Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, February 7, 1831
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, February 7, 1831
transcriberTranscriber:spp:djg
student editorTranscriber:spp:gew
Distributor:Seward Family Papers Project
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1831-02-07
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, February 7, 1831
action: sent
sender:
Frances Seward
Person
Name: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
Person
location:
Auburn NY
Place
Name: City: Auburn
County: Cayuga
State: NY
Country: US
Place
receiver:
William Seward
Person
Name: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
Person
location:
Albany NY
Place
Name: City: Albany
County:
State: NY
Country: US
Place
transcription: dgj
revision: dxt 2015-09-22
<>
Page 1
Monday night 7th Feb
My Dear Henry, What a wonderful easy thing it is for me to write to
those I know and love. here I have been the last hour writing one
page to a third or fourth cousin whom I had never heard of
three weeks ago, but she wrote to Grandma
Name: Paulina Miller
Birth: 1751
Death: 1835-10-03
and of course
the
answer fell to my charge. her name is Sarah Titus
of Grandma’s step–brother
Name: City: Duanesburg
County: Schenectady County
State: NY
Country: US
.
that
is all I know about them and on this hint I spake’. yesterday,
I had the ague all day and drank gin, and applied plaisters until
I was too stupid to do any thing. it was an intolerable cold day
did not see any one of course, felt when night came is if I must have a
letter sent to the office did not get any, went to bed expecting one in
the morning, left Pa
Name: Elijah Miller
Birth: 1772-04-11
Death: 1851-11-13
and Pete
Name: Peter Crosby
Birth:
Death:
down stairs
cooking oysters, which amuse–
ment they have every two or three nights. This morning Pa handed me
the letter as I expected which contains the account of the party
and sundry other interesting articles I am sorry you are frightened
about little Fred
Name: Frederick Seward
Birth: 1830-07-08
Death: 1915-04-25
, his cough continues yet and Grandma continues
full in the belief that it is the whooping cough. I should think it
was myself had he been exposed in any manner. you shall have
notice as soon as I make up my mind. in the mean time there
is nothing alarming about his cough. it is not accompanied
with any fever or other bad symptoms. he has cut another upper
tooth, now has four in all, I wonder that he is not more sick
I believe it is quite uncommon for babies to get their teeth at so fast .
Clary
Name: Clarinda McClallen
Birth: 1794
Death: 1862-09-05
says I may tell you that Hugh
Name: Hugh McClallen
Birth: 1791
Death: 1860-11-16
is about jilting her. he invited
himself to call last evening did not receive meet with any
opposition, but never came, after she had been to the trouble to have
a fire made in the south room, being afraid Grandma would
say something about his deranged relatives or something else equally
improper. Mrs Throops
Name: Evelina Throop
Birth: 1795-08-07
Death: 1834-06-29
stories are perfectly in character
Page 2
Auburn NY Feb 12
Type: postmark
William H. Seward
Albany
Name: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
F. A Seward
12 Feb 1831
Monday night 7th Feb
My Dear Henry, What a wonderful easy thing it is for me to write to
those I know and love. here I have been the last hour writing one
page to a third or fourth cousin whom I had never heard of
three weeks ago, but she wrote to Grandma
Person
answer fell to my charge. her name is Sarah Titus
Unknown
,
the daughterof Grandma’s step–brother
Unknown
who lives in DuanesburghPlace
is all I know about them and on this hint I spake’. yesterday,
I had the ague all day and drank gin, and applied plaisters until
I was too stupid to do any thing. it was an intolerable cold day
did not see any one of course, felt when night came is if I must have a
letter sent to the office did not get any, went to bed expecting one in
the morning, left Pa
Person
Person
ment they have every two or three nights. This morning Pa handed me
the letter as I expected which contains the account of the party
and sundry other interesting articles I am sorry you are frightened
about little Fred
Person
full in the belief that it is the whooping cough. I should think it
was myself had he been exposed in any manner. you shall have
notice as soon as I make up my mind. in the mean time there
is nothing alarming about his cough. it is not accompanied
with any fever or other bad symptoms. he has cut another upper
tooth, now has four in all, I wonder that he is not more sick
I believe it is quite uncommon for babies to get their teeth at so fast .
