Continued from Volume 2, Number 1 (April 1989). The numbers in the left hand margin refer to the page numbers in the manuscript as Margaret found it. Although the last installment concluded with page 10 this starts with page 12 as there was no page 11 found in the original copy. - ed.
[12]
Wednesday February 18, 188(0?)[13]
The greatest calamity I have ever experienced befel (sic) me and our family at the above date.
My dear wife Martha Eliza left us for the better world: and although a great suffer(er?) for about five years: and eight months of that time helpless; over two years before she died (illegible insert): yet she filled a place in this family and in its affections which she alone could fill.
It was cultivated for half a century. The acquaintance was first formed three years before our marriage. Which took place March 6, 1838 at the residence of her parents Alexander and Ma(ry?) Caldwell by C. G. McClean of Gettysburg Pa. Alexander Caldwell lived about 6 miles west of this place.
In a few days we left wife's home, and came to my fathers home in Bedford County Pa. where we staid (sic) til the eighth of April next, preparitory (sic) to starting for Ohio. At the above date we turned our backs on all our dearest friends to go into a land of
almost entire strangers she leaving parents brothers and s(isters?) and the only home she had ever known: leaving all her earthly associations and associates. Our way of transit was in a two horse wagon covered with a white cover we arrived in Ohio Crawford Co about the last of the month.[14]
We had but few days that it did not snow or rain the snow having fallen once a foot deep in two or three hours.
Often in mud so deep we could scarcely proceed. We caried (sic) our personal effects in and (on?) this wagon. We also had one half interest in about 100 Acres of land whether1 we were going.
This must have been a severe journey for her having left a good and comparatively affluente (sic) house.
Not a murmur escaped from her always cheerful and hopeful and inspiring those around her with hope.
We came to a little log hut through which wind snow and rain was not xcluded (sic) neither by walls or roof: yet she was gl(ad?) to stop there and call that her home. It contained but one room and a loft to which we ascended by a ladder
the only building on the premises.[15]
In the fall of 1839 wife's parents came and made their home about two miles from us. In August of 1839 we had a little stranger Mary Jane now Mrs. Forbes. In 1841 a second one was added we named him John for his uncle and grandfather Pettitt before birth of (a? son?). He died a few days after birth through hard labor of the mother: and perhaps unscilled (sic) midwife. His mother came near following him.
She was sick along (sic) time and feeble for about a year. A great trouble and trial came about this time.
Two children we had bound to us John and Hariet (sic) Misner. They were hard to controll (sic) some of the neighbors interfered, and brought us in to an action in court. Our crops failed and our circumstances were much strained. In 1840 Father and family and William and Family came and bought farms in about three miles of where we lived.
In the fall of 1842 we left our own farm and rented Brother Williams place. In March 1843 our third child was born
James; a cold house and severe weather. Martha took cold and had a tedious time. In 1844 we left Williams farm and Brother David and we went to farm Fathers farm. In about 1845 our fourth child was born Samuel.[16]
A little after this James died.
In about 1847 we had another child but coming before full time it soon went to the other world, and again the mother came near following it.
In 1848 we went to a new farm Br David and I had bought of James Gillespie. The same year Sarah our fifth child was born. In 1850 Clara E. was born. After this and not long after Wife had a nother (sic) severe affliction. A polypus (sic) in the uterus. We had it removed: but not without great prostration through loss of blood. In 1854 Leonard was born. While he was a babe we made a visit to Western Pa. In 1856 David R was born. In 1858 Willis was born and Leonard died. In 1864 Martha and I came to see Iowa and bought a farm. Sold our farm in Ohio and came to Iowa.
About this time or before it another dark cloud was rising over our earthly prospects The one which so completely enveloped us in our earthly sepecation (sic).
In 1871 We adopted M(inn?)ie but I must return. In 1861 We had another great trial. The war of the rebellion.[17]
We started our oldest son to the war Samuel but Mead Conquered Lee at Gettysburg and he returned.
