"Our Country's Protector and best friend is no more. Murdered by a Fiend, a Devil..."

Autograph letter signed by Sophia Morton Harris (1804-1880), to her younger sister, Mary Brayman (1816-1886). Hamburg, [Erie County, New York], 18 April 1865. 10 pages, 8vo, 6 3/8 x 7 3/4 in.

A extensive and poignant 10-page letter written in the immediate aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination by Sophia Morton Harris to her sister, Mary Brayman. Mary (1816-1886) and her husband Mason Brayman (1813-1895), were close friends with Abraham Lincoln. Mason was a Springfield, Illinois lawyer and rented Lincoln's home after the future President was elected to congress in 1848.

Sophia writes: “My heart is nigh to bursting and my eyes are swimming in tears. Our Country's Protector and best friend is no more. Murdered by a Fiend, a Devil. Was there ever anything so horrid before? But I cannot write about it for you know it all as well as we. And as he was your neighbor and friend, I know you will mourn in sadness at his great loss." Sarah continues, comparing the slain president to Moses: "I have seen such a true semblance between him and Moses and have been so afraid he would not be permitted to see the Canaan - for you know Moses got in sight of the promised land but was not permitted to enter it, that I felt afraid our President would be murdered at or about the time of his second Inauguration, and when he went to Richmond I was very anxious about him. But when he returned safely to Washington and Lee's Army had gone home and everyone seemed so happy in the near approach of Peace, that I had though all danger was past. But now I can see he had got to the place Moses had when God took him…I could tell you how our City is draped in mourning and all business is suspended, and the mourners go about the streets, and next Thursday was set apart for our Great Jubilee, and now it is to be observed as a day of fasting and prayer. ”

In addition to extensive family news, Sophia also updates her sister on their spiritual life: "You ask who is our Pastor. Dr. [Velona Roundy] Hodgkiss is again our Pastor, and there is none better. His only son [Albert] - a noble young man of 22 - died in the Andersonville Prison the past winter from suffering and starvation. It was a great affliction, almost insupportable. Last Sabbath our Church was draped in mourning too when our Pastor Dr. Hodgkiss arose to open the meeting, and when he announced his text, 'All these are the beginnings of sorrow', he proceeded but a few minutes before he buried his face in his pocket handkerchief and sobbed aloud, and for, I should think, five minutes, there was nothing heard but sobs. It was truly a mourning congregation, and Sister, if these are the beginnings of sorrow, what will the end be? Oh God, have mercy on us."

Sophia concludes by relating a fight a family member and friend had over politics: “Jane says I must tell you that she and Abell’s wife had a political battle a short time since. She was denouncing the Administration and Old Abe Lincoln in bitter terms and Jane replied to it. She is a perfect secesh or Copperhead as they are called here, and Mary, all such are now rejoicing at the Assassination of our good President. Now dear sister, farewell. May the best of heavens blessings rest on you and yours is my sincere wish and prayer. Your sister, — Sophia”

A compelling and emotional letter regarding Lincoln's assasination. That the author’s family was intimately acquainted with the Lincoln family makes this letter all the more significant.

Condition: Some toning.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Letters, Documents, Manuscripts, Ephemera, Abraham Lincoln, Assassination, John Wilkes Booth, Politics]