the saddest month of my life. Dear, dear Grandfather is dead. He was
buried May 2, just two weeks from the day that he returned from New
York. We did everything for him that could be done, but at the end of
the first week the doctors saw that he was beyond all human aid. Uncle
Thomas told the doctors that they must tell him. He was much surprised
but received the verdict calmly. He said "he had no notes out and
perhaps it was the best time to go." He had taught us how to live and he
seemed determined to show us how a Christian should die. He said he
wanted "Grandmother and the children to come to him and have all the
rest remain outside." When we came into the room he said to Grandmother,
"Do you know what the doctors say?" She bowed her head, and then he
motioned for her to come on one side and Anna and me on the other and
kneel by his bedside. He placed a hand upon us and upon her and said to
her, "All the rest seem very much excited, but you and I must be
composed." Then he asked us to say the 23d Psalm, "The Lord is my
Shepherd," and then all of us said the Lord's Prayer together after
Grandmother had offered a little prayer for grace and strength in this
trying hour. Then he said, "Grandmother, you must take care of the
girls, and, girls, you must take care of Grandmother." We felt as though
our hearts would break and were sure we never could be happy again.
During the next few days he often spoke of dying and of what we must do
when he was gone. Once when I was sitting by him he looked up and smiled
and said, "You will lose all your roses watching over me." A good many
business men came in to see him to receive his parting blessing. The two
McKechnie brothers, Alexander and James, came in together on their way
home from church the Sunday before he died. Dr. Daggett came very often.
Mr. Alexander Howell and Mrs. Worthington came, too.
He lived until Saturday, the 30th, and in the morning he said, "Open the
door wide." We did so and he said, "Let the King of Glory enter in."
Very soon after he said, "I am going home to Paradise," and then sank
into that sleep which on this earth knows no waking. I sat by the window
near his bed and watched the rain beat into the grass and saw the
peonies and crocuses and daffodils beginning to come up out of the
ground and I thought to myself, I shall never see the flowers come up
again without thinking of these sad, sad days. He was buried Monday
afternoon, May 2, from the Congregational church, and Dr. Daggett
preached a sermon from a favorite text of Grandfather's, "I shall die in
my nest." James and John came and as we stood with dear Grandmother and
all the others around his open grave and heard Dr. Daggett say in his
beautiful sympathetic voice, "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to
dust," we felt that we were losing our best friend; but he told us that
we must live for Grandmother and so we will.
The next Sabbath, Anna and I were called out of church by a messenger,
who said that Grandmother was taken suddenly ill and was dying. When we
reached the house attendants were all about her administering
restoratives, but told us she was rapidly sinking. I asked if I might
speak to her and was reluctantly permitted, as they thought best not to
disturb her. I sat down by her and with tearful voice said,
"Grandmother, don't you know that Grandfather said we were to care for
you and you were to care for us and if you die we cannot do as
Grandfather said?" She opened her eyes and looked at me and said
quietly, "Dry your eyes, child, I shall not die to-day or to-morrow."
She seems well now.
Inscribed in my diary:
"They are passing away, they are passing away,
Not only the young, but the aged and gray.
Their places are vacant, no longer we see
The armchair in waiting, as it used to be.
The hat and the coat are removed from the nail,
Where for years they have hung, every day without fail.
The shoes and the slippers are needed no more,
Nor kept ready waiting, as they were of yore,
The desk which he stood at in manhood's fresh prime,
Which now shows the marks of the finger of time,
The bright well worn keys, which were childhood's delight
Unlocking the treasures kept hidden from sight.
These now are mementoes of him who has passed,
Who stands there no longer, as we saw him last.
Other hands turn the keys, as he did, before,
Other eyes will his secrets, if any, explore.
The step once elastic, but feeble of late,
No longer we watch for through doorway or gate,
Though often we turn, half expecting to see,
The loved one approaching, but ah! 'tis not he.
We miss him at all times, at morn when we meet,
For the social repast, there is one vacant seat.
At noon, and at night, at the hour of prayer,
Our hearts fill with sadness, one voice is not there.
Yet not without hope his departure we mourn,
In faith and in trust, all our sorrows are borne,
Borne upward to Him who in kindness and love
Sends earthly afflictions to draw us above.
Thus hoping and trusting, rejoicing, we'll go,
Both upward and onward through weal and through woe
'Till all of life's changes and conflicts are past
Beyond the dark river, to meet him at last."
