Hewson, John (1744-1821) to Rufus Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03849.03 Author/Creator: Hewson, John (1744-1821) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 November 1815 Pagination: 2 p. ; 23.2 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Saw Lincoln's daughter, who brought a letter from Lincoln in response to Hewson's of 4 July 1815. Glad that Lincoln enjoyed his last letter. Expresses joy that Lincoln might come to visit. Tells him his wife died on 30 September 1815 after a nine year battle with disease at the age of 64. Says he is relying on God to see him through this trial. Says she was his second wife, "a good & kind Mother to my five Motherless Children I had when we came together." They were married 41 years and says as she grew more infirm he grew to love her more. Says death did not "approach her as a King of terrors, but as a Messenger of peace." He enjoyed having tea with his son, who looks very much like Lincoln. Mentions that four days before his wife died he was leaving his gig and fell after having gotten his foot caught in his horse's reins. He hit his head on the brick pavement and his hip on the curbstone. Says he was bruised and couldn't walk for some time, but wasn't hurt too badly considering the circumstances. Was simply happy to be able to be at his wife's deathbed. Wishes he could come and visit, but says he is too frail.
Written by Hewson, a famous textile printer who was a prisoner of war during the Revolution to Lincoln as a former fellow prisoner. Lincoln was from Massachusetts.
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