Whitney Scovil

Oct. 26, 1836--Hezekiah Scovil gives to his son, Whitney Scovil, an advancement of $1000 against Whitney's share of Hezekiah's probate estate.

Jan. 18, 1837--Whitney Scovil and Elizabe[th Tyler are married in the First Congregational Church of Haddam, Connecticut. The Rev. David D. Field officiates.

Dec. 23, 1837--Whitney Scovil Dies. [There is some evidence that Whitney Scovil had been employed in his father's blacksmith shop at the time of his death].

Dec. 29, 1837 (Higganum, Connecticut)--Hezekiah Scovil. Sr. pens a letter to his son, Daniel Scovil, who is residing in Alabama. informing him of the death of Whityney Scovil, Whitney being both Hezekiah's son and Daniel's brother. Here is the letter:

"Dear and beloved Son,
I have the painful announcement to make to you that Whitney is no more. He departed this life on Saturday the 23 inst. about 12 o’ clock. His care was disturbing beyond description, not only to him but [to] all that beheld him. About four weeks before his death he was attacked with a severe pain in his head which continued to increase and we being very anxious for his relief we sent to Hartford for a Dr. Fuller who was at the insane retreat who made Whitney a visit about 17 or 18 days before his death. Dr, Fuller said by his examination and a statement of the complaint, he was fully satisfied that it was a hip complaint and that the pain was transferred to his head which was very dangerous. He then made a large sore on each hip, sub-surface deep, for the purpose of making curing space to draw the pain from his head but without effect. This only added to his suffering. About 10 days before his death his mind became deranged and he very restive so that we could keep nothing on his sores, which remained very raw and painful, which you can better imagine than I can describe. This has left a little son about 7 weeks old and a wife who is very much disturbed by the event. It will be useless for me to presume to state all our feelings which are disturbing in the extreme. Capt. Tyler’s family have felt the event like ourselves. However shocking this event may be to you I hope it will have some good impressions on your feelings. The God that I worship is your God. I hope you will put your trust in him for he is perfectly just and good and I hope your life will be such as will be approved by him. We are not to mourn Whitney’s loss for I hope and trust he has gone to rest, but the loss of delightful company. Our most tender affections for you still remain and if possible have increased. We all want to see you very much. I much want you in in my business if it should remain good, which will not be known till some time in yon. I think [Philander?] Burr will leave me in the spring and who I can get to take his place I do not know. Ruel Knowls is here now a welding and is doing well. How long it will take I know not, however he was very glad to get into my employ. Store [?] that I hired [?] last summer has been doing very poorly. I have a good many possibilities in my business but I have got quite hardened in that. If there should be a chance for you to do as well in my business as you can do in any other I should like to know have you in it. Whitney had kept house about 10 weeks although I have no present time to give you of all the events that have passed within a few weeks. Elizabeth I think will leave the house where they lived soon and the house will be empty again. Ruel Knowls may wish to go into it. If so I think I shall let him in. I very much calculated on going to see you next season but there now seems to be a good many things to prevent it. We are all as well as we have been for some time. I think I shall write you again soon. I should like to have [you] write me immediately. We all send you our best respects. Give my respects to Mr. Walkley.

                                                        Your most Effect (sic) Parent. 

Hezekiah Scovil [Sr.]"