Year: 1861

THE DEATH OF RALPH FARNHAM, THE


BUNKER HILL VETERAN


The Boston TraUsller details the death of Ralph
Farnham, the last survivor of the Battle of Bunker
Hill. From its columns we extract the following ::
After Mr. Farnham's return from Boston, his
health seemed rather to improve than to be i'm
paired, and he often spoke in the most gratified
manner of the results of the excursion. 81 feel
younger than year ago. and "My health never
was so good" were common remarks with him.


About four weeks ago he got up morning as
usual, and was pouring some hot water from tea
kettle to wash with, when his sons wife observed
his hand to tremble and he noticed to turn pale
as if about to faint Mrs. Farnham took hold of
the kettle, and, as he seemed to grow more faint,
finally assisted him to lie down. He lay some time,
but finally got up to eat breakfast. 1t was noticed
that his appetite was not so good as usual, and he
seemed to act if something was choking him.
He remained in this condition for number of days,
but finally improved, and was again quite we'll.
After this he often brought in his own wood as
usual and continued in excellent health until last
Saturday, when he was again slightly ILL.,


HIS LAST CONVERSATIONS.


On Tuesday afternoon, while his sons wife was
with him, he asked "Ain't these angels in the
room ?" She replied "Father do YOU think
there are ?' "Oh, yes," said he, ot6e room is
full of them, and they have come to assist me
home" While Mr.. Miller was there he said to
him a.: "Don't leave me till | get home to glory"


On Wednesday morning, about an hour and a





in bed, and almost succeeded in doing so but fail
ing, asked to be raised up uttering his last words
"Raise me up little higher-there.''


A short time before his death he was conversing
with grandson on the subject of the troubles at
the South. His language on this occasion, as near
ly as can be recoected, was follows: 81 believe
these troubles will come out right in the end and
that the Union will not be broken up. l may not
live to all the difficulties settled, but they will
be. l hope and wish the whole country we'll.
have doubt Mr.. Lincoln will do justice and bring
South Carolina right. have great confidence in
his ability to govern the nation and prevent it
from being broken up.


A short time before his death, he repeated the
l4th verse of the first chapter of Hebrews: care
they not all minstering spirits, sent forth to min
lister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?''


On Monday afternoon he was engaged in prayer
for some time, and on Tuesday morning, as soon
as he got up, he knelt by his bed and engaged in
earnest prayer.


Many of his conversations of late have related to
his visit to Boston. He seemed to regard this trip
with great deal of pride. On one occasion he
spoke of the distinguished visitors who came to see
him at the Revere House. "One day." said he
edward Everett came to see me. | can't remem-
ber much he said to me, except that | asked him
who going to be President, and he replied It's
hard telling who will be Governor till after elec
tion.' One day Governor Banks and Mrs. Banks
came to see me- and each of them made me a pres
ent. Mrs. Banks kissed me, and don't recollect
that | ever felt embarrassed in all my life as
did when found the Governors wife was going to
kiss me.'