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
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1841.12.13 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Dec. 13th, 1841
From the letter, we learn that the Edward had been writing to her consistently, yet this letter was one of the first responses. Elizabeth used to think that Edward had been in solitude but had learned of all of the things he was doing and being a part of. She thought that her letters were the only thing in his life, but it turned out otherwise. His brothers and their families recently journeyed from Providence, and they were able to safely travel back home. Helen had gotten sick from the visit to Elizabeth’s. Elizabeth gives Edward all the family events and occurrences that had happened since he was gone, including his family meeting with Mr. Cunningham. She implies that he probably gambled too much. There is also a new plan for a meeting house in town. His father had recently gone through rheumatic pains, and he is still struggling. Elizabeth fills Edward in about the other members of the family, says that Bethia is sewing and his father is indebted to him. This letter to Edward shows that Elizabeth wanted him to know everything he has missed since he had been gone. She waited a while to respond to him, but she still wanted to give him an update on things that affected his family and community since his absence.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1841-12-13
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence