1769.06.09 – Elizabeth Porter Phelps to Penelope Williams, June 1769
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.
Elizabeth Porter Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 5, Folder 16)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1769
Public domain
Letter
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
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Correspondence
1832.05.11 - Elizabeth Huntington to Mary Huntington, May 11th, 1832
This letter is from a mother, Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington, to her daughter Mary, who is away, having left home not too long ago. She tells her daughter that the family misses her and thinks of her often, and wishes her well on her journey. Her sadness at the separation reminds her of the loss of her younger daughter Catherine, two years before, though she understands it as God's right and will. Elizabeth casually remarks on the days before, having tea with friends, and the various house duties that have kept the family busy. She expresses her feelings on the separations in the family as new opportunities and blessings to rejoice in, and mentions the upcoming Sabbath day. She encourages her daughter to keep her faith alive by studying the Bible along with her siblings, reminiscing on her own experiences from doing so. Elizabeth then explains in greater detail, John Whiting’s recent health issues, filling Mary in on her siblings. She briefly mentions her other children who are partaking in various chores and leisure activities. Elizabeth concludes by admitting to her feelings of uneasiness accompanied by Mary’s departure, but uses the strength of holy words to keep her going.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 12)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1832-05-11
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1832.06.23 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 23, 1832
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.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 23, 1832
Public Domain
1834.12.02 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Dec 2, 1834
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.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Dec 2, 1834
Public Domain
1835.01.25 - Elizabeth Huntington to Mary Huntington, Jan 25th, 1835
Elizabeth begins her letter to her daughter, Mary, by reflecting on how she now rejoices that her deceased daughter Catherine is now free of sin. She then continues to fear for her children (especially Mary) as she feels that being away from home their choices will take them further away from God instead of closer to him. Elizabeth then speaks of a girl that they are considering taking into their home and discusses the pros and cons of taking her in. She concludes by asking if Mary has been teaching at all and then asks God to keep them all in his favor.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 12)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1835-01-25
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1842.06.21 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, June 21st, 1842
Elizabeth has written a letter to Frederic updating him on the whereabouts of, presumably, family and close friends. She specifically mentions Judge Lyman’s disease and as, a result, impaired cognitive abilities. Elizabeth’s sister, Lydia, has also shown no signs of improvement and has been newly diagnosed with dropsy. The local physician has prescribed medication to Lydia, but Theodore intends to take her to Hartford to aide in her recovery. Elizabeth ends her letter on an upbeat note describing a delightful ride with her mother. In the end, she sends her love and blessings to Frederic.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1842-06-21
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1843.09.13 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, September 13th, 1843
Elizabeth is updating her son Frederic on the occurrences in the valley. She tells him, first, of his siblings who are at home and of his siblings who are in other places. She then tells him of the visitors that they have. While noting the shifts to Unitarianism, Elizabeth still gives her son good luck and encourages him on his travels using scriptures and encouragements in Protestantism.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1843-09-13
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1844.03.14 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, March 14th, 1844
In a response to Frederic’s previous letter, Elizabeth begins by assuring him that she had received his letter, and that there had been confusion with the gift he sent to his father. She explains that Helen has grown sicker but is still alive, which Elizabeth believes is God’s doing. Helen and Elizabeth attended Mr. Ellis’ Sabbath in Northampton, and he read the first chapter of Malachi. Elizabeth shared her disappointment on Frederic’s short visit, but assured herself with a bible quote “a man shall leave father and mother and cleave to his wife.” She professed all of the reasons why she loves Frederic, her youngest son, and believed that God will reward him for treating her so well. A magazine containing Frederic’s sermon arrived at Elizabeth’s household from Theophilis. She marveled at reading his sermon, and noted that Elisa’s mother said it was “of rare excellence.” Elizabeth assured him that the family was healthy, thanks to the “goodness of God,” although some are having toothaches. Meanwhile, Theodore purchased an organ from Mr. Davis of Greenfield. She closed the letter by expressing the importance of Frederic committing to the Almighty Father as a guide until his death.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1844-03-14
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence