Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Janet Watson Seward, April 20, 1865
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Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Janet Watson Seward, April 20, 1865
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:msr
student editorTranscriber:spp:obm
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1865-04-20
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Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Janet Watson Seward, April 20, 1865
action: sent
sender: William Seward
Birth: 1839-06-18
Death: 1920-04-29
location: Washington D.C., US
receiver: Janet Seward
Birth: 1839-11-18
Death: 1913-11-09
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: msr
revision: crb 2016-09-15
<>
Page
1
Washington
Thursday Morning
My dearest Jenny
This is the
first moment I ^have^ found
since my arrival to write
I need not tell you that
my every moment is occupied
and I have not had my
clothes off since I left
Auburn. I shall probably
for the next week to come
have as little time as heretofore
but will keep you fully advised
by telegraph each day.
You must place but little
reliance on the newspaper
accounts which you read
[top Margin] 3 pm
The surgeon “tells me” that Frederick
is much better than this morning
Page
2
as much of them are
surmise
Father
& not entirely in his right
mind particularly nights
he is however without doubt
gradually improving & gaining
strength.
I cannot say the same
of Frederick in his case
there is hope and that is
all. The slightest unfavorable
turn may end his life he
may remain in this condition
for one or two weeks yet
I do not even think that
his chances are equal. I tell
you this in order that you
may know the worst.
Anna
Page
3
he seems to know her and
is desirous that she should
not leave him. Mother
has also recognized until
yesterday, he does not speak
but sleeps most of the time.
He has four separate fractures
of the skull, the surgeons
have been several times on
the point of trappanning him
but some favorable symptom
have made them desist as
yet. Until last night I
do not think Mother or
Fanny
sleep in succession since the assn
happened. They however both
went to bed & slept most of the
night last night. It is perfectly
wonderful how they endure
fatigue. I sit up every night
Page
4
with Father & Fred and get
an hours sleep in the morning
when I can, am perfectly
well and mean to keep so.
The house is full to overflowing
Uncle George
went to City Point yesterday to
see the sights I believe.
I have all the assistance I
kn need, you could you not
be of any with the children
and I do not think it best for
you to leave them just now at
any rate but do not let this
annoy you.
Augustus
the head but is not confined to
his room as he has none.
Mr
^are here^ also Clarence
quite sick since she came but is
better today & about. I have had
the two wounded nurses removed which
lightens our care somewhat, George is
here with me
Your Will
Page
5
Mrs Wm H Seward Jr
Auburn
N.Y.
WASHINGTON
APR 21
Type: postmark
h
apr 21
65
h
Washington
Thursday Morning
My dearest Jenny
This is the
first moment I ^have^ found
since my arrival to write
I need not tell you that
my every moment is occupied
and I have not had my
clothes off since I left
Auburn. I shall probably
for the next week to come
have as little time as heretofore
but will keep you fully advised
by telegraph each day.
You must place but little
reliance on the newspaper
accounts which you read
[top Margin] 3 pm
The surgeon “tells me” that Frederick
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
is much better than this morning
as much of them are
surmise
Father
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
is very weak & feble& not entirely in his right
mind particularly nights
he is however without doubt
gradually improving & gaining
strength.
I cannot say the same
of Frederick in his case
there is hope and that is
all. The slightest unfavorable
turn may end his life he
may remain in this condition
for one or two weeks yet
I do not even think that
his chances are equal. I tell
you this in order that you
may know the worst.
Anna
Birth: 1834-03-29 Death: 1919-05-02
seldom leaves his bedside.he seems to know her and
is desirous that she should
not leave him. Mother
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21
he has also recognized until
yesterday, he does not speak
but sleeps most of the time.
He has four separate fractures
of the skull, the surgeons
have been several times on
the point of trappanning him
but some favorable symptom
have made them desist as
yet. Until last night I
do not think Mother or
Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
have taken two hourssleep in succession since the assn
happened. They however both
went to bed & slept most of the
night last night. It is perfectly
wonderful how they endure
fatigue. I sit up every night
with Father & Fred and get
an hours sleep in the morning
when I can, am perfectly
well and mean to keep so.
The house is full to overflowing
Uncle George
Birth: 1808-08-26 Death: 1888-12-07
& Dr Robinson
Birth: 1804-02-04 Death: 1889-07-28
went to City Point yesterday to
see the sights I believe.
I have all the assistance I
kn need, you could you not
be of any with the children
and I do not think it best for
you to leave them just now at
any rate but do not let this
annoy you.
Augustus
Birth: 1820-05-18 Death: 1889-05-08
has five cuts onthe head but is not confined to
his room as he has none.
Mr
Birth: 1808-02-07 Death: 1868-09-09
& Mrs Wharton
Birth: 1812-10-29 Death: 1889-10-09
& John Wharton
Birth: 1841-12-14 Death: 1896-10-15
^are here^ also Clarence
Birth: 1828-10-07 Death: 1897-07-24
. Aunty
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
has beenquite sick since she came but is
better today & about. I have had
the two wounded nurses removed which
lightens our care somewhat, George is
here with me
Your Will
Mrs Wm H Seward Jr
Auburn
N.Y.
WASHINGTON
APR 21
Stamp
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1839-11-18 Death: 1913-11-09Janet Seward
65
h
Unknown
after assassination