New Orleans, March 8, 1844
My dear Henry, I take this opportunity of writing to you hoping that may find you ,James, your wife, Henry & Emma all in the enjoyment of good. Pleased to excuse me from writing you a long letter at this as I have not a good opportunity at time owing many things that I have to think of and attend. I have the unspeakable sorrow now to inform you of your dear mother died on the 19th day of February. I can assure you that I never saw anyone die so comfortable as she did. Still I know that my loss is a unrepairable one as I am to a certain degree left destitute. But I must not sorrow as one without hope knowing as I do that I shall see her very soon and enjoy her society in perfect bliss. The thought of this sometimes gives me momentary relief likewise I am satisfied with the kind treatment that she received. The captain sent her provisions regularly from the cabin for many days and she died in the cabin. I believe him to be the kindness man I ever met with and since that time he have behaved with the greatest kindness and respect towards me and all my children. He expressed himself to me as he thought as much of me as though I had been his own brother and told me to come and sit in the cabin whenever I pleased and should feel himself happy in my company. The American gentlemen are nothing like the English as far as I can see of it as we have had the best passage. The captain and crew declares as ever they knew I believe and captain says that your dear mother was entirely worn out. She was buried in the sea. They say it is the most beautiful place as any person can be put to rest in as the body goes half way down the water and there rests. It was in Latitude 17 by 6 North Longitude of 66 by 3 West. I had this particular from the first mate as I have been informed that I shall have to go to meet her at the [p. 1] morn of the first resurrection and likewise that I have something to attend to inasmuch as I am faithful and she will share in the glory as will be bestowed and the thought of these things comforts me a little as I do not mind suffering so as it may be for my own profit or those I do love. Dear Henry I hope the death of your mother will cause you to despair I have thought was it not for the consideration of these things that I have mentioned and some things of the same nature I should not have been able to lift my head up but I do believe sincerely yes I am fully satisfied that it is her gain. The measles have been in the ship, one child has died with it. John have had it but he his got over it but he is still weak. Hannah have stood the journey very well and has not been the least timid of the journey or the or the [SIC] water. Indeed it is not half so bad as I should have thought it. I began at first of our journey to take particulars of our voyage I gave up when the melancholy event took place. Ours is indeed a very good company and I am still very well satisfied of this been the work of the Lord and dear Henry I hope that you, James & your wife and dear children will soon follow as it would rejoice me exceedingly to see your faces. We have now the steamer long side of us and expect to start further up the river. It is a beautiful river. New Orleans is a dirty place what I have seen of it but I have only been up to the Custom House. I should not like very much to live here not that I should be afraid. Peter I think is got as fat as you are. Herbert have stood his journey very well. We indeed have all of us. Mary have got cold and is rather poorly. When we was near the West India Islands the captain was so kind as to have a sail cloth spread up on deck for sometimes as to put 2 beds under which made it very pleasant indeed. The steamer is now waiting for us to put on [p. 2] luggage so I must give [MIDDLE PART OF THE PAGE MISSING UNTIL THE END OF THE DOCUMENT] my kind love to my brother ants as I cannot stop now to meet Peter John Herbert Mary & Hanna join love to you James your wife have a opportunity and give my kind meet Jones and tell them to come they can [DOCUMENT ABRUPTLY ENDS]
BIB: Jones, Henry. Correspondence [Letter, March 8, 1844] (Ms 7188 #1). pp. 1-2. (CHL)
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