Georgia: Morgan County: Letter from Julia Smith Heard Saffold to her Aunt, 9 June 1822 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ga/gafiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Olivia Williamson Braddy http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00030.html#0007446 The following is a copy of a letter written by Julia Smith Heard Saffold, to an Aunt concerning the death of Abraham (Abram) Heard, Julia's father. The letter is very fragile, the ink is faded, and there is a hole in the middle of the paper. Abram had recently moved his family from Georgia to Tennessee. That they were living in "Hiwassee Plains" TN is revealed in other letters written by Nancy Coffee Heard. Ottis Guinn October 25, 1998 (Ottis Edwin Guinn died July 28, 2000) (NOTE: Julia Smith Heard had married Dr. Seaborn Jones Saffold in Morgan County in 1818. Dr. Saffold is said to have been the first doctor in the county. The Thomas Peter she wrote about was her son, Thomas Peter Saffold, prominent Morgan County attorney.) ___________________________________________________________ June the 9th 1822 Dear Aunt Gilson, You may possibly be surprised when you receive this letter: it has ever been my intention to write you but from circumstances it has been neglected and I hope in future to atone for the past. You will no doubt hear of the mellancoly loss sustaind in Fathers death before this can reach you. He died on the 3rd instant after 10 days (hole in paper, words missing) and months bad health. He appeared fully sensible of his end for more than a week before he died. He felt determined as respects futurely, but grieved much to think of leaving his family after bringing them to a new country and where they are deprived of the benefits resulting from society and many of the conveniences they formerly enjoyed. (next page) I assure you Aunt it is a time of trouble with us but especially Mother. She grieves much. She scarcely left his bed for four days and nights, one of them he talked a great deal and was entirely at himself. Saturday he appeared to rest pretty easy, slept incessantly and drank some chicken water, (the first thing that staid on his stomach five minutes for a week) it appeared we had then a hope he might be restored to us, but it was (hole in paper) He slept sounder still and continued to get lower. On Sunday morning he answered several questions asked him: he lay then until Monday about four o'clock entirely speechless and insensible to every thing: with out swallowing even one drop of water. The struggles with Death are past the conseption of any person who never witnissed it. (next page) And when we look round and see we all have to go in the same way it appears strange indeed that it is so little thought of. Five weeks ago we had but little idea of his death, though he was extremely sick, the Dr and Augustus had just come, Father was some what better, but then not able to leave his bed. He was taken worse the evening they arrived and continued geting worse in opposition to any thing that could be done. Mother was very worn out, and when she saw the last spark of life extinguished, it appeared almost to take her life though she had been expecting it for days. The rest she bore with as much fortitude as could have expected: and I hope soon to see her some what cheerful. As things have turned out it is (next page) more than fortunate that I came and at the time I did, to assist mother in nursing a sick and dying husband, and now to be with her to soothe her cares and sorrows. The Dr is yet with us but will leave here in a few days. We shall then feel doubly lonesome, but hope that we shall be visited by some of our relations during the summer. My health Aunt, has improved astonishingly since I have been here, and I am in hopes it will be reastablished in full. (I have but one thing (hole in paper) that a serious omen). Our Children are all well and Thomas Peter has been running about for months and is as fine a child as you ever saw. You will please Aunt write us as soon as you can, and request cousins Upahasia and Sarah to write Minerva, for I feel much for her when she shall hear of the death of her Father: she is a very affectionate child and (next page) I fear will wish to return home. My love to your children and Sarah Coffee, tell her I hope she is a good girl and minds her book. Mother joines me in love to yourself and Uncle Gibson. Adieu Aunt and believe me your affectionate niece, J. S. Saffold (Submitted by Olivia Williamson Saffold)