I wish I had written to you before, but first I could not, I wanted too

Now I feel anxious to write. I am gratefull for your being so thoughtful and unselfish in your own great grief, to write to me. I dont know what I should have done without, — your letters done me good,

I want to ask you dear brother to try to not greive. I do wish you would try to not. when dear Mother was here she said that sometimes View PageFull size in new windowshe felt bad to think we all thought so much of her, for at most she could not be with us a great while

We all seem, Eddy [2]X
Eddy (Edward) Whitman (1835-1892), the youngest child of Louisa and Walter Whitman, was mentally and physically disabled. He lived with Mother Whitman until her death in 1873, then with his brother George Washington Whitman and his wife, Louisa Orr Haslam Whitman. Walt Whitman contributed to his support. Eddy was placed in an asylum in Blackwood, New Jersey, in 1888. and all, to depend upon you so much, and next to dear mother you are the very dearest to me, —

I know that just as long as you live you will miss dear Mother: and so shall I.

And you have always done every single thing possible for Mothers comfort, for when dear Mother was here she said you was one she could View PageFull size in new windowalways rely on.

I shall expect you to stay here this Summer all the time you have from your business in Washington, it will not do for you to be there in the hot weather like you was last Summer,

I dont know what I should do if you was not comeing, its something to look to look forward to,

I only hope you will be comfortable and at home here, and I know you will

So make your arrangments to stop here all the time you have, its the weather is as pleasant here as anywhere View PageFull size in new window and I will like to have you here, it wont make a straws difference in my housework I was so glad to hear that you was getting well.

I have been perfectly well the past Winter, — the trunk dear Mothers trunk is here, it is in your room I have not yet opened it, I will in a few days and then I will write to you again It came last Wednesday

Everything of dear Mothers is sacred, — I have not seen dear Mothers hair yet, and the , I have stood dear Mothers death a great deal better that I would have thought I possibly could I have been working all the past week Dear Brother I cant write much this time, do be careful of yourself & do try to not grieve, I am pretty well, but I feel as if I could not bear any more I am sorry I have not written to before,

It was very kind & thoughtful to send the $2, for the Express, I am really much oblidged, to Jeffy [3]X
Thomas Jefferson Whitman (1833-1890), "Jeff," was the eighth child of Walter and Louisa Whitman. Walt's favorite brother, Jeff played the piano and had a lively sense of humor. He married Mattie Emma Mitchell on February 23, 1859. Jeff and Mattie moved in with Mother Whitman shortly after their marriage, and remained with her until 1867, when Jeff accepted a position as chief engineer and superintendent of waterworks in St. Louis, Missouri. too,

I have meant to write Jeffy & the dear little girls [4]X
Mattie and Jeff had two daughters, Manahatta ("Hattie"), born on June 9, 1860, and Jessie Louisa, born on June 17, 1863. Mattie died on February 19, 1873.