Old letter written February 26, 1836 by Frances Watkins Proctor in Shelbyville, Grassland Kentucky and sent to Dr. Nathaniel Venable, her son from her first marriage, in Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia.

Frances' second husband, Rev. Proctor, was born in New Hampshire, was a graduate of Dartmouth and of the Andover Theological Seminary.

Addressed to Dr. Nathaniel A. Venable, Farmville, Prince Edward County, Virginia




Grassland February 26th 1838


With feelings of deep affliction and bereavement do I at this time sit down to write to you all my beloved children, for from you I am sure I will have sympathy of the tenderest kind. Yes, this evening we have consigned our dear, dear, little Florida to the silent grave. And I thought it might mitigate my sorrows for a few hours to tell the sad tale to those who will so sensibly mingle grief with mine.


She was taken about twelve days since as we thought with a slight cold, and was not much indisposed for about 4 days when suddenly a most violent and obstinate fever arose with difficulty of breathings and for about 8 days and nights was ill, it appeared to me, as she could possibly be, until on the evening of the 25th her little spirit took its flight from a world of sin and sorrow. Dr. Allen was her physician. I never saw, I believe, more active and abundant remedies administered but all to no effect. The fever never was subdued & I may say scarcely at any time abated.

She had been remarkably health for 4 or 5 months, quiet, fat, and bid as fair for life as any child I ever saw. She was so sprightly and so pretty. My heart was so entwined about her. I often said was it possible I had ever loved a child like her. But I loved her too much for my Heavenly Father saw it was best to take my idols from me. And I do desire and pray for subscription to His will where right it is to reign, tho' severe and heart-rending the stroke.

My dear Frances and Martha, you have so recently met with similar trials. You will understand my feelings. And you Thomas and Mary watched over one that you felt often that you must give up, but the Lord was kind and spared him. And may he spare him long.

The disease was a violent and obstinate case of catarrhal fever, affecting the lungs. We drew five blisters on her and she had 6 mustard plasters at one time on, and the greatest quantity of medicine for so young a child I ever saw administered and put in warm baths. Tho' we had but little hope for several days before her death, we were so reluctant to give her up that while she could swallow we would have something done. And the Dr. too manifested the greatest anxiety and solicitude. With all the remedies used to that effect, we never could produce a moisture on the skin. It was always burning hot. And to see her laboring for breath so long and almost every breath a groan was enough to melt a heart of stone, much less her fathers and mothers that watched over her every hour. O how often in these scenes of trial and sorrow did my thoughts advert to you my beloved children. I feel as if your society would be a solace in grief and tho' we have kind neighbors and friends around us, still they are not as my own dear family.

My dear Nat and Catharine, I so often thought of you. I thought Nat's skill might devise something and Catharine's tender good bursing might have availed me much. But it is all over and nothing remains for me but tears. There is a vacuum left in my room, in my arms, and in my heart that cannot be filled. But the Lord has notwithstanding afflicted me in mercy and I hope I may sensibly feel it. How much more severe might have been the trial. Had he have taken my husband, O how much more severe the stroke. How destitute, how bereaved would I have been here. Or had he taken any of my grown children, would not my sorrows have been more? These I dare not murmur, but will endeavour to kiss the rod. O, I did so long to show her to you all, for I know you would all have loved and admired her. But she is gone before the time contemplated for our visit to you. I pray that nothing may occur to prevent our trip, but there is nothing certain in this changing world for we know not what a day may bring forth. Our family have enjoyed such fine health since we have been here. We may have forgotten the Giver in the gift and this may be to remind us of our dependence.

My dear Mr. Flournoy, Cabell, and Wm G. This letter is to all of you. You are all mine and let us share largely in your sympathies and your prayers. And may each and every heart long be spared from the pangs which are now meted out to us. And may all our lives and healths be preserved, and your hopes of happiness beyond the grave be secured is the prayer of your deeply afflicted mother, F. W. Proctor



P. S. My dear babe was 7 months and one day old. We have had a very deep snow and a very severe spell of cold weather which we think operated very unfavorably upon her. As you, dear Nat, are nearest the Post Office, I will direct this letter to you, but it is for you all and I hope I may soon hear from some of you. I hope your health is still improving and do let me entreat you again to be prudent and do nothing that will in the slightest degree throw you back. My husband joins me in much love for you all, praying with me that Heaven's choicest blessings may be yours. F. W. P.