1811-1814 - Family Matters - Last Years
Judge Wallace also, as may be seen here, dabbled in medical practice as well. The proposed remedies appear quaint, perhaps even bizarre, in the late 20th century. The marvel is that the son to whom the advice is directed, John Robert, the fifth of Caleb's and Rosanna's children, survived to the age of 77 and was the father of eleven children. He married Sarah Morgandollar shortly before the date of the first of these letters, which are quoted, again, from "Life and Times of Judge Caleb Wallace", Whitsitt, William H., Filson Club (Louisville, Ky.) Pub. #4, 1888, pp. 140-42. In the 2nd of these letters to his son John, Judge Wallace refers to the War of 1812, in which another son, Henry, saw military service. "Aunt Pawling", the subject of several passing references until the notice of her death on 11 January, 1814 (in the last of these letters, dated March 23, 1814), is Caleb's sister, Elizabeth, the widow of Col. Henry Pawling.
The March 23rd, 1814, letter deals with the prospect of Judge Wallace's own impeding demise, and his musings on his mortality; it closely preceded his death, the precise date of which is not known. His will was, however, probated in May of 1814.
"OCTOBER 1, 1811.
Dear John: It gives us pleasure to be informed that you all got safe to Harrodsburg-and more especially that you so soon began to find a good effect from the water. I do not know that I can give you any material advice as to yourself. I saw Dr. Warfield on yesterday, who, as a friend, appears very anxious that you should try the effect of calomel, and I think you ought to try it. I send you a box of pills made agreeably to his directions. He advises that you should begin to use them immediately. When you find your mouth affected, wash it with Allum Water, or the Ooze of White Oak Bark with a little Allum in it. I have also sent you some powdered Colombo Root and Camomile Flowers to strengthen the stomach; or if you can get an Ox's gall, perhaps it will be better. As to the heartburn, about ten or twelve grains of the Salt of Tartar dissolved in a spoonful of Tartar ought to be tried.
If it is so ordered in Providence that you do not get well before next spring, I think you and Sarah had better return and spend the summer in Kentucky. I can only commit you and Sarah to the Merciful Sovereign of the Universe.
I am, dear son and daughter, your affectionate Father,
CALEB WALLACE."
"FRANKFORT, April 30, 1812.
Dear John: I have received your letter dated the 1st of February, and another dated the 22d, in both of which you inform me of your welfare, and in the last that you have a fine daughter. Through divine goodness myself and family have enjoyed as much health as usual since you left us; but I have been attending the Court of Appeals since the first Monday in the month. About a week afterwards I received your second letter, and have waited for leisure to return you an answer; but really I have been driven beyond my strength, and feel too much fatigued to do more than write you a short letter.
I presume that the people in your country are as much agitated by the prospect of war as we are here. But I suppose we have no public news but what you receive sooner than we do; only that the Indians have this spring committed several murders on the Wabash and Mississippi Rivers, and there is room to fear that there will be war with them also.
It gives me and the family pleasure to find that you contemplate coming to Kentucky this summer; and we hope that Sarah will have resolution enough to come with you. If you could induce Capt. Maner to come with you, he would contribute to make the journey more easy and agreeable. Remember me respectfully to him and Mr. Brooks; and send this letter to Samuel and Ann to peruse.
I am your affectionate Father,
CALEB WALLACE."
Dr. Whitsitt comments here: "Samuel McDowell Wallace, the eldest son and child of Judge Wallace, had married Anne Maner, of Beaufort District, about the year 1804, and they were residing not far from the seat of John Wallace at the date when this letter was written."
"APRIL 18, 1813.
Dear Son: I this moment received your letter of the 3d of March, and can only detain a person going to Lexington until I write a few lines to you. In your letter you mention that you intend either to remove to Kentucky or to come on a visit the first of the coming summer, and ask my advice on the subject. I can only say that I presume you may make it convenient to come on a visit, but I fear you will find it extremely inconvenient to accomplish a removal so quickly. I think it would be highly necessary to get the affairs of Sally's estate somehow settled before you remove from Carolina, else you will have to return several times on the business. I have resigned my office as a Judge, and in these war times I fear it will be very difficult to get as much money as will be indispensable to procure the cash articles necessary for my family, so that it will not be in my power to give you any assistance in the money way.
I am most affectionately your Father,
CALEB WALLACE."
"OCTOBER 2, 1813.
Dear Son: From your brother Samuel we received the pleasing information that you and your family were enjoying pretty good health. Your mother, Aunt Pawling, and myself have become very infirm, and have very little prospect of continuing long in this world; to say the least, we have frequent admonitions to prepare for a removal to a better.
I still feel great anxiety that you should somehow fall on a plan of paying the debt with which your wife's estate is incumbered; more especially as I am sure you would enjoy more tranquility of mind. And if you should prefer living in this country, it would then become easy and proper for you to remove. In the mean time, perhaps, you ought to submit to Providence and stay where you are. Your brother Samuel seems to hope that South Carolina will suit your constitution as well as Kentucky; and if I should shortly die, I can not suppose this country would present any very strong attractions to you, and still fewer to your wife.
As I am unwell and my mind is a good deal agitated on your brother Samuel being about to leave us, I must be excused for not writing any thing in the way of news. My wife, your Aunt Pawling, and your brothers join with me in the best wishes for you and Sally. Please remember me most respectfully to all our friends in your country.
I am, Dear Son and Daughter, your ever affectionate Father,
CALEB WALLACE."
"MARCH 23, 1814.
Dear Son: I have not received a letter from you for many months, nor heard from you, only your brother Samuel, in a letter last December, mentioned that you were then in health. Perhaps you may think that I have been equally negligent: my own infirmities and sickness in my family must be my apology.
It is probable that before this letter gets to you, vou will have heard of the great mortality in this country during the winter. An uncommon disorder has removed hundreds, I believe some thousands, to the other world. It is said that more than 100 grains of calomel, combined with Jalap, &c., have been given to a patient in 24 hours without effect. But the attendance of a physician could not be procured unless in such a transient way as not to be very beneficial.
About six or eight weeks ago your brothers Henry and William and five or six of the blacks were attacked very violently, but through the goodness of God they have all recovered or are recovering. I find that I have omitted to inform you that your Aunt Pawling departed this life on the 11th day of last January, after a few days' illness.
As I find that writing fatigues me, I can not be more particular. If I should be called off before I write to vou again, you ought not to be surprised. Whilst I am spared I shall, through the divine aid, endeavor, my dear son, to make it my fervent prayer to the throne of grace, that you and your family may have the direction and blessing of God Almighty in this world, and so enable you to be prepared for a joyful eternity in the world to come.
Pray do not neglect to write to me frequently, or to some of your brothers; for I find it to be very grateful to receive letters from those for whom my anxieties are so strong. Remember me affectionately to my daughter Sarah, and my other friends in your country.
I am, dear John, your ever affectionate Father,
CALEB WALLACE."
© 1998, Dennis Boyer
Return to Boyer Chronologists Home Page