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Camden NJ
Nov: 28 '90
Dear Ed:
It is pretty sad days just now for me here—our dear brother Jeff1
died last Tuesday at St. Louis, Missouri, of typhoid pneumonia. Jessie2
went on first train soon as she heard he was sick, but poor Jeff was dead
when she arrived—George3 has gone on—(must have got there this morning)
Hannah4 is poorly at Burlington Vermont, but gets about the house.
Very cold here. I am still about not much about for I can only move by
help, but have the grip badly, & bladder trouble. I often think of you &
hope you have comfortable times—I have heard you have a good kind
attendant who has been there some time in the asylum—I wish he would
stop here at 328 Mickle Street & see me a few minutes when he is in Camden.
My best respects to Mr5 and Mrs. Currie6—
My love to you
Walt Whitman
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Walt Whitman
Correspondent:
Edward Whitman (1835–1892),
called "Eddy" or "Edd," was the youngest son of Louisa Van Velsor Whitman and
Walter Whitman, Sr. He required lifelong assistance for significant physical and
mental disabilities, and he remained in the care of his mother until her death
in 1873. During his mother's final illness, George Whitman and his wife Louisa
Orr Haslam Whitman took over Eddy's care, with financial support from Walt
Whitman. In 1888, Eddy was moved to an asylum at Blackwood, New Jersey. For more
information on Edward, see Randall Waldron, "Whitman, Edward (1835–1892)," Walt Whitman:
An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York:
Garland Publishing, 1998).
Notes
- 1. Thomas Jefferson Whitman
(1833–1890), known as "Jeff," was Walt Whitman's favorite brother. As a
civil engineer, Jeff eventually became Superintendent of Water Works in St.
Louis and a nationally recognized figure. For more on Jeff, see Randall Waldron,
"Whitman, Thomas Jefferson (1833–1890)," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
- 2. Jessie Louisa Whitman
(1863–1957) was the youngest daughter of Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" Whitman
and Martha Mitchell "Mattie" Whitman, Walt Whitman's brother and sister-in-law.
Jessie and her older sister Manahatta ("Hattie") (1860–1886) were both
favorites of their uncle Walt. [back]
- 3. George Washington Whitman (1829–1901) was the
sixth child of Louisa Van Velsor Whitman and ten years Walt Whitman's junior.
George enlisted in 1861 and remained on active duty until the end of the Civil
War. He was wounded in the First Battle of Fredericksburg (December 1862) and
was taken prisoner during the Battle of Poplar Grove (September 1864). As a
Civil War correspondent, Walt wrote warmly about George's service, such as in
"Our Brooklyn Boys in the War" (January 5,
1863); "A Brooklyn Soldier, and a Noble One"
(January 19, 1865); "Return of a Brooklyn Veteran"
(March 12, 1865); and "Our Veterans Mustering Out"
(August 5, 1865). After the war, George returned to Brooklyn and began building
houses on speculation, with partner Mr. Smith and later a mason named French.
George also took a position as inspector of pipes in Brooklyn and Camden. Walt
and George lived together for over a decade in Camden, but when Walt decided not
to move with George and his wife Louisa in 1884, a rift occurred that was
ultimately not mended before Walt's 1892 death. For more information on George
Washington Whitman, see Martin G. Murray, "Whitman, George Washington," Walt Whitman: An
Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New York:
Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
- 4. Hannah Louisa (Whitman) Heyde
(1823–1908), youngest sister of Walt Whitman, married Charles Louis Heyde
(ca. 1820–1892), a Pennsylvania-born landscape painter. Charles Heyde was
infamous among the Whitmans for his offensive letters and poor treatment of
Hannah. Hannah and Charles Heyde lived in Burlington, Vermont. For more, see
Paula K. Garrett, "Whitman (Heyde), Hannah Louisa (d. 1908)," Walt
Whitman: An Encyclopedia, ed. J.R. LeMaster and Donald D. Kummings (New
York: Garland Publishing, 1998). [back]
- 5. Charles F. Currie
(1842–1913), a Union Army veteran of the United States Civil War, ran a
grocery business in Camden, New Jersey, and also served on the Board of
Education and as a member of the Board of Freeholders. In 1889, he was elected
superindendent of the County Insane Asylum in Blackwood, New Jersey. The
institution achieved such a high quality of care for its patients under Currie's
management that other institutions implemented his methods and rules. Currie
remained superintendent until his health forced him to resign his position in
1910. [back]
- 6. Barbara S. Lear Currie
(1844–1929?) of Pennsylvania married Charles F. Currie in New Jersey in
1866. Following Charles Currie's election as superintendent of the County Insane
Aslyum in Blackwood, New Jersey, in 1889, Barbara served as the matron of the
asylum. [back]