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This the ninth of a series of letters from early Kinzer settlers in Ohio in the mid 1800s.The persons identified have their ID numbers in parenthesis and italicized. Kinzers are in bold print.
LETTER TO SAMUEL LINN FROM ANN BUFFINGTON, MAY 26, 1848
Dear Uncle & Aunt
With feelings quite different from what they were the last time I attempted to
write to you, I again commence this epistle to you, and would say that myself &
companion with the balance of the family are all well. Mary Ann & myself has
just return from Freanch County on the evening of the ___. We received a letter
from John Kinzer giving us the sad account of Mothers illness. We left the next
morning, and arrived the morning following, but found we were too late. Death
hav dine a work ?, and the earth was closed over her. Their side by side rest
the _____ old pair, Peace to their ashes.
For fear that nine (none) of
the family has written to you, so far as I ___ the history of her affliction, I
will try and give you the particulars. On Friday the 2--___ immediately after
dinner while setting in her chair, she had a stroke of the palsey, and so severe
that she never spoke or swallowed afterwards – and lingered until one oclock on
Tuesday morning May 11th.
They told me that her suffering was very
severe but appeared to be perfectly sensible until the last. She had been in
better health and spirits for the last fiew (few) weeks than she had been for
some time, But very anxious to be at home all the time fearfull that she might
die a way from home. The day before she had the stroke of the palsey she
visited her son John who was very anxious she should stay all night with them
her reply was that she did not wish to die a way from home, and could not think
of staying with them. I suppose John or Jasper will write and give you a more
full act (account) of her death than it is in my power to do.
Write and let us know
how you all are.
Yours affectionally,
A. Buffington
The envelope was addressed to : Mr Samuel Linn
Hillsboraugh (note difference in sp. between letters), Ohio
Date of the letter was May 26, 1848 and mailed from
Harrisburg, PA on May 27, 1848.
This letter was transcribed by Larry Kinzer on Feb. 6, 2007
in Bradenton, FL. The copy of the original letter was acquired through the
Lancaster County Historical Society. The letter is part of the Samuel Slaymaker
II, White Chimneys Collection, MG-268 Series 2, Box 7.
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