About 1874 Martha's disease assumed more threatning (sic) aspects she also had an attack of typhoid fever and after that neuralgia. In 1877 all hopes were taken away that our dear wife and mother could recover: she lay for days that there was no idea but each one was her last;
But she after some months of great suffering and prostration was about again for over two years Cheerful to the last.
Hers truly has been a life of resigned suffering. The forty two years we have lived together but a few she could say she had good (health?) yet always cheerful and hopeful.
Which arose from an unyealding (sic) and unflinshing (sic) faith in Jesus. Truly our life was a checkered scene such to make us weep, yet more to make us rejoice. All of our children who died we know
(_?_?_?_?_) have gone to (be?) with the bless(ed?) Jesus who said Suffer the little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of heaven. She is gone to be with those dear children but better far, to be with him who has said (I will those when thou hast given me may be with me where I am that they may behold my glory and in the faith of whom she tryumphed (sic) over death and finally will triumph over the grave. (Our?) Jesus tells us (not to marvel for the hour is coming when all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and come forth.[18]
Another source of comfort to both of us: all of our living children have made a public profession of faith in the Lord but Minnie.
My dear wifes disease was tumors in the lower part of the abdomen attended with dropsy in the whole lower (cav)ity. It was ascertained by a postmortem examination. We have laid her away in the narrow house in full assurance, that on the glorious morning of the resurrection we shall meet and be able to exclaim with all the redeemed: death is swallowed up in victory Till then we may say O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory.
The destroyer has visited agan (sic) our family and taken one of the brightest gems of the household dear Sarah.[19]
She came very near leaving us when about two years old by scarlet fever but we thought entirely recovered between twenty and thirty her health was much impaired no apitite (sic) nor much strength.
A few years before she died she found there was a tumor in the lower part of her abdomen before she took her last sickness the doctor tried to remove it by injections. In her last sickness she rejoiced that before that time she had made full preparation for her departure to the other world by submitting all into Jesus hands that was the last subject we ever talked about. She was one of the most uncomplaining persons I ever saw she must have suffered severely in her last sickness yet not a word or even a groan was uttered.Oh weep not for sara, sweet Sara above;
Around her are gathered God's Angels of love,
Safe safe in your heaven where all is fair,
Our sara our beautiful Sara is there,
[20]No more shall she suffer, for all this is past.
No pestilence there spreads its wings (_?_) the blast
No flower lies bleeding and dying in pain.
She lives, and rejoices in beauty so bright;
Could mortals behold her, twould dazzle their sight
She lives and rejoices O; shed not a tear.
Though sara, dear Sara no longer is here.
No longer in body, and yet she will come
On pinions of light, to her dear earthly home.
And whisper of peace and happiness given
To God's loving children forever in Heaven
"Let me die the death of the righteous and let
my last end be like his."Transcribed from a poem taken from a paper
by S. K. Pettitt
Almost a leafless stub on the tree roots of Fathers family. The last remaining one beside. This night August thirtist (sic) first eighteen hundred and ninety one Sister Ann left us a few days after she was eighty two. She was in her usual good health and when she retired in the evening she appeared well this was saturday: on the Lords day morning she did not arise as soon as usual: comming (sic) to her we found she had taken her flight to the other world. Any one the room merely glancing at her would have supposed she was merely sleeping peacefully lying midway between her back and right side. Appeared to have laid off her clay tabernacle without any struggle. We lived together in Fathers family for 26 years and after I left home she staid (sic) with our parents till their departure and then made her home with me until her death.
Her kindness and good will to her friends, not only but all with whom she came in contact was a peculiar trait of hers. A little after she left I met one of those she had assisted in difficulty said "She was a grand good woman."
The children all loved her which was reciprocal.
I think she is now fulfiling (sic) the prayer of Jesus when He asked his Father when he said "He would that they whom
1whither? - ed.