Elm Valley June 16th 1837 -
Dear Edward,
Yours of the 12th to your father was received yesterday. From that, I should think that your connexion with Hunter would probably close soon. If so I shall hope that one good [e]ffect of it will be to bring you home. It is quite time for you to make us a visit, and let business be suspended for the present.
We have had a very busy week so far. Monday the Association[1] met here. Doct. Willard, Mr. Fenender. Mr. Hading and Mr. Rogers[2] came that day - in the evening we had religious excercises as usual, sermon by Mr. Fenender[3]. Next morning before breakfast Mr. H, Mr. Everett of Northfield[4] and Mr. Bullfinch[5] who is preaching for Mr. Harris joined them. Fredric got back[6] to stay till Tuesday and woe had his company also and his assistance. They all left after dinner.[7] I hope their consultations may promote the cause which it is their familiar business to defend and advance.[8] Tuesday afternoon your father having business in town[9], I made a short visit to Martha[10], her health has been much impaired this spring but she is getting better[11], and has gone to Cummington[12] for a few days to visit Mrs. Groff[13].
To keep up the sum of gadding, I rode[14] the next day to Hatfield[15] with your father, who has a great desire to see the widow ____, and for fear of intruding upon his visit with the ladies, I spent the time with Maria Partridge[16]. There I found George her brother[17], and tutor Park, who had walked over for exercise[18]. We went from there to N_ [Northampton], drank tea at Charles'[19], and found that Mr. Birney[20] was to deliver an anti-slavery[21] lecture that evening; the temptation was so great that we staid and did not make home till almost eleven[22]. Just below the sycamore tree[23], we met Theodore, who to calm the minds of the girls[24] had mounted Dicky and was riding full speed to finish us up. We were much gratified with the address, but there is great apathy upon this subject in this part of the country.[25] A few here and there seem to realise something of the abomination, which are inseparable from this system of slavery, and many I doubt not, who have not power to do much, are content in their supplications to the Father of mercies that he would break every yoke, and let the offended go free.[26]
Wyman Smith came on yesterday and made a beginning upon Theopholis' house [MU1]Mr. Collins[27] and his men are to begin next week upon the cellar.
To finish the journal[28] for the week, the girls have invited their young friends for this evening, but a dark cloud has overspread the horizon and a gentle rain seems to be falling from it which may defeat the plan entirely. Our men have all gone to this mountain today, and woe be to the weeds among the corn.[29] –
Charles has furnished your brother with marlberry seed[30] to a considerable amount; [several lines of writing crossed out] Mr. Fischer[31] has not returned from Oswego, but is expected this week. Elizabeth [32] has gone to Deerfield to attend Ms. Lincoln's school[33].
We received a letter from William today dated Toledo? ____. He says there is a great door and effectual open?, and there are many adversaries. The people are anxious that he should remain with them a year. This he can not do, but he would gladly get a society established upon a firm foundation.
And now is there another fragment of news untold. Oh yes Robert[35] ____ is to be married next Tuesday.
But let us not close this interview[36] with out one look at the better world, the heavenly inheritance. Thanks to God, that when earthly prospects prove delusion, we may with the most assured hope, fix our affections upon a portion which no earthly power can wrest from us.
The dream of this life will soon be over, it may be very soon. To teach our dear departed Whiting and Catherine[37]. And let them not speak to us in vain. May our devotion to God be so constant and entire, that death may be a welcome messanger, to bear us to our Father's house and our friends in heaven, Most truly your affectionate mother Elizabeth -
Thursday- I have been keeping this, hoping to be able to copy it and send something a little more suitable and less unworthy, but not having time I send it with all its imperfections– your's to Theodore came yesterday- your plan for the Edwards’ plan [place?] I think you would like. You had better renounce the hopes of riches - and enjoy with contentment and labor the common blessings of Providence which are furnished for us in abundance -
1 What Association? Elizabeth's husband Dan was licensed to preach by the Berkshire Association of Congregational Ministers. (http://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/amherst/ma30_odd.html#odd-dh)
2 Are these friends from their Unitarian congregation?
3 Who is this?
4 How did he get to Northfield?
5 Revered Stephen Bullfinch, husband of Caroline Phelps Bullfinch, Dan and Elizabeth's niece (http://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/amherst/ma30_odd.html).
6 Got back from where? He was probably living on campus.
7 Was James also a student at Amherst College? Did they go back to the College after dinner?
8 I don't understand what she is saying in this sentence. Is she referring to their studies at Amherst?
9 What kind of business? Maybe a religious gathering or meeting?
10 Who is Martha?
11 What kind of impairment? Perhaps something that could be easily remedied today?
12 A small town about 22 miles northwest of Hadley.
13 Who is this?
14 Rode in what?
15 A town about 7 miles northwest of Hadley.
16 Found a Maria Partridge Dickinson (birth, 1797) from Hampshire County, Mass on Ancestry. (http://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gl=ROOT_CATEGORY&rank=1&new=1&so=3&MSAV=1&msT=1&gss=ms_r_f-2_s&gsfn=Maria+Partridge&gsln=Dickinson&msbdy=1797&msbpn__ftp=Hadley%2C+Hampshire%2C+Massachusetts%2C+USA&msddy=&msdpn__ftp=Templeton%2C+Worcester%2C+Massachusetts%2C+USA&cpxt=0&catBucket=rstp&uidh=000&cp=0).
17 According to Geni, Maria Partridge Dickinson had a brother named George Dickinson who was born in 1815 (http://www.geni.com/people/Maria-Partridge-Dickinson/6000000010160892106).
18 Interesting.
19 What is this place? What is New Frank?
20 This is James G. Birney!!! The famous abolitionist, Kentucky politician and creator of The Philanthropist (1836), an abolitionist weekly publication in Cincinnati, Ohio. Birney was actually travelling through New York and New England, in May and June of 1837. General Birney, Birney's sons, says of his father: "Mr. Birney's chief object had been to restore harmony among Anti-slavery leaders on doctrines and measures, and especially to check a tendency, already marked in Massachusetts, to burden the cause with irrelevant reforms, real or supposed. With this view he had attended the New England Anti-slavery Convention held at Boston, May 30 to June 2 inclusive, accepted the position of one of its vice-presidents, and acted as a member of its committee on business. Rev. Henry C. Wright, the leader of the No-Human-Government, Woman's-Rights, and Moral-Reform factions, was a member of the Convention, but received no appointment of any committee. On June 23, in the Liberator [his newspaper], Mr. Garrison denounced human governments. July 4, he spoke at Providence, as if approvingly, of the overthrow of the Nation, the dismemberment of the Union, and the dashing in pieces of the Church. July 15, an association of Congregational ministers issued a pastoral letter against the new doctrines. August 2, five clergymen, claiming to represent nine tenths of the abolitionists of Massachusetts, published on appeal which was directed more especially against the course of the Liberator. August 3, the abolitionist of Andover Theological Seminary issued a similar appeal. Among the complaints were some against speculations that lead inevitably to disorganization, anarchy, unsettling the domestic economy, removing the landmarks of society, and unhinging the machinery of government. A new Anti-slavery society in Bangor passed the following resolution: That, while we admit the right of full and free discussion of all subjects, yet, in our judgment, individuals rejecting the authority of civil and parental governments ought not to be employed as agents and lecturers in promoting the cause of emancipation" (http://womenshistory.about.com/library/etext/bl_watr_ch04.htm).
21 The first anti-slavery society was established in New York in 1831. It became a national organization two years later. Its main supporters were from religious groups such as the Quakers and from the free black community (http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAantislavery.htm).
22 She must have been interested in anti-slavery issues, or the lecture was just riveting, or both. Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington actually wrote a letter to William Lloyd Garrison (founder of New England Anti-Slavery Society) on January 22, 1834 (Amherst College--PPH Collection, Box 12, Folder 20)
23 Could this be the sycamore tree of the Deerfield Academy? (http://deerfield.edu/about/history-and-tradition/days-of-glory-for-200-years/).
24 Which girls?
25 The New England Anti-Slavery Society was formed in 1831 by William Lloyd Garrison and based in Boston. Members of the NE Anti-slavery Society supported immediate abolition and viewed slavery as immoral and non-Christian. "The society sponsored lecturers or "agents" who traveled throughout the New England are, speaking in local churches or halls, and also selling abolitionist tracts... Whenever possible, the Society's agents would also encourage the formation of local anti-slavery societies. By 1833 there were 47 local societies in ten northern states, 33 of them in New England" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_England_Anti-Slavery_Society). There was no public local anti-slavery society in the Valley.
