So many years have passed since we last saw each other.
I cannot help wondering whether you have forgotton me or no—I
cannot—help feeling that you remember me,
and the old home on M.Street—and
the dear old "Cherry Tree"" where you
and my dear husband2 used to sit and have such pleasant visits.3
Mr. Sevellon Brown,4
Sackett5 my son were there also. We so often used to talk of you and the happy times
that are gon by, I love to dwell
upon those pleasant days—I can never forget them, or you, and
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oh how I would love to take your warm hand again which was always given
with so much warmth and true expression. In taking up the paper tonight I saw that
you were ill—how sorry I am. I hope you will get better again.
All your friends wish this. . .
Although many years have passed since you lived at my house and
many changes have come to us, still, I remember you and your good heart and
love to think of you and always shall with a great deal of love and
pleasure—I hope this may reach you, it would give me
a great deal of pleasure to know that you remember me and my home where you
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lived for four years of your life in Washington.
Correspondent:
Asenath (Cenia) Robinson
Chapin Benedict (1831–1900) was the daughter of Orange Chapin
(1788–1867), a farmer, and his wife Fanny Green Chapin (1794–1876).
Asenath was born and grew up in Cayuga, New York, and by the age of eighteen,
she was married to Newton Benedict (ca. 1824–1888). The Benedicts moved to
Washington, D.C., and by 1870, both Asenath and her husband were employed as
clerks; they also opened their home to boarders, who were similarly employed.
The Benedicts were Whitman's landlords at 472 M North, having replaced Juliet
Grayson after her death in 1867. Whitman lived at the Benedicts' home while he
worked as a clerk in the office of the U.S. Attorney General, remaining with the
family until 1871.