Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1829.04.21 – Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Apr. 21, 1829
Description
This letter is made up of two parts: one written by John Huntington’s sister Catherine, the other written by his mother Elizabeth. Both parts are general updates about life at home. They write a lot about their family members (like Pa, Theophilus, Bethia) as well as about neighbors and townspeople. Elizabeth updates John about the spread and effect of disease and death in town, which may have been interesting to him because he probably knew the people she wrote about. The most intriguing part about this letter was Elizabeth’s cryptic mention of the “expected object”; she goes on to talk about the status of the help at home. Catherine does not mention religion at all, but her mother brings it up twice, as what seems like a way to remind John to thank God for his health and situation currently and in the future.
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1829-04-21
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Hadley April 21 1829
My dear brother,
We received your letter last Wednesday with a great deal of pleasure.
Pa preached at Enfield last Sunday and on his way home yesterday he called at Mr. Belcher’s in Granby. Susan was in better health than when in Hadley and intends to spend a few weeks at Saybrook.
The river has risen a great deal and the meadow is now nearly covered with water. It has been raining for two or three days past but has cleared off cold today.
Edward intends to go to New-York in a few days to purchase goods for the store. Rev Jonathan Smith formerly a minister in Martha’s Vineyard died last week. Sadly Warner was also buried last week: Arthur and Theophilus go to school at the Academy they have a large school and the instructors give universal satisfaction and hope.
As Helen has a girl I hope she will write oftener. Give my love to her and Charles and write soon to your affectionate sister,
Catherine
Friday afternoon
As Catherine has a little spare paper I take the liberty to use some of it. Since your Pa wrote to you, we received a letter from Charles, and another from yourself – I thank you for mine – and am very glad that you are satisfied with waiting till commencement, for the expected object – I have no doubt you are pleased with your present situation, and are making as rapid improvement as you could anywhere – . I am thankful Helen has help – whether she really has help though, in only a girl you do not say. – I should like to know more about it – We have parted with Rene – she is keeping house for Deacon Williams – the place of all others which she would have chosen. Sickness and death continue their ravages among us – Solomon Cook I think died since you left – the mother of deacon Elisha Dickinson is also dead – Erastus Smith junior has buried a child also. There are now nine persons sick; among them are Doctor Goodhue (he is able to walk about however) Mrs. Col. Porter, who was taken last Saturday with the typhus fever and is considered dangerous – the wife of Thomas West, Samuel Cox and others -. Thro’ the goodness of God we yet enjoy health – may we be suitably thankful.
Since Mr Woodbridge’s society voted to add 150 dollar to his salary – ten or a dozen individuals have had a meeting and signed a paper with a view to forming another society – Mr West and Capt. Parsons are the leaders – . The weather in Hadley seems to look rather squally – .
Edward left us Wednesday for New York. Before he went James came down and a division of the goods was begun; to be finished at a future time.
Theophilus and Theodore are very busy about the farm – since you left us, Theophilus has begun to read Monc’s Universal Geography – I don’t know how far he has proceeded – .
Arthur Phelps and little Theophilus attend school at the Academy – . Your Pa has heard nothing [indecipherable] his [indecipherable] yet.
We speak of you often, and think of you much oftener – and all wish much to see you – .
We have received a letter from William dated [indecipherable]. He left Oswego on foot, and is now going to study men – as he says, Indians I suppose he means – is going to visit the Wyandots – Detroit etc – or – if he carries with him the fear and love of God he is safe – without these we are none of us safe, and can never be really happy – let us commend him to the care of Heaven.
Your affectionate mother,
Elizabeth B. Huntington
Give a great deal of love to Charles and Helen – Bethia is waiting for her letters. Your stockings are [ready] and I shall send them by the first opportunity with your other things. You [indecipherable] better with and tell what articles you shall want for summer.