From Ellen Hutchins to Dawson Turner   14 Dec 1813

Dec 14

Why My dear Mr. Turner have you not written me a line to tell me how you all are, being so very ill myself is perhaps the cause of my feeling so very anxious for the health & safety of my friends, the useless agitation of my feelings perhaps renders me impatient but if you think me unreasonably so, forgive me I pray you, & reflect upon the value I must set upon the health & happiness of you and all your family.

I have spent a very miserable time since I last wrote to you, & have suffered very severely. I have hardly left my bed & when I did it was an effort to help to relieve my poor Mother’s anxiety on my account. I am now thank God a little better & my head so far relieved that I can look at a book, for I cannot yet call it reading. I can write short letters. My complaint seems to yield to the medicines I am now taking, but I must not expect much health or strength for a long time, the worst I trust is nearly over. The Doctor thinks I shall have better health after this attack than I have had for some years. Next summer will I hope restore my strength. I shall do nothing when I am able to go out, but gather health & plants in the mountains. I shall then be the most troublesome friend you ever had writing long letters every day requiring opinions & assistance.

I have just got some Nos. of Mr. Hookers delightful work, those that I mentioned to you as missing are among them, some others have been sent me a second time. I have none later than the 12th. When I can write I shall answer many parts of your late letters which I have been obliged to leave unanswered at present I write rather awkwardly for let me whisper it to you I write bolstred up in bed for I am so weak I can’t sit up long.

Pray tell me how you all are. I trust I shall hear before this reaches you.

Your sincere & affectionate friend

E. Hutchins

Bandon December 14th 1813