My dear kind friend I am settled up in bed to write you a line to tell you I read your letters long after they came here with tears of gratitude & affection for such kindness. I have been many months in bed not able to turn or move myself, stupid except when roused by violent pains. I am thank God greatly relieved but very ill yet. I can sit up but not stand alone & am never easy. Reduced to a skeleton I frighten everybody I am so entirely destitute of flesh. I am I believe likely to recover but I can never expect health after 16 months of such sufferings as I have endured. Domestic troubles brought this painful complaint upon me. The loss of my dear companion, of the only mind that knew mine, of the heart that shared every feeling preys upon me. But she is happy where those who fulfil their duties in this life are enjoying the blessings & rewards prepared for them, & where if it pleases God to take me I trust we shall meet. But I cannot hope to be blessed like her who was so much more worthy than I am. My dear friend I am going too far but I always do so knowing your feelings towards me, indeed if you knew more of my unhappy situation I fear & am sure your feelings would suffer more for me. I am too weak to write much nor can I now have anything pleasant to say. Pray let me hear what alway gave & while I continue to know & feel anything alway will give me the best pleasure I have enjoyed, that you & all yours are well. How is my little Ellen. How is the little boy getting on. May they all be spared to bless & comfort you & their valuable Mothers old age & may they, like even me with all my troubles & afflictions, feel how great the blessing is of reflecting that they have tenderly taken care of their aged parents. I cannot write more. I cannot read at all now or amuse my mind in any way & this is worse than pain to a mind once active & though ever struggling with disadvantages seldom unemployed. Send me a moss anything just to look at.
Yours ever affectionately
E H
Ardnagashall
November 30th 1814
Note: this is the last known letter from Ellen Hutchins to Dawson Turner.
Please cite as “EHT121,” in Ɛpsilon: Ellen Hutchins Collection accessed on