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Lucy Hutchinson writes lovingly of her late husband John in her Memoirs of the Life of Colonel Hutchinson. She wrote this after his death around 1670, initially for their children, and it wasn't published until 1806, over a century after her passing. (The old English is lightly updated here by Michael Foster.)

“Neither in youth nor in later age could even the most beautiful or enticing women draw him into unnecessary familiarity, empty talk, or flirtation. Yet he despised nothing in women except their follies and vanities. Wise and virtuous women he loved, and he delighted in pure, holy, and blameless conversation with them.”

“As for his love for his wife, anyone who wished to draw up a rule of honor, kindness, and religion needed only to copy his example. No man ever had greater passion for a woman, nor more honorable esteem for a wife. He governed by persuasion, which he used only for what was honorable and good for her. He loved her soul and her honor more than her outward beauty, yet he showed her person constant tenderness.”

“So steady was his love that when she ceased to be young and lovely, he began to show her the greatest affection.”

“He was as kind a father, as dear a brother, as good a master, and as faithful a friend as the world had known.”

“He thoroughly understood the military art and performed it well in all its parts. He naturally loved the calling, as it suited his active temperament above all others. He took mutual delight in leading men who loved his character, and when he commanded soldiers, no man was ever more loved and respected by those under him. They rejoiced as much in obeying his commands as he did in giving them.”

“He showed a sweet and loving courtesy even to the poorest, and often spent many spare hours among common soldiers and poor laborers.”

“He hated religious persecution and was always a champion of religious people against oppressors.”

A good man.

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