Addressed to Jesse Haines Jr.
Wolf Run Post Office
Lycoming County Penna
stamped Philadelphia Apr 24

4^th mo 23^rd

My dear children
With a heart laden with sorrow I sit down to write to you, the painful intelligence of the decease of our beloved William, you have no doubt receivd he is gone we humbly believe and trust to a land where all sorrow ceases, but to us it is indeed a sore bereavment. he suffered very much the few last day’s of his life. He was taken with a very sick stomach, which nothing that was tried could relieve, and before he passed away, his whole body appeared to suffer but he said his sufferings were nothing compared with his dear Savior who sweat drops of blood for us, his heart was overflowing with his love to all, and particularly his near relatives, he requested it might be given to his dear sisters and brother Jesse, who he said he knew would shed tears for him. He also wished his love to be given to his dear aged grandparents, who he said had been faithful labourers in their day. Your dear father did not reach here until sixth day afternoon, he knew him, and was very glad to see him, but his speech and faculties had begun to fail, but his dear dear father he was almost constantly talking about, until he came, his dear sister Mary was rather later coming, but I believe he knew her also, it was a great comfort to us that they reached here and no doubt a great satisfaction to them, althou if it had been a day earlier it would have been more so. The funeral was large, and Thomas Evans preached a most excellent sermon at the grave, and sister Hannah Rhoads supplicated the throne of Grace, on behalf of the people it was a favoured time. The funeral was on second day afternoon, and many friends, who would have been there, could not well leave the meeting. Our dear little Hannah is now very sick, with something of catarrh fever I believe she is some better, I hope she may be spared to dear Mary who feels her loss very keenly. The little creature has been quite poorly and is so yet. She took a heavy cold when her father was so extremely ill, being left rather too much with the little girls they have here. Your dear father and sisters Annie and Rebecca went into town yesterday morning, the girls thought they might as well go to their uncles , and perhaps, attend some of the sittings, but I have no wish nor expectation of going in. I expect sister H. Rhoads will hardly get there unless the child should get better very soon. I expect your sister Mary, will continue here a few weeks, with our dear Mary P. We shall most probably set off for home the begining of next week. Your uncle Wm Haines and his son and daughter were at the funeral of our precious son, they were well. Sister Hannah Rhoades desires her love to be given to you and your dear grandparents. 5^th day your dear father and uncle J Rhoades came out last evening, attended their little meeting here today and expect to return this afternoon, in time for the afternoon meeting. We think the child is rather better but she is not well yet. Our dear Wm appeared composed, and said his sole dependance was on the mercies of his dear Redeemer, but his bodily afflictions were so great that he could not say much, and towards the last his brain was considerably affected, but never so as to cause an improper expression. He appeared to overflow with love to every body. I believe sister H. Rhoads will go in this afternoon, your dear sister Mary is very well, and will I expect to be quite a comfort to your dear afflicted sister Mary P. Please to give my love to my dear mother E and father Haines and accept it yourselves from your affectionate mother.
R E H.