1841.12.08 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Dec. 8th, 1841

19th cen: Huntington family correspondence

Letter

1841.12.08-Elizabeth-Huntington-to-Frederic-Dan-Huntington-Dec.-8th-1841Download

Dublin Core

Title

1841.12.08 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Dec. 8th, 1841

Creator

Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington

Source

Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives

Date

1841-12-08

Rights

public domain

Type

Correspondence

Transcription

Elm Valley Dec. 8th, 1841. Wednesday Forenoon.

My Dear Frederic,

We have as yet had no letter from you, tho’… one by the two last mails. I know word came last Friday, which we had good reason to believe came from Elias. Your father took it from the cover, and found a communication on the margin. This gave him some uneasiness as it is a violation of the rules relating to mail. He has sent in his resignation of his office1, to the Postmaster General. The first incident of importance which occurred after you left us was our making a second attempt to call on Mrs. Rodney Smith on Wednesday; she was not at home, and we made a call at Doct. Porter’s.2 Caroline3 arrived and treated us with every mark of real friendship. The next day about three o’clock your brothers and their wives returned safely and in warmth- after having visited their friend as they intended. The storm on Monday prevented their leaving Ellington4 ’till Tuesday morning. Consequently this visit at Lebanon5 was short, only half of Wednesday and Tuesday night, but the friends collected in the evening at Elayzir’s and the object was accomplished very pleasantly. They arrived at Garbowitz[] between eight and nine Wednesday evening, in time to make a supper of roast turkey.
On this Sabbath Theodore went to Northampton6 with Bethia In the morning Mr. Elias visited from the law concerning authorizing the pledge.7 In the afternoon his text was, For I am authorized to know nothing among you, but Jesus Christ and him crucified – showing that the ruin occasioned by sin is so universal and entire, that nothing but the salvation of the joyful by Jesus Christ, can effect a deliverance.8
Bethia was much interested and pleased with this sermon and so was … as she said yesterday, it sermoned like the view which we have been accustomed to take on this subject. But the Hearth were much annoyed- such preaching was just too orthodox.9 However, they are about shutting up their house, and going to Cambridge, to board with Mills Weham. According to agreement, your brothers and their wives and Bethia made a visit at Henry Shepherd’s yesterday- they called at Charles’s- Mills contrives very unwell. Today we are all invited to take tea at Mr. Leonard’s- and the young folks are encouraged to make another visit next week10– from these evils you are happily exempt.11 What you are doing, I hope soon to learn. The same happy temperament which allowed you to enjoy so much at Warwick12, will I trust, with God’s helping, enable you to perform every coming duty with a cheerful zeal and fidelity.13 A sense of his presence and approbation is the sunshine of the soul- and constant communion with him in prayers, is the only sure way to enjoy it. Indeed, feeling as we do, our many failures in duty and our many evil dispositions and profanities, what can be more suitable than the prayers of the just Christian.14
In looking over the blessings of the last year, I have been led to notice the good hand of our God which has so remarkably guided your affairs , and given you strength and ability for your various duties and labors. Let us be careful to give the praise where it is due. “Not unto us, not unto us O Lord, but unto thy name be this glory.”15
Thursday morning- I hope for a letter this evening Your father goes regularly on the mountain for the chopping. He is much better of his rheumatism.16
Theophilus and Theodore are getting home to us from the mill pond: Frank and Bethia and I are intending today to begin the carpet. With love unfailing- ever your mother,
Elizabeth

  1. Dan Huntington was the first postmaster of North Hadley after the family moved there in 1816. The appointment of this position, which required someone literate with an education, reflects the family’s status and influence in town. (Five College Biographical Sketches) ↩︎
  2. The family’s obligation to call upon different town figures similarly reflects their status in town. It was customary for influential individuals and their families to visit other families in town for these visits. During her time as a minister’s wife, Elisabeth was particularly obligated to make these wellness visits. ↩︎
  3. Possibly Caroline Phelps Bullfinch (1814-?) who was the daughter of Charles Porter and Sarah Phelps and the niece of Dan and Elisabeth Huntington. She lived in Boston. As Dan Huntington performed her wedding ceremony in 1842, it is logical that she would have visited the family a year earlier to discuss details of the wedding. (Five College Biographical Sketches) ↩︎
  4. Ellington, Connecticut. Located on route, the town would have been a convenient pit stop on their trip to Lebanon, Connecticut. ↩︎
  5. Lebanon, Connecticut. Dan Huntington’s birthplace. The children were likely visiting family who remained in the area. (Five College Biographical Sketches) ↩︎
  6. Northampton, Massachusettes. Many members of the Phelps Huntington family were both in Northampton and the Huntington family frequently traveled to the city. Northampton is noteworthy during this time period for its considerable abolitionist community made up of activists such as Sojourner Truth. ↩︎
  7. Though not featured in this archives or biographical sketches, this “Elias” figure is mentioned twice in the letter. He must have been an important figure and one of considerable authority to be making such frequent visits to the Huntington home. What “pledge” is the letter referring to? Could it have something to do with the family’s abolitionist activities? (i.e. a pledge to spread their silk-making activity to boycott cotton?) ↩︎
  8. Her use of religion to make justify and make sense of current situations again emphasizes her religious convection despite being ex-communicated from the Hadley Congregational Church ↩︎
  9. This discrepancy among two family’s views regarding one sermon is a clear reflection of the greater religious tension occurring within the Connecticut River Valley at the time. ↩︎
  10. The children’s obligation to make these visits is a clear reflection of the entire family’s prominence and status within the community. The family had so many people they were obligated to visit that Elizabeth and Dan even sent their children. The whole family worked together to get what they needed done. ↩︎
  11. This line- “from those evils you are happily exempt” reflects a lighter, more humorous side of Elisabeth that we don’t frequently see. Despite her devout religious beliefs and conservative background, she was a mother who joked with her children, even about something as seemingly controversial as evil. ↩︎
  12. Warwick, Massachusetts. Established in 1739, the historical town was a traditionally religious community. Did Frederic spend time there as a child or during his divinity studies? ↩︎
  13. Elizabeth is referring to Fredric’s training for the Unitarian ministry as he is currently away at Harvard Divinity School. Her emphasis on his cheerful demeanor and dedication to God clearly reflects the values she finds important in a pastor or religious leader. Five College Biographical Sketches) ↩︎
  14. Elizabeth’s emphasis on religion in the letter is logical as she is writing to her son away at Divinity School. However, it is also a clear reflection of her own religious struggles. In the 1820’s, Elizabeth was excommunicated from the Hadley Congregational Church. This letter reveals her successful conversion, however, and her continued belief in the significance of religion. She was obviously not disillusioned with religion as a whole. Five College Biographical Sketches) ↩︎
  15. Elisabeth is quoting Psalm 115:1 from the Bible. Her ability to cite specific Bible passages clearly reflects her religious dedication and, despite her excommunication from the Hadley Congregational Church, her own personal conviction to spread the word of God. (Biblehub) ↩︎
  16. Rheumatism is a disorder that causes pain from the joints and connective tissues. The family’s access to a proper diagnosis and potentially a cure reflects status and affluence. ↩︎