Sullivan 11^th July 1807-

I take this opportunity to inform you that I
rec^d a line from you some time since by the hand of
M^r Hawks which informed me of your still afflicted
situation by the sickness of your son. I do assure
you Madam the news of the danger of Epaphras caused
in me those feelings which could not otherwise be
produced except by the hearing of the immediate
danger of some of my nearest connections.

You have in the course of a few years past
been repeatedly calld to discharge the last duty
to four of your Family and one a Bosom Friend and
still it is to be feared that your sorrows are not at an
end the reflection is a piercing one indeed to us-
all but doubly so to you. I scarce know what
to write at this time to suit your present situation
perhaps you are now mourning the loss of your son
if so I hope Madam you find a supporting hand
which will never be withheld from the Widow
and afflicted. I have the satisfaction to inform
you that I am myself very healthy this summer
and in fact it is remarkably healthy throughout
this Town so much so that I have but little

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"A Amsden," the writer of this letter, is a physician and writes to Persis Sheldon of Deerfield, Massachusetts, regarding the illness of her son, Epaphras, aged 27, of tuberculosis. He alludes to the other deaths in the Sheldon family; Mrs. Sheldon has suffered the death of her husband and three of her children in the past five years. At this time, tuberculosis or "consumption," as it was called, was not known to be contagious and often infected members of the same family. Mr. Amsden notes that his own state of health and that of residents of his town is remarkably good.

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