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The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
FAMILY: Emily, wife ill, Dr. Wood, Charley, Ellen, sister, Nain, daughter
ISBN
KMcI 561219
Date
12-19-1856
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, daughter, family
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to Maria (Mamy) Du Bois (daughter)" (1856). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 10.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/10
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Transcript
Clifton Dec, 19.
My dearest Mamy,
I suppose your dear mother told you about what a dreadful time she has had–indeed we have reason for great [thankfulness] for her present state of convalescence. It is a week today since we had the doctor. She [persisted] that as we supposed it was only a [boil], she could treat it. I was to have left home last Friday for [?] and [?] and be gone till Thursday, but I thought I could not go while her back seemed so bad. At last she yielded to have Dr. Wood. When he came he was [much] [alarmed] and disturbed. It was a carbuncle of the most [rapid] [?], and with two days [more] of much growth it would probably have been out of reach. The next day he cut it to the [bottom] [?] with two [?] which she was insensible to by chloroform. The [?] was then checked, and every day it has been getting better, but you cannot imagine such an awful sore. It requires a pretty good nerve to look at it. I never beheld anything to compare to it, and here patiently she [?] the suffering is [wonderful]. She is not yet allowed to sew, and [?] she [come down stairs], but all is going on very well. Dear Charley is with [me], as sweet and [?] as if he had not been to college. Your Aunt Ellen is I fear [in affliction]. We had a letter from [?] the day before yesterday saying that her son [?] ([?] the youngest) was very dangerously ill with scarlet fever. The youngest, [?], had been sick with it and was much better. All of them were unwell except [?].
[?] received your letter with the draft. Love to [?] and the [precious] children.
–Your dear Father