Edgewood, Oct. 9^th. 1857

My own dear Cousin,

I received yours dated Sept. 23^rd, on yesterday when I was contemplating writing to you, but Oh my soul! How shall I commence when I have to tell you that our dear Lucian is gone to be with us no more in this world, he was much pleased at

receiving your letter and his answer will give you his views up to last Friday evening, On Saturday Eve we went to association (Asssociation)? And he said Mother what made you and Papa want Eve to go, said I, he wanted to go and it may benefit

him. I was very conscious of his gradual decline but I did not think it would be so soon, he would be up early every morning- was the first to be ready for worship. He talked cheerfully and seemed to enjoy the things that surrounded him up to the last.

As he expected Cousin Ben came in on Monday evening. He sat and talked with us until after 10 that night then walked in the yard with Ben and went up to his room- and bade goodnight and observed – I am in the next room if you want anything call to me. Eve was sleeping in the room with Lucian, he slepted as he told me as usual. On Tuesday morning he came down to the dining room before or about sunrise as he usually did to eat his breakfast and said he, -I don’t know wheather it will make me feel any better for I have a strange feeling that I never had before. I braced up and felt his pulse, said he they have quickened – timed his pulse by his watch – but my son you look natural – his breathing was laborious, he did eat his breakfast and remained at table until the family came down, and he described his feelings to them, then drank a second cup of coffee which was unusual for him; and when he got through with breakfast he went up in the chamber and read his Bible as was his custom, then looked over a late paper – after he laid his paper down, I asked if he didn’t feel better, he said no he didn’t, I asked him to let me lay a mustard plaster over his breast – just as you please Mother – we could see that he was getting worse every minute – I asked him to let me have different things done for him. Said he – I have no will to do anything you want to do Mother – finding that I couldn’t help him, I proposed sending for the Dr. Although he would not have the Dr. nor take any medicine from him – said he – do it if you want. The doctor cannot give me a new pair of lungs and that is all I want. His Pappy came to him and he very calmly took his Pappy’s hand and said – all is right, you can do without me a little while you stay behind. I know that my redeemer liveth, I have prayed for this many a time. His Pappy thanked God a loud, everyone bursed into tears as soon as I could speak I said My son don’t be disturbed at our weeping, we cannot help it seeing you suffer – said he, I am not suffering, I can bear it very well. I told him that was enough of his promises, Yes he said, he will lay no more on us than he will enable us to bear, he turned to cousin Ben and said – this looks like dying, and paused. Ben didn’t speak. He told him not to be afraid to speak for he was not afraid to die, -

My husband sent in great haste to the fields and Gin House for all the servants, and asked Lucian if he wanted to see anybody, he said he would like to see Tom. Mr. Painter, I want a line to him to come immediately, and he did come quickly but his spirit had fled. – When he saw that he wouldn’t see him he told me to tell him he wanted him to get Religion, that it would sustain him in the hour of death – that was all he wanted with him. Sister Wood came to him, he then gave her a message for her Husband that is not a professor – he warned Everard and Kate faithfully, the cook came to the door and he saw her and held out his hand – Goodbye Cook I am almost gone, she took a very affecting leave of him to meet him in Glory, poor Molly seemed to feel it most keenly, - you know she has helped me to raise all my children and has been my constant cook, - he died with all his clothes on sitting on the side of the bed, he took off his cravat – the only thing. Myself and Cousin Ben supporting him. He had a very tranquil death – he never groaned once, nor never moved one of his hands. Cousin Ben said he reminded him of my dear Brother – said he had seen a great many leave the world, but he had never seen any one like him, and that he never in his life saw the power of God so powerfully displayed – Dear Ben, its less than 10 months he was with my Brother & child in their last moments, did it not seem strange, dear Cousin – Now just contrast this scene with the one you saw at the Hermitage, Lucian was laid to rest by the side of his Brother on the 7^th. And while I mourn for him because I cannot help it for he was such a dear child, I do rejoice in God my Savior and think that I am blessed above measure as you sometimes say. Who are we that he is so mindful for us? Oh that we may grow in Grace and in the knowledge of God day by day.

Heaven seems nearer since I have 3 children there – You told me that Lung was the most gradual decline – well this was more gradual than anything I ever saw. If I have said too much I know in the kindness of your heart you will forgive me and if you want to know anything that I have omitted it will give me pleasure to tell you, as it regards that report about Judge Reagan, it is every bit false and there is nothing to it, his brother was shot by a defective Know Nothing, - Judge Reagan attended the trial of the criminal, it has gone the rounds of the papers. When I saw it I didn’t believe it for it was not like him – he is a cool firm dignified Gentleman. I feel grateful to you my Cousin for sympathizing with us for it would have been a sore affliction, for he is not in the state that my dear Lucian was. We expect them very soon, - and dear Willie has an interest in the Savior – he is the last one of my Sister’s dear Children, all converted – What does Jimmy think about it? You must kiss all. Betty and George and Richard Henry & Bettie Settle for me and tell them I love them better than ever. Give my love to Cousin Di, Cousin Ben gave me a good account of you all – says Cousin Di is quite pretty and remember me to Sister Sarah, I have so much to do I will not have time to write to her shortly, will you just send her this and she will get the particulars, write soon, all join me in love to you and yours.

May God Bless you all

You affectionate Cousin

D. M. Nelms

I found your letter in Lucian’s coat pocket – he intended mailing it but didn’t go to town – it was the last letter he ever wrote, and it was so expressive of his feelings. I got Lizzie to take a copy of it. There are a great many things in connection I want you to know. Remember me in particular to Hes and Mr. Sutton & Shel and his wife and all inquiring friends – I was pleased to hear from Sister Mitchel. Morris Reagan wa editing a paper in Rusk and was shot in Rusk 30 mi. from Palestine through one of his lungs, by a man named Deckard, but it is believed that he will permanently recover. I have not heard what will be done with Deckard. Cousin Ben told me about Matt being such a large man. To think I used to caress him on my lap - how I would like to see him and his wife and children all. I can hardly write – I am disarmed.

Oh My God.

Cousin Ben stayed with us until this morning, I was sorry to part with him. He is more changed than any person I ever saw says he feels the effects of staying in your cold climate.