Tydd Parish Feby 20th, 1845
My Dear Sir,
When you bear in mind the uitonary of my friendship with your brother William, as well as the xxx I may argue xxx with your family, you will not be suspect that I take wxx my xxx to oblixxxx you upon the present occasion. Would that the tidings were of a more welcome nature and that my task were of a xxx sustial time. Austxx the distance between us been life and the times of preparations longer should been occasionally informed you of those particulars. I am compelled now to sector upon xxx in the constraints of a single letter. However painful my task (ousts painful I apenxxx you to is ) for I have taken the duty upon myself still must I zuter upon it. I will give you the general particulars as they have fallen within my own knowledge. About three weeks ago your father caught a slight cold and slight indeed that he did not deem it necessary to call us xlpinx regular midwwid attendant. It commenced with a regan xx caallnger, a trend of intensecllient for which the look now and then an aperients and the oritenxxx care of curing a cold.
You must, therefore, believe me, when I tell you, that "congestion" of the liver was the primary and its consequences the ultimate cause of death. Thus have I dwelt upon the painful details of a defapposited case you will excuse me more. I am glad to say that the prepara jivers has allowed your poor otherwise disconsolate mother to mxx the blow with something like Christian resignation and fortitude.
Of poor grandmothers (self-felt) as a mother of John's, of William. Henry's feelings you will well conjecture? They all saw the last of the living well beloved son, husband, and parent. The tears of sympathy and for thus, for you, for Tom, for James, in Srickler down my xxxxxxx xxx xxx xxx xxxxx sivante of regard. (this line is cut off from the copy).
Several days papied on in their way without your father being much better or much worse. At livingx? th the family sent for Mr. Fawrett. I appeared clear that your father's case was a believer attack and Mr. F. treated it accordingly. Your father's symbolism However, still aquanited and the xxxied, as it were still ebbing and flowing bring out to dine with William on the 9th instant I wulted afe as far to see your father and Mr. F. and I held a consultation upon his case. At that time I apprehended no danger and left your parent under the afuence of his doing welt and likely so to do. On the 13th your brother William left began nu to go down with him to must Mr. F. upon your father's case. I did so, and saw your father the day after; returned to Wisbech and saw him again on the 11th. From this time up to the 17th, I guinnand melty you father; when I left him, as I had every reason to think quite out of danger. The whole day Geaving been relieved. Indeed so satisfied was I of his safely that I must go make another journey on the 18th. Mr. Fawrelt saw him on this day and pronounced him better. On the 19th Mr. F. remained in the service ofician. On the 20th your brother Henry came for eye saying that your father was much worse. And so it xxx moved for when I got to him I found his pulse gone at all the extremities! Mr. Fawrelt had got down a short time before issue. That a change, for the worse had taken place was exinant to boxxx nor was there a moment's hesitation as to the instant meaner adopted. That every such means were part into inuse operation, you will at some factuine day have the suter of learning from your own family of appeared moved father's bed. It would be tedious, my dear Sir to suten detail of all these means of restoration; but at all counts you,father some little (however so little) consolation when Ill understand that neither Mr. Fawrelt nor myself left te father till..............doied the xxx awful scene......of the mutual anguish your loving mother, you must picture to yourself of the felt disovefo of all the family. No words of my expressing can disappointed expectation is the result of both Mr. F. and myself! And now, my dear Sir, allow me to take your that such the natural alarm of you family) your late father was by one and all in no danger for 24 hours before his demise. Of xx will expect of xxx as xx of his medical attendance that xxx not the cause of, in other words explain the cause of you xx death! Now the explanation would be difficult for you and unlip I wore to sutin more largely upon all the facts and xx the tracts of a letter of his nature will allow.
Your brothers William and Henry will write to you in the course of a few days and doubtfully inform you of all those family arrangements it is their duty to transmit to you and your brothers. James and Thomas, your father's remains will be interred at Walton and I think probably on 23 instant? It is with pleasure (if, indeed, I can so express myself, while under this roof of sorrow?) that I inform you that your late father has left a will. The particulars of which I know not. Whereby he has left bequeathed and disposed of his worldly gains in a way which I trust you for one will have no reason to but to think in every way just.
Your brother William has just informed me, for I have shown him the above, that he is well acquainted with the disposition of your poor late father's effects, the fact is that as Sewell made the will it has been transit from Jackson that it was all right, your father having shown it to Mr. Jackson and thus it is. Every thing is left to your Mother as long as she lives. At her demise all is to be sold and divided equally between Richard, James, and Henry, your brothers John, Tom, and William having had their share already. John and William are both satisfied. I hope you will be so as also your brother James, Henry is satisfied. Walton on Monday at 1 of. I have got so many letters to write that I can not say more. I will write you in the course of another week. God prosper all your laudable endeavors in the heartfelt wish of yours truly,
Thomas Whomelelt , M. D.
Mr. Richard Spikings , N.B. I direct this letter to James