A Teacher’s Parting Gift to Warren Felch
Maria Hildreath (1821-1879)
Henniker, New Hampshire, 1843
Ink and watercolor on paper, 6 x 4 inches, with a molded brass frame
Inscribed in ink (within heart at top): “A Teacher’s Parting Gift. / Keep thy heart with all dil- / igence, for our of it are / the issues of life. / Granted to / Warren Felch, / Aug 16^th / 1843 / By M. H.”
Inscribed in ink within the scroll at bottom in micro calligraphy: “Now, fair you well, in friendship / As we did meet, so let us part / and memory’s fondest wreaths endure, / intertwined around each faithful heart. / Allas! The chilling word, adieu, / reluctant lingers on my tongue-/ but may kind heaven its blessings strew, / Your future paths of life among. / Permit me then, this last request, /When here you meet in pleasure gay, / In health, in peace, in plenty blessed,/ Remember her that’s far away” and signed lower left: “Maria Hildreath”

Maria Hildreath, was the daughter of Abijah Hildreath (1797-1868) and Betsey Sprague (1798-1877), and was born June 12, 1821 in Henniker, New Hampshire. The recipient of this heartfelt message, eight-year-old Warren Felch, was the son of Thomas Felch (1797-1853) and Hannah Brown. He was born about 1835 and is listed in 1880 United States Federal Census as residing in Francestown, New Hampshire age 45, occupation Farmer, with a wife Mary, 41 and son Arthur, 12.