The following letter was written a couple of weeks after the Lincoln Assassination by Alleta Van Horne (1834-1891) who I believe was the dasughter of Cornelius Van Horne (1787-1841) and Jane Garrabrant (1788-1876) of Bergen Point, Hudson county, New Jersey. Alleta never married and my presumption is that she was living with relatives temporarily in Alexandria, Virginia, when she wrote the letter.

Alleta informs us that Joshua—most likely her relative—attended the funeral procession of the assassinated President which he described as “very grand and solemn looking.”

Transcription

Alexandria [Virginia]
May 4th 1865
Thursday evening

Dear Niece,

I will now attempt to answer your letter received some time since. You will have to excuse me for not writing sooner. I did not intend to wait so long but I have been pretty busy and have not felt very well most of the time. I was quite surprised on looking at the date of yours to find it was so long since I got it. I saw William and delivered your message to him and he wrote to you right away so I thought that would relieve your anxiety about him, and so I did not write. Joshua saw him this morning. He was quite well.

Wasn’t you very much surprised to hear of the assassination of the President? We could not credit it at first, but were soon forced to believe it. The whole town is draped with mourning. Joshua went up to see the funeral procession at Washington. He said it was very grand and solemn looking. It was a very sad affair throughout.

There is five companies of soldiers encamped on part of our place this spring but I don’t believe they will stop much longer as the war is so near over.

We have had a very nice spring this year. Everything is about three weeks earlier than usual.

I was sorry to hear of Calvin’s death. Had Johannah any younger than him? We got a letter from Anthony a short time ago. They were all well. Is Elmer there still? He did not mention him.

I expect to come North this summer unless something happens more than I know of at present to hinder me. I should like to see you all again and I think it would benefit my health a great deal. It don’t agree with me here. Almira has been sick for a week but is better now. The rest are pretty well and all join with me in sending love and kind wishes. Give our love and best wishes to Selina. Hoping to hear from you soon, I must now close. From your affectionate sister, –Aletta Van Horne