Ella Blocksom's parents were deceased and she lived with her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. amd Mrs. Henry Blandy. They attended Universalist Church in Zanesville, Ohio, where Henry Webster was the minister. He became more than just the preacher to young Ella and eventually they were engaged to become married.
Henry Blandy, as co-owner of Blandy Foundry in Zanesville was a rich and powerful man and didn't want his sister-in-law marrying a poor preacher and influenced her to cut off the engagement. She gave he fiance a letter in the breakup containing the words "If we try, we may forget," which became a part of the poem and song.
Regardless of the letter, Henry Webster was heart-broken and resigned his pastorate and left Zanesville.
--Old Secesh
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