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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
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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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1833.04.23 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Apr 23, 1833
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
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Apr 23, 1833
Rights
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Public Domain
Description
An account of the resource
Mary explains that she is struggling with her physical and mental health to her Mother. For the first part of her time at Troy, her school, she was struggling to get to her lessons but felt that the only time for her to finish her studies was the present. She has dropped her studies completely, but she is still not much feeling better. She knits to pass the time.
Mary states that she wishes that she was as grateful as her mother, as her letters are filled
with positivity more often than not. She begins to muse about how “we” should look at our
blessings as well as our troubles. Mary believes that when things are bad, it is harder to think of our blessings than when things are good.
She then expresses her gratitude at being granted the ability to return home with Edward but then shows her hesitation towards actually going home. She feels as if the option is too easy, and is leaving the decision for her mother (the reader) and Pa to make. While she is disappointed that she will not be following the path she expected to take, she knows that it is best for her mental health to not continue her schoolings at the present time.
Mary then jumps to questioning what to infer from what Elizabeth wrote. She wonders if Elizabeth has become a believer and if so, she will celebrate that with her. Mary then says that it is important to have “the assurance of faith.”
Although Mary wanted to have written back by that afternoon, she was prevented from doing so by Pauline, a guest. Mary makes sure to mention that Pauline has a plan for when she turns twenty-one that includes living in the country on a farm and doing the
housework herself. Two of Mary’s (teachers?) left the seminary on a journey to Clinton, and she hopes they succeed in what they do. She explains how she feels discouraged about herself and a burden to her friends. She asks her mother to express any cautions she may have, especially since she could do it with kindness.
Mary received Bethia’s letter, and hopes to see her brother in a few days. She ends the
letter by asking her mother to send a prayer for her.
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
My dear Mother,
The letter which I received yesterday from you and Father, comforted me not a little. If I caused you much uneasiness by what I wrote, I regret it extremely. But with truth I can say that I expressed no more than I felt either with regard to my mental or bodily feelings. The first part of the time that I was here, I felt that I was hardly capable of sustaining the exertion necessary to getting my lessons, but as I thought it probable that the present was the only time for finishing my education. I determined to say nothing about my feelings but continued my studies till forced to give them up. About a fortnight since, Mrs. Willard advised me to drop them entirely, and since that time I have followed her advice. I do not see on the whole, that my health improves much, though thanks to a kind Providence, I am able to sit up all day and walk about the hall, excepting about an hour before dinner. I have amused myself with working cord, on a little apron for Fanny, (dont tell Helen of it) knitting, and sometimes reading. Yesterday Miss Lee one of the teachers, took me to ride Lansingburg. Our road lay along the banks of the Hudson. The morning was delightful, and getting out into the country, and breathing the fresh air, was quite invigorating. It gave me something of a headache but on the whole I think I feel better for it.
I wish I possessed half as much gratitude as my dear mother. You seem to call it into exercise an occasions when others, or when I at least, should not think of it [crossed out] being grateful. The mercies enumerated in your letter are so common, that we rarely are conscious of possessing them. And if by accident we are deprived of them, we regard it as something quite out of the ordinary course of events, and are apt to think our condition very insupportable. I suppose if we were to think more of our blessings and less of our troubles, we should save ourselves much unhappiness, and add much to our real worth. When every thing looks bright, such sentiments are easily uttered, but when a [crossed out] clouds darken our prospects, (and with me this frequently happens) it is far more difficult to bring our minds to a right frame.
I thank you with all my heart for giving me liberty to return with Edward. I am unwilling
to decide in this case. I think if compelled by necessity, I would remain the other few weeks, though I fear I should not be able to continue my studies I know what course my inclination would lead me to adopt, ^for one out of health is apt to be partial to home. But I do not wish to be directed by choice alone. I have endeavored to let you know all the circumstances of the case, and shall leave it to your kindness and judgement, and to Pa’s also, to determine with regard to my remaining here. It is a great disappointment to me not to be able to follow the path I had marked out for myself, but it is for wise ends without doubt, that I am prevented from doing so.
What do you infer from what Elizabeth writes? Can it be that she has been “brought out”
at a protracted meeting? If she has arrived at what she considers the truth I am sure I shall rejoice with her, and on her account. It is worth a great deal to leave “the assurance of faith.”
Wednesday evening. I meant to have finished this letter this afternoon, but was prevented by company. Pauline has been with us an hour or two, and has [crossed out] appeared to be delighted with my description of what I used to do at home. She says after she is twenty one she will leave the country, on a farm, and do the housework herself. Mrs Willard thinks her ^a much better girl since she returned from Guildford. This morning Miss Stevenson, and Miss Patterson left the seminary for Clinton. Their prospects are good and I hope they will succeed according to their wishes. Some appear to be prospered more than others and undoubtedly, more [word crossed out] for some wise design. I frequently feel a little discouraged about myself, for I fear by my ill health, and irresolution, and fretting, I make myself burdensome to my friends. You must not hesitate to caution me whenever you think it necessary, for I should esteem it a kindness to be counselled by you on this point, and every other [every other crossed out], always when I need advice. Coming from a Mother, it cannot but be well received. In kind parents, I have a blessing, of which many at my age are destitute and for which I desire ever to be grateful.
Bethia’s letter I received yesterday, and was so delighted with it, that I have read it over
many times, and intend answering it soon.
After I wrote you that I intended practicing on the guittar, I was not as well, and
since that time I have not had a good opportunity of speaking to Mrs W. on the subject. I am trying to wait with patience for brother’s arrival as I said before, I shall leave it to you and Pa to decide whether or not I shall return with him. But at any rate I shall hope to see him here in a few days. Give my warmest love to brothers and sister, and present my dutiful and affectionate regards to Father. Caroline sends a great deal of love to all inquiring friends. That the loveliest of heavens blessings may rest up on you my dear Mother is the prayer of your daughter.
Mary
Bethia
Caroline
Clinton
Dan Huntington
Edward
Elizabeth Fisher
gratitude
Guildford
guitar
health
Helen
Lansingburg
Miss Lee
Miss Patterson
Miss Stevenson
Mrs. Willard
NEEDS EDITING
Pauline
school
Studies
Troy
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https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/files/original/27762a6feac0fb112dc71a56d95ee954.pdf
35e0ce139a3ab3d09c19c310d536f1f7
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
1843.02.01 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Feb. 1st, 1843
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 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Rights
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Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Type
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Correspondence
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1843-02-01
Description
An account of the resource
In this letter, Elizabeth updates Edward on various happenings in the family. She mentions receiving a letter from William doing missionary work in the west, in which he apologizes for his reaction to a joke made by Edward and his scathing comment about Edward in his subsequent letter to Bethia. However, William goes on to describe what he found hurtful in Edward’s letter and its “entire misunderstanding of my situation, my capacities, and my actual efforts.” Elizabeth urges Edward to write to his brother and “heal the wound.” William also writes about how he injured his leg cutting wood, but is still grateful for all his blessings. Elizabeth mentions that Father, Theodore, Theophilus, and George Fisher have gone to Northampton on business. The letter ends with a small addendum about Dan Huntington injuring his elbow and needing some medical attention.
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
[Addressed to] Mr. Edward P. Huntington Cabotville--
Elm Valley Feb 1st 1843
Dear Edward,
You have doubtless been looking long for this last number of the Christian Examiner[1]; as Fredric sent it here, that I might read Mr. Ware's[2] article on the progress of Peace Principles, I feel in a measure accountable to you for its being this long on its way to you. It was sent with some other pamphlets, and letters to Springfield, by a private opportunity - and from there I believe it came by a stage driver to Northampton - Charles left it a few days and then brought it over to us - Since that I have endeavored to find an opportunity to send it to you but have not yet succeeded - Bottom Smith intends going to Cabotville this week – and I hope it will go by him. We had quite a satisfactory letter from William today - In answer to something which Bethia had written him respecting your correspondence with him, he writes thus - "I should never have taken exception to the continuation of a joke," nor even to the originating of a joke, by Brother Edward. It was the serious part of his letter, - what he said about the employment of times, the misapplication of talents, and my neglect to gather around me here young men and educate them, - and the complaining and dissatisfied strain of my letters home and to him - this was the part of his letter, upon which I perhaps unnecessarily made a scathing comment, in my letter to Bethia. All of which I then thought, still think, and ever shall think was unjust, unkind and founded upon an entire misunderstanding of my situation, my capacities, and my actual efforts." --These little troubles among dear and distant friends are very unpleasant, and as they were often to arise from ignorance with regard to the subjects in question - perhaps it would be well for you to write him - and if possible heal the wound. He speaks of having cut a gash in his leg about three inches long a day or two before he wrote, which was Jan. 19th, by the glancing of his axe. He says "the pain and inconvenience I suffer are trifling compared with my disappointment at not being able to avail myself of this fine sleighing to get my wood. But it is night, and more good than evil will spring out of it. How many blessings have I and mine, for which to be grateful- my wife says she has never in her life enjoyed better health than during the present winter." - Thanks to our merciful Father, we who inhabit the old mansion can bear witness also that his mercies never fail -. your father has been chipping at the mountain all last week and some before – in all this wind and cold he has gone into town with T. and T.[3] who have gone to N--n[4] on business - they also carried George Fisher who has been here since Monday - spending part of his vacation. Little [Walter ?] is as fat as ever - he has learned to creep. The dwellers in the valley remember you and Helen with the kindest wishes and more especially does you affectionate mother Elizabeth --
Friday morning - your father has paid dear for going out yesterday - before he went he complained of pains on his right elbow - it increased toward night, and has been very troublesome ever since till within an hour or two - Doct. [Mutray?] is now here - you inquire the price of butter - I believe it will not bring more than nine pence. - The doctor has gone and left a wash for the arm - and some powder to be taken if the pain is severe. It seems to be a turn of chronic rheumatisms – he has been eating breakfast and is quite comfortable.
[1] The Christian Examiner was a Christian periodical with Unitarian and Trancendentalist content.
[2] Henry Ware, Jr. was influential Unitarian theologian and faculty at the Harvard Divinity School
[3] Theophilus and Theodore
[4] Northampton
Bottom Smith
Cabotville
Christian Examiner
Dan Huntington
Doctor Murray
EDITED
education
Edward
Elizabeth
family strife
George Fisher
Helen
Henry Ware Jr.
Jokes
Misunderstandings
Pain
Peace Principles
postal delivery
Theodore
Theophilus
William