Monday May 13

Lucy returned to town with William this morning.  Kate and Lizzie went up to the graveyard to plant some things on the grave of little Margaret Jane, our sweet baby.
There is some talk of forming a camp at Gravel Pit, near B. C. Bailey's, if troops are sent to this county.  We had our first thunder shower this afternoon.  How strange that civil and religious liberty can only be secured by a baptism of blood.  We know not how long this war may last.   It is on the part of the Government necessary and right and all true and loyal citizens cheerfully rally around the national standard.  And, yet, when I think of the horrors of civil war, I shudder at what must be.


Editor's comments:

• Lucy Dawes, William's niece, was unmarried and lived in Marietta.  
• Kate Dawes, Lucy's sister, lived in the Old Stone House with the Cutlers.
• Lizzie and William Cutler's baby Margaret Jane had died April 18 and was buried in the Riverview Cemetery near where they lived.

Cutler plot, Riverview Cemetery

April 19, 1861

Ephraim came on the early train bringing the coffin for dear little Jennie.  It is covered with black velvet and lined with white muslin, the dear babe looked sweet, her little hands clasping a cluster of blue forgetmenots--  Prof. Andrews, who came down with Sister Dawes on the second morning train to attend the funeral said he never saw a lovelier babe, every feature so perfect, and so much more expression than was usual in a face so young.  After the exercises at the house she was placed in the grave at the side of Ephie who died last August.


It is reported this morning that Virginia has seceded from the Union and that Harpers Ferry has been siezed.  John Minor Botts, hung, etc.  These telegrams may soon be contradicted.  Mr. Botts in a recent conversation with President Lincoln at Washington in reply to the query, What is to be done with traitors? is reported to have said, "Give hemp to the leaders and grape to their followers."  
At half after twelve William went on a freight train to Harmar & came down on the afternnon train with N. L. Wilson, Pres. of the M & C R.R. who is on his way to England and expects to sail on the Persia.  While we were at supper we heard an extra train up from Belpre whistling loudly & continuously as it neared our station.  This was a signal for William, who on going up, found that Wilson on reaching Belpre had received such disheartning [sic] dispatches, that he had turned back.  It was said that there was fighting at Baltimore, the mob opposing the passage of troops through that city on their way to Washington.  The report is that the troops were assailed with brick-bats & stones & that they fired on the rabble killing seventy of them--  William went up to Harmar with Wilson where he heard by telegraph that Government had removed the arms and burnt the arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

Thursday, April 18, 1861

Baby still living but breathing very short.  The Doctor came on early train, he thinks she will live through the day.  He will telegraph to William at Chillicothe that her symptoms are alarming. 
A little before ten o'clock A. M. she ceased breathing as she lay upon a pillow on Lucy's lap--   It is a very severe affliction to Lizzie to lose this lovely little babe so soon after burying Ephie.  She took the dear little one upon her own lap and with many tears washed and dressed her for the burial.  She was laid out in the crib & placed in the parlor the third of her children who have lain there.  She looked beautiful, her eyelids and lips a little parted as if she were just falling asleep,her little hand clasping the delicate forgetmenots--  We sent George to town to make arrangements for the funeral.  
Several friends came in during the day.  The funeral is appointed for tomorrow at ten o'colock.  --William came on the afternoon train--  Ephraim met him at Scott's Landing and told him that the baby was dead--  This is the third time he has come home to find the dead in his house.  When his first born, little Willie, died he was absent at Chillicothe and only got home to bury him; and when our dear father was taken, he was away East but got back to the funeral -- and now so with little Jennie.  --She was a sweet little child, well beloved of her parents, but while they grieve they know she is safe with the Saviour who blessed little children.  We do fade as a leaf, one after another of our family are laid in the grave and soon we shall all be there.  --"So teach us to number our days that we may apply our hears unto wisdom."
William said today that in view of the troubles impending in our own land, he thought the next generation would pass through such scenes as the world never saw.  Perhaps the dear little one now at rest was taken from trouble to come.  God has seen fit to take her, shall we doubt he does all things well?

"So fades the lovely blooming flower--

Frail smiling solace of an hour."

Wednesday, April 17, 1861

I sat up last night with Kate to take care of the baby.  Lizzie is very much worn out with loss of rest and anxiety.  The baby's right foot burst open and blood came out--Her case has been a very severe one and has not yielded to medicine.  --This morning she seems better, and William, whose business calls him imperatively to Chillicothe started for that place this morning. He is assisting in preparing a statement of the affairs of the M & C RR which Mr. Wilson is to take to England.  It has been very hard for him to do it, amid all his solicitude about little Jennie.  Lucy came down today.  Mrs. Burgess has been here a great deal from Ironton, altho she has not been able to do anything having been sick during her absence.  This evening the babe is more feeble, we fear it will not live through tonight.


Editor's notes:
Lizzie is Lizzie Cutler, mother of the sick baby and wife of William Cutler.
Kate is Kate Dawes, a niece of William who lived with them.
Mrs. Burgess is Lizzie's mother, the baby's grandmother.
William was an officer on the board of the RailRoad.

The Old Stone House where the Cutler's lived

Lizzie Voris Cutler

William P. Cutler

Saturday, April 13, 1861

Lucy who has been here two or three days went home this morning.  Little Jennie is very sick with erysipelas, very little hope of her recovery.  Sister Sarah came this morning and will stay a few days.  It is reported that Fort Sumpter [sic] is taken by Confederate Forces.  We cannot believe it.


Editor's Notes:
Little Jennie was Julia Cutler's niece, the daughter of her brother William Cutler.
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