Details
FILLMORE, Millard. Autograph letter signed ("Millard Fillmore"), as former President, to Julia E. Fillmore, Buffalo, 23 August 1854. 3 pages, 4to, closed tears at creases discreetly repaired, mourning stationery.
"YOU HAD BETTER FIND AN HONEST LAWYER, FOR THERE ARE SUCH..." Former President Fillmore is buffeted by bereavements. News of his brother's death comes on the heels of the passing of his wife and daughter. Fillmore replies to the news from his sister-in-law in the Minnesota Territory, "confirming the painful intelligence previously received by telegraph of Brother Charles's death." Fillmore was traveling, trying to cope with the grief over his daughter Mary Abigail's death earlier that year from cholera, at age 22. His son "Powers and myself were so shocked by the sudden & unexpected death of my Dear Daughter, that we felt that we could not remain in the house where every object reminded us so painfully of our irreparable loss. Mrs. Fillmore & Abbie both gone and never to return." Fillmore's wife died just after he left the White House, on 30 March 1853. "The thought was unendurable and we endeavored to fly from our home, from ourselves, to avoid it...I thought my cup was full but it was not." Fillmore confesses that "half distracted with grief," he feels "I can neither give consolation to your afflicted heart nor any reliable advice in your business matters....God alone can comfort and sustain you; and in regard to the estate which you are so unexpectedly called upon to settle, you had better find an honest lawyer, for there are such, and when you have any doubts, take his advice." He recommends a speedy sale of property "as I fear we are to have hard times, and the value of property must fall..."
"YOU HAD BETTER FIND AN HONEST LAWYER, FOR THERE ARE SUCH..." Former President Fillmore is buffeted by bereavements. News of his brother's death comes on the heels of the passing of his wife and daughter. Fillmore replies to the news from his sister-in-law in the Minnesota Territory, "confirming the painful intelligence previously received by telegraph of Brother Charles's death." Fillmore was traveling, trying to cope with the grief over his daughter Mary Abigail's death earlier that year from cholera, at age 22. His son "Powers and myself were so shocked by the sudden & unexpected death of my Dear Daughter, that we felt that we could not remain in the house where every object reminded us so painfully of our irreparable loss. Mrs. Fillmore & Abbie both gone and never to return." Fillmore's wife died just after he left the White House, on 30 March 1853. "The thought was unendurable and we endeavored to fly from our home, from ourselves, to avoid it...I thought my cup was full but it was not." Fillmore confesses that "half distracted with grief," he feels "I can neither give consolation to your afflicted heart nor any reliable advice in your business matters....God alone can comfort and sustain you; and in regard to the estate which you are so unexpectedly called upon to settle, you had better find an honest lawyer, for there are such, and when you have any doubts, take his advice." He recommends a speedy sale of property "as I fear we are to have hard times, and the value of property must fall..."