This collection consists of one letter (dated September 20, 1863) from James W. A. Ford to his cousin Caroline. Ford discusses the death from the effects of childbirth of his sister Lizzie Ford Burdett. He also mentions that he has raised a company of cavalry.
James William Andrew Ford was bornin 1843 in Lewisburg, Greenbrier County, West Virgini to David J. Ford (?-1881) and Mary A. Ford (?-1860). During the Civil War he served in various regiments, including the 20th Virginia Cavalry. Ford was captured in July 1864 and was one of the "Immortal 600" held at Morris Island, South Carolina. After the War he was a prominent citizen and merchant in Lewisburg. He died in 1900 and is buried in Old Stone Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Lewisburg.
Little is known of Ford's sister, Lizzie Ford Burdett (sometimes spelled Burdette), whose death due to complications of childbirth is described in this letter. She was born on November 25, 1839 and died on September 17, 1863. She is buried next to her parents and brother at the Old Stone Presbyterian Church cemetery.
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Manuscript # 0271. James W. A. Ford letter. Virginia Military Institute Archives
Written from Lewisburg, West Virginia. Letter discusses the death from the effects of childbirth of James W. A. Ford's sister Lizzie Burdett. Ford also mentions that he has raised a company of cavalry.
Lewisburg Va. Sunday Morning
September 20th 1863
Dear Cousin Caroline
In the dispensation of an over-ruling, and to some a mysterious providence, becomes my sad duty to communicate to you the intelligence of My Dear Sister Lizzie's death.
Last Wednesday night a week ago she gave birth to a little boy from the effects of which she breathed her last the eight day, last Thursday evening at 3 o'clock p.m.; and was buried yesterday morning. She suffered apparently very little up to the day she died. When she complained very much of her breast & back and a few minutes before she died her husband (Capt. Burdett) hurried for Dr. Caldwell, but before he returned she silently passed from the world of sin & misery without a paroxysm of pain. It was hard indeed to give her up. She was all that a sister and mother could be. She has been keeping house for us ever since My Dear Mother died, so that we had become doubly attached to her. We will greatly miss her gentle voice & smiling face from the home circle, but will be consoled that the affliction is at Our Father's bidding and calmly submitting to his ways say: Thy Will be done. She was conscious of her approaching end & made a great many requests. She died I think fully prepared, she having been a consistent member of the Church for several years and said she hoped soon to meet her Mother in heaven. I was not at home when she died, being at "Camp Miller", Pocahontas Co. where I have been stationed for a couple of weeks. I have raised a company of Cavalry to be organized the 1st October which is to be connected to Col. Jackson's command.
There is no news here of importance. Every thing quiet since our glorious little victory at the White Sulphur Spring. I wrote the Dr. all the particulars. As I have two or three more letters to write, I must close, hoping you will answer this very soon. Direct to Lewisburg and I'll have it forwarded to Camp.
Remember me very kindly to all the friends and believe me to be
Your affectionate Cousin,
J. W. A. Ford
P.S. I am very well excepting a very sore hip, caused by my horse falling with me in Camp a few days ago & throwing me entirely over his head. Has [Hons] gone back to his company yet.
Goodby Jimmie