Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1831.07.07 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Jul. 07th, 1831
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 7)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1831-07-07
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
:Master Frederick D. Huntington
:Hadley, Massachusetts
Oswego July 7, 1831, Thursday afternoon1
Dear Frederic2,
I suppose before this, my letters have all reached you, excepting the one I sent on last Monday -. let me see, how many are there? – one from Adams-two from Saratoga, one from Rome, and one from Oswego.3 five of them, and we have heard but twice from home. This I say not by way of complaint-for I know how it is at home; there are many things to occupy the attention, many labours and duties to be performed; while I am quite at leisure, almost too much so, for a clear conscience -. I think if I had the boys little horse here, I should take a ride every day which might take up an hour and perhaps improve the state of my stomach. I think my mind has been less confused since I left home; but there is a great degree of mental as well as bodily weakness4— I should however be very ungrateful to complain – the degree of ease and composure that I enjoy, ought to excite my … gratitude – for I am not now, as once, terrified with visions-. By this I would not have you think that the exercises of my mind are what they ought to be–relief from suffering is what I would describe–. Mrs. Fisher’s5 friends have been quite attentive in calling on us-their nearest neighbors Mr. and Mrs. Hawley have invited us to drink tea there this afternoon – and as they expect no other company we expect to go -. Yesterday ‘forenoon, your Pa and I walked up to the pier and indeed out upon it, to look at the steam boat, Great Britain6-Edwin Clarke7 who was on board, very politely conducted us–it is indeed a grand vessel–it belongs to Canada, but passes from Ogdensburg to Niagara8 in five days and returns in the same time, visiting this place each way–. Tuesday was a rainy day here, but quite cool–today has been clear and warm, but the lake breeze makes it very comfortable. Monday afternoon Mr. Condit and deacon Bunee9 called to see your Pa -this afternoon your Pa and Mr. Fisher10 intend returning the activity–. The court has been sitting a week or two, will not rise before Saturday. – When we came your sister had no help; yesterday Mr. Fisher took the horse and chaise, and went four or five miles after a girl who had engaged to come in the stage on Tuesday–she came with him; seems to be very well disposed, and wishes to be instructed when she is deficient–she professes to be a Christian–was converted among the Methodist, – and thus far does credit to her professions.. Friday afternoon – I cannot close this letter without adverting to our dear little George11–. another warning voice, my dear child, comes to you from his grave-much younger than your self, his body inhabits the narrow house – and his soul we hope, this the compassionate Savior, is among the Blessed Spirits of the just made perfect–he who while on earth received little children into his arms expressing much condescending kindness and regard for them will surely, now that he has ascended to his throne of glory embrace them with equal affection-how comforting, to hope that our dear Catherine12-who loved him so well here, may be permitted to minister to his happiness and improvement even now – but having this past of the subject, let us attend to one far more important to us, and that is, the course we must pursue in order to be prepared to leave the world in peace–. The favour of God is life, and his loving kindness is better than life-let this then be the first object of your desire–the first thought that enters your mind when you wake –and the last when you go to sleep-seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness–endeavor always to do those things which please him–let no worldly concerns so engross your attention, as to prevent your looking daily into your Bible, the teaching our Blessed Savior–to learn what your duty is-what actions are agreeable to his instructions–and what are contrary to them–but especially bear in mind, and practice the duty enjoined in the 7th chapter of Matthew-7th 8th 9th 10th and 11th verses–. And the Lord gives you all understanding in all things.13-But you will perhaps find that when you would do good evil is present with you–that is really the case; in many things we offend, and in all come short of duty; and we must come for pardon to our heavenly Father, …the intercession of our Great Advocate Jesus Christ the righteous .
-Your sister sends love. Remember me with much kindness to R-O— and E— -tell the latter to bear in mind the 21st verse of the 7th chapter of Matthew.14-I hope you do not lose or miss the precious hours of the Sabbath. I am with you often in Spirit–, I visit our dear home- and
Edward at the store-and hope you are all enjoying the protection of Allmighty power, and love. I should like to hear from Whiting–perhaps we may have a letter from some of you tonight–love to your uncles and the cousins–your Pa thinks of being home, the forepart of August–your most affectionate mother,
:E.W. Huntington
Side bar page 1-Your Pa wishes Edward to send, by the next mail after you receive this. Mr. Gray’s letter to Gov. Lincoln15-for Mr. Fisher to mail – probably it is on the secretary, or if not Bethia perhaps can find it–.
