1837.06.16 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Jun. 16th, 1837
A very newsy letter full, as Elizabeth writes, of "gadding." She chides Edward for his business worries, reports on a meeting of a religious association at the house, visits to friends in Deerfield, the girls inviting a party to the house, an upcoming wedding, and news of distant siblings (the Fishers in Oswego NY and William in Toledo OH). Elizabeth reports on spontaneously staying out late to attend an anti-slavery lecture by James Birney. She criticizes the political apathy of the community and expresses strong abolitionist sentiments. She shares home news of work building a house for Theophilus and planting mulberry seeds. At the end of the letter she turns from all these worldly concerns to "the heavenly inheritance."
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 4)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1837-06-16
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1838.05.20 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, May. 20th, 1838
Written in close relation to Edward's birthday, this letter recalls him as an infant, reports on a local baptism, and mourns the deaths of his siblings Whiting and Catherine. Among the local news Elizabeth reports is an Indian encampment in Hatfield that including a great-granddaughter of Eunice Williams (taken captive in the 1704 raid on Deerfield). Amherst College students, including Frederic, go to see them. Much discussion of gardening, fruit trees, and the construction tasks of building fences, raising barns, and friends erecting houses. Son William writes from Illinois urging his brothers to join him in the West.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 4)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1838-05-20
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1839.10.24 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Oct. 24th, 1839
A short sad note written scarcely 10 days after Mary Huntington's death. Discusses a time of "pestilence," mourns Mary and seeks acceptance. of this loss. Describes the health status of many family members and friends.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 4)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1839-10-24
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1839.12.07 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Dec. 07th, 1839
Elizabeth Huntington writes a letter to her son, Edward, discussing Thanksgiving celebrations, various news about family members, the state of certain acquaintances who are ill, and expresses sorrow over the recent death of her daughter Mary who she calls “our kind assistant.” The topic of Mary’s death causes Elizabeth to touch on the subject of religion, God and how she believes death should be approached. She includes a poem. Later, she describes the curious recent actions of her son William Huntington, news restricted to the family, but probably referring to the courtship Lucy Edwards, and connects it to the pattern of young male members of the family moving away. She worries that Edward will do the same.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 4)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1839-12-07
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1842.04.25 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Apr. 25th, 1842
This letter is addressed to Edward Huntington, the son of Elizabeth Huntington, and was written by Elizabeth Huntington on his birthday. She first writes about Dan Huntington’s doings in Northampton, while he attended a funeral she went shopping and heard news of a man who had taken his own life. Elizabeth feels sorrow for the family but hopes for religion to bring them up. Elizabeth then goes on to update Edward on the health situations of some other family friends as well as herself. She says that she is feeling better, but she puts her focus on God and his blessings. Elizabeth briefly writes about what some of her sons, Edward’s brothers, have been doing recently: arrangements in their homes and work on their farm. On the back side of the letter, there is another message that has no formal address or names but states information about Mr. Atwood, the making of butter by the family. Elizabeth requests news of Edward’s garden and describes new plantings at Forty Acres.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1842-04-25
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1842.12.19 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Dec. 19th, 1842
Elizabeth feels it is hazardous to attempt writing to Edward due to the way recent letters have created hurting feelings among the family. Elizabeth is worried she will offend someone she writes to. She understands there must be a certain time in which issues between family members will still remain, but she does not intend to offend anyone. Therefore, she tells Edward they must write to friends such that they make them more comfortable, rather than less comfortable. Elizabeth tells Edward of her and the family’s travels and that Elizabeth was nearly sick, but got better. She hopes to see Edward at Caroline’s wedding next week.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1842-12-19
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1843.02.01 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Feb. 1st, 1843
In this letter, Elizabeth updates Edward on various happenings in the family. She mentions receiving a letter from William doing missionary work in the west, in which he apologizes for his reaction to a joke made by Edward and his scathing comment about Edward in his subsequent letter to Bethia. However, William goes on to describe what he found hurtful in Edward’s letter and its “entire misunderstanding of my situation, my capacities, and my actual efforts.” Elizabeth urges Edward to write to his brother and “heal the wound.” William also writes about how he injured his leg cutting wood, but is still grateful for all his blessings. Elizabeth mentions that Father, Theodore, Theophilus, and George Fisher have gone to Northampton on business. The letter ends with a small addendum about Dan Huntington injuring his elbow and needing some medical attention.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1843-02-01
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1835.10.08 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Oct. 8th, 1835
In this letter, Elizabeth writes to her son Frederic and updates him on daily happenings in hopes that he does not forget his family while away at school at nearby Amherst College. While the family misses him, they do not mourn, and life goes on. There are efforts to start a singing school in Hadley to be taught by Mr. Kingsley. Fanny, Elizabeth’s granddaughter and Charles’ daughter, appeared to be near death Thursday but is well enough to attend school the following Wednesday. Dan Huntington’s birthday on Sabbath day prompts a brief passage about how death should not be feared but rather considered a gate to endless joy. Several of Elizabeth’s children visit her over the course of the week, and Charles and wife Helen visit Mount Warner with the Clarke family while Harriet, daughter Elizabeth, and Mary visit along with Theodore. Elizabeth laments that she cannot see Halley’s comet very well and that she and Dan have conflicting calls for tea Wednesday. Edward writes that he will be away for several more weeks, and Elizabeth receives a letter from Mrs. Fisher detailing a devastating mill fire.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1835-10-08
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1842.08.05 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Aug. 5th, 1842
Elizabeth’s letter to Frederic describes her current state, as well as the health of other members of the Huntington family. She tells Frederic of her expedition to Northampton during the Sabbath, and listening to Mr. Smith’s sermon. She also speaks of her recent cold, which has since healed. Elizabeth also speaks about her other sons, including Edward and Theophilus. She also informs Frederic of how his father (her husband) is preaching, and the trivial actions of his other siblings. She tells Frederic she wishes to hear from him soon, particularly within a week.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1842-08-05
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence
1845.03.29 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Mar. 29th, 1845
Elizabeth is writing this letter to her youngest child, Frederic. She begins by saying how it has been so long since she has received a letter from him and hopes everything is still well. She goes on to wish “little George” a quick recovery as well as Hannah, who was also “quite sick.” Elizabeth then begins recapping what is going on at home: housekeeping with Mrs. Wright, David moving in with Mr. Hockbridge, the “young lady” from the house above learning to cry, and Elisa “getting along very comfortably.” Elizabeth finishes the rest of the letter on Sabbath morning. She begins this section by saying she received a letter from the first society in Northampton requesting furniture and bedding donations to help decorate the seamen’s home in Boston for some sailors.
She then asks Frederic to compare the seamen’s friend society to the seamen’s aid society to see if they are united or if they both equally deserve assistance. Elizabeth then finishes up saying what’s going on at home by including Caroline Bulfinch’s arrival, Mr. Bulfinch’s preaching in Hartford, Mr. Nightingale’s settlement in Cabotville, Theodore’s printed work that Mr. Huntington said was “well written,” and William’s employment at any vacant parish. She ends the letter by saying that spring is coming in nicely and hopes that Frederic will fulfill his promise in visiting his parents. She signs it off as “truly your devoted mother Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1845-01-04
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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Correspondence