File:Frances (Appleton) Longfellow to Anne Longfellow Pierce, 17 January 1857 (3dc250ae-5403-4360-9b9f-c1d2c375d303).jpg

Manuscript letter

Archives Number: 1011/002.001-027#003

Cambridge Jan 17th 1857
Dear Annie
What will you think of us that we have not informed you sooner of Mrs Greenleafs death? I have been much occupied this week in getting two new [??] for my family, or you should not have been forgotten. I have not seen Mrs Greenleaf very lately, having been kept at home by rheumatism, & was greatly shocked when Mr Cartwell came, last Tuesday morning, & informed us of her sudden departure at dawn. [p. 2] We went immediately to see Caroline, & found her serene & unexcited, not fully taking in the sad reality, she said, as she should later. Fortunately, Marianne Webster was with her, having been there on a visit & insisted upon sleeping with her mother that night, finding her so unwell. The Dr had warned Caroline in the day that it was “angina pectoris” so that she was not wholly unprepared for the suddenness of the shock. It seems as if her mother’s extreme reluctance to be left alone had been prophetic of her rapid release. [p. 3] She suffered about two hours with want of breath, & was aware of her situation, but I have not, as yet, heard all the particulars from Caroline as our visit was interrupted by the entrance of another friend. I shall go tomorrow to see her again. The funeral was on Friday, &, just as we were going to it (after an early dinner) Sumner arrived – so that I only remained for the service at the house by Mr [??] & left Henry to go with the family to Mt Auburn.
I feel this as really a personal loss. It has always been a pleasure to me to have a talk with Mrs Green- [p. 4] leaf, & the lovely serenity of her countenance has always charmed me & been a constant teacher of the power of religious faith over many afflictions. But it is a comfort to think of her among so many of her dear ones, in so different a climate from ours. I trust it will not be wholly unexpected by James & Mary, and that their long devotion will console them for their absence at this time. It will seem to take away one great motive-power of their life, but still they must feel with us all that there is little to regret in such a departure. The children are all well & your baby [?] would thank you if she could, for her charming sack. She does not quite walk yet alone. How do [p. 1 cross] you & Aunt Lucia survive this bitter cold winter? We are constantly missing the Nichol’s calls which I much regret.
Yrs affly
Fanny E.L.

• Keywords: correspondence; feal; long archives; frances e. a. longfellow papers (long 20257); frances elizabeth (appleton) longfellow; people; document; health and illness; subject; events; death; Correspondence (1011/002); (LONG-SeriesName); Letters from Frances Longfellow (1011/002.001); (LONG-SubseriesName); 1857 (1011/002.001-027); (LONG-FileUnitName)