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Second Letter from Emily Binney to Emily Dibblee


See Emily Dibblee (recipient of letter)
Emily Binney (sender of letter - mother of Emily Dibble)
Irwine Binney (brother of Emily Dibblee)
Margaret McKenzie (servant of the family)
Lucy Binney (sister of Emily Dibblee)
William Binney (Dearest Willie - brother of Emily Dibblee)
Frederick Lewis Dibblee (husband of Emily Dibblee)

This letter was written in 1888 from Emily Binney to her daughter Emily Dibblee. It is a letter of condolence, although that seems a mild description for a letter so full of emotion. Emily Dibblee's husband, Frederick Lewis Dibblee, had just died suddenly in India, of a fever, while Emily Dibblee was in England. This letter also talks of the recent death of William Binney, Emily Dibblee's brother. Polexiney is William's wife.

It seems as if Margaret McKenzie, their old servant, is no longer part of the household at this point. It all sounds rather miserable. I wonder if money is short? Lucy Binney and Irwine Binney, Emily Binney's remaining children at home, seem to be working hard. Lucy seems to have settled down a bit from the time that it was just assumed that she was useless (see Stephen Binney's letter).

I have given the transcription of the letter first, and the original after, in case you want to check it.

Transcription - Page 1 of original letter - Page 2 - Page 3 - Page 4


Moncton 27th November 88

My dearest Emme

I cannot tell you how deeply I feel for you in your great sorrow or how it seems to me almost impossible that dearest Willie and your dear Husband are lying in their graves in Syra and in India. I know by myself, how impossible it is for any one to give comfort to a sad heart, but God alone, who does all for our good, although as dear Polexiney say’s, it is so hard to realize, but dear Emme it will all be made plain to us one of these day’s when this weary warfare is over – God wanted our dear ones, and took them up higher – you grieve for the way your dear one died, and ever with me is dear Willie’s cry (am I in danger, when they told him no) and he then dying – the saddest words in the English language is (it might have been). I am but poor comforter, and fear I weary you, you have your dear Children with you and it must have been a fearful shock to them to lose such a Father who from all I have heard appears to have devoted his life to them, and there dear mother, and I know for their sake you will try to take up the daily Duties to make them happy by hiding your own grief – and then there is another heartbreak for you which I dread, when all the clothes &c arrives from India, bringing all back to you so vividly. O! it is all so painful and distressing, may God support and comfort you through it all is my prayer for you dear Child, and he will, you know there is special promises for the Widow.

We are without a Servant and no prospect of getting one as yet. Lucy is almost worn out household duties, and Irwine has four fires to make in the morning besides sundry other duties, before going to the Customs House at nine o’clock. I am not allowed to help in any way – but to dust, my old trade if you remember old times – Bessie left us, as Lucy told you I believe, last Saturday week, she was looking very well and has grown stout.

I think the inscription for the Tomb just what it ought to be, and the Text very appropriate - Margaret is well, and sends her love to you, she was down last week and I think it will be the last visit this Winter – with much warm love to you and the dear one’s with you,

May God bless you all
Always dearest Child
your Affectn Mother Emily Binney

Second letter from Emily Binney - page 1
Second letter from Emily Binney - page 2
Second letter from Emily Binney - page 3
Second letter from Emily Binney - page 4