided for her as God! will - Had she lived she may have become unfit for her now happy home. Had she lived through this illness - she must sooner or later have died - Let us try to grieve no more - but place

our firm reliance on His power & mercy who will reunite us - to part no more. Her [Great] Grand Parents - her Uncle & brother have welcomed her to a better happier home than we can offer her. Sweet sweet darling Bob! How much I shall miss you - how I grieve for your loss - But sweet innocence you are blest forever May we meet in Heaven !!! ----- Georgia amidst the confusion of last evening wrote to you my Tootee - Lordy got here about 9 o clock - He truly sympathises with you & will write to you dear William. Poor Appy! Bell was her own hearts [sic] darling - Thank God! Anna is yet spared - had she gone what would have become of Butler in that far distant country. What sad news I have to give him poor fellow - In your Fathers [sic] letter of the 15^th September - he informed us of the necessity there will be for Buttie to remain after he leaves for the Atlantic states. This adds much to my trouble - But he is in the keeping of a merciful God! I can but hope that my nine nine children & my husband & my William & 3 remaining grandchild -ren may all ere long meet - & then may we with humble grate -ful hearts offer up our prayers & thanksgivings. How much Malley & Floyd will grieve - alas who that ever knew that precious child can otherwise than grieve for her loss - Bright happy now angel child - ! For your poor Mothers [sic] sake try to be resigned my Tootee - For poor Tootees [sic] sake & for your other dear childrens [sic] do you my William look to God! for consolation ---- God! grant no further affliction awaits us ere we meet --- From Mary & Henry we receive the kindest sympathy How fortunate that we were here when this blow fell on us. I hope to hear further from you ere we leave then - God! grant you may tell me of no further misfortunes - I hope to be calmer in a day or two. I have tried to offer you consolation - I fear my agony but adds to yours - May God! bless & protect you & those 3 remaining darlings - kiss them for us - All unite in love & sympathy Your devoted & Afflicted Mother AM King