Miscellaneous writings of Ellen Call Long regarding the death of Ellen Douglass

Miscellaneous writings of Ellen Call Long regarding the death of Ellen Douglass

The Grove Museum

Tallahassee (Fla.)

Cemeteries

Death

From Florida Memory: Miscellaneous writings, Ellen Call Long, August 16, 1853, 7 pp., ''a letter containing advice for your future guidance and reference,'' to her son Richard Call Long (born 1846): ''Remember you have a name which at least you must leave untarnished. . . elevate it in worldly position and raise it one step higher on the ladder of fame do not leave it to sink into obscurity. . . Rely on yourself. Be sure you are right then go ahead. . . Dismiss from your vocabulary any such word as can't. . . Do not be annoyed by such paltry ambitions as to cut a figure in society, the meaning of which is driving fast horses, drinking wine, fine dressing and an idle waste of time, which only makes of you a fashionable fool. . . Your Father and myself are plodding along in an every day sort of way. My time is principally devoted to my children . . . Your Father is now a member of the State Senate, and as a politician stands well, as a lawyer, he is eminent in the state . . . When I commenced this family picture my dear son, we numbered three beloved children, but alas, four days since, grim visaged Death stole away our baby, your sister Ellen Douglass . . . Our little darling was just twenty months old. . . You were seven years old in May last, well grown and advanced for your age. . . You seem to have energy, but at the same time lack the resolution to persevere in the accomplishment of an object, too ready for a change, for new things. This you must improve upon or you will prove a failure. . . One of your great peculiarities . . . is your fondness for the marvellous or romancing. . . your talent for story telling. But your Father and myself did not encourage this propensity of yours, for we forsaw what might in a child be only the indulgence of too much imagination, would in a man develop itself to be a deficiency of a love of truth . . . We were very rigid in cross examining you in all your narratives, and now I am pleased to say at seven years of age I believe you know a lie from the truth, and hope in time you will feel as much contempt for the one as love for the other . . . Your sister Mary Louisa, whom we call Mina alone remains to be mentioned. She was four years old the 14th of this month . . . You possess much influence with her, which I hope you will always exercise judiciously, and if I should pass away before she is provided for in life, take care of her my son. . .'' Last three pages narrate the attack on Fort Mims beginning the Creek War and Richard K. Call's first meeting with Andrew Jackson at the age of 18 as he and a group of classmates from Mt. Pleasant Academy marched to join the fighting. It is unclear if this is part of the ''advice'' letter or a separate document.

Long, Ellen Call

Original digital item located in Florida Memory. https://floridamemory.com/items/show/180858

1853-08-16

English

Miscellaneous papers

CALL FAMILY PAPERS (continued) - Box: 5 Folder: 19 Item: 1

JB_CallFamilyCemetery_I134