1
10
2
-
https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/files/original/4478e2a5cc18cbed88d4231d0df3087f.pdf
e1f0ac8c00f5a497fec1b676d8ee8400
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
19th cen: Huntington family correspondence
Subject
The topic of the resource
Original documents and annotated transcriptions primarily of letters between Elizabeth and Dan Huntington and their eleven children.
Description
An account of the resource
Original documents and annotated transcriptions primarily of letters between Elizabeth and Dan Huntington and their eleven children.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
These letters are the property of the University Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives. This is an ongoing project and additional letters will be added over time.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Contact UMass SCUA for permission to publish or reproduce these materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
A project of the Amherst College American Studies course "Global Valley" in collaboration with the Porter Phelps Huntington Foundation and University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
1835.10.08 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Oct. 8th, 1835
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Correspondence
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1835-10-08
Description
An account of the resource
In this letter, Elizabeth writes to her son Frederic and updates him on daily happenings in hopes that he does not forget his family while away at school at nearby Amherst College. While the family misses him, they do not mourn, and life goes on. There are efforts to start a singing school in Hadley to be taught by Mr. Kingsley. Fanny, Elizabeth’s granddaughter and Charles’ daughter, appeared to be near death Thursday but is well enough to attend school the following Wednesday. Dan Huntington’s birthday on Sabbath day prompts a brief passage about how death should not be feared but rather considered a gate to endless joy. Several of Elizabeth’s children visit her over the course of the week, and Charles and wife Helen visit Mount Warner with the Clarke family while Harriet, daughter Elizabeth, and Mary visit along with Theodore. Elizabeth laments that she cannot see Halley’s comet very well and that she and Dan have conflicting calls for tea Wednesday. Edward writes that he will be away for several more weeks, and Elizabeth receives a letter from Mrs. Fisher detailing a devastating mill fire.
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
Elm Valley - Oct. 8th 1835 - Thursday Evening 7-
My Dear Frederic,
I am going to do what I recommended to you to do, keep a sort of record of the events of the day; and when I have a convenient opportunity send it to you, that you may not lose all knowledge of us, or interest in us.
We have visited you several times today in spirit, and in conversation, and I imagine you have arranged your furniture, and swept and dusted your room, and find yourself with your room-mate very comfortably situated, and ready and able to go on with your studies to advantage. I am quite happy in this persuasion; because we read in the Book of books, this direction, and promise united; "Commit thy way unto the Lord and he shall give thee the desire of thine heart;[1] In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."[2]
The two brothers have gone into town to collect, if they can, seventy persons who will be willing to unite in forming a singing school to be taught by Mr. Kingsley. This gentleman has agreed to teach three months in Hadley, twice a week, for the sum of 175 dollars; 25 less than they offered him at Greenfield. Your father is quite down with a cold, is now sitting by the kitchen fire, to avoid the chattering of five females; yes, five without your mother; by this you will understand that Mary and Harriette Mills[3] returned, (before dinner), with Theophilus who went this morning to N_n [Northampton] on business. We had a letter from Edward last evening dated Franklin Maine, between Bangor & Eastport.[4] He says nothing about Williams nor about moving home; the letter was written Sept. 28th.
Saturday evening half past ten. All gone to rest, in peace and comfort; what obligations are we under to our guide by day and our guard by night! The pillar of a cloud and the pillars of fire still attend us, though too often unnoticed.
We miss you often; at our social meals, and our social fire-side; at the morning and evening sacrifices, and also as we gather around or Saturday-evening table, with our religious books, and elevating employment. But thanks to God, we would not mourn your absence; we may hope for a meeting in this life. Some of our number have reached the end of their journey, when it was but just begun; and we are permitted to think of them, as the inhabitants of a world of purity and peace and love, where no discordant passions agitate the bosom, and no doubt or fears interrupt the communion of the blessed society. We are traveling on, as we hope, in the same path. May we often hear the voice of our great leader, saying, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."[5] Let us not expect or desire, uninterrupted enjoyment. We know from the word of God and our own experience, that difficulties and troubles are essential to our progress in virtue and holiness. Desiring this progress above everything else, let us leave with infinite wisdom and goodness, the means by which it shall be attained.[6]
Charles came over this afternoon and brought his family. The children are better; but Fanny[7] looks very sickly, and continues to have a pain in her ear and the sides of her throat. She seems about ready for heaven. Your friend Poor called here; he seems very friendly to you. Harriette will return tomorrow. May the Lord of the Sabbath, give us all a Sabbath blessing.
Sabbath evening - This is your father's birthday; we are descending toward the grave. But I beg you will not tremble at the thou[g]ht. Death is the gate of endless joy, And shall we dread to enter there? If we are christians we ardently desire to see God and Christ; but we cannot see them as we wish, till we die. We also long to be free from sin, to serve our maker without weariness and without imperfection, but this we cannot do till we die. Death then to the believers is great gain. It will bring us to the spirits of just men made perfect to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, and to Jesus the mediator of the New Covenant and to God the judge of all. We all attended meeting, Theodore and Ben, at the Hills[8], your father, Miss Paige, Mary, and Susan[9] at Hadley and the rest of us at N_n [Northampton]. Mr. Hearns preached in the morning to mourners, from these words, Job, Behold happy is the man whom God correcteth. [10] This afternoon from Proverbs 4th 26th Ponder the path of thy feet. On the failings of christians, and I found myself reproved; may it not be in vain. I hope you will have a blank book and keep a Sabbath record.[11]
Monday evening 7 o clock - Marianne[12] and the younger Miss Dane[13] called here this afternoon. Marianne is going, when the Misses Dane return, to make a visit of a few weeks at Cambridge Port, and Boston. Turn to the first page, by mistake I began on the wrong side.
This letter begins at the second page.
On Saturday afternoon, our girls, Harriet[14], Elizabeth, and Mary, visited Mount Warner. For want of a better conveyance they rode with Theodore part of the way in the old red wagon, and in the cart. Elizabeth came home much delighted with the refreshing sight of the coleges [colleges] & particularly of the door of the chapel, as she thought possibly you might be standing in it. - Her evenings last week were apparently not very pleasant, we thou[g]ht she wanted you at her left hand, to help her about her studies. As Mary was fearful that something you said to her about not being married, the day before you left us, gave her some uneasiness.
I suppose you have seen the comet.[15] It is visible all this evening, just above and very near the great Bear.[16] The train is not very brilliant. Indeed to my dim vision it is hardly perceptible.
Wednesday 'forenoon yesterday afternoon Charles and Helen accompanied Edward Clarke and wife and sister, and Mrs. Christopher Clarke[17] to Mount Warner. They [Charles and Helen] left little Charles with us while they were gone. Fanny is so well as to attend school. This morning your father, Theophilus and Ben have gone to the mountain to pick up apples. Theodore stays at home, is husking corn I believe. Your father and mother had an invitation last night, to drink tea this evening with Widow Maj. Smith, in company with Doct. Brown[18] and lady. This morning Mrs. Doct. Porter sent a note, requesting our company and Bethia's, at their house to meet friends at tea today. What a pity; as calls of this kind are so rare, that there should be two for the same time!
I intend to leave this at Doct. Porters store, to be sent to you. I hope soon to receive a long letter from you. I hope it will not be a task as irksome as writing home is to me of the girls in our family. I feel a kind of satisfaction in [the thought] that your writing desk is the same which was used by your gr. [added in pencil] brother [19] who is now a glorified spirit, and is perhaps permitted, as he himself hoped might be the case, to witness your faithful efforts in duty, and even assist you in their arduous work - with the most earnest desire for your happiness and improvement I am as ever your truly affectionate mother,
Elizabeth -
We had a letter last evening from Edward dated
He said he might be absent 3 or 4 weeks longer. We also had a letter from Mrs. Fisher. She says the mill in which Mr. F. secured a share has been consumed with some other building by fire. The loss to the firm, is eight thousand dollars.[20]
Addressed:
Mr Frederick D. Huntington Amherst Amherst College
[1] Psalm 37:4, King James Bible, reads: "Delight thyself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of your heart"
[2] Proverbs 3:6, King James Bible, Cambridge Edition reads: "In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths"
[3] There is little mention of Harriette at this time, but Harriette Blake Mills was the mother of Helen Sophia Mills Huntington, so this may be referring to her.
[4] Franklin, Maine is between Bangor and Eastport. It is unclear what Edward is doing in Franklin, as his permanent home in 1835 was in Northampton.
[5] Revelation 2:10, King James Bible reads: "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life"
[6] Elizabeth was excommunicated from the Hadley Congregational church in the 1820s, so that is old news when this letter was written. However, Dan Huntington was censured by the Hadley Congregational Church in 1835. Not only did this trouble with the church cause Elizabeth much hardship because of her faith, but it also disrupted her social life and status, as the church was the center of the town. It seems that Elizabeth is referring to this turbulence are she writes about the "difficulties and troubles" she is facing, but she seems to equate this suffering to that which will give her the strength and experience to become closer with God and go to heaven when she dies.
[7] Charles' and Helen's daughter, Helen, was nicknamed Fanny. She is mentioned later in the letter as having recovered from her illness.
[8] At this time, Frederic is living in Bedford Hills N.Y. so this may what Elizabeth is referencing here.
[9] Perhaps, Susan Davis Phelps (1827-1865), youngest child of Charles Porter Phelps, who was living in Hadley and was eight years old when this letter was written.
[10] Job 5:17, King James Bible reads: "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth"
[11] Most likely referring to Dan's getting censured by the Hadley Congregational Church.
[12] Marianne, Born September 13, 1810, was a child of Elizabeth Phelps Huntington's brother, Charles Porter Phelps.
[13] Hannah Dane Sargent Huntington (1822-1910) spent each summer on the farm at "Forty Acres." She was 13 at the time, while Frederic was 16, and the two eventually married in 1843. She was the daughter of Epes and Mary Lincoln Sargent. Hannah lived in Boston at the time.
[14] It is unclear who Harriet is referring to, as Elizabeth did not have a child of that name. May be referring to Harriett Butler Clarke, daughter of Christopher Clarke, as the family is mentioned later in the letter.
[15] Halley's Comet passed earth in 1835, and was best visible on November 16. http://www.space.com/19878-halleys-comet.html
[16] Also known as Ursa Major. Notable for containing the stars that comprise the asterism The Big Dipper.
[17] Likely referring to Edward and Christopher Clarke of Northampton, sons of merchant Samuel Clark.
[18] It is unclear who Doct. Brown is. It is most likely not the famous John Brown, although Elizabeth knew him.
[19] Although there is as yet no other direct mention of the writing desk in question, it is likely that Elizabeth is speaking of Frederick's brother John Whiting, who died while a student at Harvard in 1832.
[20] Mr. and Mrs. Fisher refers to Elizabeth Porter Huntington Fisher (1803-1897) and George Fisher, respectively. Elizabeth was the second child of Dan and Elizabeth Huntington. George was president of the North West Insurance Company in Oswego, New York.
Amherst College
Ben
Charles
death
Doctor Brown
EDITED
Edward
Edward Clarke
Elizabeth
Elizabeth Fisher
Fanny
Frederic
Halley's Comet
Harriet
Harriette Mills
Helen
John Whiting
Marianne
Mary
Mill fire
Miss Dane
Miss Paige
Mount Warner
Mr. Hearns
Mr. Kingsley
Mrs. Christopher Clarke
Mrs. Doctor Porter
postal delivery
Singing school
Susan
Tea
Theodore
Theophilus
transportation
Widow Maj. Smith
-
https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/files/original/1fd9c77fcfc774b6c70c58f477450cd1.pdf
0b3a840b3a0773437d20c0555f46bbb7
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
19th cen: Huntington family correspondence
Subject
The topic of the resource
Original documents and annotated transcriptions primarily of letters between Elizabeth and Dan Huntington and their eleven children.
Description
An account of the resource
Original documents and annotated transcriptions primarily of letters between Elizabeth and Dan Huntington and their eleven children.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
These letters are the property of the University Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives. This is an ongoing project and additional letters will be added over time.
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Contact UMass SCUA for permission to publish or reproduce these materials.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
A project of the Amherst College American Studies course "Global Valley" in collaboration with the Porter Phelps Huntington Foundation and University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives.
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
1838.05.20 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, May. 20th, 1838
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 4)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Correspondence
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1838-05-20
Subject
The topic of the resource
Written in close relation to Edward's birthday, this letter recalls him as an infant, reports on a local baptism, and mourns the deaths of his siblings Whiting and Catherine. Among the local news Elizabeth reports is an Indian encampment in Hatfield that including a great-granddaughter of Eunice Williams (taken captive in the 1704 raid on Deerfield). Amherst College students, including Frederic, go to see them. Much discussion of gardening, fruit trees, and the construction tasks of building fences, raising barns, and friends erecting houses. Son William writes from Illinois urging his brothers to join him in the West.
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
<p>Elm Valley, May 20th 1838, Sabbath morn 11 o'clock</p>
<p>Dear<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/edwardhuntington">Edward</a>,</p>
<p>It is so long since we have had a letter from you that I have determined to begin one, and ask what can be the reason of your silence? Were you in the habit of writing only once in two or three months, an interval of six weeks would not excite surprise. Neither does it now, knowing as we do your numerous labours and engagements. We consider it as the loss of accustomed enjoyment indeed, but trust it is not the indication of sickness or negligence. Your last letter to me, was received on your birthday. My mind had been unusually occupied, all the morning, with thoits[1] of you and your affairs. I had looked back to your earliest infancy and endeavored to notice the hand of a kind Father, in his various allotments with regard to your and our family. With regard to worldly prosperity, we may say truly that a man's life consisteth[2] not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth. The treasure lies within - if the immortal spirit has become united, by obedience and faith, to the Captain of salvation, to him who for our sakes became poor, that we thro' his poverty might be made rich; it is comparatively of little importance whether the individual be in a palace or a cottage. I wish we would all feel a deeper sense of the insufficiency of any worldly circumstances to confer happiness. I have been at home alone this morning,<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/theophilushuntington">Theophilius</a><span> </span>and his wife and<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/theodorehuntington">Theodore</a><span> </span>attended worships at Hadley, the rest of the family went to Northampton. Mr. Brown[3], the minister of North Hadley, intends leaving soon for the far off west, he has a son already there. Mr. Stearns[4] has been able to continue his labours thus far; his health appears to be better than it was a year ago. He has exchanged within a few months with Mr. Fessenden[5], Mr. Parkman[6] who was settled last autumn at Greenfield, and was a classmate of our dear<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/johnhuntington">Whiting</a>, and also recently with Mr. Everett[7] the minister of Northfield - but I like our own minister better than all of them.</p>
<p>Monday afternoon June 4th Since I began this letter the season has advanced rapidly and at my north window where I now sit, the northwestern breeze comes perfumed with the mingled odours of our flowers; no great variety indeed but were there nothing but the Fleur de lis, and the rocket[8], the fragrance would be agreeable. There is a prospect of much fruit, the apple blossoms were abundant and our peach trees pears plumbs and cherries have all been in blossom - the weather for a week or two has been delightful, just warm enough to be pleasant, and just showery enough to promote vegetation. Oft this season<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/bethiah">Bethia</a><span> </span>and<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/theodorehuntington">Theodore</a><span> </span>were sick with the Varioloid[9], I was also sick with a fever. Now how different! all of us in health, and able each to contribute a share of labour for the common comfort of the family. Not only so, but innumerable sources of enjoyment are open for our participation, relating to our present state of existence. There are favours which call for our gratitude. But chiefly should we thank God for the hope of immortal life. This brings to mind Mr. Stearns' morning sermon yesterday. "To die is gain."[10] While listening I felt that it was good to be there, and my thoits wander'd over the wilds and mountains of Maine to find my dear Edward in his solitude, and amid his hardships and privations; and an involuntary desire arose in my bosom that your could have been there to share in the high enjoyment. The fervent aspiration also ascended to heaven, that these lone sabbaths of your's might be made joyful and useful, by the more full and free communications of the Spirit of God, without which all outward means are without effect. The views which he presented of the employments of the redeem’d in heaven were highly interesting; and the thoit of our dear departed Whiting and<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/catherinehuntington">Catherine</a><span> </span>made me shed tears; but they were not tears of sorrow – O'no – I trust they were tears of joy and gratitude and hope, the hope of escaping from these scenes of sin and suffering, and of being all, all united in heaven. Last thursday we received a letter from you directed or rather addressed to<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/theodorehuntington">Theodore</a>, and the week before, two came, one I think to<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/charleshuntington">Charles</a>, and the other to<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/fredericdanhuntington">Frederic</a>. At the same time Theodore had a long letter from<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/williamhuntington">William</a><span> </span>inviting him to join him in Illinois. He has taken up as he says, two hundred acres for himself in a part of the province which he calls the mounds. He tries hard to induce Theodore, or Theophilius to go and settle there. Theodore said he should tell him in his next letter that he should not go - & I don't know whether Theophilus will conclude to pluck up stakes at present. Frederic returned to College[11] last wednesday after a month's vacation. We all enjoy'd it very much, he assisted in making the garden, help'd Theodore some, and his father some, and Theophilus some, besides being present, and lending his strength at the raising of the barn, which took place week before last. Theophilus's house looks much more respectable with this appendage. There is a part of a tribe of indians in this vicinity, the descendants of Mr. Wiliams[12] of Deerfield who was taken captive. A very aged female among them, is the granddaughter of Eunice Williams[13]. For several days past they have taken up their residence in the woods between Northampton and Hatfield[14], and have been visited by many of the inhabitants of the town adjoining. On saturday ten or twelve of the students from Amherst, went to see them, Frederic among the rest. His company went home by the way of Northampton, after resting awhile, for they were on foot. He stayed at<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/charleshuntington">Charles's</a><span> </span>and attended divine service with us yesterday. In the afternoon the Lord’s supper was celebrated, and previously to this two young ladies received the rite of baptism. It was a most touching scene. What can be more fit and proper and more beautiful than to see them in the morning of life, bringing the innocence and freshness and vigour of youth, and laying them on the altar of divine love, devoting all to him, who gave himself for them. You will be happy to know that these ladies, were Julia Dikenan and Caroline Young[15]. The Lord increases the number of those, who thus follow Christ, an hundredfold…[16]</p>
<p><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/danh">Your father</a><span> </span>has been very busy in building a new fence front of the house and north and west of the sheep yard - it is not yet done; this afternoon he is cutting down the old cherry tree east of my window - it is not only barren but dead, why even beneth it this ground? Our dear friends in Northampton are as usual. Samuel Hinkley[17] returned with his wife about a fortnight since and had a great wedding. They reside with his mother at [...]. It has been supposed that he would take the brick house where Mr. Hibbins[18] lived. Edward [Earke?][19] and his wife are keeping horses on the hill. You know he built a fire house there last year. But his health is not good. I hope he will secure a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. They have taken the few behind Charles's - but he is hardly ever there. I was much gratified with your particular description of your room. It must be a quiet, and I think a comfortable retreat - may the presence of God ever make it a Bethel[20] to you, the house of God and the gates of heaven. I rejoice heartily that you collect your family together and with them Lay the morning and evening sacrifice. It is a privilege and duty which none should omit. The morning devotion sheds a light over our path thro' the day, and who knows but some thoitless soul may be led by these exercises to reflection, to penitence to prayer and at length to heaven. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and and ever."[21] That you and I may be the followers of him who went about doing good is the earnest desire of your affectionate mother<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/elizabethwhp">Elizabeth</a>.</p>
<p>1 In her letters, Elizabeth Huntington consistently spells "thought" as "thoit".</p>
<p>2 Elizabeth Huntington spells "consists" as "consisteth".</p>
<p>3 Elizabeth is likely referring to Reverend Ebenezer Brown, minister of the Second Religious Society in North Hadley from April 8, 1835 until the spring of 1838, after which he became a minister in Illinois. Originally from Brimfield and a graduate of Yale, Brown had previously been a pastor in Wilbraham and Prescott. There are multiple references to him being "dismissed" from positions. Josiah Gilbert Holland, ed., History of Western Massachusetts, Vol. II – Part III (Springfield: Samuel Bowles and Company, 1855), 224-5.</p>
<p>4 It is unclear exactly who Elizabeth is referring to. One possibility is Reverend Oliver Stearns of the Second Congregational Society in Northampton, who served as minister there from November 9, 1831 to March 31, 1839. Ibid., 248.</p>
<p>5 Reverend John Fessenden (1804-1881) was the minister of Deerfield. In August 1837, he gave a sermon about the Abenaki descendants of Eunice Williams who had come to visit the town. Elizabeth writes about a similar visit by a "tribe of indians" later in this letter... Elizabeth M. Sadoques, "The History and Traditions of Eunice Williams and Her Descendents, 1922" in Captive Histories, ed. Evan Haefeli and Kevin Sweeney (Amherst and Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2006), 255.</p>
<p>6 Reverend John Parkman was the minister of the Third Congregational Church in Greenfield. He was ordained October 11, 1837. David Willard, Willard's History of Greenfield (Greenfield: Kneeland & Eastman, 1838), 116. Francis Parkman, "The spirit of the Christian ministry: a sermon delivered at the ordination of the Rev. John Parkman to the pastoral care of the Third Congregational Church in Greenfield, Oct. XI, MDCCCXXXVII" (Boston: s.n. Dickinson, 1837).</p>
<p>7 Reverend Oliver C. Everett became minister of Northfield on March 8, 1837 and remained there about 12 years. Holland, History of Western Massachusetts, 409.</p>
<p>8 A flower, known scientifically as Hesperis matronalis.</p>
<p>9 Smallpox, particularly a mild form affecting people who have previously had or been vaccinated for the disease.</p>
<p>10 Philippians 1:21, from "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."</p>
<p>11 Frederick Huntington returned home from Amherst College.</p>
<p>12 Reverend John Williams and his family were famously taken captive and marched to Canada during the 1704 raid on Deerfield by Wendat, Kanienkehaka, Abenaki, and French forces. In 1706, he was able to return to Deerfield, publish The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion, and resume his Puritan ministry. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association/Memorial Hall Museum, Raid on Deerfield: the Many Stories of 1704,<span> </span><a href="http://1704.deerfield.history.museum/">http://1704.deerfield.history.museum</a><span> </span>(accessed Oct. 27, 2013).</p>
<p>13 In August 1837, Saint Francis Abenaki Indians made a documented visit to the town of Deerfield. Among them was an elderly woman named Eunice Williams, who identified herself as the granddaughter of the Eunice Williams of 1704. Deerfield residents treated the Abenaki travelers hospitably and local newspapers reported on the occurrence. The same group visited Northampton (and, according to Elizabeth, the area between Hatfield and Northampton) in 1838. Issues of the Hampshire Gazette and Northampton Courier dated two days after Elizabeth's letter make disparaging comments about the Natives, decrying their "popularity" and challenging Eunice’s claimed lineage. Marge Bruchac, "Abenaki Connections to 1704: The Sadoques Family and Deerfield, 2004" in Captive Histories, ed. Evan Haefeli and Kevin Sweeney (Amherst and Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2006).</p>
<p>14 Hatfield lies to the west, the other side of the Connecticut River. Northampton is southwest of both Hadley and Hatfield.</p>
<p>15 These young girls are clearly new members of Elizabeth's church, but there does not seem to be any more information about them available.</p>
<p>16 Mark 10:30, from "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."</p>
<p>17 Elizabeth may be referring to Samuel Lyman Hinckley of Northampton, MA, born August 11, 1810. Around the time of this letter, he married Henrietta E. Rose. He was a frequent letter-writer himself. Abstract, Hinckley family papers, 1796-1956, New England Historic Genealogical Society. Lyman Coleman, Genealogy of the Lyman Family (Albany, NY: J Munsell, 1872), 181.</p>
<p>18 Mr. Hibbins is an apparent member of Elizabeth's social circle and most likely another resident of Northampton. However, the last name "Hibbins" does not seem to appear in town documentation, so it is difficult to determine who Elizabeth is referring to and what the nature of their relationship is.</p>
<p>19 Information is also lacking on Edward Earke. He appears to be a good friend of Elizabeth's, as she worries considerably about the state of his health.</p>
<p>20 Biblically, the "House of God."</p>
<p>21 Daniel 12:3.</p>
Amherst College
Bethia
birthday
building construction
Catherine
Deerfield
EDITED
Edward
Elizabeth
Eunice Williams
Frederic
fruit orchard
garden
Greenfield
Hadley
Hatsfield
Illinois
Indians
John Whiting
Northampton
Theodore
Theophilus
William