In Memoriam
Thomas Beals died in Canandaigua, N. Y., on Saturday, April 30th, 1864,
in the 81st year of his age. Mr. Beals was born in Boston, Mass.,
November 13, 1783.
He came to this village in October, 1803, only 14 years after the first
settlement of the place. He was married in March, 1805, to Abigail
Field, sister of the first pastor of the Congregational church here. Her
family, in several of its branches, have since been distinguished in the
ministry, the legal profession, and in commercial enterprise.
Living to a good old age, and well known as one of our most wealthy and
respected citizens, Mr. Beals is another added to the many examples of
successful men who, by energy and industry, have made their own fortune.
On coming to this village, he was teacher in the Academy for a time, and
afterward entered into mercantile business, in which he had his share of
vicissitude. When the Ontario Savings Bank was established, 1832, he
became the Treasurer, and managed it successfully till the institution
ceased, in 1835, with his withdrawal. In the meantime he conducted,
also, a banking business of his own, and this was continued until a week
previous to his death, when he formally withdrew, though for the last
five years devolving its more active duties upon his son.
As a banker, his sagacity and fidelity won for him the confidence and
respect of all classes of persons in this community. The business
portion of our village is very much indebted to his enterprise for the
eligible structures he built that have more than made good the losses
sustained by fires. More than fifty years ago he was actively concerned
in the building of the Congregational church, and also superintended the
erection of the county jail and almshouse; for many years a trustee of
Canandaigua Academy, and trustee and treasurer of the Congregational
church. At the time of his death he and his wife, who survives him, were
the oldest members of the church, having united with it in 1807, only
eight years after its organization. Until hindered by the infirmities of
age, he was a constant attendant of its services and ever devoutly
maintained the worship of God in his family. No person has been more
generally known among all classes of our citizens. Whether at home or
abroad he could not fail to be remarked for his gravity and dignity. His
character was original, independent, and his manners remarkable for a
dignified courtesy. Our citizens were familiar with his brief, emphatic
answers with the wave of his hand. He was fond of books, a great reader,
collected a valuable number of volumes, and was happy in the use of
language both in writing and conversation. In many unusual ways he often
showed his kind consideration for the poor and afflicted, and many
persons hearing of his death gratefully recollect instances, not known
to others, of his seasonable kindness to them in trouble. In his
charities he often studied concealment as carefully as others court
display. His marked individuality of character and deportment, together
with his shrewd discernment and active habits, could not fail to leave a
distinct impression on the minds of all.
For more than sixty years he transacted business in one place here, and
his long life thus teaches more than one generation the value of
sobriety, diligence, fidelity and usefulness.
In his last illness he remarked to a friend that he always loved
Canandaigua; had done several things for its prosperity, and had
intended to do more. He had known his measure of affliction; only four
of eleven children survive him, but children and children's children
ministered to the comfort of his last days. Notwithstanding his years
and infirmities, he was able to visit New York, returning April 18th
quite unwell, but not immediately expecting a fatal termination. As the
final event drew near, he seemed happily prepared to meet it. He
conversed freely with his friends and neighbors in a softened and
benignant spirit, at once receiving and imparting benedictions. His end
seemed to realize his favorite citation from Job: "I shall die in my
nest."
His funeral was attended on Monday in the Congregational church by a
large assembly, Dr. Daggett, the pastor, officiating on the
occasion.--Written by Dr. O. E. Daggett in 1864.
_May._--The 4th New York Heavy Artillery is having hard times in the
Virginia mud and rain. They are near Culpeper. It is such a change from
their snug winter quarters at Fort Ethan Allen. There are 2,800 men in
the Regiment and 1,200 are sick. Dr. Charles S. Hoyt of the 126th, which
is camping close by, has come to the help of these new recruits so
kindly as to win every heart, quite in contrast to the heartlessness of
their own surgeons. They will always love him for this. It is just like
him.
_June_ 22.--Captain Morris Brown, of Penn Yan, was killed to-day by a
musket shot in the head, while commanding the regiment before
Petersburg.
_June_ 23, 1864.--Anna graduated last Thursday, June 16, and was
valedictorian of her class. There were eleven girls in the class, Ritie
Tyler, Mary Antes, Jennie Robinson, Hattie Paddock, Lillie Masters,
Abbie Hills, Miss McNair, Miss Pardee and Miss Palmer, Miss Jasper and
Anna. The subject of her essay was "The Last Time." I will copy an
account of the exercises as they appeared in this week's village paper.