26 Anti-slavery movement largely driven by religious influences.
27 Who is this?
28 Which journal?
29 What is she talking about here?
30 Marlberry is also known as marbleberry and dogberry. Marlberry is somewhat common in the coastal hammocks and pinelands of south Florida and the Keys. It occasionally is found as far north as Flager County in Florida. Usually an understory species, marlberry grows in the shade of taller trees such as pines and cabbage palm throughout its range that includes, besides Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, and Guatemala. Native Americans in Florida called this tree, the black tobacco-seasoning tree, because they mixed its leaves with their tobacco to make it go further. The tart, acidic fruit is edible but unappealing to people. It is useful to birds, squirrels, and other mammals gathering food (http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/4h/Marlberry/marlberr.htm). How was this relevant to Elizabeth and Edward? I think this is mistaken information. She is more likely referring to mulberry. Mulberry would be more significant here because it not only could be used as an edible berry and as a medicine, but also to feed silk worms, with silk being one of the first industries to come to Northampton during the early industrial period.
31 Who is this? Could it be George Fisher, Elizabeth's second child's husband (Elizabeth Porter Huntington Fisher's –1803-1897– husband). The Fishers lived in Oswego, NY for most of their lives. George Fisher was the president of the North West Insurance Company.
32 Elizabeth Fisher?
33 What school is this?
35 Who is Robert?
36 "Interview" here may be referring to this letter.
37 She may be referring to her late daughter Catherine. "Catherine, the tenth child of Dan and Elizabeth Huntington, was born in the house at "Forty Acres" in Hadley on May 8, 1817. She grew up there, but died at the age of 13 on August 15, 1830, after a two month bout with typhous fever. Catherine was the first of the eleven Huntington children to die and this was a tragic event for the family" (http://asteria.fivecolleges.edu/findaids/amherst/ma30_odd.html). Thus the reference to death.
Elm Valley, May 20th 1838, Sabbath morn 11 o'clock
Dear Edward,
It is so long since we have had a letter from you that I have determined to begin one, and ask what can be the reason of your silence? Were you in the habit of writing only once in two or three months, an interval of six weeks would not excite surprise. Neither does it now, knowing as we do your numerous labours and engagements. We consider it as the loss of accustomed enjoyment indeed, but trust it is not the indication of sickness or negligence. Your last letter to me, was received on your birthday. My mind had been unusually occupied, all the morning, with thoits[1] of you and your affairs. I had looked back to your earliest infancy and endeavored to notice the hand of a kind Father, in his various allotments with regard to your and our family. With regard to worldly prosperity, we may say truly that a man's life consisteth[2] not in the abundance of the things that he possesseth. The treasure lies within - if the immortal spirit has become united, by obedience and faith, to the Captain of salvation, to him who for our sakes became poor, that we thro' his poverty might be made rich; it is comparatively of little importance whether the individual be in a palace or a cottage. I wish we would all feel a deeper sense of the insufficiency of any worldly circumstances to confer happiness. I have been at home alone this morning, Theophilius and his wife and Theodore attended worships at Hadley, the rest of the family went to Northampton. Mr. Brown[3], the minister of North Hadley, intends leaving soon for the far off west, he has a son already there. Mr. Stearns[4] has been able to continue his labours thus far; his health appears to be better than it was a year ago. He has exchanged within a few months with Mr. Fessenden[5], Mr. Parkman[6] who was settled last autumn at Greenfield, and was a classmate of our dear Whiting, and also recently with Mr. Everett[7] the minister of Northfield - but I like our own minister better than all of them.
Monday afternoon June 4th Since I began this letter the season has advanced rapidly and at my north window where I now sit, the northwestern breeze comes perfumed with the mingled odours of our flowers; no great variety indeed but were there nothing but the Fleur de lis, and the rocket[8], the fragrance would be agreeable. There is a prospect of much fruit, the apple blossoms were abundant and our peach trees pears plumbs and cherries have all been in blossom - the weather for a week or two has been delightful, just warm enough to be pleasant, and just showery enough to promote vegetation. Oft this season Bethia and Theodore were sick with the Varioloid[9], I was also sick with a fever. Now how different! all of us in health, and able each to contribute a share of labour for the common comfort of the family. Not only so, but innumerable sources of enjoyment are open for our participation, relating to our present state of existence. There are favours which call for our gratitude. But chiefly should we thank God for the hope of immortal life. This brings to mind Mr. Stearns' morning sermon yesterday. "To die is gain."