1839.11.05 - Edward Huntington to Elizabeth Huntington, Nov 5, 1839
Edward Huntington wrote this cramped letter to his mother in the midst of his studies
away at college. It opens affectionately, but Edward quickly moves into a discussion of his
friends and his philosophy of life. though much of the letter is indecipherable, due to Edward’s
scrawling script, what is evident is his use of Christ and the bible as an inspiration not only in
how to live life, but how to think about life. The letter is highly philosophical, and includes a
reference to Stocism and to Virgil’s Aeneid. He spends most of the letter reflecting on the nature of friendship in relation to living a good, moral life. He also reflects on the death of his sister Mary a loss that occurred less than a month before the date of this letter.
As the letter goes on, Edward’s handwriting, already difficult to read, becomes impossible to decipher, as he saves space by compressing his writing. The last paragraph is essentially unreadable. However, in the second to last paragraph, some clues point to Edward’s awareness of the outside world; he references New York state (abbreviated NY), and mentions Judge Lyman, a Northampton native. While Edward’s account is fragmented and obviously incomplete, it speaks to the various ways in which he was connected to a wider social, philosophical, and theological world.
Edward Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 19, Folder 15)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Nov 5, 1839
Public Domain
1846.02.25 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Feb. 25th, 1846
This is a letter from Elizabeth Huntington to her son Frederic. In it she details daily life and interpersonal interactions within the community. She brings religion into her writing through textual quotations or just by writing about sermons, services, lectures and her own reading. Elizabeth writes on her health, and that of family members, and expresses well wishes. In this winter letter she describes snow storms and celebrates that the house stays comfortable even in the coldest weather.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1846-02-25
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
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