1840.04.21 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, April 21st, 1840
Elizabeth begins with apologies for not writing sooner, and thanks for Frederic's attentions through her sickness. Letter discusses Frederic's missionary work visiting prisoners, ferry transportation to Northampton now that the bridge is out, rules about visiting a child at school, reading Longfellow's poetry collection Voices of the Night, Frederic's eye troubles, herbal medicine, and the illnesses of various friends. The letter contains much religious commentary on prayer, church services, various ministers and a mention of Dan Huntington preaching in Deerfield. It ends with a detailed description of reunion in Heaven. There is a lot of cross-writing additions to this letter, including a joke about a neighbor and the Whig Party.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 8)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1840-04-21
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1841.07.28 - Edward Huntington to Elizabeth Huntington, Jul 28, 1841
In the first half of this letter to his mother, Edward talks about himself in the third person. He begins by recounting when the men of Leverett sent his father (Dan Huntington) a letter, asking him to send Edward to them as a priest. Edward goes on to say that he eventually agreed to teach the men of Leverett in the ways of Christianity. He later talks about an encounter he had with a woman in Deerfield, who he considered marrying. However, he also describes the disapproval he faced from both his mother and father regarding his desire to marry that woman. In the second half of the letter, Edward talks about wanting to settle in a cottage near his office in the near future. He expresses a desire to have a wife to dwell with him in the cottage, as well as friends to visit him there. Edward continues by stating his concern for his mother's health and telling her that Mr. Davis' health is poor. He closes the letter by asking his mother for prayers, as he has many tasks to complete in the near future.
Edward Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 19, Folder 15)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jul 28, 1841
Public Domain