Sunday Sep 1^st 1839
My dearest Sister
I begin to feel uneasy about you
having no letter this week. You have before this heard
of the death of Mr Lucas. he is a great loss to the church
as well as his own family. Although I had begun to
despair of his recovery his death was very unexpected
as we had been the last week hearing constantly that
he was better. Wednesday morning Bishop De Lancey took
breakfast with him. he felt unusually well and said he
hoped to be able to preach in a few months. after the
departure of the Bishop he sent for a wagon to ride
as was his custom every day when he was sufficiently
well. the wagon could not be had until after dinner
so he told Mrs Lucas he would lie down a while
and went up stairs for that purpose. She followed
him in a few minutes without knowing why. she
found him sitting on the side of his bed endeavoring
to tear open the collar of his shirt. he requested
her to open the window immediately. uttered a few
inarticulate sentences "write, write" and "palsy" were
all she could understand. after opening the window she

flew to his side. he said "dont be alarmed" she thought
him dying and screamed for assistance but before any
one came he sank senseless in her arms. She was
alone in the house in the time with her youngest
children (Mary Jane having gone to the druggists) and a
litte girl of 12 or 13 years. her cries alarmed some
of the nearest neighbors who ran in medical
assistance was instantly procured. he was bled
profusely. put in a warm bath and all the
usual remedies for apoplexy were resorted to
without any effect. he continued to breathe with
out exhibiting any signs of conciousness until
5 oclock, when he expired. You may imagine what
an overwhelming calamity it is to his family. besides
losing a most affectionate husband and father they
are left perfectly destitute. Clara called that
evening I was unable to go until the next morning.
the next day I attended the funeral. Bishop De Lancey
preached the funeral sermon. Yesterday I called again
as Mrs Lucas seemed to desire it. Miss Lord e came
Friday night having received the intelligence of Mr Lucas
death in N. York. they all suffer exceedingly. I can
of course stay but a little while at a time but they
are never alone. Mrs Miller staid with Mrs Lucas the
first night since then until her sister came Marcia

Hulbert has been with her. Yesterday when I was there Frank
Hamilton who was Mr Lucas physician (after Humphreys left
them) was talking with Mrs Lucas about her husbands death
he had a complication of disease which I should think were
imperfectly understood and sometimes ill managed. I doubt
whether he would have recovered though Dr Hamilton seemed to think
he would. no one apprehended apoplexy as a termination.
They can see now that he had symptoms of apoplexy but before
his death they were all called "nervous". dimness of sight
failure of memory at times &c. The attack he had in Church
while you were here last winter is now admitted to be the
first fit. I have always thought it a paralysis since
I heard how his tongue was affected. A subscription has
been taken for Mrs Lucas. I have not heard the amount. The
Vestry gave $100 of the Church funds for mourning &c
These have been the all engrossing subjects this week. I believe
Mr Lucas death is sincerely deplored by every one particulary
his own congregation who were very generally warmly attached.
his kind heart and unostentatious manners made friends
among all classes.
Henry last Wednesday. he reached Westfield Sunday morning
is to remain there a week and then come home through
Catteragus and Alleghany counties. Jennings wrote me a long
letter at the same time. Henry met a very cordial
reception at Buffalo from all the Whigs except the Tracys
he was escorted to the steam boat by 500 fire men in
uniform with lighted torches. he spoke kindly of your
affectionate welcome and seemed to think you better than
when you were here. I have this moment received your letter
I will therefore finish and send this tonight although it is
now dark. I was hoping you would feel better this cold
weather. I had a letter from Harriet Bogart Thursday she
said Worden was at our house in Albany there. intending to
leave Saturday. Nicholas sent us a box of plums which were
very nice. Nicholas has seen York Vanallen who says he would
like to come and live with me if I do not employ Jenny!!
he considers himself engaged to me so the man at Canandaigua can
be informed. isnt it queer about Jenny. the De Witts are
still in our house. Harriet Weed does not come or write. I expect
her everyday. How I do want you to see Willie's little laughing
face you will hardly know him when you come. the

next time I write I will make some arrangement about your coming
out as the time of our departure draws nigh. Clara will go
with me I think for a visit. Tell Frances Freddy's cats
grow finely and are very pretty only think we have 7 of them
the silk worms have not accomplished much one is dead
one lost, one has made a very small cocoon and gone
to sleep another has crawled under the server and spins
some but we dare not move it to see how much, the
last one has commenced his winding sheet today. Augustus
takes me in the wagon with his pony wherever I go he will make
a good driver in time I think. I shall expect Henry this week
before he leaves shall make some arrangement about going to Albany
Mary Sherwood is to be married Teusday we are all invited to the
wedding. All send abundance of love to you & Frances. your own Sister
Mrs Alvan Worden
Canandaigua
AUBURN NY
SEP 1