Every one thinks it was written by Mr. E. M. Morse.
A WORD FROM AN OLD MAN
"Mr. Editor:
"Less than a century ago I was traveling through this enchanted region
and accidentally heard that it was commencement week at the seminary. I
went. My venerable appearance seemed to command respect and I received
many attentions. I presented my snowy head and patriarchal beard at the
doors of the sacred institution and was admitted. I heard all the
classes, primary, secondary, tertiary, et cetera. All went merry as a
marriage bell. Thursday was the great day. I made vast preparation. I
rose early, dressed with much care. I affectionately pressed the hands
of my two landlords and left. When I arrived at the seminary I saw at a
glance that it was a place where true merit was appreciated. I was
invited to a seat among the dignitaries, but declined. I am a modest
man, I always was. I recognized the benign Principals of the school. You
can find no better principles in the states than in Ontario Female
Seminary. After the report of the committee a very lovely young lady
arose and saluted us in Latin. I looked very wise, I always do. So did
everybody. We all understood it. As she proceeded, I thought the grand
old Roman tongue had never sounded so musically and when she pronounced
the decree, 'Richmond delenda est,' we all hoped it might be prophetic.
Then followed the essays of the other young ladies and then every one
waited anxiously for 'The Last Time.' At last it came. The story was
beautifully told, the adieux were tenderly spoken. We saw the withered
flowers of early years scattered along the academic ways, and the golden
fruit of scholarly culture ripening in the gardens of the future.
Enchanted by the sorrowful eloquence, bewildered by the melancholy
brilliancy, I sent a rosebud to the charming valedictorian and wandered
out into the grounds. I went to the concert in the evening and was
pleased and delighted. So was everybody. I shall return next year unless
the gout carries me off. I hope I shall hear just such beautiful music,
see just such beautiful faces and dine at the same excellent hotel.
Senex."
Anna closed her valedictory with these words:
"May we meet at one gate when all's over;
The ways they are many and wide,
And seldom are two ways the same;
Side by side may we stand
At the same little door when all's done.
The ways they are many,
The end it is one."
_July_ 10.--We have had word of the death of Spencer F. Lincoln. One
more brave soldier sacrificed.
_August._--The New York State S. S. Convention was held in Buffalo and
among others Fanny Gaylord, Mary Field and myself attended. We had a
fine time and were entertained at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sexton. Her
mother is living with her, a dear old lady who was Judge Atwater's
daughter and used to go to school to Grandfather Beals. We went with
other delegates on an excursion to Niagara Falls and went into the
express office at the R. R. station to see Grant Schley, who is express
agent there. He said it seemed good to see so many home faces.
_September_ 1.--My war letters come from Georgetown Hospital now. Mr.
Noah T. Clarke is very anxious and sends telegrams to Andrew Chesebro
every day to go and see his brother.
_September_ 30.--To-day the "Benjamin" of the family reached home under
the care of Dr. J. Byron Hayes, who was sent to Washington after him. I
went over to Mr. Noah T. Clarke's to see him and found him just a shadow
of his former self. However, "hope springs eternal in the human breast"
and he says he knows he will soon be well again. This is his thirtieth
birthday and it is glorious that he can spend it at home.
_October_ 1.--Mr. Noah T. Clarke accompanied his brother to-day to the
old home in Naples and found two other soldier brothers, William and
Joseph, had just arrived on leave of absence from the army so the
mother's heart sang "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." The
fourth brother has also returned to his home in Illinois, disabled.
