To Henrietta and Virginia from Mary Mariam. Although this letter is undated, I believe that it was written on December 19th, telling her daughters about the death of their sister, Mary Throckmorton. This is the first letter where the drinking problem or instability of their father is mentioned. It is alluded to in later letters, but in this one, it is very clear.
“Your Father is in a most brutish state of intoxication,”
Tuesday morning December
My Dear Children
Your brother R (Roger) had got home and with him the melancholy intelligence of your poor dear unfortunate sister’s death. Oh I do feel indeed. Your Father is in a most brutish state of intoxication, the cause, or causes, understood by you both. Do not come home until you hear. My son will be to see you as soon as he can. I am up the dining room stairs with a good fire, but I feel as if “there is nothing true but Heaven.” And how few of us are worthy even to turn our worldly eyes that way. Adieu, may the Lord take care of you both and temper the winds to your pale soldiers.
Your Afflicted
Mother
KAREN GEX ASFOUR 
Leave a comment