Side bar page 3-I think I have been more comfortable today than any day excepting Tuesday, since I have been here-How do Theophilus and Theodore succeed with their work-and B-and M-16 and you? And Edward and Dwight–?
- It is interesting that Elizabeth writes this letter from Oswego, NY, and not Hadley. She appears to be visiting her daughter, Elizabeth, and her son-in-law, George Fisher. They had married in Hadley in 1824 and then moved to Oswego, where they raised children and spent the rest of their lives. It is possible that Elizabeth W. Huntington is vacationing in Oswego, as she writes this letter during the summer. Frederic, whom the letter is addressed to, would have remained in Hadley. ↩︎
- Frederic Dan Huntington, the youngest of Dan and Elizabeth’s eleven children, was born in 1819. He was twelve at the time of this letter. ↩︎
- These are all towns located in New York State. As Saratoga, Rome, and Adams all lead to Oswego from east to west, Elizabeth probably wrote these five letters on her way from Hadley to Oswego. ↩︎
- It seems Elizabeth has not been in good health since her departure from Hadley. ↩︎
- Elizabeth Porter Huntington Fisher. ↩︎
- Here is a drawing and newspaper clippings of “The Great Britain,” a steamboat that sailed on the Great Lakes throughout the 19th century. http://images.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/results?fsu=Great+Britain+(steamboat) ↩︎
- Edwin Clarke was a well-known abolitionist in Oswego during the 1840s and 1850s and prominent member of the community. Clarke was president of the Oswego County Anti-Slavery Society in 1842, and was an active member of the Underground Railroad in Oswego, perhaps guiding African Americans to Canada. It is interesting to notice that the Huntington’s and Fisher’s knew him and interacted with him prior to the abolitionist movement. I am left wondering if because of this relationship, Elizabeth and George Fisher also became abolitionists. For more information: http://visitoswegocounty.com/wp-content/uploads/Edwin-W.-and-Charlotte-Clarke-House-house-5.pdf ↩︎
- These are two port cities on Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River, respectively. Niagara is located on Lake Ontario at the western-most part of New York State, and Ogdensburg is located at the northeast tip of New York, bordering the St. Lawrence River. By the tone of this sentence, it seems Elizabeth is quite impressed the steamboat can pass this distance in five days. ↩︎
- Who are these men? And why are they coming to see Dan Huntington? ↩︎
- Elizabeth Porter Huntington Fisher’s husband, George Fisher ↩︎
- I am not sure who “George” refers to. In context, it seems as if George was a child who died at a young age. Elizabeth and George Fisher did have a son named George, but he was not born until 1832 and lived until 1910. Nonetheless, it seems the unfortunate death of “little George” leads Elizabeth into giving spiritual advice to Frederic. ↩︎
- This probably alludes to Catherine Carey Huntington, the second-youngest of Dan and Elizabeth Huntington’s eleven children. Catherine died in 1830 at the age of thirteen, and this was an extremely tragic event for the family. Elizabeth hopes Catherine will “minister” to George by greeting him in Heaven. ↩︎
- In Matthew 7:7-8 Jesus returns to the subject of prayer, promising that God will respond to them. Matthew 7:9-11 use metaphors to explain the benefits of prayer. Thus when Elizabeth encourages Frederic to “practice the duty enjoined in the 7th chapter of Matthew,” she encourages him to pray. ↩︎
- Matthew 7:21 continues Jesus’ warning against false prophets. This verse states that Jesus will reject some of those who claim to be good Christians if they have not carried out the will of God. ↩︎
- Levi Lincoln was the governor of Massachusetts from 1825 until 1834. ↩︎
- Probably refers to Bethia and Mary Huntington, who was sixteen at the time of this letter. ↩︎