_November._--They are holding Union Revival Services in town now. One
evangelist from out of town said he would call personally at the homes
and ask if all were Christians. Anna told Grandmother if he came here
she should tell him about her. Grandmother said we must each give an
account for ourselves. Anna said she should tell him about her little
Grandmother anyway. We saw him coming up the walk about 11 a.m. and Anna
went to the door and asked him in. They sat down in the parlor and he
remarked about the pleasant weather and Canandaigua such a beautiful
town and the people so cultured. She said yes, she found the town every
way desirable and the people pleasant, though she had heard it remarked
that strangers found it hard to get acquainted and that you had to have
a residence above the R. R. track and give a satisfactory answer as to
who your Grandfather was, before admittance was granted to the best
society. He said he had been kindly received everywhere. She said
"everybody likes ministers." (He was quite handsome and young.) He asked
her how long she had lived here and she told him nearly all of her brief
existence! She said if he had asked her how old she was she would have
told him she was so young that Will Adams last May was appointed her
guardian. He asked how many there were in the family and she said her
Grandmother, her sister and herself. He said, "They are Christians, I
suppose." "Yes," she said, "my sister is a S. S. teacher and my
Grandmother was born a Christian, about 80 years ago." "Indeed," he
said. "I would like to see her." Anna said she would have to be excused
as she seldom saw company. When he arose to go he said, "My dear young
lady, I trust that you are a Christian." "Mercy yes," she said, "years
ago." He said he was very glad and hoped she would let her light shine.
She said that was what she was always doing--that the other night at a
revival meeting she sang every verse of every hymn and came home feeling
as though she had herself personally rescued by hand at least fifty
"from sin and the grave." He smiled approvingly and bade her good bye.
She told Grandmother she presumed he would say "he had not found so
great faith, no not in Israel."
We have Teachers' meetings now and Mrs. George Wilson leads and
instructs us on the Sunday School lesson for the following Sunday. We
met at Mrs. Worthington's this evening. I think Mrs. Wilson knows
Barnes' notes, Cruden's Concordance, the Westminster Catechism and the
Bible from beginning to end.
1865
_March_ 5.--I have just read President Lincoln's second inaugural
address. It only takes five minutes to read it but, oh, how much it
contains.
_March_ 20.--Hardly a day passes that we do not hear news of Union
victories. Every one predicts that the war is nearly at an end.
_March_ 29.--An officer arrived here from the front yesterday and he
said that, on Saturday morning, shortly after the battle commenced which
resulted so gloriously for the Union in front of Petersburg, President
Lincoln, accompanied by General Grant and staff, started for the
battlefield, and reached there in time to witness the close of the
contest and the bringing in of the prisoners. His presence was
immediately recognized and created the most intense enthusiasm. He
afterwards rode over the battlefield, listened to the report of General
Parke to General Grant, and added his thanks for the great service
rendered in checking the onslaught of the rebels and in capturing so
many of their number. I read this morning the order of Secretary Stanton
for the flag raising on Fort Sumter. It reads thus: "War department,
Adjutant General's office, Washington, March 27th, 1865, General Orders
No. 50. Ordered, first: That at the hour of noon, on the 14th day of
April, 1865, Brevet Major General Anderson will raise and plant upon the
ruins of Fort Sumter, in Charleston Harbor, the same U. S. Flag which
floated over the battlements of this fort during the rebel assault, and
which was lowered and saluted by him and the small force of his command
when the works were evacuated on the 14th day of April, 1861. Second,
That the flag, when raised be saluted by 100 guns from Fort Sumter and
by a national salute from every fort and rebel battery that fired upon
Fort Sumter. Third, That suitable ceremonies be had upon the occasion,
under the direction of Major-General William T. Sherman, whose military
operations compelled the rebels to evacuate Charleston, or, in his
absence, under the charge of Major-General Q. A. Gillmore, commanding
the department. Among the ceremonies will be the delivery of a public
address by the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher. Fourth, That the naval forces at
Charleston and their Commander on that station be invited to participate
in the ceremonies of the occasion. By order of the President of the
United States. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War."
_April,_ 1865.--What a month this has been. On the 6th of April Governor
Fenton issued this proclamation: "Richmond has fallen. The wicked men
who governed the so-called Confederate States have fled their capital,
shorn of their power and influence. The rebel armies have been defeated,
broken and scattered. Victory everywhere attends our banners and our
armies, and we are rapidly moving to the closing scenes of the war.
Through the self-sacrifice and heroic devotion of our soldiers, the life
of the republic has been saved and the American Union preserved. I,
Reuben E. Fenton, Governor of the State of New York, do designate
Friday, the 14th of April, the day appointed for the ceremony of raising
the United States flag on Fort Sumter, as a day of Thanksgiving, prayer
and praise to Almighty God, for the signal blessings we have received at
His hands."
_Saturday, April_ 8.--The cannon has fired a salute of thirty-six guns
to celebrate the fall of Richmond. This evening the streets were
thronged with men, women and children all acting crazy as if they had
not the remotest idea where they were or what they were doing. Atwater
block was beautifully lighted and the band was playing in front of it.
