1842.06.08 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, June 8th, 1842
Elizabeth starts off her letter to Edward by saying that Edward’s brother Frederic has just surprised them by showing up to the house and is taking a nap on the couch. She then discusses how the people of Hadley talk to much, and this causes unhappiness in society. Elizabeth says how their cousins have reported flattering things of Edward and his wife Helen, and the “domestic happiness” of their house and garden. The subject then switches back to the family staying in Elizabeth’s house; Theophilus has been hosting to some family friends, the family had tea with them, and then Theodore brought them to Northampton. Elizabeth then mentions a journey they took, and instead of talking about the details of that, she decides to get down to the real importance of her letter: butter. Elizabeth explains that she has lent quite a bit of butter to Theodore and only has a couple pounds left of good butter. She discusses some specifics about when and how the butter was made, and criticizes that there isn’t a cash market to sell her butter. Elizabeth concludes her letter by saying she has not forgotten to write Edward a letter, and that she tries to write as frequently as she can. Written in the left margin of the letter, Elizabeth includes a “P.S.” to Edward, asking him to give Helen her kindest regard, and expressing that Bethia will send him some “sweet pea” when she can.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1842-06-08
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1844.11.08 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, November 8th, 1844
Elizabeth writes to her son Frederic, sending him a box of butter from his brothers, Theodore and Theophilus. Elizabeth asks her son to tell her more about his neighbors and assumes that the reason he has not already done so is due to his involvement in the church. She urges him to keep his studying at a healthy amount. She then expresses her wishes to see a George Putnam and hug him. She tells Frederic of her new free time now that his father is busy working on some land, and that she has been visiting many people. Elizabeth ends the letter by saying that she has been thinking much on the dead and hopes that they are in heaven with God.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1844-11-08
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1843.11.19 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, November 19th, 1843
Elizabeth writes from New York to her son Fredric, a reverend in Hadley. She writes about the recent death of her other son, Edward, who was only in his 30s. In her letter she copies down some of Edward's writings, which were found by her husband, Dan. The passages she copies from Edward's papers contain Edward's resolutions and reflections in response to the death of his brother John Whiting. Quite a powerful circle of mourning and remembrance--and inspiration for right living.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1843-11-19
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1843.11.18 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, November 18th, 1843
This letter actually contains a letter written on November 18, 1843 and a lengthy postscript and shorter sidebar written on November 26, 1843. A major portion of the letter is devoted to reporting the death of Edward and offering praise of his character and sadness over his loss. The letter also provides news of two women named Helen – one who has gone to Deerfield for a few weeks and is overdue to return and the other who appears to have been gravely ill in the recent past but appears to Elizabeth to be in much better condition than the doctors had led her to believe was possible. The letter also speaks highly of the local minister who provided comfort to the family in Edward’s illness. Throughout the letter, Elizabeth makes numerous references to religion, spirituality, and prayer. She appears to be a woman of great faith, which is not surprising given that her letter is addressed to her son, who is a minister.
In the postscripts, Elizabeth writes of mundane matters such as the price of butter and offers to send butter to Frederic. She also explains the tardiness of the original letter and the presence of the postscript, adding that Helen has now returned home and setting out the Thanksgiving plans for various people. It appears that at one time, Elizabeth intended to enclose as separate letter from Lucy Parsons, but later (in the sidebar) Elizabeth explains that Lucy’s letter will be sent by a different means.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1843-11-18
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1843.10.14 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, October 14th, 1843
Remembrances of Mary's death begin a letter about another family illness (unclear whether it is Edward or Dan who has worrisome digestion troubles). Elizabeth sends her youngest son many pounds of butter and instructs him on how best to store it. The delivery is carried by a friend and left for Frederic at a Boston hotel. Frugal she asks him to return the packaging materials.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1843-10-14
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1845.10.25 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Oct. 25th, 1845
Frederic hasn’t written to his mother in a while and Elizabeth is just updating him on the happenings of what she has heard from her other children and neighbors such as, little George’s health has improved since the last update.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1845-10-25
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1843.06.15 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Jun. 15th, 1843
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1843-06-15
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
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
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence