1845.05.20 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, May 20th, 1845
This is a letter to Frederic written by his mother. The letter is mostly just checking in with her son to see how he is doing, but there are some instances of substance. In the beginning of the letter, his mom talks about how she is glad that they have been writing so much, and that she thinks there is a funny coincidence that they generally write at the same time. She goes on to mention how some members of her family have been sick, and that she knows of a treatment that could be beneficial to his health. She continues by talking about how some of her family and friends are doing. Towards the end of the letter, she talks about God and how Frederic should keep being spiritual and allowing God in his life.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1845-05-20
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
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