1789.08.28 — Charles Phelps to Moses Charles Porter Phelps, August 28, 1789
A letter from Charles Phelps to his son Moses Phelps, which begins with Charles gently chastising Moses for failing to write and leaving the family to learn he had arrived at school safely from Mr. Houses who brought Moses a horse. The letter then details how and when Moses will receive the items he requested from the family. Next Charles briefly touches on how Moses should handle school finances and related administrative matters, before launching into advice and expectations for Moses’s four years at college. After warning Moses of potential pitfalls and reminding Moses of his standards, Charles closes the letter warmly. Under the signature, Charles adds a post script, informing Moses of the recent sudden death of Aaron Gorgrich, and the uncertainty around his cause of death.
Charles Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1789
Public domain
Letter
1769.03.18 — Elizabeth Porter Phelps to Penelope Williams, March 18, 1769
Elizabeth Porter, who is in her twenties, writes to her friend Penelope Williams. In the letter, Elizabeth Porter laments her sins but states that she will go to Church to atone for them. The letter is written on two separate days, Wednesday and Saturday. In the Saturday portion, Elizabeth speaks of an affliction that had occurred to her friend, Penelope, and thanks God for his ability to heal her; otherwise, his mercy.
Elizabeth Porter Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 5, Folder 16)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1769
Public domain
Letter
1787.12.11 — Charles Phelps Jr. to Moses Charles Porter Phelps, December 11, 1787
Father Charles Phelps sends a letter to his son Moses Charles Porter Phelps at his college in Cambridge (Harvard University). He explains that the family has not heard from their son in some time, and offers him an opportunity to send a letter back via Colonel Lyman, who might have been his primary and secondary school teacher and who will be in the area in coming days.
Charles then goes on to offer Moses advice concerning how he should carry himself as a young scholar as he enters the academic world. He recommends that his son associate himself with virtuous people, behave himself, and be sure to keep reading his Bible.
Finally, Charles explains that he will come visit his son in about a month, and informs him of recent town deaths, specifically of a young woman who died at 20 years old.
Charles Phelps Jr.
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1787
Public domain
Letter
1769.01.27 - 1769.05.27 — Elizabeth Porter Phelps to Penelope Williams, January 22, 1769 through May 27, 1769
Elizabeth Porter Phelps sends four letters to Penelope Williams, spanning from January 1769 to late May. In the first letter, Elizabeth expresses her conflicting emotions about her faith and relationship to the church. She goes back and forth in sentences like “sometimes I dispair almost at other times I am comforted tho how dare I be so when I’ve reason to fear I’ve no interest in Christ.” In the second letter in the bundle, Elizabeth Porter Phelps writes roughly a month later (February 26, 1769), expressing many of the same concerns. She writes, “Surely once a month I can find time to write to my friend another Sacrament I’ve turned my back upon Christ + his church,” somewhat poking fun at the fact that she can’t seem to stop breaking the rules of the Church. The letter grows more personal and addresses some of Elizabeth and Penelope’s past interactions, for example, Elizabeth writes “O my dear why have you so much tenderness for me — did I see the tears in your eyes that Sunday when you entered the Room, me thot that you could not speak,” giving readers the first glimpse of there being something more than “friendship” between these two women. The third letter (March 19, 1769) delves further into the intimacy between Elizabeth and Penelope. Elizabeth expresses her joy and relief that Penelope has healed. Based on context from Elizabeth’s diary entries at the time, Penelope had fallen to an unknown illness and came close to dying, but then recovered just before Elizabeth wrote this letter. Elizabeth expresses some of her philosophies on the unavoidable nature of death and the necessity to be prepared not only for your death, but also the deaths of your loved ones. Elizabeth writes more about her love and affection for Penelope, describing “the tenderest effections sparkle” in Penelope’s eyes. She goes on to write “how unwelcome was company just then I long to expressed my satisfaction + joy for your recovery by tears at least — how cruel was it to forbear taking your hand,” further evidencing a romantic aspect to this relationship. The fourth letter in the series is delivered months later on May 27, 1769. She inquires about two dollars and a handkerchief from Penelope, but writes very briefly, in a tone that feels more brisk and reserved than all the previous letters.
Elizabeth Porter Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 5, Folder 16)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1769
Public domain
Letter
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
1832.06.11 Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Jun 11, 1832
In this letter, Mary writes to her mother, Elizabeth, primarily about what is going on at school. She begins by sympathizing with her brother Frederic about being home-sick, and also reflects on the death of her sister, Catherine. She briefly inquires about visitors, including her brother Charles and his wife Helen, and feels selfish for wishing to be home. Mary then thanks her mother for the cake and books that she sent. Mary begins talking about her teachers at school and what she is learning. Mrs. Willard, the headmistress, is teaching the girls about manners and appearance. Another teacher, by the last name of Thompson, teaches the girls how to do the“honneurs of the table”. Exams are approaching, and the teachers dread it as much as the students. Mary then asks her mother if she knew a Miss [Hinsdale?] from Connecticut, and asks about others also before stepping away from the letter. She returns the next day to close the letter, and briefly mentions how she had been chosen to write a composition for the examinations and how nervous she is about it. She ends by mentioning that letters from home are always a great comfort and that she hopes to receive more soon.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Jun 14, 1832
Public Domain
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.
1840.10.25- Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, October 25th, 1840
Describes Elizabeth's reading in the journals the Monthly Miscellany and the Western Messenger, including appreciation of an essay on "a sister's influence" written by Frederic and presumably meditating on his sister Mary's recent death. The letter also discusses the receiving and sending of letters and packages within the family, Dan Huntington's health, and in a postscript, Elizabeth's fondness for singing in church.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 8)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1840-10-25
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