1832.07.05 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jul 5, 1832
Mary writes this letter to her parents while she is away in Troy at school. She begins the letter informing them that 12 cases of cholera have been found in New York and that she, and others, are worried about it spreading to Troy. Mary emphasizes the fact that Mrs. Willard “is perfectly willing” to allow Mary’s parents to send for her “as soon as” they receive this letter by underlining specific words. She goes on to write about how Mrs. Willard believes it to be the responsibility of the parents to look after their children and seems to be strongly hinting at her desire to leave school and return home. Mary writes this letter on the Fourth of July. She talks about the celebrations happening at school. Mary spends a few sentences expressing gratitude for “our fore fathers” and the importance of honoring “the memory of those who liberated us.” She makes a few references to spirituality when she writes about “the great Captain of Salvation” and the “everlasting and rich inheritance” that will go to followers of the Lord. She prays that she and her friends will be devout followers and be prepared for their deaths.
On Wednesday evening, Mary talks about a party at school that the “young ladies” were invited to. However, she writes that she is not in the mood to attend the party. She describes the celebrations of “canons, guns and crackers, ringing of bells and military parade.” Orations and celebrations occurred in one of the churches as well. Instead of going to the party, Mary says that she stayed at home all day and helped a friend, Louisa, make a dress. After discussing her liking of Louisa, Mary informs her parents that someone received a report about cholera in Albany which has created a lot of uncertainty among the students.
Her last paragraph is written July 5 th and says that the cholera has reached Troy. She
writes that Mrs. Willard has left it up to the girls to decide whether they want to leave or not. Mary says that although she knows she cannot escape disease just by leaving, she would “rather be with my friends if Providence permits.” She ends the letter asking her parents to pray for her and telling them that “examination will probably commence two weeks from next Tuesday.”
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jul 5, 1832
Public Domain
1832.06.30 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 30, 1832
In this letter, Mary writes to her mother, Elizabeth, and agrees that she should accompany her cousin to communion. Mary laments that she cannot have such discussions about religion with her friends, and not only does she wish to make a public profession of her faith, but she wishes that her brothers would join her—even though she does not have the authority to ask them. However, Mary fears that she will not return home from Mrs. Willard’s school before the first Sabbath in August. The examination is to begin July 25 th and last one week, so that the girls may return home sooner, and Mary wishes to know the plans regarding her return in the next letter. She fears that she must wait for her sister Elizabeth, whose homecoming is also uncertain. Finally, there is also a cholera outbreak in New York and Fort Millar, adding urgency to her homecoming. Though Mrs. Willard says she looks pale, Mary writes that her health is as usual, and that she wishes to return home as soon as possible. Even still, Mary asks her family to pray for her and to let her know their plans for her homecoming as soon as possible.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 30, 1832
Public Domain
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
1832.06.18 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 18, 1832
This is a letter written by Mary Huntington to her mother Elizabeth W.P. Huntington where Mary writes about her current state of living. Mary addresses the reports of cholera that have been happening around her. She writes that there have been so many reports that it has made her feel uneasy and unable to attend church but tells her mother not to worry. Mary mentions a report that she got from church about an insurrection of Irish immigrants in the northern part of the city, and the soldiers who attended church that day will go up and suppress it. Mary writes again about the cholera problem, stating that while Irish immigrants have died from it, "only one of the inhabitants of the states has fallen a victim to it." Mary is thankful for the grace of God being there during her times of comfort and hardship.Mary writes that she has given a full update on what's happening in her life. She finishes her letter by stating that Elizabeth can send to her as she sees appropriate and that she wants to be sent home privately and not by stage, but will leave whenever Elizabeth thinks proper.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 18, 1832
Public Domain
1832.06.28 Mary Huntington to Father, June 28 1832, with inclosure from Mrs. Willard
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 28, 1832
1832.06.28 Mary Huntington to Father, June 28, 1832
Mary writes to her father, grateful for his letter to her advising that she remain at the school despite a cholera threat. She describes the precautions the city is taking and notes that many other girls have left the school, and suggests plans for her parents to take her home. She describes bible class, the examination schedule, Mrs. Willard's view of the Trinity, and asks her parents to give permission for her to leave school for weekly meetings.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 27, 1832
1832.06.28 - Mary D. Huntington to Bethia Huntington, Jun 28, 1832
Mary D. Huntington writes to her sister, Bethia Huntington, thanking her for a letter received from her. She goes on to discuss current events in her life at Miss Emma Willard’s School in Troy, New York. These events include, interactions and conversations had with her teachers Mr.Tucker and Mrs.Willard ranging in topic from religion and her studies to current town gossip concerning the recent death of two black townspeople. In discussing school lessons she mentions both French and learning to play the guitar. She then expresses her feelings concerning her family members, from hope for her sister Elizabeth’s plans to worry about her recent lack of correspondence with brothers Edward and William. She especially wants to hear Edward's advice on flowers. Finally, she concludes with caring sentiments about her parents and Fanny and reminds Bethia to write back soon.
Mary D. Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 28, 1832
Public domain.