Letter
Dublin Core
Title
Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Thursday Morning
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 7)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
Thursday morning
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Master F.D. Huntington
Thursday morning1
Dear Fredric,
As your Pa intends, going after Helen2, soon after breakfast, I just write a few lines, to say that we had a letter from Mrs. Fisher3, and also from Mary Tuesday- the same afternoon. Doctr. Constant Field, and his mother came, and have been with us ever since. They are both unwell and have been riding for their health.4 They will leave us this morning – Mrs. Fuller carried Marian home with her – the particulars you can best have verbally – She is in his hands who has all wisdom and benevolence; may he guide her into the way of peace. I have endeavored to conduct in this matter as accountable to him, if I have failed in duty, I am sincerely sorry, and hope no evil consequences may follow. This is all we can do: strive to do the will of God; in every thing seeking to obtain the approbation of our Father by following as nearly as possible in the footsteps of his Son – and in order to do this how necessary is it that we should study the instructions of him who spoke as never man spoke, and that believing all his promises may have eternal life thro him. I think you will do well to ask assistance as seldom as possible of [S-h & W-r] and of any one else but always try to be helpful and kind to all, remembering who it was that came into the world not be ministered unto, but to minister (or serve) and even to give his life a ransom for many. Let us always often in the day ask ourselves whether we are doing as we should if we saw Jesus always with us in his bodily presence, but I must hasten to close with the best wishes of your mother Elizabeth.
If you have the measure of the pew you may send it.
- The only noted date is Thursday morning. Addressed to “Master F. D. Huntington,” a salutation used for boys, this letter was probably written in the summer of 1832 when Frederic was living in Northampton with his brother Charles in order to study Latin. A letter dated June 5 1832 also requests measurements of the family’s new pew. ↩︎
- Helen Sophia Mills Huntington (1806-1844) was the daughter of Elijah Hunt and Harriett Blake Mills. In 1827 she married Charles Phelps Huntington and lived in Northampton her entire life. She had seven children and died on March 30, 1844. Charles was one of Frederic’s brothers, thus making Helen his sister-in-law. ↩︎
- Elizabeth Porter Huntington Fisher (1803-1864) was born in Litchfield, Connecticut in 1803 to Dan and Elizabeth Huntington. She married George Fisher and moved to Oswego, New York where she died in 1864. After this marriage Elizabeth often refers her daughter as “Mrs. Fisher.” Although it is possible that she is writing about George Fisher’s mother here. ↩︎
- During this time period people would ride on horseback as a form of exercise and to maintain good health. Elizabeth notes that both the doctor and his mother have been participating in this exercise to improve their health since they are unwell. ↩︎