Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1840.03.18 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Mar. 18th, 1840
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 8)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1840-03-18
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elm Valley March 18th, 1840
Dear Frederic,
You see my visit to N. [Elm?] is finished, and I am again at this quiet comfortable home. Having been very much strengthened and gratified by the state of rest, and the change of air, and also the kind attention of your brothers and sisters. Theophilus took me over by the Houseboat the morning after you left us. When we arrived at
Charles’ I found, instead of a cordial welcome as I anticipated from Helen, that she had gone with Mills to dine with Mrs. Edward Clark and that Charles was going also. I can hardly describe the foolish feeling which came over me. I was almost ready to weep at finding myself obliged to push myself into a circle which I had no desire to join, and this I must do or oblige Helen to return on my account. So I summoned all my resolution and self-denial, and bringing what little strength I had also, into use I walked up with Charles. I should have told you that as soon as Mr. Clark knew of my being at Charles’ he came down, and insisted on sending his carriage for me, but this I utterly refused to have done. Our dinner was very good of course two or three fashionable dishes, and a cup of coffee to finish off with. Charles left immediately after dinner, and Helen Mills and I, with Mr. Clark to attend us returned about four o’clock. So much for the beginning of my visit. The remainder was very quiet. Several of Helen’s friend called on her, some I saw and some I did not, according to circumstances. Mr. Moore1, spent half an hour there, him I saw. Mrs. Clarke and Gertrude called after of course I saw them. Saturday, Mrs. Lyman and Susan called, having heard that I was in town. I tried to remember my lesson. Last Wednesday I returned the [activity?], but had not much freedom of speech; Susan had gone to walk, but came in blooming and bright as were before I left, rather a dry time. By the way Helen thinks Susan Lyman would make an excellent wife for Mr. Dwight, and the society would all be pleased with her for their Madame. Last week [name?] Mrs. Lewis Strong2 and her daughter Elizabeth Chester3 called to me and Helen them I did not see, as I had never been introduced to them; but as I had heard so much of the young lady I had some curiosity to see her. It is said she is to be married soon. Last Tuesday we were again invited to spend the day and evening at Mr. Clarks and accordingly went. They are very kind and attentive to Charles’s family–they were very hospitable to me, and I felt gratified in becoming acquainted with them. On the last Sabbath
Bethia and Theodore went over to attend worship. I returned with them and we brot [sic] Fanny4 to stay a few days; she asked today when uncle Frederic was coming home? I told her next July. She seemed disappointed and said she thot [sic] you were coming soon.
Mr. Moore preached all day upon faith; in the morning from these words, Now faith is the substance __[and] in the afternoon. Faith without work is dead. Friday evening –oh this seems to be a kind of newspaper. I will begin where I left off. Theodore went to Cabotville5 on Monday, found Edward well, and much engaged in trying to qualify himself, by a more thorough acquaintance with his business, for a more important, and lucrative station. He spoke of coming up before long.
Caroline Phelps6 has some hope of taking a school in Springfield.7 Arthur8 has gone to Philadelphia to look for business. Theophilus and Chris go on quiet and comfortable; he hardly finds employment enough to satisfy him (just now). We were yesterday a little fearful that Theodore would be laid up with a fever, but a good dose of Flints pills9, seemed to be blessed as the means of carrying off the symptoms, and he is quite well today.
About a fortnight ago, a letter came from Mrs. Fisher10 addressed to Parents, brothers, and sisters, one and all. In speaking of our dear Mary11, she dwells with much feeling upon the peculiarly interesting traits of her character. They had received only the letter dated August.
My thoughts are often with you. I think of your sickness last summer; of the mercy of God to us all in your restoration to health; of your advantages for acquiring knowledge; of the dedication which I trust you have made of yourself to God, to serve him in the gospel of his Son; and while I rejoice in all these, it is with trembling – there is no security but in the whole armour of God. There are snares from without, and an evil heart of unbelief within–inclining us to depart from our heavenly Father, and stand in our own strength. But not withstanding all that is said of the strength and purity of human power; I do find that without constant aid from the Divine Spirtit the Comforter, our strength is weakening. This aid can only be obtained by prayer. The morning and evening sacrifice is full as important for us, as it was for the Jews, but this is not all. The apostle speaks of being instant in prayer and praying always, and our blessed saviour’s example teaches us the same lesson. That you my dear son may abound in this good work more and more in the most sincere and earnest desires of your affectionate mother
Elizabeth
- Who is Mr. Moore? Elizabeth knew him enough to actually accept his call when he came. Later in the letter it mentions that he was preaching so it can be assumed he was the pastor at a Northampton church. ↩︎
- Who is Mrs. Lewis Strong? Mrs. Lewis Strong, Maria Chester, married Lewis Strong in 1810. Lewis Strong was the son of Gov. Caleb Strong and Sarah Hooker. Lewis Strong may be the descendant of Elder Ebenezer Strong/ ↩︎
- Elizabeth Chester Strong is the daughter of Maria Chester and Lewis Strong. She marries William Newton Matson two months after this letter is dated. ↩︎
- “Fanny” Huntington is the granddaughter of Dan and Elizabeth Huntington. Her given name is Helen Frances Huntington. Her father is Charles Huntington. She is visiting from Northampton in this letter. ↩︎
- Cabotville, MA is currently a historic district of what is now Chicopee, MA. It was presumably an independent town during this time. ↩︎
- Caroline Phelps is Elizabeth’s niece. Her parents are Moses (Charles) Porter Phelps and Sarah Phelps. She was married to Reverend Stephen Bullfinch whose father was the famous architect Charles Bullfinch. ↩︎
- Springfield, MA is a large city on the Connecticut River. It was an important place for trade and commerce in western Massachusetts. ↩︎
- Who is Arthur? The only known family member with the name of Arthur was the son of (Moses) Charles Porter Phelps and Sarah Phelps. He was born in 1817. ↩︎
- “Flint’s pills” are the Saline Chalybeate Tonic pills by Dr. Austin Flint that act as a solution for iron deficiencies. ↩︎
- Who is Mrs. Fisher? Elizabeth Phelps Huntington’s daughter Elizabeth is married to George Fisher, but they live in New York at this time. Is there a connection between the two? ↩︎
- Who is Mary? There seems to be a connection between her and Mrs. Fisher. Her oldest son Charles has a daughter named Mary and it is a common name. ↩︎