On the square they fired guns, and bonfires were lighted in the streets.
Gov. Clark's house was lighted from the very garret and they had a
transparency in front, with "Richmond" on it, which Fred Thompson made.
We didn't even light "our other candle," for Grandmother said she
preferred to keep Saturday night and pity and pray for the poor
suffering, wounded soldiers, who are so apt to be forgotten in the hour
of victory.
_Sunday Evening, April_ 9.--There were great crowds at church this
morning. Dr. Daggett's text was from Prov. 18: 10: "The name of the Lord
is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe." It was a
very fine sermon. They sang hymns relating to our country and Dr.
Daggett's prayers were full of thanksgiving. Mr. Noah T. Clarke had the
chapel decorated with flags and opened the Sunday School by singing,
"Marching On," "My Country, 'tis of Thee," "The Star Spangled Banner,"
"Glory, Hallelujah," etc. Hon. Wm. H. Lamport talked very pleasantly and
paid a very touching tribute to the memory of the boys, who had gone out
to defend their country, who would never come "marching home again." He
lost his only son, 18 years old (in the 126th), about two years ago. I
sat near Mary and Emma Wheeler and felt so sorry for them. They could
not sing.
_Monday Morning, April_ 10.--"Whether I am in the body, or out of the
body, I know not, but one thing I know," Lee has surrendered! and all
the people seem crazy in consequence. The bells are ringing, boys and
girls, men and women are running through the streets wild with
excitement; the flags are all flying, one from the top of our church,
and such a "hurrah boys" generally, I never dreamed of. We were quietly
eating our breakfast this morning about 7 o'clock, when our church bell
commenced to ring, then the Methodist bell, and now all the bells in
town are ringing. Mr. Noah T. Clarke ran by, all excitement, and I don't
believe he knows where he is. No school to-day. I saw Capt. Aldrich
passing, so I rushed to the window and he waved his hat. I raised the
window and asked him what was the matter? He came to the front door
where I met him and he almost shook my hand off and said, "The war is
over. We have Lee's surrender, with his own name signed." I am going
down town now, to see for myself, what is going on. Later--I have
returned and I never saw such performances in my life. Every man has a
bell or a horn, and every girl a flag and a little bell, and every one
is tied with red, white and blue ribbons. I am going down town again
now, with my flag in one hand and bell in the other and make all the
noise I can. Mr. Noah T. Clarke and other leading citizens are riding
around on a dray cart with great bells in their hands ringing them as
hard as they can. Dr. Cook beat upon an old gong. The latest musical
instrument invented is called the "Jerusalem fiddle." Some boys put a
dry goods box upon a cart, put some rosin on the edge of the box and
pulled a piece of timber back and forth across it, making most unearthly
sounds. They drove through all the streets, Ed Lampman riding on the
horse and driving it.
_Monday evening, April_ 10.--I have been out walking for the last hour
and a half, looking at the brilliant illuminations, transparencies and
everything else and I don't believe I was ever so tired in my life. The
bells have not stopped ringing more than five minutes all day and every
one is glad to see Canandaigua startled out of its propriety for once.
Every yard of red, white and blue ribbon in the stores has been sold,
also every candle and every flag. One society worked hard all the
afternoon making transparencies and then there were no candles to put in
to light them, but they will be ready for the next celebration when
peace is proclaimed. The Court House, Atwater Block, and hotel have
about two dozen candles in each window throughout, besides flags and
mottoes of every description. It is certainly the best impromptu display
ever gotten up in this town. "Victory is Grant-ed," is in large red,
white and blue letters in front of Atwater Block. The speeches on the
square this morning were all very good. Dr. Daggett commenced with
prayer, and such a prayer, I wish all could have heard it. Hon. Francis
Granger, E. G. Lapham, Judge Smith, Alexander Howell, Noah T. Clarke and
others made speeches and we sang "Old Hundred" in conclusion, and Rev.
Dr. Hibbard dismissed us with the benediction. I shook hands with Mr.
Noah T. Clarke, but he told me to be careful and not hurt him, for he
blistered his hands to-day ringing that bell. He says he is going to
keep the bell for his grandchildren. Between the speeches on the square
this morning a song was called for and Gus Coleman mounted the steps and
started "John Brown" and all the assembly joined in the chorus, "Glory,
Hallelujah." This has been a never to be forgotten day.