Samuel Rodman letter to Charity Rotch, Nantucket, 12 mo 12, 1797

              B-294-5 
			Nantucket 12 mo. 12 1797
Dear Sister
		I rec d thy letter of the 4th giving an
Acct. of Dear Mothers situation to that period   thy conjec
tures. that I should be anxious on her behalf were well
founded. for indeed I did & do think much of her.
    The effect of the blister, accorded with my expectations
the morning I left her. And my opinion respecting
applications has not varied since I was with her that
such things only as will alleviate her distress. for the
present time. ought to be attended to without too much
solicitude for remedies in perhaps a remediless case   Her
long & many bodily infirmities have brought on her such
weakness. that at her time of life. Applications which
might in a constitution of vigor be productive of salutory
effects will I fear only increase her cup of suffering
of wch she has had so large a portion. & wch it seems proba
ble will attend her the remainder of her days  
	Uncle Benjn Barney told me she seem d bravely
when he saw her, but this I attributed to a momentary
relaxation of Pain & her naturally cheerful disposition
when with company, I do not promise myself the satisfac
						tion