Clary
Person
Person
himself to call last evening did not receive meet with any
opposition, but never came, after she had been to the trouble to have
a fire made in the south room, being afraid Grandma would
say something about his deranged relatives or something else equally
improper. Mrs Throops
Person
George
returned. She went to Dr Pitney’s
Name: Joseph Pitney
Birth: 1786-11-18
Death: 1853-04-20
,
Jones
Name: Samuel Cumpston
Birth: 1784-08-18
Death: 1850-04-03
and finally
finished
at George Woods
Name: George Wood
Birth: 1799
Death: 1870
where she took tea
with Eliza Horner
Name: Eliza Horner
Birth:
Death: 1876-10-31
. Maria Harris
Name: Maria Harris
Birth:
Death: 1835-12-05
went home this afternoon in the stage. She says she does not
think much of Mrs Pitney’s
Name: Betsy Pitney
Birth: 1788
Death:
appearance says she is
stiff in
her manners talks but little and is evidently striving constantly
to appear genteel. I never could believe the woman very
intelligent or interesting if she had been what on earth would
have induced her to have married the Dr. was receiving
a number of calls at the time Clary was there. does not appear
at all easy in her new situation. talks about her cook & like many
silly people. Mrs Hardenburgh
Name: Martina Hardenbergh
Birth:
Death: 1843-05-02
called here to day she says She
likes Thomas
with him in the Spring. asked a number of times when you was
coming home. why you did not come home and make a visit. She
is rather weak but I am teased to death with these questions what
should I tell them is the reason? I have never made any answer only
that you did not intend coming home only in case of the sickness of
some of the family. Mr Compston and C Horner
about Bronson
mination. The Miss Wallaces
Unknown
Unknown
are very obnoxious to on many accounts
rather given to b[ u ]
Reason: ying and wear
bombarette cloaks . Mrs Rudds
Name: Phebe Rudd
Birth: 1785
Death: Certainty: Possible
party
has created great schism in the church. Jenung
to withdraw on account of his wife having been neglected. did I tell
you Mrs Powers
only applied to our party I imagine. Dr Rudd
Name: John Rudd
Birth: 1779-05-24
Death: 1848-04-15
is very much censured
for his extravagant panegyrics about Dr Morgans
Either John H Morgan or John G Morgan
practice. by the
way that brings to my mind that Edward
small packet for me this morning which Pa took into his posession
and intends to retain[ . ]
Reason: I
should think I have seen nothing of it yet.
