Dublin Core
Title
1843.02.01 - Elizabeth Huntington to Edward Huntington, Feb. 1st, 1843
Description
In this letter, Elizabeth updates Edward on various happenings in the family. She mentions receiving a letter from William doing missionary work in the west, in which he apologizes for his reaction to a joke made by Edward and his scathing comment about Edward in his subsequent letter to Bethia. However, William goes on to describe what he found hurtful in Edward’s letter and its “entire misunderstanding of my situation, my capacities, and my actual efforts.” Elizabeth urges Edward to write to his brother and “heal the wound.” William also writes about how he injured his leg cutting wood, but is still grateful for all his blessings. Elizabeth mentions that Father, Theodore, Theophilus, and George Fisher have gone to Northampton on business. The letter ends with a small addendum about Dan Huntington injuring his elbow and needing some medical attention.
Creator
Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington
Source
Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 5)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Date
1843-02-01
Rights
Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections
Type
Correspondence
Scripto
Transcription
[Addressed to] Mr. Edward P. Huntington Cabotville--
Elm Valley Feb 1st 1843
Dear Edward,
You have doubtless been looking long for this last number of the Christian Examiner[1]; as Fredric sent it here, that I might read Mr. Ware's[2] article on the progress of Peace Principles, I feel in a measure accountable to you for its being this long on its way to you. It was sent with some other pamphlets, and letters to Springfield, by a private opportunity - and from there I believe it came by a stage driver to Northampton - Charles left it a few days and then brought it over to us - Since that I have endeavored to find an opportunity to send it to you but have not yet succeeded - Bottom Smith intends going to Cabotville this week – and I hope it will go by him. We had quite a satisfactory letter from William today - In answer to something which Bethia had written him respecting your correspondence with him, he writes thus - "I should never have taken exception to the continuation of a joke," nor even to the originating of a joke, by Brother Edward. It was the serious part of his letter, - what he said about the employment of times, the misapplication of talents, and my neglect to gather around me here young men and educate them, - and the complaining and dissatisfied strain of my letters home and to him - this was the part of his letter, upon which I perhaps unnecessarily made a scathing comment, in my letter to Bethia. All of which I then thought, still think, and ever shall think was unjust, unkind and founded upon an entire misunderstanding of my situation, my capacities, and my actual efforts." --These little troubles among dear and distant friends are very unpleasant, and as they were often to arise from ignorance with regard to the subjects in question - perhaps it would be well for you to write him - and if possible heal the wound. He speaks of having cut a gash in his leg about three inches long a day or two before he wrote, which was Jan. 19th, by the glancing of his axe. He says "the pain and inconvenience I suffer are trifling compared with my disappointment at not being able to avail myself of this fine sleighing to get my wood. But it is night, and more good than evil will spring out of it. How many blessings have I and mine, for which to be grateful- my wife says she has never in her life enjoyed better health than during the present winter." - Thanks to our merciful Father, we who inhabit the old mansion can bear witness also that his mercies never fail -. your father has been chipping at the mountain all last week and some before – in all this wind and cold he has gone into town with T. and T.[3] who have gone to N--n[4] on business - they also carried George Fisher who has been here since Monday - spending part of his vacation. Little [Walter ?] is as fat as ever - he has learned to creep. The dwellers in the valley remember you and Helen with the kindest wishes and more especially does you affectionate mother Elizabeth --
Friday morning - your father has paid dear for going out yesterday - before he went he complained of pains on his right elbow - it increased toward night, and has been very troublesome ever since till within an hour or two - Doct. [Mutray?] is now here - you inquire the price of butter - I believe it will not bring more than nine pence. - The doctor has gone and left a wash for the arm - and some powder to be taken if the pain is severe. It seems to be a turn of chronic rheumatisms – he has been eating breakfast and is quite comfortable.
[1] The Christian Examiner was a Christian periodical with Unitarian and Trancendentalist content.
[2] Henry Ware, Jr. was influential Unitarian theologian and faculty at the Harvard Divinity School
[3] Theophilus and Theodore
[4] Northampton
Elm Valley Feb 1st 1843
Dear Edward,
You have doubtless been looking long for this last number of the Christian Examiner[1]; as Fredric sent it here, that I might read Mr. Ware's[2] article on the progress of Peace Principles, I feel in a measure accountable to you for its being this long on its way to you. It was sent with some other pamphlets, and letters to Springfield, by a private opportunity - and from there I believe it came by a stage driver to Northampton - Charles left it a few days and then brought it over to us - Since that I have endeavored to find an opportunity to send it to you but have not yet succeeded - Bottom Smith intends going to Cabotville this week – and I hope it will go by him. We had quite a satisfactory letter from William today - In answer to something which Bethia had written him respecting your correspondence with him, he writes thus - "I should never have taken exception to the continuation of a joke," nor even to the originating of a joke, by Brother Edward. It was the serious part of his letter, - what he said about the employment of times, the misapplication of talents, and my neglect to gather around me here young men and educate them, - and the complaining and dissatisfied strain of my letters home and to him - this was the part of his letter, upon which I perhaps unnecessarily made a scathing comment, in my letter to Bethia. All of which I then thought, still think, and ever shall think was unjust, unkind and founded upon an entire misunderstanding of my situation, my capacities, and my actual efforts." --These little troubles among dear and distant friends are very unpleasant, and as they were often to arise from ignorance with regard to the subjects in question - perhaps it would be well for you to write him - and if possible heal the wound. He speaks of having cut a gash in his leg about three inches long a day or two before he wrote, which was Jan. 19th, by the glancing of his axe. He says "the pain and inconvenience I suffer are trifling compared with my disappointment at not being able to avail myself of this fine sleighing to get my wood. But it is night, and more good than evil will spring out of it. How many blessings have I and mine, for which to be grateful- my wife says she has never in her life enjoyed better health than during the present winter." - Thanks to our merciful Father, we who inhabit the old mansion can bear witness also that his mercies never fail -. your father has been chipping at the mountain all last week and some before – in all this wind and cold he has gone into town with T. and T.[3] who have gone to N--n[4] on business - they also carried George Fisher who has been here since Monday - spending part of his vacation. Little [Walter ?] is as fat as ever - he has learned to creep. The dwellers in the valley remember you and Helen with the kindest wishes and more especially does you affectionate mother Elizabeth --
Friday morning - your father has paid dear for going out yesterday - before he went he complained of pains on his right elbow - it increased toward night, and has been very troublesome ever since till within an hour or two - Doct. [Mutray?] is now here - you inquire the price of butter - I believe it will not bring more than nine pence. - The doctor has gone and left a wash for the arm - and some powder to be taken if the pain is severe. It seems to be a turn of chronic rheumatisms – he has been eating breakfast and is quite comfortable.
[1] The Christian Examiner was a Christian periodical with Unitarian and Trancendentalist content.
[2] Henry Ware, Jr. was influential Unitarian theologian and faculty at the Harvard Divinity School
[3] Theophilus and Theodore
[4] Northampton