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[torn away] F. M. Lewis

Care of [Conway Whittle?] [?] Norfolk, VA

Columbia S.C.

My dear friend, I do not know whether you can have heard of my affliction. But tho'

it is still very hard for me to write, I know so well your affection for me and my children that

I cannot longer put off informing you of our sad loss. My dear Lizzie is no longer with us on earth.

We are parted as I trust but for a time. You know her and know how closely she clung to me and how

dependent I am on my children. Therefore you can judge of the severity of this blow to me and I

am just as certain of your sympathy as if you were here weeping with and for me. I must first tell

you how she had grown up to be the most interesting and to become endeared to all our friends who

knew her affectionately to pass the outer wall of her reserve. I began to leave much on her judgment

and in little domestic services for me of all sorts, she excelled and never tired. She overcame her strong

dislike to mingle with strangers so far as to join [Addy?] in the daily duty by which they obtained

a comfortable support for us all - and on her return in the afternoon her time was constantly occupied

in doing something for one of her sisters. But still she never was strong, every one noticed how

fragile she appeared but she seemed rather better during the summer until the 3rd of Sept.

when she was attacked by Thyphoid fever which took her from us the 19th inst. I am grateful

to God that I am not disposed to murmur at his decree and I have tried to keep up for my

two dear children. Addy was a devoted nurse to her sister and feels her loss deeply. I

was on a visit to my sister's and not able to get here in time, after we became alarmed

of [Truce?] - I unfortunately have no likeness of my dear Lizzie. You may be

able to one for me as I left many photographs with [Mrs. Yokes?]. i would be

most grateful to you if you could get them wherever they are and send them by way of [?], as such

things are not I believe contraband. One, is in a group of the 3 girls - another is a chubby

little one of 3 years old leaning against her sister Amelia. If you could have these copied on card

(photographed) so as to avert the risk of losing the originals - you would do a very kind act to one

and give a sad pleasure in showing me again the ....

[Note to Swem: the rest of the letter was cut off in the scanned image]