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
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
1829.11.26 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Nov, 26th, 1829
In this letter, Elizabeth talks extensively about how she had expected Elizabeth Fisher and her family to arrive at her home and had taken great pains to prepare for their arrival only to find out when Pa came back from town that she had written that she was unable to come. A bed had already been moved to the North kitchen and apple puddings for the children were in the hearth. Elizabeth was unable to come because the season had progressed so quickly and she worried about the children getting sick on the journey. They planned to come to the farm in the summer for Commencement. Elizabeth talks about how Charles and Helen were able to come as well as Mary and Theodore. She also mentions that Edward’s business is doing well and wonders if God will bless him with success. After talking about the family gossip, Elizabeth shifts over to religious admiration of John Huntington (a preacher) and God, writing the importance of faith in God. She concludes the letter by telling John that they are looking forward to his visit and have given him $5 and that they can send more if he writes to his father.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1829-11-26
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1830 - Bethia Huntington to Mary Huntington, ca. 1830
In this letter, Bethia tells Mary how the family is doing without her. She mentions that Catherine is having problems sleeping alone, and when she is left alone she cries about missing Mary. She also mentions that Pa misses Mary and wants to see her again soon. Lastly, Bethia urges Mary to write to the family because they always get pleasure from hearing from their sister.
Bethia Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 4)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
ca. 1830
Public domain.
1831.04.11 - Elizabeth Huntington to Mary Huntington, Apr. 11th, 1831
Elizabeth is writing to her daughter, Mary, on her birth day. The fact that Elizabeth is writing the letter in a feeble state could potentially explain why she elects to discuss Christianity. In the first paragraph, she conveys the purpose of her letter, which is twofold: first, she aims to portray her affection for Mary; second, she hopes to provide religious guidance. With regards to religious practice and enhancing one’s religious experience, Elizabeth alludes to the importance of reading the bible. She reassures Mary that God will reward her for relentless dedication to the faith. Advising Mary on how to approach her studies, Elizabeth instructs her daughter to adhere strictly to the will of the Holy Spirit. By acting in accordance with the will of God, Mary and other followers will be worthy of admittance into God’s heavenly kingdom.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 12)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1831-04-11
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1831.09.07 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Sep. 7th, 1831
This letter is your typical letter from your mother updating her child of what is new at home. Here we see Elizabeth Huntington update Whiting about what is happening at home: the store is going through some modifications, Elizabeth and Miss Vanderkemp of Trenton wrote to the family, and Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington is still suffering from her stomach illness. The topic of faith and the practice of faith is also very present in this letter, as seen through Elizabeth’s approval of fasting. It is interesting to see how the talk of God is just as normal as sending Whiting his shirts the next week. Additionally, it is quite clear to see Elizabeth is a mother with how she writes about her children being in school and how Mary was preparing to leave home for school and the use of “Pa and I.” Something else that is interesting to note is the use of quoting in this letter. There are two instances in which a text is referenced: the popular phrase from the book of James in the bible of “do unto others what you want done upon you” and a quote from the poem “Night Thought” by Edward Young.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1831-09-07
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
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
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
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
1832.06.01 - Elizabeth Huntington to Mary Huntington, June 1st, 1832
Elizabeth Huntington is writing to Mary Huntington explaining that she received her series of letters that came last Tuesday. She explains that her first letter brought sorrow upon them as a family but her last letter inspired them with hope. Elizabeth then goes on to speak about what has happened lately in the town and in church. Elizabeth explains how she and her family were missing Mary but they planned to make a trip to see her. The entirety of the last page of this letter is cross written and indecipherable.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 12)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1832-06-01
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
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.