Transcription
CATALOG NUMBER S 1005
OBJECT NAME Letter
DATE June 25, 1813
AUTHOR Mary Anna Sawyer Schuyler
RECIPIENT Sybil Farham Sawyer and Micajah Sawyer Esq’r MD
MEDIUM Paper, ink
PEOPLE John Rutsen Schuyler, Sibyll Schuyler (step-sister, d. January 26,
1813), George Lee Schuyler,
PLACES
KEYWORDS death of John Rutsen Schuyler (“our beloved John”), death of
Sybill Schuyler six months earlier, illness of very young George Lee Schuyler
June 25th 1813_
Dear Parents
It is probable before you receive this letter you will / have heard of the death of our beloved John . on Tuesday evening the / 22nd at 9OC he breathed his last._ the last 24 hours of his life / were very suffering ones + we were constantly expecting during / that time every hour would put a period to his existence._ He / met the event with uncommon fortitude . he was anxious to be gone / but still prayed that he might wait with patience - he constantly / asked how long it would be before it would be over & observed / that he died a hard death. he said often in the course of the day / Good by my friends . he told us "he was going to a world of peace / that his confidence was in God, & in his salvation"._ almost his / last words were "my God receive my soul"_ His mind was well / prepared . he left nothing undone or unattended too both as it related / to this world & to the one to come_ His affectionate heart shew itself / even in death, & his dear remembrance will never be forgotten / by his sorrowful family._ He requested his funeral might be / private, & yesterday at 11 OC in the forenoon he was interred. atten- / ded by the friends which he desired.__ about an hour before his / dissolution he fell asleep, & slept profoundly; I was close to him / & held his hand, & prayed most earnestly that he might not / awake again, until he opened his eyes upon the resurrection & / the life . so it was . I perceived that his breath grew shorter & / called the Dr, he breathed about five times after that, [^he] never / moved his hand or opened his eyes . & was finally removed in the / most tranquil manner _ he spoke of Sibyll in the course / of the day . said the rattling in his throat resembled hers. / & hoped that it might not end in suffocation___
[END OF PAGE 1]
He has left us every solace in his own religion & patience. / I have never heard him murmur or repine in the smallest / degree & for four months I have not left him an hour / night or day _ he begged me not to mourn for him. he said / his exchange would be happy . that nothing obscured his / hopes they were all bright. We often conversed on the subject / of his departure . but he always spoke with firmness & com- / -posure_ he used to say life had always been pleasant to / him that he had never known trouble & if he could recover / he should be glad, but still the will of God be done that / he was willing to die_ the last fortnight of his life / he suffered considerably & this has reconciled us much to our / loss_ I did not ask a longer continuance__ It has made a / dreadful chasm . but we are composed & resigned __ I thought you would like to hear particularly . though I can hardly / give you an idea with much tranquility the scene is so / fresh ___ I hope to see you here soon . Adieu my dear Parents /
yours MAS__
We are all well excepting George his health is very delicate ____
[END OF PAGE 2]
[POSTAL NOTATION]
17
[ADDRESS]
Micajah Sawyer Esq’r MD
Newburyport. __
[REVERSE OF ADDRESS]
Mrs. Schuylers letter upon / John, sickness & death
[LATER]
June 25, 1813Transcriber
Kathryn AlexanderLanguage
English
