Hewson, John (1744-1821) to Rufus Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03849.05 Author/Creator: Hewson, John (1744-1821) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 March 1819 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.3 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Tells of his six month confinement to his room. Had two colds in that time, despite sitting four feet from a fire the entire time. Relates their harshness. Did not send for a doctor, but was bled twice. When his daughter saw how bad he was, she sent for a doctor, who prescribed some medicine. He took it once, but it made him feel worse and he stopped. Says his faith in God kept him from complaining and that he never expected to live this long. Says he has not seen Lincoln in 40 years and six months, which is probably when they escaped from New York around October 1778. Says Lincoln's daughter and son-in-law are doing well and are respectable citizens. Praises God for letting them live to see their grandchildren. Postscript asks him to send as many lines as he can when he writes his children.
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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