Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1831.10.14 – Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Oct. 14th, 1831
Description
Elizabeth writes to her son John in response to letters that he has written her. She first declares that Charles Thompson from Philadelphia is the author of the “Commentary on Translation”, which another man named Mr. Smith recommended reading. She goes on to say that she recently attended a conference with her husband in Salem. Where another attender notes that she ought to have been invited to preach. She reports on a successful conversation with her child, Bethia. Elizabeth goes on to highlight other developments in the family and her pride in her children. Frederic is driven by academics. They were worried he wouldn’t like school, but now wish he was around the house more often. She concludes by saying that she apologizes for not receiving his messages sooner. Short notes are added to the letter by Mary, Bethia, Frederic and Dan Huntington
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1831-10-14
Rights
Public Domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elizabeth to John Huntington, Oct. 14th
Monday October 14th 1831 –
D. Huntington Pill
Hadley ?? Mills
October 15th
Mr. John W.
Huntington
Cambridge
Massachusetts
My dear Jon; your letter of the seventh[?] came to hand in due season; but as the subject of it has been discuessed pretty thoroughly, if not satisfactorily, I shall for the present forbare saying any thing more upon it, and in the first place inform you that Charles Thompson1 of Philadelphia in the author of the Commentary on Translation2 which Mr. Smith3 of (Rowen[?]) recommended – . Last Tuesday, as your father attended the association at New Salem, so of course did I – this is the third and I hope the last time that I shall appear in that body – Mr. Hall4, who was there thought I ought to have been invited to preach -. But I had a very agreeable interview with Bethia – she is just the same as ever, kind gentle affectionate dutiful- The lord make me thankful for giving me such a child, and such children – Mary has recovered her health5, but I intend she shall speak for herself if it is only by writing two lines – . Frederic is much
pleased with his school and his employment – I
think he must make good proficiency in his studies
if he persevered. I was fearful that he would soon tire
and dislike attending school as much as he [en?]did
keeping store; but we are agreeably disappointed – it
is difficult to keep him at home even on a rainy
day – . I have been expecting to learn your wants
before now – I hope you will make them known
seasonally – your trunk arrived Monday evening
an enclosing all the articles mentioned. Thro’ the goodness
of God we are all in comfortable health_. That Mary
may have room I here subscribe as ever your
affectionate mother
E.W. Huntington
Thomson’s work is a bare translation, but-an excellent good one probably the best that has been made of the whole Bible. The Methodist minister is Adam Clarke. this work is a translation & a Commentary. Good. Fair – Mr. Smith of Rowe spoke highly of both of these works Theodore will write you soon Affectionatly yours D.N[H][?]
Dear brother,
You know[?] I suppose that I attend school at the academy, and the only apology I can offer for not writing before is want of time. The quarter is half out today. Last week we received a visit from Mr and Mrs Shuper[?]. They have been to Boston before they came here, and had they known of your being in Cambridge would probably have called to see you. Mr Stevens[?], is to preach here tomorrow. He
has received an invitation to settle at Northampton, and[?]
written in corner of paper
Charles Hall wants a shawl Bethia
written on margin of page
has accepted it. Uncle and Marianne were expected
home last night, but we have not heard that they came.
I suppose you will consider this a letter, though it is
short and silly and ?????? ?oo??.
Your affectionate sister
Mary D Huntington
written on margin of page
Edward has returned from New York the boys
are getting in broom corn – I intend to enclose
a letter from William which I received a
short time since _ .
- Who is Charles Thompson? From the context given throughout this letter he is an educated man, who is able to write something significant enough for John Huntington to have been studying it. Through further research Charles Thompson is most likely Charles Thomson a Patriot leader in Philadelphia during the American Revolution.\xa0 ↩︎
- What is the Commentary on Translation? This is most likely some publication of Charles Thomson’s translation of the Old Covenant. ↩︎
- Who is Mr. Smith? He may be a figure of education, a teacher perhaps. ↩︎
- Who is Mr. Hall? He could possibly be related to Charles Hall. ↩︎
- Bethia seems to have been sick. Family health is matter that is brought up throughout these letters. ↩︎