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Poe’s $750,000
Letter
To: William Poe {1}
Richmond Aug: 20, 1835
Dear Sir,
I received your very kind and
complimentary letter only a few minutes ago, and hasten to reply.
I have been long aware that a connexion existed between us—without knowing precisely in
what manner. Your letter however has
satisfied me that we are second cousins.
I will briefly relate to you what little I have been able to ascertain,
or rather to remember, in relation to our families. That I know but little on this head will not
appear so singular to you when I relate the circumstances connected with my own
particular history. But to return. My paternal grandfather was Gen: David Poe of
Baltimore—originally of Ireland. I know that he had brothers—two I
believe. But my knowledge extends only
to one, Mr
George Poe. My grandfather married, when
very young, a Miss Elizabeth Carnes of Lancaster,
Pa, by whom he had 5 sons—viz: george (who died while an infant) John, William, David, and
Samuel: also two daughters Maria and Eliza. Of the sons none married with the exception
of David. He married a Mrs Elizabeth Hopkins, an English lady, by whom he had 3
children, henry, myself, and Rosalie. Henry died about 4 years ago—Rosalie and myself remain. The
daughters of Gen: David Poe, Maria, and Eliza, both married young. Maria married Mr Wm
Clemm, a gentleman of high standing and some property
in Baltimore. He was a widower with 5 children—and had,
after his marriage to Maria Poe 3 others—viz: 2 girls and a boy, of which a
girl Virginia, and a boy Henry are still living. Mr Clemm died about 9 years ago without any property
whatever, leaving his widow desolate,
and unprotected, and little likely to receive protection or assistance from the
relatives of her husband—most of whom were opposed to the marriage in the first
instances—and whose opposition was no doubt aggravated by the petty quarrels
frequently occurring between Maria’s children, and Mr Cs children by his former
wife. This Maria is the one of whom you
speak, and to whom I will allude again presently. Eliza the second daughter of the General,
married a Mr Henry Herring of Baltimore, a man of unprincipled character, and
by whom she ha[d sever]al children. She is now dead, and Mr Herring, having
married ag[ain…] communication with the family of his
(sisters) wife’s sister, Mrs [Eliza Poe] the widow of
General D. Poe, and the mother of Maria, died on[ly 6
week]s ago, at the age of 79. She had
for the last 8 years of her life been [confine]d entirely to bed—never, i[n] any instance, leaving it during that time. She [h]ad been paralyzed, and suffered from
many other complaints—her daughter Maria attending her during her long &
tedious illness with a Christian and martyr-like fortitude, and with a
constancy of attention, and unremitting affection, which must exalt her
character in the eyes of all who know her.
Maria is now the only survivor of my grandfather’s family.
In
relation to my grandfather’s brother George I know but little. Jacob Poe of Frederich
town, Maryland, is his son—also George Poe of Mobile—and I presume your
father Wm Poe. G Jacob Poe has two sons
Neilson, and George—also one [page 2] daughter Amelia.
My
father David died when I was in the second year of my age, and when my sister
Rosalie was an infant in arms. Our
mother died a few weeks before him. Thus
we were left orphans at an age when the hand of a parent is so peculiarly
requisite. At this period my
grandfather’s circumstances were at a low ebb, he from great wealth having been
reduced to poverty. It was therefore in
his power to do little for us. My
brother Henry he took however under his charge, while myself and Rosalie were
adopted by gentlemen in Richmond,
where we were at the period of our parents’ death. I was adopted by Mr
Jn Allan of Richmond, Va: and she by Mr Wm McKenzie of the same
place. Rosalie is still living at Mr McK still unmarried, and is
treated as one of the family, being a favourite with
all. I accompanied Mr Allan to England in my 7th
year, and remained there at school 5 years since which I resided with Mr A.
until a few years ago. The first Mrs. A.
having died, and Mr A having married again I found my situation not so
comfortable as before, and obtained a Cadet’s appointment at W. Point. During my stay there Mr A died suddenly and
left me—nothing. No will was found among
his papers. I have accordingly been
thrown entirely upon my own resources.
Brought up to no profession, and educated in the expectation of an
immense fortune (Mr A having been worth
$750,000) the blow has been a heavy one, and I had nearly succumed to its influence, and yielded to despair. But by the exertion of much resolution I am
now beginning to look upon the matter in a less serious light, and although
struggling still with many embarrassments, am enabled to keep up my spirits. I have lately obtained the Editorship of the Southern
Messenger, and may probably yet do well.
Mrs Thompson, your aunt, is still living in Baltimore. George Poe of Baltimore allows her a small income.
In
conclusion, I beg leave to assure you that whatever aid you may have it in your
power to bestow upon Mrs Clemm
will be given to one who deserves every kindness and attention. Would to God! That I could at this moment aid
her. She is now, whi[le]
I write, struggling without friends, without money, and without health to
support [herself] and a children. I sincerely pray God that the words which I
am [writing] may be the means of inducing you to unite wit[h] your brothers a[nd…fri]ends, and send her just
now, and which, unless it reach her soonwill, [I] am
afraid, reach her too late. Entreating
your attention to this subject I remain
Yours very truly & affectionately
Edgar A. Poe
1 Source: Poe,
Edgar Allan, 1809-1849.
Letters. Edited by John Ward
Ostrom. New York, Gordian Press, 1966, Volume I,
Page 66.