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
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
1832.06.20 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 20, 1832
In this letter, Mary writes to her parents from school. She is very anxious and hurried in sending the letter. There is no clear danger to Mary’s health, but she is not well. Mary references asking someone to come for her in the previous letter, and she hopes that her parents complete this task without hesitation. At the end of this distressing letter, Mary includes a P.S. telling her parents not to be frightened, as she only wishes to tell them of her true feelings.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 20, 1832
Public Domain
1832.05.12 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, May 12, 1832
In this letter from Mary Huntington to Elizabeth Phelps Huntington, she updates her mother on her rooming situation and the internal struggle she’s been experiencing as a result of homesickness. Mary is staying with a friend temporarily while her roommate is gone and she discusses her plans to possibly stay with her cousins Eunice and Stella. She hopes to live with Eunice and Stella to be with family; Mary explains how her homesickness might be a contributor to her deteriorating health and asks her mother to keep this a secret from the rest of
their family.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
May 12, 1832
Public Domain