GOODELL FAMILY LETTERS- #49
 

Ellen Robbins to Anson

Dudley Apr. 2^nd 1863
Thursday Ans: Apr. 20^th

Dear Anson

It is with a heart full of grief and sadness that 1 sit to write you the sad news of the death of my dear sister Juliette. We have no Julia now Anson. Her happy spirit took its upward flight last Tuesday eve at seven o'clock. Seven weeks ago that eve she came home from Thompson. She had been there two weeks ago to help take care of Grandfather & Grandmother as they were both sick. She caught cold while there. Had a bad cough or she had a cough before that but she worked hard. She was very glad to get home. Tried to work. She was always ready and willing to do all she could in the family but then she was not able to do scarcely anything. Father said as soon as she got home that Julia would not be with us long. But 1 could not believe it. She did not look poor but had red cheeks. But Father said it was a hectic (?) flush and when you see that it is fatal so father said. Well she grew worse every week. When I came home 1 could see she was worse and five weeks ago we called the doctor. She had very short breath. The doctor sounded her heart and said it was rheumatic round her heart. It was so inflamed that the blood did not have free circulation which caused it retain the water. The doctor said then he was afraid of the dropsey (?) and thought she could not get over it. But I could not believe it. He came once in two or three days after that. Still she died. She would be real smart some days. Then all down the next. Two weeks ago Tuesday she went out in the kitchen the day we fixed the things to send to you and Morton[1]. She wanted to see us fix (?) the things. That was the last time she left her room. Last Sunday she seemed very bright. We dressed her. She walked round the room, sat by the window, talked, laughed and sang. Had a good appetite, eat some potato and tripe, said it tasted good. The doctor came that day, said her heart beat better than he had heard it. The bloat went down in the feet and limbs. We thought she would get well. Right off all but father thought so. Father said no.

Sunday night she grew worse, was restless, nervous that night. 1 could not be with her as I had a headache. 1 had been with her for two weeks every night except two or three. Monday was very sick but so she walked out of the bedroom in the parlor with help that night. 1 watched with her till one o'clock. She rested about two hours. The first part of the night she wanted me to call mother. I did so and then I went to sleep a little. Mother called me a six in the morning said she was very sick. Newton went immediately after the doctor. When I went in the room father was holding her up in the bed. She was in great distress for breathe [sp.]. She called the little ones around her, bid the good bye took them by the hand, told them she could not be with them long but was going to heaven. Told them to be good to father and mother and meet her in Heaven. 0 Anson you don't know our grief. There we stood around her bed, saw our dear Julia was passing away. Said she "I think 1 can see grandfather and Aunty standing at the gate waiting for me." I use her words. This was in the morning. Her suffering were great and here let me tell another thing she said which gave good evidence of her hope of Heaven. There was a sweet little bird lit in the tree you know Anson by the comer of the house. The bird sat there singing sweetly. Said she "What beautiful notes but sweeter notes in Heaven" Takes away all fears of the grave. 0 Anson she was so happy. I wish you could have seen her. We asked her what we should tell Morton. She was most exhausted then and only said tell him how happy I was. She did not talk much after that only answer our questions. The doctor came about nine in the morning and Emma came from Perryville about the same time. The doctor gave her something which revived her a little but could not breathe any better but was not in so much pain. She then wanted them to sit up in a chair. We got her up, the doctor looked at her feet. They were swollen so bad that they were most round_ He took a knife and pricked them in six or seven places. The water gushed from them freely and we think there was nearly a pailful run from them during the day. She sat in the large arm chair in the parlor you know Anson and there she died. We could not lay down but had to sit up straight as she could breathe better. The doctor stayed with her about two hours. He left then, come back about five in the afternoon. 0 she was so glad to see him come. When he come in she raised her hand and smiled and said" I am so glad you have come. He was a very tender hearted man. I think the reason she was so glad he come, was because she thought he could give her some things to make her breathe better. She wanted to live for everyone loves life. He told her he would do everything in his power and he did. He would stand right by her do everything he could. Well night come on the doctor said he must go. He gave her a powder and Emma sat in a chair before her. She leaned over on some pillows in Emmas' lap. Seemed easier the water was in the kitchen. She raised up and said she could not see nor hear. I called the doctor. He came. We asked he is she could see. She said she did not know us only by our voices. Emma had her arm around her neck and father too. She leaned back. The doctor said she was going. She passed away without a struggle, never moved her finger.

0 Anson she was so calm, so peaceful. Truly our dear Julia has sweetly fell asleep in Jesus angels hovered around. Took her happy spirit to the realms of everlasting bliss. She is singing sweet songs above with loved ones gone before. And now her body lays in the parlor bedroom. I have just been into look at her with one of the neighbors. 0 Anson I wish you could see her. Great many have remarked that they never saw such a pleasant looking corpse. Such a smile, a heavenly smile. She looks just so she would open her eyes and speak. Her face is very :full and was all the time she was sick for it was bloated. She looks too good to buy. I want to keep her. I love to look at her. She sleeps sweetly Thank god it is blessed sleep, she bore her suffering without a murmur, said she was willing to go. It was the Lord's will. 0 Anson it was so distressing to see her breathe, such a struggle. How many hours I have stood over her and rubbed her aching body. I am so glad I came home to take care of her. She would call me Emmie dear and say "you don't know how much I suffer." Then she would say sister dear, rub my limbs. She was so gentle, so king to me. How I love to think of what she would say to me and call me to her. She thought no one could take care of her, only her own family. I waited upon her willingly. Sweet sister she sleeps in Jesus. We are deeply affected. We never knew what it was to part with one of our family before but now how Morton will feel. Poor boy how I pity him. How he will feel. Anson you will be a brother to him won't you. Yes I know you will comfort him all you can. The last piece Morton and Julie sung together was Tis there wilt meet at Jesus feet to meet to part no more. She spoke about it a few days ago. They sung it the day he went away. When he comes home no Julia will be here. 0 Anson what shall we do. How can we bear it. Pray for us.         Your ever loving    Ellen

[Written around perimeter]

Uncle Austin, father's brother, has just arrived. He wept like a child, he has lost a dear wife. 0 Anson how deeply affected we are. Excuse this poor writing. I can't write good. We have many sympathizing friends. Your father has been here, a great many other Christian brother & sisters. The funeral will be tomorrow at ten o'clock.

0 Anson comfort Morton, poor boy. You may read this to him if you wish. Tell Morton that father will write to him after the funeral. Julia felt perfectly resigned to the will of god, said she should be better off. She is now where the saints are robed in white with the pure and holy.

0 Anson comfort Morton, poor boy. You may read this to him if you wish. Tell Morton that father will write to him after the funeral. Julia felt perfectly resigned to the will of god, said she should be better off. She is now where the saints are robed in white with the pure and holy.