1835.03.31 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Mar 31, 1835
In this letter to her mother, Mary is explaining the stressful things in her life. She writes that people do not understand what she is going through, but she also wants to write about the important things that Spring brings. She had been in Oswego for almost 6 months, and she cannot wait to see her mother and sister. Her time there had been so well, that the time and distance between them have not been so bad, making the letter so important to her staying connected. Mary describes the situation of the teaching position that is needed and asked that her mother propose it to a prospective teacher. Even though she misses her mother, Mary still wishes to stay with her sister on the lake until mid-June. She ends the letter pleaded for her mother to write back quickly, implying that it is of great importance to her to stay connected.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Mar 31, 1835
Public Domain
1833.04.23 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, Apr 23, 1833
Mary explains that she is struggling with her physical and mental health to her Mother. For the first part of her time at Troy, her school, she was struggling to get to her lessons but felt that the only time for her to finish her studies was the present. She has dropped her studies completely, but she is still not much feeling better. She knits to pass the time.
Mary states that she wishes that she was as grateful as her mother, as her letters are filled
with positivity more often than not. She begins to muse about how “we” should look at our
blessings as well as our troubles. Mary believes that when things are bad, it is harder to think of our blessings than when things are good.
She then expresses her gratitude at being granted the ability to return home with Edward but then shows her hesitation towards actually going home. She feels as if the option is too easy, and is leaving the decision for her mother (the reader) and Pa to make. While she is disappointed that she will not be following the path she expected to take, she knows that it is best for her mental health to not continue her schoolings at the present time.
Mary then jumps to questioning what to infer from what Elizabeth wrote. She wonders if Elizabeth has become a believer and if so, she will celebrate that with her. Mary then says that it is important to have “the assurance of faith.”
Although Mary wanted to have written back by that afternoon, she was prevented from doing so by Pauline, a guest. Mary makes sure to mention that Pauline has a plan for when she turns twenty-one that includes living in the country on a farm and doing the
housework herself. Two of Mary’s (teachers?) left the seminary on a journey to Clinton, and she hopes they succeed in what they do. She explains how she feels discouraged about herself and a burden to her friends. She asks her mother to express any cautions she may have, especially since she could do it with kindness.
Mary received Bethia’s letter, and hopes to see her brother in a few days. She ends the
letter by asking her mother to send a prayer for her.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Apr 23, 1833
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
1835.03.27 - Elizabeth Huntington to Mary Huntington, Mar. 27th 1835
This is a letter Elizabeth wrote in response to her daughter Mary. Here they are making plans for Mary’s visit as well as updating her on news about the town and its members. She shares with Mary how her sister Bethia and her father are currently reading the memoirs of Hannah More, an English religious writer and philanthropist. The reading is too long for Elizabeth, a very busy woman, but she does enjoy it from time to time. Speaking of time, she then goes on about how short life is and how, because of that, one needs to fear the wrath of God when living and she then praises God. After praising God, she goes on to talk about the family business, sleighing, and visits from her children about Franny and Charles who visited her. As most mother’s do, she inquires about Mary’s health and reminds her of the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and adequate exercise. In the post-script, Elizabeth mentions that Theodore was offered employment by Mr. Fisher, but has selected to stay at home in Hadley and farm. She concludes with the celebratory exclamation that J.P. Huntington was elected as vice-president for the Agricultural Society of Northampton.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 12)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1835-03-27
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1831.10.14 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Oct. 14th, 1831
Elizabeth writes to her son John in response to letters that he has written her. She first declares that Charles Thompson from Philadelphia is the author of the “Commentary on Translation”, which another man named Mr. Smith recommended reading. She goes on to say that she recently attended a conference with her husband in Salem. Where another attender notes that she ought to have been invited to preach. She reports on a successful conversation with her child, Bethia. Elizabeth goes on to highlight other developments in the family and her pride in her children. Frederic is driven by academics. They were worried he wouldn’t like school, but now wish he was around the house more often. She concludes by saying that she apologizes for not receiving his messages sooner. Short notes are added to the letter by Mary, Bethia, Frederic and Dan Huntington
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1831-10-14
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1842.10.25 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Oct. 25th, 1842
In this correspondence between Elizabeth Huntington and Frederic Dan Huntington, she writes to him on about the travel plans of fellow people in their community. She gives him reassurance in his new role as a minister in the community following his ordination into the church. She also cautions Frederic to take care of his health during the beginning of his role as a minister. Additionally, she acknowledges the engagement of Frederic Dan to Hannah.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1842-10-25
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