Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1837.01.31 – Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Jan. 31, 1837
Description
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington writes to her son, Edward Huntington. She first asks him about leaving, worrying that the weather has prevented it. She mentions that the letter is being delivered by Sarah, a cousin. She discusses comings and goings in the house and reminds him of her love. After the first ending, there is an additional line about Mary’s guitar. She then picks up writing again the next day to explain her worries about her own death and the deaths of two community members. She then emphasizes her happiness that Edward and his siblings are Christians and reminds him to keep his faith. After one more ending, she adds a few more lines about Theophilus getting injured and Frederic‘s performance in school.
Creator
Elizabeth Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 4)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1837-01-31
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Hadley Jan: 31st 1837 Tuesday evening-
Dear Edward,
Having learned by Charles, that you intend to prolong your stay in Boston several weeks, I take the opportunity by cousin Sarah, who leaves tomorrow, to send you a few lines. I have been expecting daily to hear of your departure, for New Brunswick, and have thought that you might horribly have suffered some inconvenience from the severity of the weather, but committing you to the merciful protection of our heavenly Father I have endeavored to rest, with out anxiety. How forlorn and wretched though we go, without this refuge!
William arrived yesterday. He has taken his leave of Hubbardston. He has received a letter from Mr Bullows of Littleton requesting him to return there. Your father went with him to Northampton, this afternoon, they returned in season to take tea with cousin Sarah and Marrianne, who spent the evening here, and were joined by their brother Charles. This last circumstance is worthy of notice as he has not for a long time^before’ given us the pleasure.
In awe of Charles’s letters, he says you may be here the first of Feb, but as it is possible you may not arrive, and as we have none of us honoured you with a letter, I felt inclined to remind you of home and to give you our warm assurance of of this unfailing affection.
of your mother Elisabeth-,
Mary’s guittar was carried over yesterday, much to her satisfaction. It is thought to be a fine one,-
Wednesday afternoon. Before I send this over, I must add a few words upon a subject which concerns us all. For my self I can have little time left, and it becomes me to stand daily watching-and not suffer that Day to come upon me unexpectedly-
But by the death of those in the bloom of youth, and infancy, the young should be admonished. Lucy Brown, is fast’ wasting away, and Doctor Flint thinks she will hardly live a week-but her hope is bright, and she gives her friends cheering evidence that to die will be gain. Mrs. Rice of Williamsburg was buried a week ago last sabbath. You have probably heard of the very sudden death of the wife of Sam^l Wills of N-.
Amid the hurry of business or the allurements of the world, I am happy in the thought, that my children, thou whom I love as my self, are followers of Jesus, and that they are governed by their christian principles which will shield them from the dan=
=ger, to which their circumstances might expose them.
Committing you to God, the guidance of his spirit, and the protection of his providence I remain yours truly
E_
I hope you will write often and tell us what you are doing and what you intend to do-Theophilus has been confined not to the house, but from the woods, the scene of his labour, for a month last, in consequence of having frozen his toes. He has suffered very little pain, but the wound on his left great toe is deep, and will not probably allow him to wear a boot for two or three weeks. Frederic has succeeded very well with his school-so far-he comes home [once] in two weeks-I hope yet that you will come and see us, before you leave this region wholly-
A woman’s letter has one two or three postscripts, so then is [complete–
Exterior:
Mr. Edward P. Huntington
Boston
By the kind help of Miss Sarah Phelps