Person:Eleanor Kennedy (2)

"The Thirteenth Earl of Cassillis" by John Seitz Beck; an 800+ pg family history in possession of author; Eleanor wrote a number of letters to her brother, Robert Kennedy. The one dated 1 Dec 1819 pertains to the death of their mother, Elizabeth Potts. Eleanor is living in Mercer County at the time and Robert lives in Philadelphia. single sheet of paper folded-wax seal-address side reads: Mr. Robert Kennedy Philadelphia Fav of JP Schott

My Dear Brother Your fatal tho’ affectionate letter came to hand in due time, but what, what words can express my agonies at the information it contain’d, to hear that our Dear Mother is no more and I deprive’d the satisfaction of seeing or conversing with her, (you say she used to call me her poor Ellen, & can it be possible that I shall never in this world hear her voice again, or hear her calling on her poor Ellen. Alass it is but too true that I shall not, my dear Mother is forever torn from my sight, she has gone to join our dear Father in Heaven, where no doubt they are both enjoying Happiness unspeakable, it would have been a great consolation to me could I had seen her, but it is wrong to repine, thy will O Lord and not mine be done, there is no doubt but she has experienced a blessed Immortality - - - I am much satisfied My Dear Brother that the remains of Our dear Mother were deposit’d in the same grave with our ever to me regretted Father and that every attention and sacred respect were shewn to the remains of our much respected and ever to be lament’d Mother. It is my particular request that a lock of my Mother’s hair should be sent me, and wish to be inform’d her exact age, at the time of her decease, and likewise wish to know the time our father died & his age, I have forgotten the exact time, and wish to know particularly, as I wish to record them in the bible. You all my dear Brothers & Sisters (except sister Long & myself) had the consolation of seeing the last struggle & hearing the last sigh of our departed Mother, could she have seen Sister Long and myself I know it would have been a very great satisfaction to her, but that was denied both her and us, it is our Duty to be resign’d to every affliction that may cross our path, however painfull it may be to us, but to hold in gratfull and respectfull remembrance a dear & depart’d Friend, to think they are enjoying that happiness which we cannot obtain here, to imagine them sitting down by the right hand of our Heavenly Father, is to the surviving relations a very great consolation – that we My dear Brother may be ????? also, is my fervent prayer. When I reflect & think what must have been her sufferings, deprive’d of sight, suffering sickness & pain in various forms it distresses me exceedingly, my Husband participates with us all, in this our great and heavy loss, and had it not been for his affectionate & tender attentions, I do not know what I should have done in this my very afflicting trial. Sister Longs letter which I expected by return of Mr. Pearson I have not receiv’d. This will be handed you by my Husband who is going down for the express purpose of meeting with a settlement from Dr. Leib and yourself respecting my Mothers Estate, it is my Dear Brother my very particular request that no obstacles may arise, to prevent a final settlement taking place as the distance is very great, and very expensive traveling. My husband will tell you what I have omitted, it is my wish that all of you will write me often, please give my best love to my Brothers & Sisters & relations, Ann & yourself will except of my warmest wishes for your Happiness, I remain Dear Brother your ever affectionate Sister, Ellen Schott December 1, 1819 Mercer County

Eleanor Kennedy to her brother, Robert Kennedy,1

EL-RK,2

1. ↑ birth and baptism register for Eleanor KENNEDY.