May 3,1857 Elizabeth Benjamin to John Benjamin-1823

Belvidere

May 3, 1857

Dear John,

This is Sunday, but such another Sunday I never wish to spend.  Oh! so lonesome.   I told you when you were here that I thought sis was not well.  She has not appeared like herself today atall.  I took her on the railway a little ways but she complained of being tired before we got but a little ways so after we got home she went to lay down and fell asleep.  She complained of being cold before that, so that now she is in a very high fever and breathes very short.  She complains of her head a great deal.

I have just been ___ since I have been writing the above.   Sis has been quite sick.  She has been on my knee ever since.   Mrs. Smedley came in just now so she wanted me to give her some spirits of nitre but I thought I could get her to vomit and give her a warm bath.  She will feel better after going to bed but I don’t expect to sleep any tonight for baby is as cross as he can be.  I don’t know what to do with him.

Dear John, this is Monday morning and I am about as sick as I can be, that is, all tired out.  I did not sleep atall last night and Oh! our dear little boy and girl are sick.  Both baby and sissy have been vomiting more or less all night, and so far today baby don’t seem to have so much fever as sissy has got.  Oh! if you were at home I might do better by them for they won’t let Mrs. Howard do the least thing for them.  I am writing this with baby on my knee.

I must close because I feel as weak as I can possible.  I have not eaten anything since Saturday morning.  If I get sick I don’t know what I will do.   If you could come home as soon as you get this perhaps you might do something for them.  Bring some little thing if you can for them to eat, but not candy, for they have not eaten anything since yesterday in ____.

Dear John, I remain your fond wife,

Elizabeth

PS – Perhaps you might get Edwin to file the saw while you are gone.  He will be doing you a great favor if he does.   EGB