Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1841.07.16 – Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Jul. 16th, 1841
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1841-07-16
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elm Valley July 16th 1841
Dear Edward,
On reading the date of this, you will doubtless call to mind the event which in our recollection is connected with it. The return of a birthday of any member of our family1, hardly ever fails to bring to my recollection our dear Whiting, and I welcome any occurrence which carries my thou’ts upward, to mingle with the pure in heart who see God.2 Probably the reason why these seasons remind me of Whiting is the scrupulous attention which he himself showed on these occasions — some poetical effusion was often written, and we cannot doubt that his prayers were fervent and constant.
We had the pleasure of being present on Wednesday, at the baptism of Charles’ infant. Your father performed the service by particular request. Elizabeth, Bethia and myself accompanied him, Theodore was detained at home by work and working men.
Theophilus and his wife also went. Mr. Edward Clarke and his family were there, Miss Stanton and Miss Blake from Boston and Mrs. Pierce from Cambridge, after the baptism a hymn was sung and Mrs. Clarke accompanied it with the piano.3 The occasion was peculiarly interesting to Mrs. and Mr. Clarke as the child was named for them; Edward Stanton.
We are expecting Frederic tomorrow. Your father goes to Bernardston to preach on the Sabbath.
This has been a week of great business. The meadow has been mown since Monday morning, and the hay is nearly all in the barn. Theodore was quite unwell last week, but is better, and with the help of two men, and the blessing of our heavenly Father has done wonders. Theophilus went last Saturday to [Abington crossed out] Eastfield with Mrs. Lyon4, left home about nine in the morning, and reached there about nine at night went over to Abington Sabbath morning. He returned Monday about three o’clock. The people of Hadley5 are now formally divided, and the ministers have been convened this week, to organize the new church. It is said they are to have Mr. Woodbridge for their pastor — or rather there is talk of it.6
I think I must expect you to give us a look next week, on your way to the ordination. Your father will go without doubt. Theodore intends to take his wife — and I suppose Theophilus will take his; Frederic I think will enjoy the occasion, and Bethia also. As for me, I feel more like staying where I am than like turning off upon a new track. These two or three warm days we have had make me feel heavy and indolent. I hope it is not sinful to desire that we may at length be admitted to that state where we may be ever active without weariness or imperfection and ever exercising [those crossed out] those affections which will be well-pleasing to Him who searcheth7 the heart.
We are surrounded here with every thing we can desire of a temporal nature. It seems as if the eye would not be satisfied with seeing the works of the Creator, nor the ear satisfied with hearing the melodies of our various feathered friends. The earth pours out to us her multiplied production, and what do we want more? One thing we want, more of the purifying influences of the Divine spirit, to transform us into the image of our Lord and Master.8
You will be glad I am sure to have me leave the rest of this sheet9 when I tell you that I have exhausted my stock of news, and that as to sentiment there is not a particle of it within my reach. But stop, there is another item of intelligence; Bethia and Elizabeth are just fixing off to join a small party at Deacon Dickinson’s10, whither Theodore has not strength or passion, or courage, or a disposition to accompany them. He has an unconquerable aversion to parties — offers very kindly to carry them down, but utterly refuses to join the company. What do you think of it?
With the truest motherly affection
Believe me as ever yours,
E. W. P. Huntington
The sofa is six feet seven inches in length.11
[Addressed:] For the Reverend William P. Huntington
Mittsboro, Illinois
Footnotes:
- This must refer to the July 16 birthday of the third child of Dan and Elizabeth, William Pitkin Huntington (1804-1855). After attending Harvard and Hickman Seminary, William moved westward in the 1830s, living, teaching, and preaching as a Unitarian minister in Illinois, Buffalo, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The final address indicated on this letter, “For the Reverend William P. Huntington Mittsboro, Illinois,” suggests that Edward may have forwarded his mother’s letter to his older brother, William, who was then living in Mittsboro, a now-defunct Illinois town. ↩︎
- In writing to one of her sons on the birthday of another Elizabeth recalls the son who has died. ↩︎
- Friends and other church members present at the Baptism. These people would have been familiar, at the very least, to Edward – if not friends. ↩︎
- In proximity to Theophilus, the designation “Mrs. Lyon,” likely refers to the mother of Eliza Fitch Lyon (1817-1892), whom Theophilus had recently married around 1840. ↩︎
- The town where the homestead (“Forty Acres,” or “Elm Valley”) is located. ↩︎
- Perhaps she is referring to Rev. John Woodbridge, who was ordained in Hadley in 1810. ↩︎
- An outdated word for “search,” with Biblical implications. In this context, she is likely referring to Romans 8:27: “And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” ↩︎
- Faith and organized religion were an integral part of the Huntington family’s life, motivating both its spiritual growth and its occupational development and attainment. Here, Elizabeth stresses the cornucopia of earthly pleasures that the homestead and the farm have to offer, but indicates that even these blissful satisfactions only leave her evermore eager for true divine guidance. ↩︎
- Paper was scarce, compelling Elizabeth to apologize for starting on a new page without filling the present one up. ↩︎
- She may be referring to the homestead of Deacon Simeon Dickinson (1794-1890), who was a Deacon of the church and lived in Hadley until 1860. ↩︎
- 11. Providing measurements of this couch may suggest that Edward was interested in moving this piece of family furniture to his home. ↩︎