First Lady Anna Harrison Writes A Lengthy Letter To Her Grandson About Family News; It Includes Two Free Franking Signatures

ANNA HARRISON (1775-1864). Harrison was the briefest serving First Lady. ALS. 1pg. 8” x 12”. August 5, 1848. North Bend [Ohio]. A lengthy autograph letter signed “A Harrison” with an integral address leaf bearing two franking signatures by her; both “Free / Anna Harrison”. She wrote to her grandson, J. Cleves S. Harrison [I left in her phonetic spelling]: “The Month has arived, in wich you thought, you could visit us. I hope you have not given up your intended visit, you must remember, that I am very old, & as none of us know the time of our death, yet to one, threescore & ten of course, but a few Months, perhaps days are alotted to them. My health has been quite poor, most of the summer, but I am now better. It will afford all your relations, in this part of the Country, very great pleasure to see you again. I have not heard a word, from your dear Mother, since I received your letter, you should not my dear, wait for me to answer every letter, but remember I am too old, to write much & it always affords me very great pleasure to hear often from my friends, your Aunt & Uncle Taylor, & some of their children, one on a visit to the City, your cousin Sally Harrison, is staying with me...The remains of your cousin Symmes, was brought up, from Mexico about two weeks ago, & buried in the Family grave yard, at Mr. Pikes place. Mr. Hunt who married Zebuline, now lives there...The House, & a portion of the Land, belongs to Pike, who has not yet returned from Mexico. William Henry, staies with his Sister over the River. Clara who married Dr. Banks of Cincinnati, has lived until! this summer, at Fort Wayne - but now, they expect to live in Cincinnati. Anna Maria, lives in Indiana ... " Those mentioned are various grandchildren, cousins to her correspondent. Mrs. Harrison did not go to Washington during her husband's brief term in office. She outlived all but one of her ten children; in fact, the nine were all gone at the time of this letter but she survived until 1864. There are folds and normal wear with some soil on the address leaf that has separated from the page with the letter.