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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
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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.
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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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1832.06.11 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 11, 1832
Creator
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Mary Huntington
Source
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Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Date
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Jun 14, 1832
Rights
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Public Domain
Description
An account of the resource
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.
Scripto
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Troy, June 11th, 1832.
My dear Mother,
My roommates are both absent, and as I have not much to do in the way of studying, I purpose to devote a few minutes in endeavoring to answer your kind letter which came to hand, together with several others last Thursday evening. You speak of my French lines to William. I feel quite ashamed of them, and almost blame myself for sending them. It was surely a miserable epistle.
I was in hopes that brother F [Frederic] would enjoy living at Northampton, very much, but by something in your letter I conclude that like me, he thinks “there is no place like home”. With what joy shall I greet our sweet Elm Valley[1] again, if I live to return home. While I am writing this the thought forces itself upon me, I shall not find one, there who used to enjoy its charms with me. But I can think of her now as an angel in heaven, and this [crossed out] to be with Jesus the Bible assuring us is better than to remain here. Mr. [Atwell?] must be very deeply afflicted. The hymn that was sung when he requested prayers is the same that was read the Sabbath after our dear little Catherine’s death[2]. I have admired it ever since.
When I read that you expected Mr. [Stearns] and his wife and Charles and Helen to visit you, I was so selfish as to wish for a moment that I would be at home. But I did not think of it long for my studies if nothing else would prevent such a thing from disturbing me a great while. I hope their visit was both pleasant and profitable.
I thank you much for the books you sent me, and for the excellent cake. I have not eaten it all yet. It will last me a good while, and when we are absent from home such things are very acceptable.
Mrs. Willard talks much to the girls respecting their manners and appearance, and wishes us to endeavor to overcome any defects either in our person or manners; which she thinks may be done by great exertion. She thinks it is our duty to attend to these things as we [crossed out] a person who appears well has a greater opportunity for doing good than one of an opposite description. But really I have no very fine chance here for learning to “do the honneurs of the table[3] with dignity,” as my instructress is Mammy Thompson. How I wish not to say the least word against her for I really love her, but what I mean to say is that I might learn that art quite as well under your instructions as where I now am. I suppose the examination commences seven weeks from this very day. That is not a great while is it? We have now begun to review our studies already, and the teachers are urging their classes, to get their lessons perfectly, because the examination is so near. Mademoiselle de [Carval?] dreads it as much as any of the scholars. I suspect you have not yet written whether you were acquainted with Miss Hinsdale of Middletown. Please do [to] inform me respecting this when you write. How do Elvira and [Marian?] come on? I will thank you to give my love to them. I think I shall send this letter by tomorrow’s mail, and will therefore let it remain unsealed until tomorrow morning, for perhaps I shall wish to add something more. I must bid you adieu now, as I have something else
to attend to.
Tuesday June 12 1832. I must now close my letter to you my dear Mother, as it is nearly time for me to put it in the letter box. Miss Hudson has just informed me that she wishes me to write a composition for examination. I told her that I did not think myself competent. She told me she wished me to make [an?][missing because of tear in paper] attempt. How I dread it. She has promised [missing-paper torn] of a subject for me and when she [missing-sealing wax blocking words, paper torn] what it is, I shall let you know, as I was to [then?] [obscured] have all the assistance from home that is possible. I must now repeat my old song “do write often,” and I believe I shall continue to do so as long as I stay here for one of the greatest comforts I have is to receive letters from you. Your affectionate daughter
Mary D. Huntington
P.S. If I do not get a letter today, I shall be quite disappointed
[1] - the family often referred to their land in Hadley as “Elm Valley”
[2] - Catherine died of typhus on August 15, 1830, at the age of 13
[3] - French phrase “honneurs de la table”, refers to conduct and etiquette expected when at the table: table manners.
