Kenyon College
Gambier Knox C. Ohio
March 15 1862

My very dear Mrs Parkinson,

Little did I think my first letter to you after so long a silence should bear the news account of my dear Father's death which took place on Monday night the third of March about half past ten o'clock.. He has been ailing since last Autumn but the physician lately found out on examination of him about five or six weeks previous to his leaving us a tumour of the liver was the cause of his sickness and prostration. From the beginning the physician gave us no hope that our loved father could ever be restored.

Nannie and John nursed him through it all with great care, thoughtfulness and tenderness. I felt half envious he was not under our roof here that I might in some degree share the mournful pleasure of being constantly with him. I had the consolation of being with him night and day for a whole week before the silver? thread was loosed and during that time we never heard a murmer from him. No word passed his lips though he knew full well the sounds of life here ..king every little offer of duty and affection he was so grateful for. Nannie and I kissed him just as he did speak and he departed as she did, fell "asleep". He was very thin . He did not look like my father but the voice and words when intelligible were kind and loving. Poor Mother does not look so well as she did but I trust she will be spared to us a little longer. Supported she is - we have all that … could in the consideration of our friends.

It is a long long time since I have heard from any of you. I take blame to myself as I am not as punctual a correspondent as I should be. One thing I can assure you of, my dear Mrs Parkinson, that you and yours are often in my thoughts and never oftener than in our bereavement as it recalls all your … to us under the similar sorrow when our dear Sally left us. The Father of your house and ours have been removed since - may we live to meet the!. I had intended writing to Catherine this long time to thank her for the pretty marks sent to my husband. Indeed he wrote a note of thanks intending to put into Jeannie? Hughes and by some ..able oversight twice it was omitted. However, If I can lay my hands on it now I shall certainly enclose it. Nannie had a letter from dear good Miss Lascelles. I expect Mamma up here with me when the weather is a little warmer. We live in a pleasant park and as my household is larger I think she will not feel lonely or at least the buildings here will interest her as she has read Bishop Chase's life and correspondence. He was the first Episcopal Bishop of Ohio. I look for Nannie and John Cinnamon at commencement to spend some time with me. Willy was married the 1st of February to a very level headed woman. She is a French Lady and of his own principals. We all love her much, her heart and manners would endear her to the dullest. They live in Louisville, Kentucky. You read I suppose the American papers. We northerners have been gaining on the southerners but with great loss of life. It is literally brother against brother. I hope you will give me all the news of your dear and loved children. Any of the girls going to make one man's house happy. I learn from Miss Lascelle's letter that our dear Bessie's letter to me after my marriage was returned. If the address as at the top of this it will reach me safely I think. When did you hear from James? Where is he? We had one letter from Johnnie dates San Francisco. He had just come from Melbourne Australia and sick from "Life's Battle". He had been long sick from colonial fever also. I wish so much he would come back to us and stay as he could do just as well here as anywhere if contented. I shall write to James therefore my dear Mrs Parkinson shall not trouble you with messages. Perhaps Nannie is writing to you. Give my best remembrances to the Parkinsons and Carlyles with much love to every member of your loved ("and still remembered dear") family reserving a large share for yourself.

I remain my dear Mrs Parkinson with eth fond hope of hearing from your soon and your sincerely attached,

Kate Trimble.

Mr Trimble joins me in kind love to you and yours and every kind wish besides. I know you would appreciate him if you knew but for he can reveal himself to but you. I am satisfied he would find a congenial spirit .. Write soon - your attached Kate.