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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
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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
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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
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1834.12.02 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Dec 2, 1834
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Mary Huntington
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Dec 2, 1834
Rights
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Public Domain
Description
An account of the resource
Mary tells her mother of Mr. Merrick’s sermon upon his arrival to town. He spent more than an hour to indicate the character of God and denies the doctrine of original sin. Mr. Merrick says he is an abolitionist. Mary is pleased with him and thinks Elizabeth and Bethia would be pleased as well. However, she does not agree with all of his teachings. Mary then discusses a party she attended at Mrs. Dennings’ with her sister. She thought it was a strange way to prepare for the Sabbath. She asks about her mother’s Thanksgiving and says Thanksgiving is celebrated more in Massachusetts than in New York. She is glad Caroline decided not to go to the South. She asks for money to buy a bonnet. On Tuesday, Mary writes because Mrs. Fisher did not let her help make applesauce, so she thought writing a letter back was a good use of her time. Mary wishes to have heard Mr. Stearns’ sermon. She thanks her mother for her advice to be undefeated by temptations.
On Thursday, Mary says she had been busy working on making a hood out of silk since the last time she added to the letter. Mr. Fisher left for Utica. She wants Bethia to cut out her leaf impressions for her. She also tells her mother of Theophilus’s interest in Augusta, and she wonders if she is good enough for him. She apologizes for talking so much about Mr. Merrick’s sermons. Mary includes a P.S. to mention she is not prejudiced against those new religious teachings such as those of Mr. Merrick.
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
Oswego Dec 2nd 1834
Dear mother,
It was with the greatest joy that I received your excellent letter. It was exactly what I wished, and could not possibly have been altered for the letter. How thankful ought I to be for so many favours as I am continually receiving!
I am going to give you some account of the new measure people, or at least, of one of their ministers. Mr. Merrick arrived in town last week, + last Sabbath we heard him both parts of the day. Last night he delivered a lecture + we attended that, also. It was the evening for the monthly concert, but he was not aware of it until he reached the house. Of course he was obliged to arrange his thoughts in a different train from what he had at first intended. He spoke above an hour, I should think from these words “thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven,” and I never before knew how much was contained in that short clause. He first observed that the will of God, was, loving the Lord our God, with all our hearts + our neighbors as ourselves. He then endeavored to prove that it is possible to do the will of God here as it is done in heaven, from the fact that Christ would not have connected it, had it not been practicable. He next gave his opinion of the manner in which it is performed in Heaven. There were nine particulars which he enlarged when among which were these. It is done constantly, heartily, cheerfully, harmoniously, honestly, perfectly, + perpetually increasing. He thinks obedience to God can be perfect in this world in kind, not in degree. Some he said would deny this because we never see Christians here who are perfectly happy. But he says this is on account of the circumstances of their situation not corresponding with their feelings. Paul had continual sorrow of heart + our [] was a man of sorrow, + acquainted with grief. There is a great deal of sin here, but in Heaven every circumstance will be in unison with their feelings + perfect happiness will be the consequence. He takes a great deal of pains to indicate the character of God, + on this subject he is quite eloquent. Hence he denies the doctrine of original sin. He cannot think that anything could come from the hands of its maker imperfect. He said in so many words that he was an abolitionist. That he was for abolishing, not only the slavery of men’s bodies, but of their souls. That it is a command of Christs’ + must be [complied] with. He is very liberal and preaches against no [] I believe except the [Arhaomians] + Universalists. In short, he is quite an original. There is something in his style [peculiar] to himself, and with which we should be disgusted if initiated by another. He gestures almost constantly + with so much unaffectedness that he appears to throw his whole soul into what he is saying. He is to preach every evening this week. Tonight his subject is Christian Union. I am
quite curious to know what he will say. I think you + Bethia would be pleased with him. Lest you should think I am becoming one of the new [lights] because I am pleased with him, I will tell you that though I do not approve of all I have heard of their movements, I have as yet seen nothing to condemn, I think every Christian should love + revere the image of their Master.
Will Frederic attend there this winter? I have not yet forgotten to send [him] the Courier sometimes.
I am glad to find Mrs. Wells is disposed to be so sociable.
Have they given up the tavern?
Last Saturday evening sister and I attended a party at Mrs. Denning’s. It was a very gay one, and to me a poor preparation for the Sabbath. Mrs. Bard was there and I found it seemed quite so strange to her as to me. Mrs. Denning has a sister with her who expects to have her this week, and it was on that account I suppose that the party was given at that time. It was nearly eleven when we reached home.
How is it that dame Wilson has disappointed you?
I thought she would be a great assistance to you this winter.
Your [ ] with the washing quite surprised me. It is almost “getting done before breakfast.”
Next week is your Thanksgiving. In this state it is a fortnight from that time. The New Yorkers do not make as much of it as the Yankees.
I regretted that I did not see Caroline give my love to her if you please and tell her that I am glad to hear that she is not going to the South, and hope she will find some more agreeable situation nearer home.
I find I have not quite money enough to get a bonnet. [Five] dollars I should think will be sufficient with what I have to get a Tuscan. It is with reluctance that I ask you for it, but as my old bonnet is rather shabby, and you told me before I left home to get one on arriving. I thought I would tell you just how it is. I will try to be as economical as possible. Please to give a great deal of love to all the family, and remember me to the cousins. Favour me often with your letters, your truly affectionate daughter
Mary
Tuesday
Mrs. Fisher is making apple sauce today and as she has turned a deaf ear to my request to allow me to assist her. I have thought I could in no way employ my time more pleasantly than in answering your letter, my dear Mother. Your letter was very interesting and has been much in my thoughts since I perused it. I am glad Bethia has made a visit to Greenfield. I hailed the account of it as an omen for good. For if you had been very much pressed with household concerns, I knew she would not have left you. I am glad also on her own account, for she has been confined at home for a long time. I should like to have heard Mr. Stearns’ sermon. I know from the text it must have been instructive.
I should like to have some of his leading ideas.
I thank you for the cautions given me in your letter. I regard it as one of my richest blessings that I have a mother who can so kindly warn and direct me, and I have hope and pray that it may not be my condemnation that I have slighted these warnings [] refused to be guided by these directions. I agree with you in thinking that the most effectual way of walking undefeated through the temptations of the world, it is to rise often in contemplation to that better world [whither Jesus] the forerunner is for us entered. Thus it is that sets things in their true light and affords the “peace of God which papeth understanding” to the soul Wednesday morn. I suppose yesterday the term closed at the academy.
Wherever they find it, + I must say I think he appears to His likeness.
Thursday. Since I commenced this letter, I have been a good deal occupied in making me a hood, of the silk that I brought with me for that purpose. The weather here is so cold, that this article seems almost indispensable.
Mr. Fisher left this morning for Utica. He expects to make several journeys this winter, one of which he thinks will be to Boston. It would be a fine opportunity for any one who wishes to go to Hadley. I proposed to sister that she should go, but she rather declined. I believe I must trouble sister Bethia to do an errand for me. In the upper middle drawer in my bureau, I think [ ] will find those impressions of leaves that I took last fall. If she will cut out some of the largest + handsomest of the forest leaves and send them to me as soon as convenient I will be much obliged to her. I wish to make some card racks for sisters ^parlour We have sent to Whia by Mr. Fisher for the materials.
I was glad to hear that you + Bethia had purchased some new cloaks. You very much
needed them.
There is to be a cotillion party this evening at the Welland house. I received a note of invitation Tuesday, but shall not attend.
Theophilus really was smitten with Augusta. Pray how it is with her? I hope she is good enough for him. Perhaps I ought to apologize for introducing so much of Mr. Merricks sermons into my letter, but I thought if our tastes were at all similar you would like to hear about it. He visited here yesterday. Did not make make me [make was written twice] many practical observations, but he + Mr. Fisher discussed the subject of the Trinity pretty thoroughly. Give
the greatest love to all, + dearest mother do write often to your affectionate daughter
Mary
P.S. Perhaps you will not be able to understand what I said at the bottom of the second page. My meaning is this, that I see in the new measure people much that I like, and, as many are prejudiced against them , I am willing to help correct that prejudice, and as far as they are instrumental in doing good to give them credit for it.
Abolitionist
Academy
anti-slavery
apple sauce
Augusta
Bethia
Bonnet
Boston
Bureau
Caroline
Christ
Christians
Elizabeth
Frederic
God
Greenfield
Hadley
Heaven
Mr. Fisher
Mr. Merrick
Mr. Stearn
Mrs. Bard
Mrs. Denning
Mrs. Wells
New Light
New Measure
New York
original sin
Prejudice
Sabbath
sermon
slavery
South
Thanksgiving
Theophilus
Trinity
Universalists
Utica
Washing
Welland
winter
Yankees
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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
1832.06.23 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 23, 1832
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Mary Huntington
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
Jun 23, 1832
Rights
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Public Domain
Description
An account of the resource
In this letter, 17-year-old Mary Huntington is writing to her mother Elizabeth Huntington. Mary is away at school in Troy, New York, at the Troy Female Seminary—later the Emma Willard School. Mary writes that she has been unwell. She appears ill, homesick, or anxious, or a combination of some or all of the foregoing. The 1832 cholera epidemic ravaging the region—Mary refers to it as the "dreaded disease" and "terrible scourge in the land"—seems to be driving much of her worry. Mary regrets that she has neglected her devotion to God and things above, and expresses a renewed desire to "honor the Redeemer" and publicly profess her membership in the church. Mary recounts speaking earlier in the day with a physician. He described her as "very nervous" and left her with some suggestions—avoid tea and hot coffee—together with Valerian powder and iron pills. Mary has missed two her music lessons because of her ill health. Mary uses this letter to again request that someone come for her. Because she did not receive a letter that day, she tells her mother that she half expected her father to arrive. Mary concludes by giving love to her mother and the family.
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
Troy, June 23 rd 1832
Dear Mother
Thinking I might spend a few moments profitably as well as pleasantly in conversing with you, I have gladly availed myself of this opportunity for doing it.
Since I have been unwell, and since this excitement respecting the dreaded disease has existed, my thoughts have been running in a more solemn channel than usual, and among the many, many, things which I recollected as having left undone, one thing I regretted exceedingly, and that was, that I had not united myself with Christ’s visible family, while there was such a favorable opportunity. It seems to me now that it would be an honor too great for me to belong to his visible family on earth, and to labor, and suffer if need be, in his service. This ought certainly to be my highest aim. But then I am so far from God in my daily walk, so cold in prayer, that it seems to be almost profane for me to desire to belong to his people. If I were to look to my own strength to accomplish the work of salvation, it would never be done. But we read in the gospel of Jesus “that we can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth [sic] us,” and that Christ has died for all who will believe in him. If God should spare my life until I could get home, it seems to me now, that I should delight to give myself to him in the way of his appointment, namely by coming forward to his table. It appears to me as if there would be a sweet satisfaction in doing it. Pray for me that I may be permitted to honor the Redeemer, whether the path lies through pleasure or pain, health or disease, life, or death.
As to my health, it is not very good though I am able to be about. This noon, as the physician was here I thought fit to consult him. He gave it as his opinion that I was very nervous, and wished me to abstain from tea and hot coffee, and drink instead, cold milk and water, and coffee with a great deal of milk. He left me the Valerian powders to take, and a box of iron pills. I hope they will be blessed to me. I have omitted taking my musick [sic] lesson twice on account of ill health. I suppose there is no need of my repeating what of late I have so often said namely that I should like to have somebody sent after me. [Prior sentence was crossed out at later date?] Indeed I some expect pa tonight as I received no letter today. But I know I am not thankful enough for all the mercies that I have received, and wish I had a more grateful heart. Give a great deal of love to all the family, and accept a large share for yourself, from your affectionate daughter Mary D Huntington.
{Sideways Text}
June 26 th I have kept this letter some time in order that I might add anything new if I wished. The trustees give it as their opinion that as there is at present no immediate danger, the school had better be continued. But if you feel as though you had rather have me with you when there is such a terrible scourge in the land, I hope you will send for me by all means. I should like to have your permission to return at any time in case it should be necessary. I desire to be thankful that so far I have been preserved in safety. Goodness & Mercy have followed me all my days thus far. Will you & Father have the goodness to give me a particular permission to come home if I chose.
cholera
Christ
crosswriting
Elizabeth W.P. Huntington
Emma Willard School
God
health
homesick
Iron Pills
Jesus
Mary
medicine
music
NEEDS EDITING
Physician
prayer
Public Profession
Redeemer
Salvation
school
scourge
Sickness
Troy
Troy Female Seminary
Trustees
Valerian
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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
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18th cen.: Correspondence including enslavement and servitude documents
Subject
The topic of the resource
Original documents and annotated transcriptions related to servitude at this property, or produced during the period 1745 - 1883 during which people were enslaved at this Hadley farmstead.
Description
An account of the resource
Original documents and annotated transcriptions related to servitude at this property, or produced during the period 1745 - 1883 during which people were enslaved at this Hadley farmstead.
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.
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
These documents are the property of the University Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives. This is an ongoing project and additional materials 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.
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
1769.06.09 – Elizabeth Porter Phelps to Penelope Williams, June 1769
Description
An account of the resource
Over the course of eight days in June 1769, Elizabeth Porter Phelps wrote four letters to her dear friend Penelope Williams. In the first letter, Phelps conveys sincere gratitude for Williams’ expressed affection in their last letter exchange, while simultaneously explaining she could not find the right language to reciprocate Porter's vulnerability. She was left speechless. She then invites Williams to her upcoming wedding. In the last few sentences of this first letter, Phelps is expressing her anxieties; she is so overwhelmed she finds it difficult to read and write.
In Phelps' second letter, she seems to be having somewhat of an existential dilemma. She is self-critical, weighing whether she has done right by God. At the time of her writing, it does not seem as though she thinks she has. Partway through her letter (between pages 1 and 2), she transitions to discussing her immense gratitude for Williams' presence in her life.
In the third letter, Phelps begins by saying she has found the time to write to her friend despite having many work responsibilities. Like in the previous letter, Phelps expresses gratitude to Williams. The degree to which she does, and the nature of her language leads one to wonder whether their relationship extends beyond friendship. Were there any romantic relations between the pair? Phelps mentions that she has been missing her deeply. The letter concludes with Phelps asking Williams for a favor, hoping to procure needles.
In her fourth letter, Phelps mentions quite a few people who we have yet to identify including James, Polly, and Mrs. Holebrook. According to Phelps, Williams' brother coordinated for her to travel to Boston. Phelps also discusses the travels of another mutual acquaintance of theirs who has been sick. As in her previous letters, Phelps lastly expresses her appreciation for Williams.
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
Elizabeth Porter Phelps
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 5, Folder 16)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1769
Rights
Information about rights held in and over the resource
Public domain
Type
The nature or genre of the resource
Letter
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
Hadley, June.9.1769. ~ Fryday night after 9
O my dear how can I bear so much tenderness as you express for me in your letter you brought by your Brother, ten thousand thanks to you for it indeed twas precious to me ~ I dont know what ails me but I could not write I felt uncommonly put to it for words when I wrote you that letter I sent by Mr. Por & indeed tis just the same case now I’m all shut up I’ve nothing to say, struck Dumb, a great deal I long to say but yet cant say one word, once in a while can fetch a good hearty Sigh & set & set & look on my paper. I never my Candle acts like a fool, you would guess something was the matter by the Looks of my lines. ~ O by the way you will be sure to come home by Weding, my weding did you ask? Ay mine ~ But by the account I hear there is some probability of one before mine I intend to tell you either the man or the Girl & leave you to find out the other ~ Timothy [indecipherable] now if any body else should write & tell you [indecipherable] girl I should [indecipherable] my labour they say he has been constantly once a week ever since he came from Boston & sometimes twice & O dear how stupid [indecipherable] I’ve been asleep once; alas alas what does ail me? What shall I come too I think I grow worse & worse on every account, I can’t write, & dont read nor nothing else that I should ~ I do nothing but sleep now good night fast asleep ~ ~
Sunday Eve June 11
O my dear love I’ve been pestered prodigiously to make a pen, I must need think, how happy you was in having a brother to go too in that need as well as many others: but why should I have one hard tho’t? rather let me admire the Goodness of God in other things how many mercies have I &, how few do I deserve? O that I might Live under the continual apprehension of my own [indecipherable] ~ O Pride Cursed pride how vain it makes a meer worm ~ This day my friend have I again turned my back upon Christ & his Church implicitly said I will not have Christ to Reign over me ~ is it not in that to undo what my parents did for me in Baptism to say I will not consent to it & actually to renounce it; shocking tho’t, alas my dear can you have any friendship with such an one how dare you will it not displease your great master? Surely my friend I grow worse & worse ~ I’m stupider than ever ~ why dont I remember I was born to Die - how natural tis to one to put the evil day for for often ~ when I know not how near it may be ~ oh that I were fit to Die & then would be to my good to Live ~ How can I expect that God should Lift up the Light of her Countenance upon my Soul when I had such a careless wicked Life ~ pray for me my dear my tender friend that I may not be Left in sin, but that the mercy of God may appear in my Justification & Sanctification; I hope you will have opportunity to send letters by the bearer of this [indecipherable] – & you may be sure I hope for a share. ~ indeed my dear your last letter is [indecipherable] to endear you to my heart; you kindly ask me if ever you accused me of a fault, & rightly answer no ~ no my dear you never gave me reason to think you blamed me but surely that kindness sisterly kindness indeed
That made you see with so much partiality ~ forgive me my dear I had a bushel of vapours & its likely I shall have again ~ I have been looking to see what come next & tis where you thank me heartily for all my kindness O my dear how [indecipherable] has it been ~ you say you Love me with all your heart all you have to say is if it might been ~ forgive me my dear I can go no further I must stop ~ I find some not all flint I can say yet O how cruel to before to disoblige the kindest friend ever a poor girl was befied with ~ I dare to pronounce none knows the trial none know the distress but them that have felt it ~ indeed my dear I can hardly expect your love but to have you tell me you love me with all your heart [indecipherable] how I bore it ~ not without a flood of tears of gratitude & love amazed that you should express so much kindness for me indeed my dear I shall not at all wonder to see your love for me cool your affection abate & placed on another filling the place you once expected me to fill ~ & I earnestly pray it may be one worthy & better qualified than your poor [indecipherable] friend to make happy the life of —---- you & yours whose comfort can never be a matter of indifference with me while I live in this world ~ Shall I thank you for your desire of my happiness yes my dear I thank you heartily happy with the best of men ~ alas my [indecipherable] I deserve for from that ~ why did you not wish me happy Single thats the life for me ~ but have I not almost worn out your patience well my dear you may say it by now & if you have time take it again for I have not done yet I hope
June 13. Tuesday Eve ~
Well here I am again; Work calls very loud but i bid it defiance & must indulge myself in the Sweet employ of writing to my dear friend ~ I have left heard Mr. Dickson is not a going very soon but that dont hinder me ~ for you must know I feel now mere as if [indecipherable] be some kind of pleasure to you to hear from me than I do sometimes ~ O dear what would I give to see you or rather what would I not give with how much affection have I been often received by you how kindly tender was your words & Looks the last time I saw you ~ I have tho’t of it since with stars in my eyes how far I was from returning of it in the [indecipherable] degree I took a great deal of notice of your [indecipherable] than ordinary affectionate behavior [indecipherable] of Patty too, perhaps twas because you tho’t twas the last time till after. Com—t but I dissent; I could not bear to have it be - & never bid you Adieu neither why did not I take a tender leave of you as I ought in a parting manner: of from my side the dearer part is torn: the rest lies bleeding & but lives to mourn I’ve no where to go now nor no body to Look for here ~ alas my dear am I not torn almost away surely theres but little good left at best ~ why my friend do you ever think of me now in the midst of all your Comforts & Delightfull entertainment ~ why [indecipherable] I hope you do Morning & evening at least ~ I cant but hope I come into the Number of your friends the utterly (un)worthy
I have not dwelt upon the Dark [indecipherable] Now may I not Please myself with your return; how happy shall I be when the week begins that I expect you to come home in; wait longing to hear the welcome News of your arrival but when I come to see you I guess I shall want to say as Joseph said when he made himself known to his Brethren ~ But o my dear how dare I depend on it in the least; how little do we know what may be on the morrow ~ you may at this present time over now while I am writing be in sorrowing by reason of sickness ~ perhaps laid on a bed of Languishing & [Litheness] or Breathing your last O my Blood Runs Cold ; I trust I hope in the Power & mercy of God to save us both from Sin & sorrow & bring us to a Comfortable meeting here if it may be; but (however) that be may we meet at Christs Right hand [indecipherable] thro’ the Merits of a Redeemer My mother is poorly that pain in her Breast is very Distressing sends kind Love ~ I’ve been very well since my journey ~ W must send his how [indecipherable] do to you ~ pray my dear if it wont be too much trouble will you get me a hundred or too of Nedles I am almost out of sizeable ones ~ but I hear your Brother has very good very cheap [indecipherable] perhaps I can happily myself [indecipherable] present if you should have no convenient opportunity to send can tell you come home ~ but by the way I would not leave you in the Dark about [indecipherable] for nothing, the Lady is miss Anna Smith Should you a tho’t of it ~ they say John Cook drives on very fierce down street the Widow as to be sure the Widow to be sure. ~ but dont you think I had better go to bed as do to get up sometime in the fore-noon to-morrow good night
June 17. Saturday last night
This day your Welcome Brother called upon us he & James had been a stray herring & a pretty Basket of Strayberrys he had too ~ be sure I was the better for [indecipherable]. But my dear you must know he brought me something better than stray - I as you cant guess what, well well I’ll tel you twas a letter from a [indecipherable] absent but dear friend ~ ten thousand thanks my dear how much was it worth to me ~ you tell my being with Polly why really I never seen her but twice except Sundays since I came home she came here & [indecipherable] two days & one night the next week after & I’ve been there one day & thats all - so dont wonder if I have vapours I hope Mrs. Holebrook is better ~ But by the way your Brother told me some agreable News too ~ he told a waggon was to set out for Boston on Monday Morn so here I am forcibly to be sure to be ready ~ O the Doc’r has got a little fellow there as an apprentice Pol says to be in his own likeness she supposes - but I must not forget to tell you that [indecipherable] set out for Rhode Island with her Brother last week on wednesday very poorly she was taken very ill the week before but was a little better I believe some are fearful whether she will hold it back I tho’t by what Mrs Crouch said she feared a violent quick Consumption very horrible she told me ~ poor White they say Looks as if he no courage sunk into the earth poor man I heartily pity him & hope all will be for the best Well my dear if your patience held out to here now I have left done wishing well of you happy & returning my sincere thanks for all you kindness [indecipherable] kindness in getting the handler Alas, but very well must be ever acknowledged by yours [indecipherable]
Charlotte Phelps letters written which she was young -
For Miss Penelope Williams
Roxbury
Affection
Anna Smith
Boston
Christ
church
Elizabeth Porter Phelps
God
James
Mr. Dickinson
Mrs. Crouch
Mrs. Holebrook
Needles
Penelope Williams
Polly
Roxbury MA
Sickness
Timothy
wedding
-
https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/files/original/1ba4d4ed68e48c202680d75efdedf9f3.tif
efbf71b2b5c7dc37db6e823d09a63b62
https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/files/original/8937906add717714f33271c6a69d5e92.tif
dc7c4b4d5b1525acba60cb9b1ff2bfd2
Dublin Core
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Title
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18th cen.: Correspondence including enslavement and servitude documents
Subject
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Original documents and annotated transcriptions related to servitude at this property, or produced during the period 1745 - 1883 during which people were enslaved at this Hadley farmstead.
Description
An account of the resource
Original documents and annotated transcriptions related to servitude at this property, or produced during the period 1745 - 1883 during which people were enslaved at this Hadley farmstead.
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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.
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These documents are the property of the University Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives. This is an ongoing project and additional materials will be added over time.
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Contact UMass SCUA for permission to publish or reproduce these materials.
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
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1769.03.18 — Elizabeth Porter Phelps to Penelope Williams, March 18, 1769
Description
An account of the resource
Elizabeth Porter, who is in her twenties, writes to her friend Penelope Williams. In the letter, Elizabeth Porter laments her sins but states that she will go to Church to atone for them. The letter is written on two separate days, Wednesday and Saturday. In the Saturday portion, Elizabeth speaks of an affliction that had occurred to her friend, Penelope, and thanks God for his ability to heal her; otherwise, his mercy.
Creator
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Elizabeth Porter Phelps
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 5, Folder 16)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
Date
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1769
Rights
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Public domain
Type
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Letter
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
Oh my dear friend March. 18. 1769. Wednesday. Eve.
What a load lies upon my heart? a load of sin & Guilt. How dare I Live in sin any longer? what must be my portion to all Eternity if I now should be called out of time. Is It not eno’ to frighten me to think of it? Im stupid I’ve certainly got to die & how soon I know not. Oh tis a dreadful Life to Live in continual fear of Death: But blessed be God there is one that has Conquered that last enemy even Christ our Lord through whom all true Christians may meet Death with chearfulness since then their troubles will be at a final period. oh happy state, thrice happy souls who make choice of God for their portion, Christ for their Redeemer, the holy Spirit for their Sanctifier & director. oh this flattering deluding world how it steals our hearts from God.-
oh my dear I hate my self because I dont hate my self no more. never had one more reason to abhor themselves yet few are so in Love with themselves. I’m sure I’ve nothing that I Love my own heart for, all is depravity, all is wrong, mind & will are bent the wrong way; it terifies me when I think of my way of Living: the Righteous Judge will ‘ere long call me to an account, & what one can I give, oh terror horror & a moments must then seize my now stupid heart: Now is the accepted time, now & –
oh for mercy now to be a wakend while tis called to day while there is hope, & for the holy spirit to be powerd out upon me. Shall I once more ask your prayers for me for deliverance from sins power & punishment. When Death will be sent to part
[indecipherable]
us from each other we know not, nor which of us must meet that king of terror! we know not, yet this we know twill not be long before we must Die & bid a final fare-well to all earthly things; & a welcome joyful fare-well too if we may but go to be with Christ; which must ever be the prayer of your own
Betty Porter
Satterday
altho it be jest night yet I cant let the day pass without writing one word. -
Oh my dear can it ever be passed unregarded by me while I Live? mithinks it cant, the distresses of this day twelve-months was to great to be easily forgot indeed so foolish was last night that I felt different from common; but I hope nothing remarkable happened, the by reason of the storm [indecipherable] town. - O that the remembrance of Gods [indecipherable] heart to Love him. I know the affliction was great but my dearest friend the mercy was exceeding great: never to be forgot by me (I hope) who experienced it unspeakably [indecipherable] - What o my dear must have been my case if my dearest part had been taken away? but never never can we thank God eno’ that he plucked you away in the last moment as it were. It seem’d as if he was about to consume me, but oh his tender mercy spared you. -
But my dear friend farewel. I hope to be at the house of God tomorrow there we’ll once more join our thank-offering praying for a right improvement of all both mercies and afflictions. ohmy dear dont forget I am your faithful friend
E. Porter.
Angst
Christ
Christ Jesus
Christianity
death
Elizabeth Porter Phelps
Penelope Williams
prayer
religion