Rochester Sangamon County Illinois
[FIGURE] Eunice [FIGURE] Woodruff
My Dear Sister
Although I am in the midst of a
croud & but a few moments allotted me to write yet I feel it my Duty to appropriate
these few moments in communicating a few words to you & my Dear parents.
I thought it proper to direct this sheet to you in consequence of the writing
on the 3rd page which is the production of Brother Asahels pen which I found
among his papers which appears to be an address to you. Whether it is a copy of
writings already in your possession or not I am unable to say. But as I feel anxious
to put in your possession all writings that you have sent him or that he has
directed to you is the cause of my writing upon the same sheet. As Death has
closed all communications between Asahel & yourself & our parents I feel
it my duty to give you all information that I possess concerning his sickness
& Death or any thing concerning him that will be of interest to you. I also
feel it my Duty to write to you as often as my circumstances will admit
& I have matter of interest to comunicate. I have much upon
my mind at this time I would like to communicate which I mus[t]
omit for want of time but I will touch upon some importent items
Firstly I hold in my hands a letter Dated Farmington Oct 31st 1838 from
Aphek & Azubah & Eunice Woodruff to Mr James Dayson. in fine I have
in my possession (I suppose) all the writings that were Directed to Asahel as well as
his own compositions I took them because I supposed that I should be able
to put them into the possession of my parents & Sister sooner than they
could obtain them any other way & I much doubt whether you would
ever obtained them had I left them in Terre Haute I shall give you
information upon this subject from time to time as I write. I have not had
time as yet to look over his writings but little & do not know what there is
among them, but all of his corresponding letters with his Dear Sister & parents &
Azmon & myself & many other friends are among them there is many compo-
sitions of his own of interest among them I was particular to enquire of his
clerk & also Mr Smith concering his mind, his sickness, & death & I learn
the following particulars that he was considered one of the first & most respect-
able citizens of Terre Haute & his death much regretted
[upside-down text]
Wilford Woodruff to
Eunice Woodruff
giving the Acco[un]t of the death
of Ashael Woodruff
[end of upside-down text]
his clerk said to never find a more [page torn] task than to part with him he said
he never saw a [page torn] mind than his he also remarked that he was very absent minded
for several months before his Death cheerful most of the time but occasionly lost
in Deep meditation he spent muc^c^h of the time During his last months among his friends
in public at ^times^ almost to the neglect of his business this was a secret they could not account for (But
I could have told them that it was his mind upon spiritual subjects he was convinced of light & truth had none to
unbosom his feelings unto & mingled with company to pass away his time & c.) [None] knew his mind upon
religious subjects he was moral in all his conduct far from any thing leading to disruption
he often spoke of his friend, & [doted] much upon a visit from me he remarked when he was
taking sick that he feared he should not recover. he did not convers upon religious subjects
after he was takingen sick & I do not wonder at it for there was no spirit in Terre Haute
to receieve it I wonder how Asahels mind would have suffered him to have remained
there as long as it Did. the Land was as [page torn] the garden of Eden but a wicked barren
place spiritually. I wrote Asahel a Letter which he received just before his Death in
which my mind was much exercised I never felt like bearing stronger testimony to any
person than in that letter I little thought that it was my last testimony to him I
write a letter to him afterwards but it did not arive untill after his death There was
three Doctors attended upon Asahel During his sickness (which was 3 to many) I visited my
Brothers grave I felt solumn while viewing it poor man he had not a relative to attend
on his bed side or follow him to his grave I picked up some small stones from his
grave in memory of him I was sorrow that in the sale of his papers that some articles
of his clothing was not reserved but every thing of that nature was sold I have all of his
[former] account Books his journals compositions, his watch two silver thimbles
& pencils & penknife & c. you can make any enquiries of me by letter concerning
those things that you wish as soon as I can inform you where to direct a letter I
am sensible that Asahels Death will be deeply felt by you all he was a beloved
Son & Brother truly may the Lord comfort you all under this affliction. My Dear
Sister since Asahel is gone It has given me great consolation to meditate upon
the cause. you have persued continue faithful in the cause in which you are
engaged & you will receive a crown of Life! O that I can but meet my Sister
in the celestial glory the thought of it will sweeten my tri[a]ls on Earth. Do not
think that your Brother is Discouraged because of persecutions in the west. No God forbid
it is true a number of our worthy brethren have sealed their testimony with their Blood
of late, it is equally true that if it is the will of God your Brother is ready & willing to share the
same fate. I tremble not at the approach of Death it has no terror to me I may be called to
feel a Missourian's steel or lead for my religion if so & my work is Done I say amen, I am
ready to meet it you may hear of my Death, but by the grace of God assisting me you
shall not be pained with the intelligence that I have drawn back unto perdition I am
travling through the cold of winter with a wife & child which is severe at this time but I
endure these things patiently many of our Brethren are stoped at the Mississippi River beca[u]se
of there faith I may be stoped myself but I shall travel untill I am give me your
prayers Dear parents & Sister while Asahel sleeps in Death let me be consecrated to
live or Die for Christ. O glorious strength, O Blessed hope. If we do not meet on Earth if we
are faithful we shall meet in heaven. phebe wishes to be remembered to you als[o]
give our respects to all enquiring friends
Eunice Woodruff Your friend & Brother Willford Woodruff