Fanny loved her brother Will very much. She had a more relaxed and playful relationship with him than her older brothers, and even joked about how he was the handsomest fellow in town!
“It was lovely out…Jenny asked me to go skating to the lake this afternoon—but I have never been & said I believed not. At dinner Will repeated the invitation & Mother said she would excuse my lessons—After dinner Will went to get me a pair of skates, but could find none to fit So I borrowed Mary Titus’ & half past two we started our party consisted of Mr & Mrs John Bostwick & Will & myself in the democrat wagon—Jenny driving with Mr McDougall in the buggy—Arrived at the lake we found much more wind than we expected—there was a large number of people there…Mrs Bostwick said she could not skate—so I had company in that respect—Jennie can strike out with one foot. We went down on the ice the lake was frozen over—buffalo skins were thrown on the ice for seats and several were seated where we went…I found considerable difficulty in keeping on my feet…Will came for me to try—he drew me along and then told me to strike out—I could not make my feet go far enough to the sides—It was quite amusing he told me to hold tight & he would not let me fall when presently I made one of my awkward plunges which laid us both on our backs—We sat laughing quite a while and then he got up & skated for my benefit—then we came back to the robes and I sat down a little while—then we went again and after that I did not try any further. We came home at about five…I had enjoyed the afternoon very much indeed.” Feb 25, 1861
“I was with that handsome fellow, the handsomest in town–if he is my brother–no not “if” but much the more so.” May 6, 1862
Will Jr. was the longest living Seward child, eventually passing in 1920. After enjoying a happy and mischievous childhood, the youngest son tried his hand at managing his family’s money. He found success and decided to begin a banking career. He married Janet, or Jenny Watson, and had three children over the span of 18 years. Will was the only Seward son to fight in the Civil War, and he was an officer in the Battles of Monocacy and Cold Harbor. After barely escaping capture and showing bravery at Monocacy, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. After the war, he continued a long banking career, and managed a firm that later merged to become American Express. He inherited the family home in Auburn and oversaw many of the modern renovations into the 20th century. He named both of his daughters after his sisters that passed away before him.
Nellie, Will Jr., Will III, Janet Seward, c. 1878