Thanksgiving 1865

1865-1207 – Reflections on Thanksgiving Day 1865

This is our State and also our National Thanksgiving day[1] and how much we have to be thankful for. I have been enumerating some of the blessings with which we are surrounded, well may we as a people and a nation render praise to the Almighty Ruler of events for His many mercies to us during the past year. One year ago we were mourning the absence of a beloved Son[2] who was languishing in a Hospital suffering with wounds received in his Country’s Service. Now he has regained his health and is married[3] to a worthy young lady and is very pleasantly settled in a home of his own. Our other children with the exception of our eldest daughter[4] are settled near us. One remains single[5] and is at home to gladden us by her presence. Two with their families have moved farther from us this fall[6] but as they have bettered themselves by the exchange I will not be so selfish as to wish them back although we are lonely without them ~~~
My aged mother[7] resides with us and I have the satisfaction of ministering to her wants in my poor ways. Sickness is ravaging in our vicinity making many homes desolate, but we have escaped thus far and are enjoying a competent share of health. We also have a comfortable home with enough to satisfying natures wants. We have the comforts of life if not its luxuries. These with enumerable other blessings call for our warmest gratitude to the Giver of all good, and while we acknowledge our shortcomings this past year may we be more faithful in the performance of our duties in time to come looking for guidance and strength to Him in whom alone we can put our trust ~~~
Our national too has every reason to be thankful for the termination of the War, that peace is once more restored, and our nation’s flag again proudly waves over this whole United States ~~~
Africa’s Sable Sons too are rejoicing in freedom. No longer to bear the galling chains of bondage or feel their master’s cruel lash lacerating their feeble bodies. Well may they say the Year of Jubilee is Come. Let us as a nation and people be more mindful of His goodness and ever acknowledge Him in all our ways

R ~~~~~
[Rosina M. Healy Richardson]

[1] President Andrew Jackson had proclaimed the 7th of December as Thanksgiving Day that year even tho President Lincoln had proclaimed the last Thursday in November during three of his four proclamations.
[2] Henry Carlton Richardson , see article on web under Vermont in the Civil War – Henry participated in the battle of Cedar Creek which was a significant battle for the Union. He was apparently injured there and had a long recovery. He mustered out on 7/17/65. http://vermontcivilwar.org/index/namesearch.php ; also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Creek_and_Belle_Grove_National_Historical_Park
[3] Henry married Jennie L. Whitcher (also in a Whitcher family history called Lois Jane Whitcher) on October 12, 1865. Jennie was also sister to Julia Whitcher who had married Henry’s brother, Nathaniel on Nov 3, 1861. Marriage certificate reads Jennie Whitcher. She died in 1868 and he married Lydia Whitehill to whom he was married for many years.
[4] Rosina Jane Richardson Stevens and her husband David were living in WI or MN at this time.
[5] Evalina Irene Richardson, later known as “Aunt Nellie” to most of the extended family.
[6] Son Nathaniel Richardson and wife Julia Whitcher who now lived in Lancaster, NH; and likely son Robert Fletcher Richardson and wife Rosette Dexter who if they moved away returned soon and lived there.
[7] Jane Tabor Healy who was born in 1786 and died in 1870; she had been married to Nathaniel Healy, son of John Healy and Mary Wight before his death in 1841.