Letter
Dublin Core
Title
1844.06.02 – Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, June 2, 1844
Description
The letter is from Elizabeth to her son describing her trip to visit his sister and her respective family. The mother begins with her trip and gives some specific details about the visit. She says that the family hopes to move to Oswego while some of the boys stay and finish in school. She then divulges the family life at home with the father working the fields still. She ends in a very maternal way saying that she is constantly thinking of him and Hannah during their excursions. The letter utilizes religious language toward the end. The overall theme emphasizes the family.
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
1844-06-02
Rights
public domain
Type
Correspondence
Transcription
Rev. Frederic D. Huntington
Boston–
Mrs. Carter.
Northampton June 2d 1844- Sabbath morning
My Dear Frederic,
From the hospitable home of your sister Fisher, I shall send you a few lines by Mrs. Carter, who intends going to Boston tomorrow or on Wednesday. I expect to go home today after divine service – having been absent almost a fortnight. Were Charles as communicative as some persons, there would be no need of my telling you what we have been doing here for a few weeks past; but knowing his peculiar aversion to news-telling, I think it may not be amiss to give you some particulars. The day on which Charles went to Boston I came over, having Theophilus’s wife quite sick, and in danger of a settled fever. During Charles’s absence, I remained at his house, with Bethia and the children, and came here the day after his return. Mrs. Fisher1 has been very busy in preparing for their removal and tomorrow, (and tomorrow crossed out) Mr. F will begin packing up in earnest. In hopes to be able to leave here with Elizabeth, Catherine2, and Edward3 in about a week. Mrs. Fisher will remain, and after visiting Boston, spend the time with Charles, with us at Hadley, and at Southampton with the boys, ’til their term closes in August, when they also will follow on to Oswego.4
Yesterday I took a walk with your sisters… we called on Mrs. Nichols5, who is now quite busy in making a thin dress of brown linen for Mr. Ellis6– he mentioned to her his intention of purchasing such a garment, and it is her plan to provide one for him. He went to Springfield yesterday on an exchange with Mr. Peabody.7 I hope it (inserted: the ride) will do him good. I think he feels too intensely for the sick and [afflicted] among his peoples. This is indicated by faint turns which sometimes trouble him after visiting them. Have you read the life of Mr. Homer? God grant that our minister may not be as speedily removed.
Your father wrote you a long letter not long ago, and hoped to have an answer from you soon. He is busy at home with a small piece of land on the hill northeast of the house, and has probably by this time began with the silkworms.8 Amidst all your labours and cares, you might be excused from noticing us here who are so distant, but another highly valued gift by Lizzie Fisher9, assures me that you are still the same ever mindful (inserted: of) and attentive to your mother. The Lord gives you without measure of the treasures of his grace, that you may impart abundantly to those who need. —-
I think often with great satisfaction of the worthy people with whom we became acquainted during our stay with you, the Ellis’s , the Hayne’s, and the Justin’s. Mrs. Hayne the elder expressed a hope that you might not become transcendental in your opinion or preaching. — I was greatly pleased with her. May we meet them all in yonder brighter purer world. Until then may we do the work assigned us, and by patient continuance in the way of well doing hope to be forgiven and accepted thru’ the well beloved of the Father. To Hannah10 give my best love and be assured that day and (inserted: night) you are both on my heart before the mercy-seat.11 I am disappointed that you have engaged [indecipherable] for the hot weather. I was hoping we should have you with us. Theophilus and C and W have gone to Abington…
Most truly and ever your affectionate mother
Elisabeth —
- This is the mother-in-law of Elizabeth Huntington Fisher ↩︎
- Oswego is the prosperous, young port city where Elizabeth Huntington Fisher and George Fisher lived. Here George was the President of the North West Insurance Company. ↩︎
- Catherine Whiting Fisher was one of George and Elizabeth’s children ↩︎
- Edward “Ned” Thorton Fisher was the youngest son of George and Elizabeth Fisher ↩︎
- Mrs. Nichols could refer to either Lydia Ropes Nichols or her daughter-in-law Sarah Nichols (Sarah Hunt Mills) who was married to Benjamin Nichols, the Harvard graduate and teacher at the Round Hill School in Northampton. ↩︎
- “Mr. Ellis” might refer to Rufus Ellis, the unitarian preacher in Northampton. He was a friend of Frederic Dan Huntington, and occasionally, Rev. Dan Huntington and Mr. Ellis would preach at one another’s services. ↩︎
- “Mr. Peabody” could be the William Bourn Oliver Peabody of Springfield, Ma. He was a Pastor for the Unitarian Congregation. ↩︎
- Northampton, including the Porter-Phelps Huntingtons were huge producers of silk ↩︎
- We think this is a nickname for Elizabeth Huntington Fisher ↩︎
- Frederic Dan Huntington married Hannah Sargent in 1843. ↩︎
- [11] The mercy-seat is the gold lid of the Ark of the Covenant. God is said to dwell, or sit between the cherubim, on the mercy-seat. There he would give his law, and hear supplicants, as a prince on his throne. Mercy-seat is connected with the Day of Atonement. ↩︎