Bible
Catherine
Charles
Composition
death
Elm Valley
Elvira
Frederic
French
Helen
homesick
Jesus
Mademoiselle
Mademoiselle de Carval
Mammy Thompson
Manners
Marian
Middletown
Miss Hinsdale
Miss Hudson
Mr. Atwell
Mr. Stearns
Mrs. Willard
NEEDS EDITING
Northampton
school
servants
Studies
Studying
Troy
William
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https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/files/original/3cc4ed92151eeb1cc1796eeaed504d86.pdf
5d40a6118e124ab09a1a42206ac24f02
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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1832.06.28 - Mary D. Huntington to Bethia Huntington, Jun 28, 1832
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Creator
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Mary D. Huntington
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
June 28, 1832
Rights
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Public domain.
Description
An account of the resource
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.
Scripto
Transcription
A written representation of a document.
<div>
<div>
<p>Troy, June 28th 1832</p>
<p>My dear sister<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/bethiah">Bethia</a></p>
<p>I thank you for your kind sympathizing letter which I received yesterday together with one from<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/danh">Father</a>. Again I am obliged to regret that I have inflicted any needless pain in the hearts of those I love. By the blessing of a kind providence, I am quite well again, and I desire to be thankful for this, and all the other services with which he has crowned my life.</p>
<p>Last evening Mr. Tucker called to see those who attend his church, and as he saw me at the bible class, he inquired for me and wished to see me. As I was going down I met Mrs.Willard, and went with her into her room, and so was prevented from seeing Mr.Tucker. Perhaps it is as well on the whole that I did not, for as he was acquainted with Pa’s sentiments he might have said something to injure my feelings.</p>
<p>I am much pleased with sister<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/elizabethhuntington">Elizabeth’s</a><span> </span>plan and hope it will succeed. Since this intelligence has been communicated to me, I have often thought of the loss we have sustained since we last saw her, and I doubt not you have thought of it too.</p>
<p>We have been reviewing for examination for some time, so that I think I shall not dread my French recitations as much as I imagined I should. I am not hurried at all at present, with my studies as you will perceive by my writing home so often.</p>
<p>What can be the reason brother<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/edwardhuntington">Edward</a><span> </span>has not written to me yet? He is exactly the person whose ideas I want upon the subject of flowers, and I must have them. I cannot be satisfied with any thing less than three pages. Please, mention this to him. You do not know how disappointed I was, to find you had not condescended to give me one, solitary, thought upon my subject when I requested you to, so very particularly. Surely you thought I was in jest, or you would have complied with my request.</p>
<p>I have neglected to answer brother<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/williamhuntington">Williams</a><span> </span>french letters for various reasons but assure him that it was not from want of disposition but from a variety of very different circumstances. I intend now, however to bring myself to it soon.</p>
<p>Mrs. Willard told me last night that I could soon take lessons upon the guitar, but it is not likely that I shall make very rapid progress this term.</p>
<p>Matthew wrote me some time since that Marian had left you. Has she left for good, or is she coming back soon? If she is not coming back I should think you would like to take another. Saturday June 30th Mrs Willard mentioned at table this morning that two black woman [sic] had died very suddenly of late in Troy, and that she had sent to the attending physician to know if the disorder was cholera, and that he assured her [it crossed out] they died of intemperance, as they have been seen intoxicated for several days past.</p>
<p>We have sufficient to remind us every day we have, that “this is not our rest” O for a soul prepared to obey with joy the summons to depart, whenever they shall arrive. If dear Papa [knew how crossed out] &<span> </span><a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/elizabethwhp">Mamma</a><span> </span>knew how comforting their letters are to me, they would not fail of writing. Many thanks to Fanny for her sweet little letter. I value it very highly, and shall keep it as choice as possible. Kiss her for me a great many times. Write very soon to your affectionate but absent sister</p>
<p>[<a href="https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/maryhuntington">https://www.ats.amherst.edu/globalvalley/exhibits/show/pph-papers/people/maryhuntington</a><span> </span>Mary D. Huntington]</p>
</div>
</div>
<div></div>
African-Americans
Bethia
cholera
death
EDITED
Edward
Elizabeth
Fanny
French
gossip
guitar
illness
Marian
Mary
Mr. Tucker
Mrs. Willard
music
religion
school
servants
temperance
Troy
William