Christian Heinrich Hillmann to Johann Christopher Von Lehe and Tiede Von Lehe, February 4, 1867
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Cappel Altendeich, February 4, 1867
Dear Brother-in-Law, dear Sister,
After such a long time of waiting for a letter from you, the time has come for me to write you a letter. Since I offered you to let me know if there was anything I could send you from here, I kept waiting to learn about your needs. I would have taken care of the matter immediately and sent the goods with a letter enclosed. But time went by, and I waited in vain.
Since we did not get in contact for a long time, the news this letter will bring you is both bad and surprising. He[1] was ill all summer long. In the spring, he was not well but was strong enough to spend part of the day out of bed. During summer, his condition got worse, and he began to fear that he could not hope for improvement. But nevertheless, in the fall he felt better. Winter worsened his condition so badly that he could not get up anymore. His greatest problem was that he was never dry in his bed. He could not hold his water, and did not even notice when it left him. This situation continued almost to the end of his earthly life. A few days before he passed, the water came to a standstill. During his last night, he was unable to take his medicine as prescribed until about 6 in the morning. Then he fell asleep and about a quarter to 7 a.m. he passed peacefully away. He parted from this world, changing from his timely life to eternity. This was on Friday morning, January 25. He was buried on February 2.
Now we have lost both our parents, but we are hoping to see them again in the other world. God’s actions are always right. The old year has passed. The beginning of the new one has been sadness so far, and what the new year as a whole will bring us is in God’s hands. Complaining from sadness is of no use. Our Lord is in charge. Father was born on September 16, 1791; he died on January 25, 1867.
I guess you already got the news that Mother von Lehe passed away? Anyway, Johann asked me to mention that his mother died.
If possible, I would appreciate your getting in contact with Friedrich Wienholtz[2] in order to get matters settled. You should keep the money he owes me, because I owe you now your part of the estate. I will inform F. Wienholtz as well to pay the money to you.
It is said that Friedrich and Wilhelm Hinners plan to return to Charleston in May. Let me know if you want me to send anything from here with their baggage.
Last year made us all into Prussians here. We don’t know yet what will happen this year. Every soldier who fought for George V[3] at Langensalza received a medal from him. Under Prussian rule, each healthy young man will be drafted to serve in the military.[4]
Both Carl Harms and his wife died from smallpox.
Last year emigration to America was very frequent. Many young men left Germany from fear of getting drafted. This spring it will be the same. However, the ones liable for military services may find it difficult to get permission.
I am looking forward to a letter from you in the near future. We have been waiting such a long time. Your letters are our only way of knowing how you’re doing.
With this kind request I am closing.
Your brother-in-law and brother,
Christian Hinrich Hillman
Notes:
[1] The author means his father, Johann Hillmann.
[2] In his letter of May 8, Father Johann Hillmann mentions a Peter Wienholtz, not Friedrich.
[3] King George V of Hanover (1819–1878), reigned 1851–1866.
[4] The German crisis of 1866 turned into a war between Prussia and Austria. Hanover sided with Austria, but Prussia won the war. Hanover was occupied by Prussia and by this the existence of the Kingdom of Hannover came to an end. Langensalza was a battlefield where Hanover defeated Prussia. Later, however, Hanover had to yield to the stronger Prussian forces.
