1832.06.11 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 11, 1832
In this letter, Mary writes to her mother, Elizabeth, primarily about what is going on at school. She begins by sympathizing with her brother Frederic about being home-sick, and also reflects on the death of her sister, Catherine. She briefly inquires about visitors, including her brother Charles and his wife Helen, and feels selfish for wishing to be home. Mary then thanks her mother for the cake and books that she sent. Mary begins talking about her teachers at school and what she is learning. Mrs. Willard, the headmistress, is teaching the girls about manners and appearance. Another teacher, by the last name of Thompson, teaches the girls how to do the“honneurs of the table”. Exams are approaching, and the teachers dread it as much as the students. Mary then asks her mother if she knew a Miss [Hinsdale?] from Connecticut, and asks about others also before stepping away from the letter. She returns the next day to close the letter, and briefly mentions how she had been chosen to write a composition for the examinations and how nervous she is about it. She ends by mentioning that letters from home are always a great comfort and that she hopes to receive more soon.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 14, 1832
Public Domain
1832.05.12 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, May 12, 1832
In this letter from Mary Huntington to Elizabeth Phelps Huntington, she updates her mother on her rooming situation and the internal struggle she’s been experiencing as a result of homesickness. Mary is staying with a friend temporarily while her roommate is gone and she discusses her plans to possibly stay with her cousins Eunice and Stella. She hopes to live with Eunice and Stella to be with family; Mary explains how her homesickness might be a contributor to her deteriorating health and asks her mother to keep this a secret from the rest of
their family.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
May 12, 1832
Public Domain
1832.06.28 - Mary D. Huntington to Bethia Huntington, Jun 28, 1832
Mary D. Huntington writes to her sister, Bethia Huntington, thanking her for a letter received from her. She goes on to discuss current events in her life at Miss Emma Willard’s School in Troy, New York. These events include, interactions and conversations had with her teachers Mr.Tucker and Mrs.Willard ranging in topic from religion and her studies to current town gossip concerning the recent death of two black townspeople. In discussing school lessons she mentions both French and learning to play the guitar. She then expresses her feelings concerning her family members, from hope for her sister Elizabeth’s plans to worry about her recent lack of correspondence with brothers Edward and William. She especially wants to hear Edward's advice on flowers. Finally, she concludes with caring sentiments about her parents and Fanny and reminds Bethia to write back soon.
Mary D. Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 28, 1832
Public domain.
1832.06.21 - Mary D. Huntington to Bethia Huntington, June 21, 1832
This is a letter that Mary wrote to her sister Bethia likely while she was at Miss Emma Willard’s School in Troy, New York. She starts by stating that she is up to date with all her communication, except she has not written to William, because she does not feel like writing in French--she seems to be using her letters to him to practice her language skills. It seems she is just killing time and venting to her sister about how she does not feel well. Mary seems to think that she may even have some kind of “disorder” or condition that is making her feel this way. She tells Bethia that she really wants someone to come and visit her. She may be a homesick teenager away at school, but she seems adamant that someone must come see her. Her quote is a reference to the bible: Exodus 2:22. Overall the letter seems to be a sister venting to a sister, and Mary simply wants someone to be there for her while she is feeling ill physically or mentally. Something to note here though, is the fact that Mary died at the age of 24 in 1839, so it is possible that she in fact did have some kind of chronic medical condition.
Mary D. Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 21, 1832
Public domain.
1832.05.21 - Elizabeth Huntington to Mary Huntington, May 21st., 1832
Elizabeth writes to her 17 year-old daughter Mary while she is away at school. There seems to be some concern about Mary's health or happiness and Elizabeth seems willing to have her return home and study with her brother William if she prefers. Elizabeth sympathetically recalls her own unhappiness when away from home as a girl. The rest of the letter is full of family and town news with special attention to the family's horses and to the antics of baby Frances. She writes about church describing the music of the church organ and the content of a recent sermon. She ends with a postscript written in French--a language Mary was probably learning in school. Elizabeth planned to send the letter by post, but instead sends it with a man going west to sell hats.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 12)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1832-05-21
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence