1835.03.22 - Elizabeth Huntington to Mary Huntington, Mar. 22nd, 1835
In this letter, Elizabeth Huntington writes to her daughter Mary, apparently for the first time in a while (she talks about the “awkwardness” of picking up again something that one has neglected). She updates Mary on her family and on other townspeople, and discusses women’s employment a bit. The letter then turns to the topic of education: first Elizabeth talks about educating children inside the classroom, but then she broadens her approach and talks about the duty of parents/mothers to educate their children in morals. She recognizes that it is a hard thing to do, and requires sacrifice and effort, but also indicates that she knows the payoff will be good in the end. There is a strong religious undertone throughout the letter as well, as Elizabeth refers to her faith as the thing that makes difficult times – bad weather, being kept from public worship, the stress of raising children right – bearable.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 12)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1835-03-22
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1831.11.29 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Nov. 29th, 1831
This is a letter from mother to child, where Elizabeth updates her son John of her husband’s hopefully growing interests in becoming a preacher. She also informs him of different family matters, including who is visiting, and relays the contents of letters from other family members. Lastly, Elizabeth alludes to a broken little society and the prospective formation of a new one (of this, I assume she is referring to town community gatherings, perhaps for select people). Elizabeth makes many religious references, referring to the power God has over their lives.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1831-11-29
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1835.10.08 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Oct. 8th, 1835
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.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1835-10-08
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence