The Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Tuesday, January 20, 1959 - "Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii"
Letter writing for the widow, Marie Patton Chamberlain, increased with age and the departure of children from home.
Fortunately the letter written February 8, 1874, to daughter Maria J. has been preserved and i in the collection of her great-great-grandson, David Forbes.
"Our beloved King, the people' choice, the liberal minded generous hearted Lunalilo, expired without pain, 10 minutes before 9 o'clock, Wed. Feb 3rd. O how many prayer were offered to God for him, especially the last three days of his life, and we cannot but hoped that he looked to Jesus and found mercy in his dying hour. He would not hear yo having anything to do with a native kahuna, said 'if he was to die he would die & if he was to live, he would live without them.'
Letter writing for the widow, Marie Patton Chamberlain, increased with age and the departure of children from home.
Fortunately the letter written February 8, 1874, to daughter Maria J. has been preserved and i in the collection of her great-great-grandson, David Forbes.
"Our beloved King, the people' choice, the liberal minded generous hearted Lunalilo, expired without pain, 10 minutes before 9 o'clock, Wed. Feb 3rd. O how many prayer were offered to God for him, especially the last three days of his life, and we cannot but hoped that he looked to Jesus and found mercy in his dying hour. He would not hear yo having anything to do with a native kahuna, said 'if he was to die he would die & if he was to live, he would live without them.'
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| William Charles Lunalilo Hawaii's shortest-reigning monarch, January 8, 1873 - February 3, 1874. He died at age 39. |
NO WAILING
"He gave directions (I think it was in hi will) that there should be no heathenish wailing after his death and the he wished to be buried with hi people, and laid by the side of his mother.
"We rode over in the carriage at 11 a.m. to look for the last time, on his fine manly form, & peaceful countenance, in death.
"He was laid out in a plain black broad-cloth suit, white kid gloves, and boots, with no other adornment than a most beautiful STAR on the left hand side of his coat.
"Unlike the previous occasion little more than a year ago, when we passed in the same place almost with lightning speed, the hulk of the huge, bloated predecessor, we lingered to take in a satisfactory view of his loved MOI.
"I feel a real pleasure in his having refused to the last, the appointment of his successor for the present candidate Kalakaua was the torment of his life.
"His poor broken hearted father will not probably long survive his only son and only child.
FEATHER CLOAK
"It was a very touching incident that when he was put in his coffin the feather clock over him saying "this shall go with him."
This letter reflects the high opinion which the American missionaries held for Lunalilo in whom they had great hopes.
"The previous occasion little more than a year ago" was the death of Kamehameha V whom the Americans feared to be under English influence.
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