Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) to Alexander Shiras
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02429.42 Author/Creator: Hemans, Nancy A. (b. 1843) Place Written: Nebraska Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 March 1878 Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.9 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses her husband's sickness and impending death. Comments on sympathetic visitors, her friendship with the Shiras's, and the tragedy the death will be for their son.
Quotes
"my poor husband lung sickness. he has confine to his bed now never to get up from that bed. never to go in to his Chapel & preach to his people again. I never fail to say.'Thy will be done.' I'll try to say it again. He knows what is best for us. I sat by him and watch him all he time he told me last night. he is getting more weak…I am afraid he would not live through the winter. spring I mean. Mr Hinman…will be here again tomorrow. and he will give the Holy Communion to him. all the people seemed very sorry to loose him. they use to came in sat by him & give him a comforting words. show their kindness to him. Our Agent is come to see Daniel. the Doctor too. both of them seemed much touched by the scene they see here. how they sympathize with me in my trials."
"I feel so miserable I am tired not well at all…you & Mrs Shiras is my best real friend, I will not forget you on earth & heaven. I feel as you are my own parents. so I ought to tell you every bit of my sorrow."
"when he was out of doors. he came in says. 'Mama please give me piece of bread. or say such talk as that in good natured ways happy ways. that he don't know what a dreadful thing is going to happen. about his dear papa. I'd say in low tone 'ah my poor boy my precious child. my soul. you dont know that your papa is going to leave you. left you as a orphan."
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.