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Letter To Samuel Gridley Howe, December 31, 1842

Creator: n/a
Date: December 31, 1842
Source: Perkins School for the Blind


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Doct. Howe

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Amherst Dec 31/42

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Dear Sir

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Your letter of Oct 21/42 came duly to hand, making inquiries respecting three blind persons in this place. As Doct Cook removed from this place some time since, I laid your application before two of our physicians. I expected they would repeat to you as this, I to my surprise find that they have not. The benefit of public benevolence not being very largely developed in their craving is undoubtedly an apology for them. I have therefore made some inquiry results of which are as follows.

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No. 1 Gen. Ebenezer Mattoon, a revolutionary soldier, a Col. in that war his age is 88. Has been blind 25 years -- caused by inflammation in the eyes & exposure while acting as Adj. Gen of the Commonwealth. & riding in the dust etc while a high fever was upon him. There is nothing to indicate constitutional predisposition to blindness. None of the family blind, or ancestors.

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Case No. 2 in Edwin Church son of Spencer Church. He is 18 years of age & has been blind ever since he was 14 days old; occasioned by fits. Health is good & he's a very bright boy. He's not deaf & dumb & none of the family or ancestors have been dead or dumb or blind.

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Case No. 3 in Miss Eunice Hawley a town pauper aged 70 years

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