[10] While listening I felt that it was good to be there, and my thoits wander'd over the wilds and mountains of Maine to find my dear Edward in his solitude, and amid his hardships and privations; and an involuntary desire arose in my bosom that your could have been there to share in the high enjoyment. The fervent aspiration also ascended to heaven, that these lone sabbaths of your's might be made joyful and useful, by the more full and free communications of the Spirit of God, without which all outward means are without effect. The views which he presented of the employments of the redeem’d in heaven were highly interesting; and the thoit of our dear departed Whiting and Catherine made me shed tears; but they were not tears of sorrow – O'no – I trust they were tears of joy and gratitude and hope, the hope of escaping from these scenes of sin and suffering, and of being all, all united in heaven. Last thursday we received a letter from you directed or rather addressed to Theodore, and the week before, two came, one I think to Charles, and the other to Frederic. At the same time Theodore had a long letter from William inviting him to join him in Illinois. He has taken up as he says, two hundred acres for himself in a part of the province which he calls the mounds. He tries hard to induce Theodore, or Theophilius to go and settle there. Theodore said he should tell him in his next letter that he should not go - & I don't know whether Theophilus will conclude to pluck up stakes at present. Frederic returned to College[11] last wednesday after a month's vacation. We all enjoy'd it very much, he assisted in making the garden, help'd Theodore some, and his father some, and Theophilus some, besides being present, and lending his strength at the raising of the barn, which took place week before last. Theophilus's house looks much more respectable with this appendage. There is a part of a tribe of indians in this vicinity, the descendants of Mr. Wiliams[12] of Deerfield who was taken captive. A very aged female among them, is the granddaughter of Eunice Williams[13]. For several days past they have taken up their residence in the woods between Northampton and Hatfield[14], and have been visited by many of the inhabitants of the town adjoining. On saturday ten or twelve of the students from Amherst, went to see them, Frederic among the rest. His company went home by the way of Northampton, after resting awhile, for they were on foot. He stayed at Charles's and attended divine service with us yesterday. In the afternoon the Lord’s supper was celebrated, and previously to this two young ladies received the rite of baptism. It was a most touching scene. What can be more fit and proper and more beautiful than to see them in the morning of life, bringing the innocence and freshness and vigour of youth, and laying them on the altar of divine love, devoting all to him, who gave himself for them. You will be happy to know that these ladies, were Julia Dikenan and Caroline Young[15]. The Lord increases the number of those, who thus follow Christ, an hundredfold…[16]
Your father has been very busy in building a new fence front of the house and north and west of the sheep yard - it is not yet done; this afternoon he is cutting down the old cherry tree east of my window - it is not only barren but dead, why even beneth it this ground? Our dear friends in Northampton are as usual. Samuel Hinkley[17] returned with his wife about a fortnight since and had a great wedding. They reside with his mother at [...]. It has been supposed that he would take the brick house where Mr. Hibbins[18] lived. Edward [Earke?][19] and his wife are keeping horses on the hill. You know he built a fire house there last year. But his health is not good. I hope he will secure a house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. They have taken the few behind Charles's - but he is hardly ever there. I was much gratified with your particular description of your room. It must be a quiet, and I think a comfortable retreat - may the presence of God ever make it a Bethel[20] to you, the house of God and the gates of heaven. I rejoice heartily that you collect your family together and with them Lay the morning and evening sacrifice. It is a privilege and duty which none should omit. The morning devotion sheds a light over our path thro' the day, and who knows but some thoitless soul may be led by these exercises to reflection, to penitence to prayer and at length to heaven. "They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and and ever."[21] That you and I may be the followers of him who went about doing good is the earnest desire of your affectionate mother Elizabeth.
1 In her letters, Elizabeth Huntington consistently spells "thought" as "thoit".
2 Elizabeth Huntington spells "consists" as "consisteth".
3 Elizabeth is likely referring to Reverend Ebenezer Brown, minister of the Second Religious Society in North Hadley from April 8, 1835 until the spring of 1838, after which he became a minister in Illinois. Originally from Brimfield and a graduate of Yale, Brown had previously been a pastor in Wilbraham and Prescott. There are multiple references to him being "dismissed" from positions. Josiah Gilbert Holland, ed., History of Western Massachusetts, Vol. II – Part III (Springfield: Samuel Bowles and Company, 1855), 224-5.
4 It is unclear exactly who Elizabeth is referring to. One possibility is Reverend Oliver Stearns of the Second Congregational Society in Northampton, who served as minister there from November 9, 1831 to March 31, 1839. Ibid., 248.
5 Reverend John Fessenden (1804-1881) was the minister of Deerfield. In August 1837, he gave a sermon about the Abenaki descendants of Eunice Williams who had come to visit the town. Elizabeth writes about a similar visit by a "tribe of indians" later in this letter... Elizabeth M. Sadoques, "The History and Traditions of Eunice Williams and Her Descendents, 1922" in Captive Histories, ed. Evan Haefeli and Kevin Sweeney (Amherst and Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2006), 255.
