The Letters of George W. Weller
submitted and copyrighted by Ellen Landers
October
13, 2000
Canton July 11, 1849
Deare Cousin
It becomes my painfull duty to announce to you the death of Fanny M(?) Bennett my next oldest sister. This sad event took place on the night of the first of this month. She left a daughter some two weeks old. I now have two sisters which of us will be called next god only knows. Daniel was in his 31 years, Cyrus in his 27, David in his 22 and Fanny is her 20. This last dispisation (sp) fall heavily upon me as our number is decreasing so very fast I expect that I will have to return to Kentucky as soon as I can do so. Being the only brother left of course I should feel my self under obligations to my Mother in these her deep afflictions. Her health is not good at this time. indeed I feare this sad event will hasten her to the toomb. I do not calculate on leaving this state before next spring. Of this I will inform you. my health is very good at this time. times are very dull at present. I should have paid you a visit this spring had I not been compelled to go to Kentucky I would like to heare from you. Give my respects to all write soon.
Your
cousin
Geo W.
Weller
Canton. March 27, 1851
Dear Cousin
It
becomes my painful duty to announce to the death of our Cousin
Samuel Weller. Since our uncle Samuel Weller who died
sometime this past winter in California whither he (illegible)
give in quest of gold I have not learned of the precise time he
died. If I do so I will inform you. His disease
was typhoid fever. His death was calm and peaceful with
blessful prospect of happiness in the world of spirit. This
has deep sorrow and gloom been brought in the family of our
_______ uncle , Sister Elizabeth was present when the sad news
reached them. she describes that scene as most heart
rending indeed when _______ences of this nature is
communicated to us. I can but look back ___________
the fearful ravages of death ________________ciate family is all
too well as I Know him appreciate the lofs of dear relatives
merrily in the midst of
life we
are in death. I should have been to see you ere this but
there but have been a greate demand for work that I could leave
but you need not think that guilt not visit you or have no
inclination to do so if I know my own heart I know it yearns
toward your firstess family and nothing should afford me sure
pleasure. That tho with you all around your family fireside and
mingle in ____ together in social conversations very name of
Weller sounds pleasant to my ears and brings recollection of many
precious
hours spent in the different family circles. I certainly
will come to see you some time in Summer at providential
interference. I will away myself of the first opportunity
to visit you. I Received a letter a few days since from
Cousin Polly Weller. All and relations in the Region of
County are well. They compel very much of your Father and
family not writing to them and Requested me to ask you to write
to them. I have not married yet and to tell you the truth
then is no apparent
likelyhood
of my doing so very soon. Sometime I think that I am old
enough then again to the contary but one thing is certain that it
is time I was thinking of the matter more sincerely if I ever
intend so doing. My prospects for making a living is very
good by useing economy I think I can make some money
beside. The order of the Sons of Temperance which orders I
claim to be a consistant member the cause of temperance. Surely
is one taught with a great deal of interest and should command
the attention of all good citizens. When I look about me
and see the humiliating and disgraceful scenes produced by the
use of a__ent (apparent)spirits my soul shudders within me
__________ hoping. Strange what man has done with all the
higher on a noblest qualities made after the image of his creator
and of possessing the most commanding talents. I say how
strange that he
should
so degrade himself by guzzeling down the distilled damnation
until he is brought down lower than a beast. I Said lower
than a best for a beast would ________________ drink
it. Please present my love to all individually and
collectively and
believe
I Shall ever remain Affectionately your cousin
Geo W.
Weller
Write
Soon and often. Tell me how to get to your house.
Back
of letter has address to Mr. John Weller esq, New London,
Iowa,return address Canton, Mo.
Canton April 23, 1851
Deare
Cousin
I
received intelligence a few days since to the effect that Uncle
Samuel Weller is now at James Ashbaughs on the Mipoure River and
that he will be in this place in two or three weeks.
in the event of his so doing you may calculate on seeing him and
my self in a short time. there is probability of
James Weller accompanying us. Most cordially do I
congratulate you. Wishing that you may enjoy all the
blessings apprestaining to a commubial State. I am always
delighted to heare of my relations marrying and never do so but
what I at the same time wish them abundant Success in all
things. I received a letter from home yesterday from which
I learn that my Mothers in bad helath. Unwelcome news to me
but it can not be otherwise expected as she is past the meredian
of life and in the natural course of things we can not expect her
to remain with us much longer. Nothing
particularly
interesting going on here. I have not been very well for a
few days past having strong symptoms of typhoid fever though I
think I will be well in a few days.
Your
Cousin
George
W. Weller
Canton Ocob 10th, 1854
Dear Cousin
It would be doing injustice to my feelings did I not at this time answer your letter informing me of the death of your much loved brother my dearly esteemed Cousin except---the Sympathy of one who knows too well how to appreciate the lop of dear Brothers & Sisters. In parting with Samuel you have parted with an affectionate and loving Brother his wife with a devoted husband and children with an indulgent parent - But why mourn we when such apursances are left. No that if we like him follow the precepts of one common Savior that we shall again meet him where partin is no more and where death will no more disturb our peaceable and happy communion. Present my best wishes and Sincere sympathies to my widowed cousin. I am sincerely wish that her sorrow may be tempered by the consolation in that world where a reunion will take place and where parting will be no more. Our general health is good. All join in Sending their love to all without distinction. I have no news that would interest you. In fact I could with nothing that would assuage your grief. This sad dispensation carrys my thoughts back to the far distant graveyard in Kentucky where lies so many of those who were so neare and deare to me. I look too to the hill neare this place where I so recently deposited the remains of a Sister who had long suffered bodily afflictions but whose Spirit is now holding sweet communion with that of my cousin past deare Brother = But I must close my thoughts - are becoming too sad My kindest regards to all. Let me heare from you often
Your cousin
G.W.
Weller
The
individual who received these letters was my gggrandfather, John
Richard Weller, who lived in New London, Iowa. George
Whitfield Weller (b abt 1825), the writer of these letters, was
the son of David R. Weller and Mary (Polly) Matthis and a cousin
to John Richard Weller (b 6-5-1827), son of William Weller and
Nancy Shields Denny.