Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr - Chapter 29

A part of the Diary of Hiram Harvey Hurlburt Jr

Levi Lewis married, before I sold to his father, a fine young lady living in Salisbury by the name of Laura Wooster. Sarah and this lady became close friends, but after a few months she became sick and under the doctor’s care; Mrs. Lewis confided to Sarah her confidence and Sarah was sure I ought to caution Lewis in his behavior, which I promptly did; but he asserted his innocence. Finally the physician came to me and complained; and I as readily as before told Lewis of the complaints. The young wife kept running down and my Sarah was in such sympathy with her that it was fearful it would undermine her health. I offered to take her to her father’s in New Haven, but she would not hear to it as she was so much attached to Mrs. Lewis. The end came to this lovely woman and there came scenes of terrible wrong that can only be explained by those most intimately, and as soon as the funeral had passed, Sarah did not wish to remain in Ripton another week. As soon as possible Sarah went to Weybridge, while I stayed several months to finish up the machinery for sawing pill-box timber. When I left for good to make a home some where else.

I thought then and often since that the Atwood property was the opportunity of a life, in finance; but there was a class of inhabitants that would apparently commit any crime they chose to, my conscience would not allow me to join passively in their nefarious acts — and if I held aloof, they would come down on me with the burning of buildings or some other way to ruin my prospects in making a home. I had a talk with John W. Stewart of Middlebury shortly afterwards governor of Vermont, he gave me advice not to remain. Also Rev. D. P. Hulburd the minister at our wedding he making the same.

In the spring of 1859, the body of Wm. T. Bentley was found drowned in the pond to the mill I sold the Lewis’es. This was another act that could only be guessed at whether criminal or not. As Bently was a hard drinker; it was passed by as an accident. Deacon Lewis undertook to keep along. He had a carcassse of beef hanging in his locked barn that was stolen. His endeavoring to find out who had done deed was so near a success that his sawmill was burned down. All this transpired I became satisfied that I had done for the best. I was trying to keep my wife. But she seemed to be fading away. Her teeth were poor and I made several attempts to have them extracted with small success.

I did not know but what Sarah would improve in health if she were back on the mountains in Ripton, so I took a house in 1860 to build for Washington Cook, and finally succeeded in having her board there at Cooks with Belle. Two months and she improved in health some; but I was sadly aware that it would be only an act of time when my darling would leave me. Once I mentioned my fears to her but she cheered me, that she did mean to live awhile longer.

In the year 1861 it was my main thought all the year to do for her so she would not leave me; I knew what others thought, for I had it hinted to me. She kept me sweet company through 1862 and 1863; and I really began to think we might travel life’s journey together.

In 1864 my Grandmother Olive Harvey Hurlburt died, in January. Sarah wanted to attend the funeral. The weather was fine, with a good team and warm buffalo robes I was sure no harm could come. But the cold increased to a low temperature the next day on our return; and with all I could do to prevent Sarah becoming chilled, and on reaching home in Weybridge there were hours before she could recover from the chills. I trembled then and I tremble now when I think of it. I seemed then to be made aware that a death sentence was passed. My mother who lived with me did not seem to fear fatal results; but Sarah life gradually passed away from the 7th of January, closing this life April 12th 1864.

The last two weeks of her life I did not lay down to sleep, all the sleep was just to lay my head on the bed when sitting in a chair and sleep. Sarah’s whispers would arouse me. She would not have watchers, just myself to watch with her. She would say, “Hiram, We will not be long together and I want you with me all the time.” In the morning of the 12th I was sent for by James Cole whose wife had died, to go as one of the bearers to the funeral. I asked Sarah if I should go. “Yes,” she said “But come back as soon as you can.” She passed from earth at 8 P.M. Her last words were as she beckoned with her hand. Meet me in Heaven.

My four little girls were in good health when Sarah left me; but in twenty four hours my second daughter dark eyed Olive was taken with spinal meningitis, and in forty hours was no more. I was stunned with grief. Perfectly willing to follow my dear ones. But my cup of sorrow could be increased. On the 29th my third daughter was taken with the same sickness, in two and a half days she left me to join her mother and sister in the silent tomb.

Now why should I wish, to live any longer? But I had the eldest Nellie, and the baby Kate, and they want me, and then my mother. I was her oldest son. And could it be possible for me to stay in this world for I wanted to meet Sarah in Heaven! I had gone without sleep so much that Doctor Bullard said I would never get over it, for I would drop off to sleep when hardly aware of it. This bothered me for some months but finally my strong constitution recovered its usual tone and life began to be tinged with possibilities. I could earn money some way for my two girls; I could see duties to my mother. I drover into labor with all my might. I wanted something to employ my mind away from this great loss. George Smith of Middlebury came for me to take charge of work at Thomas Shackells, a cattle drover. I went and had charge some of the time of eleven men; as I was put in control of the men, an so of the manner of the work — my mind became occupied.