Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1842.08.05 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Aug. 5th, 1842
Description
Elizabeth’s letter to Frederic describes her current state, as well as the health of other members of the Huntington family. She tells Frederic of her expedition to Northampton during the Sabbath, and listening to Mr. Smith’s sermon. She also speaks of her recent cold, which has since healed. Elizabeth also speaks about her other sons, including Edward and Theophilus. She also informs Frederic of how his father (her husband) is preaching, and the trivial actions of his other siblings. She tells Frederic she wishes to hear from him soon, particularly within a week.
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1842-08-05
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elm Valley 5th August 1842
My dear
Frederic,
The few days that have [passed?] since you left us have carried us along very tranquilly and given us opportunity to look over the proceeding week- in doing this I find it something like other weeks-a mixture of good and evil-many mercies to be thankful for, and many errors to be lamented. On the sabbath
B. […] and I went to Northampton1 in the carriage-with Frank for our driver and we succeeded well-we had a refreshing shower during the [inter…] and the afternoon service, but it was all over before we set out for home. Mr. Smith gave us in the morning a very interesting sermon upon these words. To be spiritually minded is life.2 In the afternoon the sermon was very good, upon these words, Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.3 Owing probably to the change of air on the sabbath, I believe I took cold, for Monday night found me where you you predicted I should be, soon after your departure. That is, sick in bed-but nothing the […], and two or three cups of hot sage tea, taken after going into a warm bed scented with a […], to work a cure, and the next day I was about as well as usual-and continued to be so. If you undertake to prophecy again, prophecy good and not evil. Possibly however what you said might have induced me to my prompt and energetic means on the occasion.
Edward returned about three o’clock Saturday, drunk tea at Theophilus’ and left about five.
It occurred to me after you left us, that the desk of
Mary, which you spoke of taking, was not with your baggage-the reason of your leaving it was, I suppose, negligence in not taking out the paper and giving it to you. I regret very much that I was so inattentive, but will endeavor to see that you have it, when you next visit us, which will be I hope in a few weeks..when do you preach the two last sabbaths in August?
I am rather reluctant to give you another errand to the office of the Advocate of Peace4 but as they appear not to understand how to direct this publication to your brother, Theophilus without me to ask you, if you find it convenient, to inform them as to his name-direct to North-Hadley.5
I hardly know where to visit you in my [thoughts?]. The weather has been so cool, that you might be very comfortable in Boston6 and by mingling a little among the people of your congregation, you might form a more […] opinion of them and their properties than you would otherwise. The Lord give you understanding in all things-He who hear the cry of the young raven, will surely give spiritual light and guidance to his humble praying children.7
The Advocate of Peace has come-also last evening the last [humanitarian?] […] by Mr. Motts. Wednesday morning a pamphlet from Mr. Hoppin for you, which your father has now and we send in with this from the Hadley Post Office. I hope this will reach you tomorrow-Saturday -and that we shall then hear from you, if not, by Friday at farthest.
Your father is employing his leisure time in drawing from the stories of divine truth, such […] as may […] and save some souls. Preaching is […] fatiguing to him than bodily labour.
Bethia amuses herself by making old […] into a new ring-
Theodore has a […] from his farming business, and spends his days with the men who are finishing his house. […] left us yesterday morning for Eastford8 to be […] a […]- as he rode off in your sulky which your father offered him for the journey, Elizabeth9 told him they would take him for a minister.
Theophilus is well- his health this summer has been uncommonly good- Eliza10 took an […] yesterday to […] off a nausea which has troubled her of late- and it seems to have succeeded admirably. But enough […] of this. I will only give you the kind regards of your friend here in addition to the unchanging love of your mother
Elizabeth-
The Lord bless thee and keep thee and had thee in the paths of truth and righteousness for his names sake. Pray for us.
- Northampton is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. ↩︎
- Romans 8:6 ↩︎
- Proverbs 14:34 ↩︎
- The Advocate of Peace was a journal on peace and world affairs published by the American Peace Society. They started publishing in 1834 and still publish today under the name World Affairs. ↩︎
- Located in the town of Hadley in Massachusetts. ↩︎
- Frederic is a Pastor in Boston ↩︎
- It is known that the raven force out their young from the nest at a very young age, sometimes when they are barely able to find food on their own. Elizabeth is referencing a bible verse that says that if God takes care of the young ravens, he will also take care of us. (Luke 12:24) ↩︎
- Eastford is a town in Connecticut. 10 A light two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage for one person. ↩︎
- Elizabeth Sumner (1816-1885) is Theodore’s wife. They married in 1840, lived in Hadley, and had no children. ↩︎
- Eliza Fitch Lyon (1817-1892) is Theophilus’ wife. They married in 1840, had three children together, and lived in Hadley. ↩︎