Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1843.07.08 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, July 8, 1843
Description
This is a letter written by Elizabeth Huntington to her youngest son, Frederic Dan Huntington, who is living in Boston in 1843. She expresses her pleasure that Frederic is well and her relief at receiving word from him. She voices her approval of the new preacher Mr. Ellis, and tells Frederic about the 4th of July celebration held in Northampton, where Mr. Ellis gave a service. She describes the home baptism of his brother Charles’ new daughter: Harriette Mills Huntington. She updates Frederic on the health and farming, preaching and travel activities of his father Dan Huntington, brother Theophilus, sister Bethia, brother Edward and niece Helen Sophia who has been ill. She expresses gratitude for her own health and strength, but acknowledges that she is old in age, and feels the end of her life is nearing. Dan Huntington includes a note at the end about securing funds for a silk business, which Elizabeth had previously mentioned he was interested in.
Creator
Elizabeth Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1843-07-08
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Elm Valley July 8th 1843.–
Thanks to you, dear Frederic, that the silence is broken; a thousand thanks for the pleasant words sent by cousin Theophilus, but especially let our united thanks rise to the Father of all our mercies, for his goodness to us while you were here, and since your return, we can hardly form a wish that is not granted and we have little to desire more of worldly blessings, in addition to what we already enjoy, our constant and earnest prayer should be that our lives may better correspond with the obligations we are under and that we may be prepared to meet the trials and improve the sorrows of life in such a manner, and to become in some humble degree like the captain of our salvation “perfect thr o’ suffering.”
Your course for the last year has been, apparently, singularly prosperous. May you never be satisfied with a portion in this life—may you feel and manifest such an indifference to the enjoyments of the present world merely as shall convince all over whom you have influence, that you have not made this your resting place, and that the pomps and vanities and luxuries of the present life, are wholly unworthy of the serious regard of a minister and follower of Jesus.
I am glad you have escaped from the city, and that you have found a cool and quiet retreat – and also have found that in our days there are some “given to hospitality.” I trust you will be better as well as happier for having been an inmate in Mr. Putnam’s family. This morning we had a very pleasant call from Mr. James Mills and wife, Mrs. Clark, Gertrude Charlotte Blake, Charles and Helen and little Edward. Mr. and Mrs. Mills spoke becomingly of you and Hannah. On the 4th as it was a busy time with your brothers, your father and I were obliged to represent our family at Northampton. The weather was delightful and the addresses good, Mr. Ellis excellent, the grounds were ornamented with great taste, and the bowers, filled with refreshments, were decorated with all the multitude and variety of flowers, which the season could afford. It was tho’t that about three thousand persons were present. Last sabbath Mr. Ellis for the first time performed the service at the Lord’s table. It was done most seriously and impressively, before the exercise began, Mr. Whitman his daughter who married in Pittsfield [xxxx] made a profession of her faith & it was good to hear the articles of our belief repeated—our ministers have heretofore been quite too much afraid of forms. I hope our new minister will produce a change among us in many respects—our hearts are turned to him—may the Lord assist him to advance the kingdom of Christ—even among the dry bones of our society.
After the afternoon public services, Charles’ youngest child was baptized at home by the name of Harriette Mills. We went up and witnessed with much satisfaction the observance of this interesting rite. Mr. Ellis has improved vastly as a preacher, he is very ready in extemporaneous effusions, and his prayers are remarkable, exceedingly good. A week ago yesterday your father carried Bethia to Cabotville and left her. She returned on Wednesday by stage. Two weeks ago today Theodore went to Eastford after Mrs. Sumner—they returned the Monday following. Since that time he has not been as well as usual—you know the heat and labor of the season do not suit his constitution. He has consulted Doct. Stacy, and taken some medicine, and was better than he was a week ago. Having engaged a man to help about the mowing I hope he will recruit. The sheep yard front yard and piece above the garden are all done and the hay secured. Also the piece at the foot of Pleasant hill—and I believe some others. We had a letter from William Tuesday, he writes cheerfully and trustfully, tho’ he says the crop of wheat will be small. He had heard of a package which you sent by Mr. Moore which he was hoping soon to obtain. Edward intends to make a visit of a week or two soon to his friends in this region, that is in Hadley, Northampton, and Deerfield. —Mr. Chase has returned, which will give him some relief from labour & confinement. Helen Sophia has been gaining since you left us—her cough has nearly left her, and she attended worship with us last sabbath in the morning and at the Lord’s table. May the goodness of God lead us all to repentance and holy obedience.
Your father has preached at Deerfield once since you left, he is quite engaged with his numerous family—I believe he told you of his intention to try the silk business again. His health is generally good—better than in former years. Since your visit, Bethia and I have had time to remember and talk over the pleasant circumstances attending our intercourse with you and Hannah—within as few days we have been trying to account for your not having written to us—and have feared that unwillingly we might have given you or Hannah some cause for grief or displeasure. We rejoice that it is not so, and that your recollection as well as ours have been grateful and satisfying.
Your brother Theophilus and his family are in usual health. He is in the midst of haying. Theophilus Phelps has come back resolved on work, quite a different sort of man from what he was when he went away—cheerful, social, and active.
I am quite astonished at the degree of strength and ease which I am able to exert and enjoy—I would be thankful for it while it continues—but it cannot last long—the allotted period of man’s life on earth, for me, is well nigh made up—be it so, I would not go back—my life has been filled, crowded, with blessings—but as it has also been polluted with sins and follies—I look with an earnest, tho’ trembling desire to that brighter world, where sin, and pain and darkness and death cannot come, and pardoning mercy will cover all imperfection. With the most affectionate remembrances to our Dear Hannah, who is dear for her own sake as well as your’s—I am truly your loving mother Elizabeth. Kind regard from all quarters to you both.
[written sideways on the sheet carrying the address]
With the papers last sent you, concerning the silk business, you will find both from Theophilus & us, what you mentioned as necessary to get the money –
DH–
Rev. Frederic D. Huntington
Boston
To be left at Walter Hales Hotel–