Sarah Rotch Arnold letter to Charity Rotch, New Bedford, 4th moth 11th 1809

              B-233-7 
   
		New Bedford 4th moth 11th 1809
	My dear Aunt
		  It is indeed very unpleasant to
	resume my pen, after a silence of so many
	months, to be the communicator of the
	melancholy tidings, which has reached us
	this afternoon; & which involved our respec-
	tive families in the deepest affliction-
	Felix Filleub our former French teacher arrived
	here about sunset 14 days from the Havannah
	& after much agitation informed us of the
	decease of our dear Thos Rodman, he was
	taken ill on shore the 9th of last month,
	repaired on board the vessel where he always
	lodged, & where Felix found him in the eve g
	with a bad pain in his head & back, he im
	mediately sent an apology to his own vessel
	& staid with him, next day they consulted
	one of the best Physicians, who had him