The Death of Charles Clement Johnston (1795-1832)

[Beverly Randolph Johnston at [Abingdon, Virginia?], to [Mrs. Louisa S. Johnston aka Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston] at [Maiden Spring, Tazewell County, Virginia], undated [June 1832; penciled note estimates July 1832], Box 1, John Warfield Johnston Papers, 1778-1890, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University].

How my dearest sister shall I tell the dreadful loss which we have sustained! Our dearest, kindest best brother is no more! [O]ur loved Brother Charles is dead. More now I cannot write stunned as I am by this fatal misfortune than to tell you all that I know of the manner of his death. He left Washington on the ["evening of" -- crossed out] 17th for Alexandria, supped at the Inn, and when the steamboat bell rung rose from the table to go on board. His corpse was found floating in the wharf the next day: and it is supposed that he missed his footing in going to the boat during a storm, and fell into the water where it was 8 feet deep: Col. Preston wrote these details, tho I had heard them at Gardner[']s this morning.

Poor dear Jane will come to a sadder more desolate home than she in her grief for the former bereavement could have depicted to herself. Come dear sister if it is in your power and aid her, and all of us by your presence, and your partaking our grief, to bear it. Poor Eliza has wept without ceasing since I reached here this morning. I can say no more, as John is just ready to set out.

Your own brother
B R Johnston 

[Charles Clement Johnston (April 30-1795-June 17, 1832)
BR Johnston = Beverly Randolph Johnston (October 22, 1803-circa 1876)
Dearest sister = Louisa Smith Bowen Johnston (1800-1873)
John = John Warfield Johnston (1818-1889) or John Preston Johnston (1824-1847)
Eliza =  Eliza Mary Johnston (1825-1909)
Jane = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell (1811-1892)
Col. Preston = probably William Campbell Preston (1794-1860)

Was the death of Charles Clement Johnston an accident, suicide, or murder? Joseph Draper (1794-1834) had narrowly lost to Johnston in a contested election in 1830; final victory had been awarded to the latter (who was already seated in Congress) after review by the House of Representatives in June 1832. Draper gained his seat after Johnston's death, but then prematurely died himself in 1834.]

For their help and assistance, many thanks to the staff of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. For more information about the John Warfield Johnston Papers, here's a link to the guide.