Letter from William Henry Seward to Mary Jennings Seward, November 24, 1844
xml:
Letter from William Henry Seward to Mary Jennings Seward, November 24,
1844
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:atb
student editorTranscriber:spp:sss
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1844-11-24
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Letter from William Henry Seward to Mary Jennings Seward, November 24, 1844
action: sent
sender: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: Unknown
receiver: Mary Seward
Birth: 1769-11-27
Death: 1844-12-11
location: UnknownUnknown
transcription: atb
revision: ekk 2016-02-10
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Page
1
e
Letter in the hand of FMS
h
Nov 24 1844_
Sunday night
My dear Mother
After I was on my way
it seemed so hard to sleep within less
than three miles from you and yet
not under the same roof, that I was
almost self persuaded
to your bedside. But the separations
must come and it would only have
increased your excitement and my
sorrow to make it more solemn.
I know that you will not be
alarmed and therefore I may freely
confess that considering your great debility
and the distance I am putting behind me
I seemed to be enjoying my last interview
with the mother who has so long, so
faithfully, so affectionately loved me,
and I wanted therefore to say some words
of kindness which that mother might
remember while memory lasted, and
Page
2
perhaps might recal when her spirit had
put on immortality. But I could not
say any thing and we parted in silence
I hurried away lest my tears might
excite you beyond your strength.
Be assured my dear mother that
I will come back from whatever distance
on the first information of your relapse,
and whether your brow is damp with
the chills of Death, or be rigid never
more to be relaxed, I will impress upon
it another kiss before the grave claims
its own from those to whom you have so
long been the light of their life.
One word on religious subjects. Divines
are apt to refine, and exact forms of
preparation. Do not let them alarm you
about your acceptance. Christ taught
none of these refinements. To repent and
believe was all he required. You have
repented and you have believed -
Repentance and humility have been the
Page
3
occupation and characteristic of your life
Faith unquestioning unhesitating and
unquestioning you have always exercised
and taught.
Do not let them persuade you that
you must not be impatient of pain and
suffering. Christ himself wished that the
cup might pass.
If as we fondly, and I think rea-
sonably, hope there is memory and there
is affection beyond the grave, remember
me, my dear mother, remember me not-
severely but think how many temptations
are in my way. If you are permitted
as we hope, to know and embrace your
children, say to my sister
that thier affection still lingers in my
memory and that if I have ever been
remiss, I will try to perform more faithfully
my duty to their children.
Good bye my dear Mother, The world
cannot make me doubt that I shall
Page
4
see you again. I am sure that Human
life has no worthy end but Immortality
and the Father of all Spirits will in
the end receive them if they seek Him
Good bye - Good bye -
Your own affectionate son
Henry -
Mrs Mary Seward -
A copy of Henry's last letter
to his Mother -
e
Editorial Note
Hand Shift
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21Frances Seward
Sunday night
My dear Mother
After I was on my way
it seemed so hard to sleep within less
than three miles from you and yet
not under the same roof, that I was
almost self persuaded
To influence by argument, advice, or intreaty • To convince by arguments, or reasons offered •
to insist on returningto your bedside. But the separations
must come and it would only have
increased your excitement and my
sorrow to make it more solemn.
I know that you will not be
alarmed and therefore I may freely
confess that considering your great debility
and the distance I am putting behind me
I seemed to be enjoying my last interview
with the mother who has so long, so
faithfully, so affectionately loved me,
and I wanted therefore to say some words
of kindness which that mother might
remember while memory lasted, and
perhaps might recal when her spirit had
put on immortality. But I could not
say any thing and we parted in silence
I hurried away lest my tears might
excite you beyond your strength.
Be assured my dear mother that
I will come back from whatever distance
on the first information of your relapse,
and whether your brow is damp with
the chills of Death, or be rigid never
more to be relaxed, I will impress upon
it another kiss before the grave claims
its own from those to whom you have so
long been the light of their life.
One word on religious subjects. Divines
are apt to refine, and exact forms of
preparation. Do not let them alarm you
about your acceptance. Christ taught
none of these refinements. To repent and
believe was all he required. You have
repented and you have believed -
Repentance and humility have been the
occupation and characteristic of your life
Faith unquestioning unhesitating and
unquestioning you have always exercised
and taught.
Do not let them persuade you that
you must not be impatient of pain and
suffering. Christ himself wished that the
cup might pass.
If as we fondly, and I think rea-
sonably, hope there is memory and there
is affection beyond the grave, remember
me, my dear mother, remember me not-
severely but think how many temptations
are in my way. If you are permitted
as we hope, to know and embrace your
children, say to my sister
Birth: 1805 Death: 1839-01-04
and my brother
Birth: 1793-08-23 Death: 1841-02-24
that thier affection still lingers in my
memory and that if I have ever been
remiss, I will try to perform more faithfully
my duty to their children
Birth: 1828-10-07
Death: 1897-07-24
Birth: 1820-05-18
Death: 1889-05-08
Birth: 1834-07-25
Death: 1922-02-28
Birth: 1832-02-20
Death: 1876-01-14
Birth: 1829-12-04
Death: 1867-10-25
Good bye my dear Mother, The world
cannot make me doubt that I shall
see you again. I am sure that Human
life has no worthy end but Immortality
and the Father of all Spirits will in
the end receive them if they seek Him
Good bye - Good bye -
Your own affectionate son
Henry -
Mrs Mary Seward -
A copy of Henry's last letter
to his Mother -