Global Valley

1845.09.03 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Sep. 3rd, 1845

Dublin Core

Title

1845.09.03 - Elizabeth Huntington to Frederic Dan Huntington, Sep. 3rd, 1845

Description

This letter is part of a correspondence between Elizabeth Huntington and her son Frederic Dan Huntington. The letter discusses the health of Elizabeth's family, particularly John and Charlie. Both are plagued with a delirious fever, and Elizabeth was prepared for the illness to take a fatal turn. However, by the grace of God they are on the road to recovery. Elizabeth then updates Frederic on his father’s job at the farm. He is working on a project of clearing and burning a large piece of land, and has hired thirty people to help with this task. Frederic seems to have lost touch with his parents after moving from Boston.. She suggests that his garden and religious obligations leave no spare time for him to write, but stresses that his religious life is of the utmost importance. She goes on to question Frederic’s parenting, suggesting that he has not properly established authority over his child. She laments the current state of child discipline, with children seemingly controlling their parents, and gives suggestions for how to avoid this. She ends the letter by praising the Lord, and thanking Him for the many blessings He has bestowed on their families.

Creator

Elizabeth Whiting Phelps Huntington

Source

Porter-Phelps-Huntington Family Papers (Box 12 Folder 10)
Amherst College Archives and Special Collections

Date

1845-09-03

Rights

Courtesy of the Porter-Phelps-Huntington Foundation
For permissions contact Amherst College Archives and Special Collections

Type

Correspondence

Scripto

Transcription

Rev. F. D. Huntington
Roxbury

Miss Judkins to the care of Mr. Arthur Phelps


Elm Valley Sept. 3, 1845


My Dear Frederic,

Our friend Amelia is about leaving us and I would not neglect to say a few things to you by no good a conveyance and also send your new shoes which were found some time after you left, in the kitchen shoe closet.

You have probably heard of Charly's distressing fever, and of his convalescence. Susan Phelps too has been sick about three weeks with typhus fever, but in its milder form; she too is better. Charly was delirious, about two weeks, some of the time almost frantic for more than a week. We were expecting daily to hear that he was gone. May the blessed [love?] of God accompany this trial with those influences which shall enable him to be the Lord's wholly and forever.

Your father continues his labour at the mountain. Last Wednesday was a great day with us. He had invited about thirty hands to assist in burning over the piece of land he has been clearing and I had prepared a great quantity of what we used to call harvest cake to treat them with after it was done. (By the way I wish I could send you a loaf of it) but sad to relate, the atmosphere was damp. and there was some green brush standing, and the fire would not burn. ^ and a violent shower coming on just then^ They all departed without any refreshments and excepting some molasses and water, and your father thanks. And what do you suppose would be done with the dozen great loaves of cake? Why your father went round next morning and distributed it among those who had tried hard to help him. He is now employed in clearing away the brush more thoroughly that after is has become quite dry, it may be properly burned.

William preached last sabbath at Leverett, and brought his wife and children with him who are spending the week with Theophilus and Elisa. Mrs Lyon has returned to Arbington, but they have two healthy good girls to help them.

I think we know less about you than when you lived in Boston. Your garden must not occupy so much time that you will leave none to spare for writing letters, but yet it must be expected that going so often from your home to your parish and from your parish to your home must take considerable time; and I hope you will not be obliged in any degree to diminish your attention and service among your people. For their unexampled kindness to you, you can hardly do too much for them and you doubtless feel this without being reminded of it.

Theodore has been writing a piece for you, which he talks about sending. Perhaps it will go by Amelia. I think about you and the her child and his mother a great deal. She must enjoy her present situation very much, having her friends as near or nearer than they were in Boston. I love dear little George very much and for that very reason, I must enjoin it upon both father and mother to establish your authority soon, if you wish to do it without difficulty. I have witnessed of late a great deficiency in this respect. It's too much the fashion now for children to govern their parents, and this they will do if their parents do not govern them. Severity is not necessary nor desirable, but a parent must command, and the child must be made to obey, by mild means if possible, but certainly by some means --you may think. I have taken up a new subject, and one upon which I am poorly qualified to give an opinion, or advice. From what I saw of your dear child, I think he may be very easily made obedient and dutiful.

Friday Morning, I was obliged to break off suddenly without warning, and as Amelia put off her journey till today I also deferred writing .For two or three weeks I have been troubled with neuralgia in my side and back, but have been laid by only two days. And by the blessing of that most present and ever helpful Friend who has stood by me all my life, long as it has been, I am again well, and in the enjoyment of that blessed hope, which to those who are reaching the verge of their life is so important and so full of comfort. Your work my dear children is great full of interest and attended with some difficulty and many trials. But out of them all the Lord can deliver you and he will, if as his obedient children you serve him in singleness of heart. He receives often the tokens of your remembrance for which I feel grateful. I like much to this Christian Work. With a heart full of love to you and your's most truly as ever your mother. Elizabeth