1796.11.07 – Charles Phelps Jr. to Elizabeth Porter Phelps, Nov. 7, 1796

18th cen.: Porter and Phelps family correspondence including enslavement and servitude documents

Letter

Dublin Core

Title

1796.11.07 Charles Phelps Jr. to Elizabeth Porter Phelps, Nov. 7, 1796

Description

Charles Phelps Jr. writes to his wife, Elizabeth Porter Phelps, to detail his trip to Boston. On the way to Boston, he arrived in Spencer to visit an unnamed girl who would be coming to Hadley near Thanksgiving–possibly as a domestic servant. While in Boston, he visits friends, including their daughter Betsey who is being provided room and board by Mrs. Smith and Mr. White. Mr. Phelps, who was Hadley’s representative to the Massachusetts State Legislature at the time, notes the importance of the “public business” in Boston and is unsure when he will be back home. 

Creator

Charles Phelps Jr.

Source

Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4 Folder 3)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives

Date

1796-11-07

Rights

public domain

Type

Correspondence

Transcription

Mrs. Elizabeth Phelps

Honor by

Captain-Porter Hadley 

My Dear Wife Boston 7th Nov 1796

Having an opportunity by Captain Porter to write home – would inform you that we arrived in Boston yesterday morning about 8 of the clock in the morning – and had a comfortable journey — We saw the girl at Spencer and she has agreed to postpone coming to Hadley until near Thanksgiving. 

On our arrival in Boston we found our friends well – Betsey is living with a Mrs. Smith at Mr. Wm Whites. Mr. White has broke up housekeeping and boards with her —

I apprehend we shall have a short Session – Perhaps I may be home the next week – but cannot determine certainly – the public business is of importance and I shall tarry so long as is [necessary?] to complete it in haste I am  my dear wife your affectionate husband Chas. Phelps