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.
1813.01.28 - Elizabeth Huntington to My dear Daughters, Jan. 28th, 1813
The Huntingtons are still living in Middletown Connecticut, but daughters Elizabeth and Bethia are visiting with their grandparents at Forty Acres. Their grandmother and aunt are teaching them to spin and knit. In her letter, their mother praises her daughters' new needle skills and reminds them to develop themselves morally and religiously as well--asking about how they treat their grandparents and each other and about their Bible reading. She informs them about the progress of their brothers' Bible study, sends candy, apples, and cloth their grandmother can sew into clothes for them. She tells them about her work at home doing laundry and washing the floors, work clearly heavily supported by household servants Marcia and Zewky, and she praises the wonders of their new steam washer.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 6)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1813-01-28
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
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