6 Reverend John Parkman was the minister of the Third Congregational Church in Greenfield. He was ordained October 11, 1837. David Willard, Willard's History of Greenfield (Greenfield: Kneeland & Eastman, 1838), 116. Francis Parkman, "The spirit of the Christian ministry: a sermon delivered at the ordination of the Rev. John Parkman to the pastoral care of the Third Congregational Church in Greenfield, Oct. XI, MDCCCXXXVII" (Boston: s.n. Dickinson, 1837).
7 Reverend Oliver C. Everett became minister of Northfield on March 8, 1837 and remained there about 12 years. Holland, History of Western Massachusetts, 409.
8 A flower, known scientifically as Hesperis matronalis.
9 Smallpox, particularly a mild form affecting people who have previously had or been vaccinated for the disease.
10 Philippians 1:21, from "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."
11 Frederick Huntington returned home from Amherst College.
12 Reverend John Williams and his family were famously taken captive and marched to Canada during the 1704 raid on Deerfield by Wendat, Kanienkehaka, Abenaki, and French forces. In 1706, he was able to return to Deerfield, publish The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion, and resume his Puritan ministry. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association/Memorial Hall Museum, Raid on Deerfield: the Many Stories of 1704, http://1704.deerfield.history.museum (accessed Oct. 27, 2013).
13 In August 1837, Saint Francis Abenaki Indians made a documented visit to the town of Deerfield. Among them was an elderly woman named Eunice Williams, who identified herself as the granddaughter of the Eunice Williams of 1704. Deerfield residents treated the Abenaki travelers hospitably and local newspapers reported on the occurrence. The same group visited Northampton (and, according to Elizabeth, the area between Hatfield and Northampton) in 1838. Issues of the Hampshire Gazette and Northampton Courier dated two days after Elizabeth's letter make disparaging comments about the Natives, decrying their "popularity" and challenging Eunice’s claimed lineage. Marge Bruchac, "Abenaki Connections to 1704: The Sadoques Family and Deerfield, 2004" in Captive Histories, ed. Evan Haefeli and Kevin Sweeney (Amherst and Boston: University of Massachusetts Press, 2006).
14 Hatfield lies to the west, the other side of the Connecticut River. Northampton is southwest of both Hadley and Hatfield.
15 These young girls are clearly new members of Elizabeth's church, but there does not seem to be any more information about them available.
16 Mark 10:30, from "But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life."
17 Elizabeth may be referring to Samuel Lyman Hinckley of Northampton, MA, born August 11, 1810. Around the time of this letter, he married Henrietta E. Rose. He was a frequent letter-writer himself. Abstract, Hinckley family papers, 1796-1956, New England Historic Genealogical Society. Lyman Coleman, Genealogy of the Lyman Family (Albany, NY: J Munsell, 1872), 181.
18 Mr. Hibbins is an apparent member of Elizabeth's social circle and most likely another resident of Northampton. However, the last name "Hibbins" does not seem to appear in town documentation, so it is difficult to determine who Elizabeth is referring to and what the nature of their relationship is.
19 Information is also lacking on Edward Earke. He appears to be a good friend of Elizabeth's, as she worries considerably about the state of his health.
20 Biblically, the "House of God."
21 Daniel 12:3.
Elm Valley Oct. 24th 1839-Thursday Letter to Mr. Edward P. Huntington
Dear Edward,
We still live, and are all gaining strength, thro' the mercy of our God upon us. There is a breach made upon our number, and we miss at every step our dear Mary, who was so much the life of our family circle. But we may not and we would not wish her back. Our concern must be to finish our work, with our hearts, and thoughts fixed on unseen things, that death also may be gain to us.
I have tho't of you as surrounded by the pestilence, and the destruction; but committing you to the Almighty protector, I endeavor to be quiet, yes and thankful.
We have not yet heard from Frederic. Theodore wrote him on Tuesday, and we have since sent him two numbers of the Gazette as he wished.
Sarah Phelps and Marianne were both very sick yet they the friends were considerably encouraged last week about them, but there seems to have come on a secondary fever with Marianne, which is rather alarming. Your uncle is indeed severely tried. May he and all of us come forth from the furnace seven times purified. [1]
Mr. Edes' term of preaching at N__ has closed; and William is engaged there for the next Sabbath. I hope you will be able to ride up and hear him, and also see us. Perhaps you will be glad to hear that we [indecipherable] Mary Burgen who will probably help us thro' our heavy work. - In haste most truly yours,
Affectionate mother Elizabeth
[1] Psalm 12:6 The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.