Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1842.06.08 – Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, June 8, 1842
Description
Elizabeth starts off her letter to Edward by saying that Edward’s brother Frederic has just surprised them by showing up to the house and is taking a nap on the couch. She then discusses how the people of Hadley talk to much, and this causes unhappiness in society. Elizabeth says how their cousins have reported flattering things of Edward and his wife Helen, and the “domestic happiness” of their house and garden. The subject then switches back to the family staying in Elizabeth’s house; Theophilus has been hosting to some family friends, the family had tea with them, and then Theodore brought them to Northampton. Elizabeth then mentions a journey they took, and instead of talking about the details of that, she decides to get down to the real importance of her letter: butter. Elizabeth explains that she has lent quite a bit of butter to Theodore and only has a couple pounds left of good butter. She discusses some specifics about when and how the butter was made, and criticizes that there isn’t a cash market to sell her butter. Elizabeth concludes her letter by saying she has not forgotten to write Edward a letter, and that she tries to write as frequently as she can. Written in the left margin of the letter, Elizabeth includes a “P.S.” to Edward, asking him to give Helen her kindest regard, and expressing that Bethia will send him some “sweet pea” when she can.
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1842-06-08
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Dear Edward, Elm Valley June 8th 1842-
Wednesday afternoon
Two hours ago, we were quite surprised by the appearance of Frederic among us, and as much pleased as surprised. He is now taking a comfortable nap on the settee and I improve the times in writing. Among all the evils for which Hadley is famous, this of being silent cannot be [one?]; too much talking I think is the cause of much of the unhappiness that exists in society and if the good people of Hadley would have to bite their tongues, one fruitful source of sin would be removed. But what you say of silence in Theodore’s letter, relates I suppose, to the scarcity of the letters between here and Cabotville. Our cousins give us a very flattering account of you and Helen – and of the house and garden, which may all be comprised in these two words, domestic happiness. Theophilus has entertained the friend today and some of our family are going to drink tea with them there, they return here this evening. Yesterday Theodore took them over to Northampton in the afternoon- your mother also; we called at Charles’s and rode upon round hill – came back by the way of Mr. Nichols and Doct. Halls’–.
Wednesday evening you will not expect much from me at this time- I have been thinking hard for several days about writing to you, and giving you a faint idea of our sojourn at the eart [sic] but as Frederic has given you a call, and must have had time to go over all the subject, I may as well come to business without further delay. As to the butter – (a very important article among the Huntingtons, to say nothing of the estimation in which it is held by the Porters) – I have lent several pounds to Theodore, and on that account have only four pounds of what I call really good butter to spare at this time- this he’s upon the top- bring one large cake a piece of which is cut off – and these small ones which are stamped– The large roll at the bottom is some that was churned on Monday- and not having a ready market for it in cash I laid it down in a jar- of course it is more salted than will be agreeable to us upon the table but may answer the purpose of cooking. [8\xa2] of it all perhaps in the course of two or three weeks we can send you some more. Theodore sells his to Nathan Clarke for [tobacco] and half [indecipherable]. – I have not forgotten that I owe you a letter- and probably always shall – but I can and do send you once in a while a half sheet of paper blotted over, with the signature of your ever affectionate mother Elizabeth
Written in the left margin of the letter
Tell Helen I think of her with the kindest regard, as well as yourself– Bethia says she has [indecipherable] of the sweet pea – if she can procure any she will send you some by the first opportunity—-