Akron, Ohio, July 20, 1852.
Dear
Son John, — I wrote you a few
days before the death of our infant son, saying we expected to lose him; since
then we have some of us been sick constantly. The measles and whooping-cough
went so hard with Sarah that we were quite anxious on her account, but were
much more alarmed on account of my wife, who was taken with bleeding at the
lungs two or three days after the death of her child. She was pretty much
confined to her bed for some weeks, and suffered a good deal of pain, but is
now much more comfortable, and able to be around. About the time she got about
I was taken with fever and ague, and am unable to do much now, but have got the
shakes stopped for the present. The almost constant wet weather put us back
very much about our crops, and prevented our getting in much corn. What we have
is promising. Our wheat is a very good quality, but the crop is quite moderate.
Our grass is good, and we have a good deal secured. We shall probably finish
harvesting wheat to-day. Potatoes promise well. Sheep and cattle are doing
well; and I would most gladly be able to add that in wisdom and good morals we
are all improving. The boys have done remarkably well about the work; I wish I
could see them manifest an equal regard for their future well-being. Blindness
has happened to us in that which is of most importance. We are at a loss for a
reason that we do not hear a word from you. The friends are well, so far as I
know. Heard from Henry and Ruth a few days since.
Your affectionate father,
John Brown.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of
John Brown, p. 150
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