1789.09.26 — Charles Phelps to Moses Charles Porter Phelps, September 26, 1789
In his September 26, 1789 letter, Charles Phelps Jr. writes to his son, (Moses) Charles Porter Phelps, beginning with an update on the family's wellbeing. He imparts advice on communication and personal growth. Charles mentions Mr. Withers' generous offer of his horse for Moses' return during the vacation and the potential of his own trip to Boston. He also shares progress reports on the shop's completion and the ongoing fence construction. Concluding his letter, Charles briefly comments on the present weather condition and a recent burglary in the local area.
Charles Phelps
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 4, Folder 5)
University of Massachusetts Special Collections and University Archives
1789
Public domain
Letter
1835.05.09 - Mary Huntington to Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, May 9, 1835
Mary Huntington writes to her mother, Elizabeth W. P. Huntington, about her decision to travel to Albany. She makes this decision after considering other people’s travel plans of and deliberating. She preferred to be accompanied by some of her family members, but had no choice but to travel alone.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 13)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
May 9, 1835
Public Domain
1832.06.28 Mary Huntington to Father, June 28, 1832
Mary writes to her father, grateful for his letter to her advising that she remain at the school despite a cholera threat. She describes the precautions the city is taking and notes that many other girls have left the school, and suggests plans for her parents to take her home. She describes bible class, the examination schedule, Mrs. Willard's view of the Trinity, and asks her parents to give permission for her to leave school for weekly meetings.
Mary Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 27, 1832
1832.06.21 - Mary D. Huntington to Bethia Huntington, June 21, 1832
This is a letter that Mary wrote to her sister Bethia likely while she was at Miss Emma Willard’s School in Troy, New York. She starts by stating that she is up to date with all her communication, except she has not written to William, because she does not feel like writing in French--she seems to be using her letters to him to practice her language skills. It seems she is just killing time and venting to her sister about how she does not feel well. Mary seems to think that she may even have some kind of “disorder” or condition that is making her feel this way. She tells Bethia that she really wants someone to come and visit her. She may be a homesick teenager away at school, but she seems adamant that someone must come see her. Her quote is a reference to the bible: Exodus 2:22. Overall the letter seems to be a sister venting to a sister, and Mary simply wants someone to be there for her while she is feeling ill physically or mentally. Something to note here though, is the fact that Mary died at the age of 24 in 1839, so it is possible that she in fact did have some kind of chronic medical condition.
Mary D. Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 20, Folder 7)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
June 21, 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
1829.11.26 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Nov, 26th, 1829
In this letter, Elizabeth talks extensively about how she had expected Elizabeth Fisher and her family to arrive at her home and had taken great pains to prepare for their arrival only to find out when Pa came back from town that she had written that she was unable to come. A bed had already been moved to the North kitchen and apple puddings for the children were in the hearth. Elizabeth was unable to come because the season had progressed so quickly and she worried about the children getting sick on the journey. They planned to come to the farm in the summer for Commencement. Elizabeth talks about how Charles and Helen were able to come as well as Mary and Theodore. She also mentions that Edward’s business is doing well and wonders if God will bless him with success. After talking about the family gossip, Elizabeth shifts over to religious admiration of John Huntington (a preacher) and God, writing the importance of faith in God. She concludes the letter by telling John that they are looking forward to his visit and have given him $5 and that they can send more if he writes to his father.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1829-11-26
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Correspondence
1825.06.24 - Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington, Jun. 24th, 1825
In this letter from Elizabeth Huntington to John Huntington on the 24th of July, 1825, Elizabeth writes about a recent trip she and other unnamed family members (presumably including husband Dan Huntington) recently arrived home from. She first writes about her trip to several towns on the journey to visit daughter Elizabeth who had recently given birth to a daughter, named after Elizabeth Huntington. In Little Falls the family horse, named Backland, fractured his shoulder and was unable to travel. As a result, he had to be exchanged for another horse, and in her letter Elizabeth expresses her grief in the loss of such a faithful and long-serving companion of the family. Afterwards, Elizabeth traveled with the new horse and crossed into a county on Mohawk lands, which she describes as being a magnificent town full of faith and where she ran into friends from Litchfield. After being delayed by the weather, they still managed to arrive at Elizabeth’s home early enough to surprise her and spent the week before returning home. In the second paragraph Elizabeth writes hastily because Dan Huntington wants to bring the letter to the post office and Elizabeth talks about missing both John and William and assumes that the two of them talk about the letters they receive from her. After talking about an Eben, Elizabeth asks John to write her back and go to visit his sister Elizabeth and offers to send him a coat. She concludes by urging John to maintain a close relationship with God and alerts him that she aims to do the same.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 11)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1825-06-24
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
1842.07 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Jul. 1842
Sabbath Evening
Elizabeth is writing to her son Frederic and discusses possible visits and trips that will be made. She also addresses latest sermons at church. This letter is an update for Elizabeth’s son who it seems she has not seen in a while. It is obvious that she misses him and wants him to visit. Elizabeth mentions other people and the letters they have received such as Bethia learning that Mrs. Fisher is not going to England and is instead going to Havre. Elizabeth worries about their safety as well as the safety of her children.
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 9)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
1842-07
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