I was trying to move back one generation at a time, but I thought this story was so perfect for Valentine's Week.
My great great great grandfather Daniel was born in Warren County, NY in 1819 and moved to my county in 1833 at age 14 "and took full share into supporting the family". During warmer months he cut and sold wood and also worked with the masons who were erecting the first brick building in town. In the snow months he attended "winter school".
In 1844 he married my 3rd great grandmother Almira who was born in Genesee County, NY in 1824 and who came in Ohio when she was 10 years old. Daniel and Almira started farming on 40 acres and moved to various farms in the county before coming back to the original land.
Daniel and Almira were affiliated with the Society of Friends although Almira did join the Methodist Church for a time. The couple were parents of four sons, Nathaniel, Charles, Daniel and my great great grandfather Henry and a daughter Sarah who died at one year old.
"Both were excellent people as parents and citizens, and possessed broad sympathy for the unfortunate. At their golden wedding, held February 11, 1891, the large number of relatives and friends demonstrated clearly the esteem in which the old couple were held"
And here is the family "love story":
Almira, listed in the paper as "Mrs. Daniel" was in poor health that winter and passed away on in March, 1891. Daniel told the family and friends that he could not live without her.
"Here he resided until his death March 16, 1891; the death of his wife the preceding day, affected him so powerfully as to cause his death within 24 hours, and the pioneers were buried side by side in Olena Cemetery."
I can really believe that a broken heart can do that.
ReplyDeleteHow sad, to die for the love of one's life. But there's the story of their long life together as well. They certainly had many good times before their deaths.
ReplyDeleteAww, that's a great story for Valentines Day. Some years ago I took care of a husband and wife and the same thing happened.
ReplyDeleteWow. It's amazing there is a record of this and not simply family lore.
ReplyDeleteThis was as sweet as it was heartbreaking. Miss Merry you're a historian with a tender touch. ❤️😊 PS I got the flu over the weekend. I got on here just for Memory Monday 👍
ReplyDeleteOh Doug, I am so sorry to hear this. I hope you feel better quickly and aren't experiencing the flu and long covid symptoms at the same time.
DeleteDear Miss Merry, this is such a touching story! Thank you so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a tender and timeless love story!
ReplyDeleteAnd beautifully told and perfectly fitting for Valentine’s week.
Have a great week ahead, Miss Merry!
A touching story of true love.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletersrue.blogspot.com
Oh what a sweet story!
ReplyDeleteThis is so beautiful -- and heartbreaking, too. It's a wonderful piece. I hope you are putting these into a book for your family.
ReplyDeleteOh, my DEAR!! True Love runs in your big wonderful family! There's just something about those lifelong marriages that just solders the souls together sometimes---I know of two exact circumstances. My In-Laws owned two cemeteries in their little town, and when I went to work in the office, I did a lot of straightening and updating the books, so a LOT of town history that I moved into was right there---sweet or uplifting or heart-rending like that. Two different couples followed each other by one day on the stones---one man and one woman left behind and unable to live without that lifelong sweetheart. I know that I myself in a way "checked out" on life when Chris passed after a long battle, hospice at home, and just whispering away from us one sunny afternoon right at the beginning of COVID. I do not remember much of the rest of that Summer except one friend sent flowers and we just hibernated at home for weeks until the funeral service brought back his ashes. We still have not gathered for his Celebration of Life, and I just dusted his beautiful reliquary box and said my morning prayer for all the family at 11:11.
ReplyDeleteYou are in my thoughts dear Rachel.
DeleteThat's a wonderful love story. There is something called broken heart syndrome, which is real, and can cause death, more often in men than women. At least they were together.
ReplyDeleteI have heard of that happening, how wonderful to have such a love for his wife to die from a broken heart:)
ReplyDeleteThat is a beautiful love story. I have heard of this before. Our kids have said that we need to go together as we could never be apart. Only the Lord knows for sure.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and hugs,
Betsy