HEMENWAY, Wilbur S. 'Willie' 1859-1862

HEMENWAY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/13/2021 at 18:34:23

DIED - In Lansing, Sept. 30th, of disease of the brain, Wilbur Samuel, youngest son of Amanda S. and Homer H. Hemenway, aged 3 years, 7 months and 16 days.

"Papa I am so sick," and little Willie laid down to die. A few days he lingered to suffer; no medical aid could more than aleviate the fatal disease.

"Rock me Mama," and Willie ceased to speak.

Tread lightly in the darkened room, let speech be hushed to whispers, for angels hover near - List! one speaketh even now. Mark how his message changes to an unearthly brightness, those once expressive eyes, and that pallid, suffering countenance, to angelic sweetness.

Willie sleeps - smooth back his hair - fold his little hands and leave him with the angels.

Cease to murmur, fond parents, for God loved him too, and what he gave that also may he take away. The little grave is made, and his form is robed for its burial. The flowers he loved so well are placed beside him, fit emblems of the precious one now transplanted to a more congenial clime, there to bud and bloom in the presence of its Savior.

Then arise in thy sorrow, and looking upward, kiss the hand that wounds but to heal. -G.

~Lansing Weekly Union, Thursday, October 2, 1862, pg 2

~Note: Buried Oak Hill cemetery, where his gravestone is engraved with death date, 9/29/1862, rather than the 30th as in the obit.