Anonymous letter to a dying man's "tormentor" wife: "Are you not afraid that people will brand you as his murderess"

Three-page letter on separate leaves, 8 x 5 inches. Nibbling to last leaf separating the upper third with partial loss to one line of text. Found with a collection of other letters dated in the 1880s, presumed contemporary.

A woman whose husband is dying receives an anonymous letter putting her on blast for how she's handled his illness. According to the letter, she has, at best, been keeping him isolated from his family; and, at worst, torturing him. The event in question seems like a possible misunderstanding of caring for someone with a fever: “they say that when he came home from a visit in Chestertown with a hot fever, that you locked him in a room with windows down and register open and yourself tormented him until after one o’clock at night;” though the suspicious behavior otherwise suggested in the letter tones it with malice. Full of questions (and no question marks): “Does this look like wickedness or insanity / Are you not afraid that people will brand you as his murderess”

A pencil note on the verso begins, “I remember…” but is difficult to read, and the postscript “Please return this” suggests the scathing letter was circulated—the writer did promise a copy sent to her physician.

Full transcription (added emphasis in bold)

Madam, as a friend of yours, although unknown to you, I have heard of things which are credited to you which seem hardly human. They say you have a husband dying away from his brother and sisters, and that you are the cause of it.

That his eldest sister who raised him and who lives within a mile of him is by deceit and lies on your part, kept from him in his last hours through unwomanly spite by you.

That his physician is disobeyed lied on, watched and not left alone with his patient for a moments conversation, does this not seem queer, does it not look as though you were afraid of the Doctor’s questioning the patient as to how his directions were being carried out? Also, has he not his sisters in Chestertown, that are kept from him,

(2)

solely from the fact that you have been in the habit of tormenting him in various ways, after their departure, because he dares to defy you in receiving them. And madam, they say that when he came home from a visit in Chestertown with a hot fever, that you locked him in a room with windows down and register open and yourself tormented him until after one o’clock at night

Does this look like wickedness or insanity

Are you not afraid that people will brand you as his murderess

Do they not say in a dying condition he is left alone at night with no one to attend him. Suppose he would die how would you explain to his friends and relatives your conduct. Your case is unparalleled. Are you not afraid they will put you in print or have you confined. These things have all been told me and it is general talk everywhere.

(3)
Don’t you think you would save your reputation by opening his house to his family and let them see him in his last hours.

Hoping this will have some effect on you. I write it in all sincerity [for your own good and let you] know how people hold you. Your physician will also have a copy of this sent him  so you are well warned.

From a friend of your husband.

Please return this