1835.05.09 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, May 9, 1835
Mary Huntington writes to her mother, Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, about her decision to travel to Albany. She makes this decision after considering other people’s travel plans of and deliberating. She preferred to be accompanied by some of her family members, but had no choice but to travel alone.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
May 9, 1835
Public Domain
1834.11.01 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Nov 1, 1834
Mary is writing a letter to her mother about her arrival at Oswego. The first half of her letter she talks about the journey itself, she discusses how she felt sick at one point but has since gotten over it. She then talks about the friends she made in her short time in Oswego. After that, Mary exclaims how much she misses her family back home, but then quickly transitions into how the weather has been since she has been there. She then quickly closes the first part of the letter because it is growing dark.
After the initial part of her letter, Mary writes a lengthy ps. which mainly details what she has done each day. Mary starts her postscript.s by saying what expenses she has accumulated then goes into her day by day account. The first part of her recounting her days is heavily focused on her religious encounter with the people she has been around. She talks about how she may have to conform to their beliefs while she is there in Oswego. Once she finishes talking about the religious portion of her day by day accounts she goes into the ladies she has interacted with since arriving to Oswego. She says the belles are a pleasure to be around and looks forwards to more interactions with them, and jokes that she hopes she does “not become dissipated.” Before she closes her letter again, she notes that she hasn’t been into the town except for church and anticipates going soon. She closes her letter by stating how she misses her family and sends her love and reminds them that they are all protected by the love of God.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Nov 1, 1834
Public Domain
1832.06.30 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 30, 1832
In this letter, Mary writes to her mother, Elizabeth, and agrees that she should accompany her cousin to communion. Mary laments that she cannot have such discussions about religion with her friends, and not only does she wish to make a public profession of her faith, but she wishes that her brothers would join her—even though she does not have the authority to ask them. However, Mary fears that she will not return home from Mrs. Willard’s school before the first Sabbath in August. The examination is to begin July 25 th and last one week, so that the girls may return home sooner, and Mary wishes to know the plans regarding her return in the next letter. She fears that she must wait for her sister Elizabeth, whose homecoming is also uncertain. Finally, there is also a cholera outbreak in New York and Fort Millar, adding urgency to her homecoming. Though Mrs. Willard says she looks pale, Mary writes that her health is as usual, and that she wishes to return home as soon as possible. Even still, Mary asks her family to pray for her and to let her know their plans for her homecoming as soon as possible.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 30, 1832
Public Domain
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
1832.06.23 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 23, 1832
In this letter, Mary is writing to her mother with a sense of worriedness. It seems that she wants to leave school and is asking her mother if there is anyone coming to get her. She mentions a dreaded disease which she hopes to avoid by leaving the school. Other letters from this period mention fears of a cholera epidemic. Mary questions if friends will refuse to come for her, and then brings faith and religion into the letter by saying that she knows these evils cannot be escaped by running, but knows she would be better at home. Mary then asks her mother to pray for her so that God keeps her safe. Mary says that she encloses the bulletin, and wishes for the health of all those who are receiving her letter.
She finishes by asking her mother to come after her again.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 23, 1832
Public Domain
1828[?].10.24 - Catherine Huntington to Mary Huntington, Oct 24 [1828?]
A folded piece of stationary with very formally addressed to Mary from Catherine noting that mother has approved inviting friends over to the house today. The letter seems to be a practice by young sisters at the language of formal invitations. The letter does not appear to have gone through the post office, but is decorated (postage paid?) with pencil rubbings of coins.
Catherine Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 19)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Oct 24
Public Domain
Mary Huntington to Catherine Huntington, Tuesday Forenoon
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 8)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1829.09.28 - Mary Huntington to Catherine Huntington, Sept. 28 1829
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 8)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
September 28, 1829
1832.06.28 Mary Huntington to Father, June 28 1832, with inclosure from Mrs. Willard
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 28, 1832
1832.06.28 Mary Huntington to Father, June 28, 1832
Mary writes to her father, grateful for his letter to her advising that she remain at the school despite a cholera threat. She describes the precautions the city is taking and notes that many other girls have left the school, and suggests plans for her parents to take her home. She describes bible class, the examination schedule, Mrs. Willard's view of the Trinity, and asks her parents to give permission for her to leave school for weekly meetings.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 27, 1832