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
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
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
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
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
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
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
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
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1846.05.07 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, May 7th, 1846
Elizabeth is writing to her son for the first time in a while because she has been very sick. She thanks God for her recovery. People are traveling but they are worried about Elizabeth because she has been so sick. She is able to sew during the day but has to rest a lot so that she can continue to recover from her sickness. Elizabeth talks about the Unitarian church that she seems to be a member of but she also discusses different religious ideas that she has read about. Elizabeth mentions the weather and the rain because these factors might affect travel. They have some different people coming and going from the house and staying with them. Frederic is coming for a visit soon and this is exciting for her.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1846-05-07
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1829.04.21 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Apr. 21st, 1829
This letter is made up of two parts: one written by John Huntington’s sister Catherine, the other written by his mother Elizabeth. Both parts are general updates about life at home. They write a lot about their family members (like Pa, Theophilus, Bethia) as well as about neighbors and townspeople. Elizabeth updates John about the spread and effect of disease and death in town, which may have been interesting to him because he probably knew the people she wrote about. The most intriguing part about this letter was Elizabeth’s cryptic mention of the “expected object”; she goes on to talk about the status of the help at home. Catherine does not mention religion at all, but her mother brings it up twice, as what seems like a way to remind John to thank God for his health and situation currently and in the future.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1829-04-21
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1831.10.03 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Oct. 3rd, 1831
In the letter, Elizabeth addresses a letter she had received from her son, John, a few days prior. In that letter, he had discussed his desire to win College honors, but had not received this prize, for which he was greatly disappointed. Elizabeth reminds John that “worldly distinction” should not be his main goal in life and references many passages from the Bible to prove her point. The second half of the letter is comprised of updates of the town and family: John’s uncle left for Boston the previous week, his father preached in another town, Elizabeth went to hear another man’s sermon in Northampton, etc. She ends her letter by speaking of the health of the town—many townspeople are “sick with fever” and “death is making ravages” through the town. Luckily, the whole family is in “comfortable health.”
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1831-10-03
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence