Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1802.01.09 – Elizabeth Porter Phelps to Charles Phelps Jr., Jan. 9, 1802
Description
In a fragmented letter to her husband, Charles Phelps, Elizabeth Porter Phelps writes about the friends who are visiting them at the time. It is said that Elizabeth often hosted people very frequently, so the list of names in this letter adds to that knowledge. The letter is also filled with words that are no longer used, including tarry, which means to delay or be tardy in doing an action or the word repent, which meant back then “to view or think of (any action, occasion, or thing) with dissatisfaction and regret, esp. because of unwelcome consequences for oneself” (OED). Elizabeth also writes in a fragmented style with grammatical errors and shorthand spellings most likely due to the fact that her husband was more aware of the situations she was describing so she need not over explain. In the beginning of the letter it seems like Elizabeth was traveling with someone, perhaps with Reuben who may be a servant as suggested by writing his name without putting a courtesy title before it. Or she may be traveling with this Mr H. In the middle of the letter Elizabeth mentions basic house reports. Later on in the letter Elizabeth says “smart folks” and by this she means that if Charles has any relatives who can dress up nicely and Charles would like for them to stay at the house then she is notifying him where the keys are. At the end of the letter Elizabeth is asking for Charles’ forgiveness for breaking the seal to his letter and it was important during this time period for seals to not be broken because if they were then it meant someone may have been reading the letter or tampering with it and it was a breach of trust, so she is asking for forgiveness.
Creator
Elizabeth Porter Phelps
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 5 Folder 13)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1802-01-09
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Brimfield January, 9, 1802
My Dear friend,
It seemed to be the mind of our friends here, that Reuben had better tarry yesterday, & rest the horse, but the weather this morning looks very heavy & I fear we shall repent it – I got along full as well as I could expect, a little before & we arrived here in safety – all as comfortable as can be expected, Mr [H?] has got a cold and terrible cough has had it about a month, no appetite scarcely. If it don’t get better, seems to me he must injure his vitals he keep about. I have tried my plan and pushed matters as far as I dare, without the least success – it does appear that there may be an alteration soon, but we cannot tell.
There are two pies on the tower shelf in the old closet which had better be eat. & the key of the south west chamber-door is in my stocking drawer, at the south west corner, if you should have smart folks to lodge you may want it. – the key of the parlour-chamber-door is in the same place – if you want the keys of the other chambers you may find them in the parlour-chamber
Deacon Brown was here last evening he got home before dark, set out about 10. So that we rode near as fast as he did we made Mrs Ward a short night last night tell her mother she grows better rode out yesterday–has got a very fine son– I hope you will pardon my breaking the seal of your letter as therewas no other way to get at mine that we may all be the care of a kind, providence, in the ardent prayer of your faithful wife.
E.P.
My love to all the folks and friends
Don’t forget me
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