South Hadley Female Seminary April 9. 1851Dear Husband & Children Dark & mysterious to us are the providences of God, & it becomes us to be still & know that he is God, could I see you I could but faintly picture to you the scenes that I have passed through much less write them, but trust I have been supported, & even feel that I have great cause to rejoice, ere this reaches you, you will doubtless have heard that Sophia, has gone to her final rest, she breathed her last between 9. & 10 saturday eve after much suffering, & mental derangement she was rational most of the time for two days after I come [sic] & conversed a great deal & as freely & familiarly about dying as anything else, it was a pleasure to be with her & hear her speak of the preciousness of the Saviour, the night I came she said, Uncle & Aunt came & that was more than she expected, to see them again, & now mother had come, she could not bear to have me out of her sight but I must sit beside her bed & hold her hands constantly, which was a pleasure to me, & to hear her speak of the preciousness of the Saviour; her entire submission to the will of God, wanted I should promise not to shed a tear that we had let her come there saying she should not, I could write much more about her sickness but hope to see you ere long & tell you all about it, monday, services commenced at E. o.clock sermon by Mr Hawks closing prayers by Mr Laurie after which we deposited her remains in a small enclosure with no grave in it but Miss Lyons, when I spoke to her about where she would like to be buried, she said any where but one place, that was beside Miss Lyon saying she was not worthy Sophia is laid in one corner, I intend visiting her grave this afternoon - you doubtless will wonder at my spending so much time at the Seminary, Br. D. & Wife intended when they left home if not detained long at the Sem. to go to Greenfield to attend Harriets wedding, which is today, at first Br. thought Sister might go to Greenfield alone & he and I would go to lisbon [sic], when they found out our intention of leaving tuesday morn, they urged us to stay a few days, especially me, & Br. thought if I would stay untill [sic] friday morn he would go to Grenf. with Sr. as she was anxious to have him & he would like to go, I expect to meet them at Smiths Ferry Friday morn if they and I are well, nothing in providence preventing. Sr. was not well the morning they left but felt better, than the evening before, I know not what I shall do, or what course I shall persue [sic] but intend making the best of my way home, think I had better borrow money of Uncle D. if I lack rather than send home dont know how I shal [sic] come out as to money, Br. & Sr. have not decided whether they will go to O. or not this season if they conclude to go I shall wait some to have their company. I thought I would spend little time in writing today & tomorrow and mail it when I left. I have been to visit the grave this afternoon, it is a beautiful spot Miss Anderson went with me she is a teacher, her Father lives in Boston is secretary of the foreign missionary board and as Sophia often expressed herself, she is a sweet pretty Girl has recently lost a sister 18. years old that was very dear to them all and especially to her, she died in peace or in hopes of a blessed immortality, bleeding at the lungs was her disease, I have had a few callers this afternoon Mrs Hawks, Miss Brokars, she is from the western part of the state of new york is a good Girl, I took tea at the Dr. Brooks yesterday, his Father, and Judge Brooks of Burlington are cousins he has been at Dr. Colburns, tomorrow is fast day, attended recess meeting this evening where Sophia was accustomed to meet, it was the first meeting since her death Miss Scott made some very appropriate remarks sung once, one prayer and dispersed, a young Lady went with me to my room that has thought to experiance [sic] a change since Sophia sickness she has been a very wild Girl and made them some trouble she is niece to Mrs Church and Mrs Chidister of Canfield -
Thursday morn. we should have gone to Lisbon to day but Br. D. did not like to travail on fast day and Sr. would like to attend meeting in Greenfield that day, and I could stay here without any inconvenience to myself and even find it pleasant to linger awhile about the spot where our Dear Sophia is laid, very many times I have wished you were all here, but God has ordered other wise, O! that we may even feel to acquiesce in his will and feel that he does all things well - they called for me again this morning to attend recess meeting had three prayers, sung twice, read a psalm Miss Scott talked some time, there are a few that appear careless and unconcerned - when I get to writing to you I feel as though I wanted to be going that I may see you all again, that we may sympathise together Sophia has left some messages but I shall not be able to deliver them in the spirit they were given if I should, or shall be permited [sic] to see you, I expect to attend church to day, the weather is fine, rather cool but it is a pleasant sunshiny day, Sabbath was some what rainey Monday was clear tuesday eve considerable rain fell since then clear - just returned from meeting had meeting all day, went down to take the last and farewell view of the spot where lies the remains of one dear to us all, but a voice seems to say she is not here but has gone to be with her Saviour O! cheeering the thought that our loss is her gain, Miss Cushing says she cant think of her as being in the grave, but as a happy spirit bounding, or rather, floating through the Celestial plains - I know not what to say to you more I expect to leave here in the morn hope I shall meet them at the ferry if not I am to go on alone as Br. has wrote for his team to meet us at Willomantic I hpe they will come for I shall have a lonely ride alone, their being here has aded [sic] much to my comfort as well as Sophia I have many mercies to speak of as well as afflictions, while siting [sic] writing a letter was brought me directed to Br. D. mailed April 3 was glad to hear you were all well, your fears will all be reaised with regard to Sophia, the Lord reigns let the Earth rejoice
Sophia enjoyed the apples I brought very much also the elderberries & peaches. I shall make preparation this evening to leave in the morn
Adieu S. Allen [nee Sophia Hopkins]
Friday morn I am well shall leave at 9 we telegraphed monday morn as we could before after Sophias death, I have let it be our earnest prayer that this affliction may be sanctified to us for our spiritul [sic] good