Judson, Adoniram, 1788-1850; Missionaries -- Burma -- Biography; Missionaries -- United States -- Biography
“‘Early in the month she was attacked with a most violent fever. From
the first she felt a strong presentiment that she should not recover,
and on the 24th, about eight in the evening, she expired. Dr. R. was
quite assiduous in his attentions, both as friend and physician.
Captain F. procured her the services of a European woman from the 45th
regiment; and be assured all was done to comfort her in her
sufferings, and to smooth the passage to the grave. We all deeply feel
the loss of this excellent lady, whose shortness of residence among us
was yet sufficiently long to impress us with a deep sense of her worth
and virtues. It was not until about the 20th that Dr. R. began
seriously to suspect danger. Before that period the fever had abated
at intervals; but its last approach baffled all medical skill. On the
morning of the 23d, Mrs. Judson spoke for the last time. The disease
had then completed its conquest, and from that time up to the moment
of dissolution, she lay nearly motionless, and apparently quite
insensible. Yesterday morning I assisted in the last melancholy office
of putting her mortal remains in the coffin, and in the evening her
funeral was attended by all the European officers now resident here.
We have buried her near the spot where she first landed, and I have
put up a small, rude fence around the grave, to protect it from
incautious intrusions. Your little girl, Maria, is much better. Mrs.
W. has taken charge of her, and I hope she will continue to thrive
under her care.’
“Two days later, Captain Fenwick writes thus to a friend in Rangoon:
“‘I trust that you will be able to find means to inform our friend of
the dreadful loss he has suffered. Mrs. Judson had slight attacks of
fever from the 8th or 9th instant, but we had no reason to apprehend
the fatal result. I saw her on the 18th, and at that time she was free
from fever, scarcely, if at all, reduced. I was obliged to go up the
country on a sudden business, and did not hear of her danger until my
return on the 24th, on which day she breathed her last, at 8 P.M. I
shall not attempt to give you an account of the gloom which the death
of this most amiable woman has thrown over our small society. You, who
were so well acquainted with her, must feel her loss more deeply; but
we had just known her long enough to value her acquaintance as a
blessing in this remote corner. I dread the effect it will have on
poor Judson. I am sure you will take every care that this mournful
intelligence may be opened to him as carefully as possible.’
“The only other communication on this subject that has reached me, is
the following line from Sir Archibald Campbell to the envoy: ‘Poor
Judson will be dreadfully distressed at the loss of his good and
amiable wife. She died the other day at Amherst, of remittent fever,
eighteen days ill.’
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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