Polk Family Papers Box 9 Document 08

Lafourdche

July 9th, 1849

My dear Sue:

You have heard I presume through your sister's letters to her brother's family of our late troubles and sickness. We were during the presence of the disease absolutely so occupied as hardly to have a moment for anything but attention to the sick and dying and so could do nothing in the way of advising our friends of our condition. Such a visitation must be seen in order to be realized. Of all the population on my place white and black amounting to between 360 or 70 I suppose not more than say 50 who did not have the disease. Of this number we lost 70 of all ages, 25 children, 29 men and 16 women. Among them we had some of the best people but generally they were among the old and feeble and the young, and of all that died of what we term cholera there were about 28 only who could be called hands. You will regret to hear that out old friend Jeff was of the number. He died as a Christian would desire to die, at his post. He was of great service as a nurse and was most faithful. Amy also, Bridget's daughter, our cook, died. She was quire feeble. None of Diana's family died except a grand child. Hamilton and two of our little girls were sick. I had also two or three slight attacks at home after the attack I had in N. O. Our clergyman who lives on the place, the gardner and his wige, the overseer and his wife, were all sick. The overseer's wife died. It is still in the neighborhood attacking the plantations and individuals. I hear on the place of a Capt. Mina near Donaldsonville since it left me they have lost 97 slaves, 65 of whom died in the field three days after the attack was made. But enough of

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this. Hamilton who left us this morning for New Haven will tell you of particulars as he will call and see you on his way north. We are all pretty well at this time, though scarcely over the fatigue of our recent exertions.

Please thank Mr. Rayner for me in notifying us of the death of Mrs. Devereux, whose death we were expecting by the way daily. She if any one is certainly at rest and far better off than in this miserable world.

I had hoped to get to see you this summer but I fear the prevalence of disease, my own family sickness, &c. will prevent it.

Please give my kindest regards to Mr. Rayner in which Fanny joins me, and believe me

Ever you aff. father

Leonidas Polk