I think it must be the cards. Clary called also at Hoskins
Page 3Unknown
I hear has arrived in town. Clary has
been out this afternoon justreturned. She went to Dr Pitney’s
Person
Unknown
, CompstonsPerson
at George Woods
Person
Person
Person
went home this afternoon in the stage. She says she does not
think much of Mrs Pitney’s
Person
her manners talks but little and is evidently striving constantly
to appear genteel. I never could believe the woman very
intelligent or interesting if she had been what on earth would
have induced her to have married the Dr. was receiving
a number of calls at the time Clary was there. does not appear
at all easy in her new situation. talks about her cook & like many
silly people. Mrs Hardenburgh
Person
likes Thomas
Unknown
so much that she will be very unwilling to
partwith him in the Spring. asked a number of times when you was
coming home. why you did not come home and make a visit. She
is rather weak but I am teased to death with these questions what
should I tell them is the reason? I have never made any answer only
that you did not intend coming home only in case of the sickness of
some of the family. Mr Compston and C Horner
Unknown
talk very freely againabout Bronson
Unknown
. I take it
that that courtship has come to an abrupt ter–mination. The Miss Wallaces
People
Unknown
Unknown
rather given to b[ u ]
Supplied
Person
has created great schism in the church. Jenung
Unknown
and his hounds are goingto withdraw on account of his wife having been neglected. did I tell
you Mrs Powers
Unknown
and
LydianUnknown
were there , so her apology of dear’s absenceonly applied to our party I imagine. Dr Rudd
Person
for his extravagant panegyrics about Dr Morgans
Unknown
Editorial Note
way that brings to my mind that Edward
Unknown
said Dr Morgan brought a small packet for me this morning which Pa took into his posession
and intends to retain[ . ]
Supplied
I think it must be the cards. Clary called also at Hoskins
Unknown
they had
just recieved a letter containing the
intelligence of Williams
at Savannah
Name: City: Savannah
County: Wayne County
State: NY
Country: US
sometime in
January. Teusday night— This morning I
succeeded in obtaining the packet of cards at the same time a letter from
Cornelia
Name: Louisa Canfield
Birth: 1805-10-29
Death: 1839-01-04
. She says they
are almost buried in the snow. She thinks she
would like to come and see us next summer if it could be so arranged
that the Dr
Name: Mahlon Canfield
Birth: 1798-11-26
Death: 1865-01-05
would not
be obliged to leave home for any length of time
tell me what you think about it. you do not answer half the questions
I ask in my letters. To day Lazette
Name: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
sent word she would like to go to the
house after a man had made paths and Lazette came down I put on all
the cloaks and handkerchiefs I could find and went over. every thing
remained the same as I left. the poor rose trees were all frozen to
death. Mr Cherry
to see it go it was like parting with an old friend. it was a selfish sorrow
after all. Lazette always was entitled to the posession of it if any one as it
was purchased for her and I will not regret it if it serves to lighten her
heart of [ any of its ]
Reason: wax-seal numberless cares. she would not take it only
with[
out
]
Reason: wax-seal
the co[ ndition t ]
Reason: wax-sealhat it should be returned in the spring. I am
afraid
by that time Worden
Name: Alvah Worden
Birth: 1797-03-06
Death: 1856-02-16
and Frances
Name: Frances Chesebro
Birth: 1826-12-12
Death: 1909-08-21
will
have somewhat impaired the concord of sweet
sounds! After I came home Clary went to call on Serene
Name: Serene Birdsall
Birth: 1802
Death:
and while she was
absent Abijah
Name: Abijah Miller
Birth: 1779-02-14
Death: 1834-07-11
and Maria
Name: Mary Miller
Birth: 1785-04-24
Death: 1870-04-17
came to make their annual visit. Maria sl says
she does not like to have company in the winter ever. They are to stay with us to night
and go to Isaacs
Name: Isaac Miller
Birth: 1791-04-30
Death: 1853-04-03
in the morning. The[
y
]
Reason: are pretty much the same as they used to
be
Maria thinks it the principal end of living to have handsome caps and dresses made
in the newest fashion. I think she has the most happy faculty of making every one
dissatisfied with themselves of any one I ever knew. They consider people who
have children as objects of great compassion. Sally Maria
daughter
Wolly, he is very disagreeable from their account, a perfect brute
I think. Wednesday night— This morning Pa and Abijah went to Seneca Falls
Name: City: Seneca Falls
County: Seneca County
State: NY
Country: US
. Maria
went to Isaacs. Clary and Lazette took tea there this afternoon. Pa and Abijah
came home this evening. coming home they ran against another cutter and broke the
shafts of Abijah's cutter of course they could not ride home in that. Pa got
in with Dr Pitney who came along about that time and Abijah came with some
one else. Pa felt rather inclined to scold but Abijah laughed him out of it.
Tomorrow they expect to go home after the cutter is mended. To night is the
first cotillion party dont you think they have not had the civility to send
me a card. I think it is a judgement upon me for [ rejoucing ]
Alternate Text: rejoicing that Mrs Smith
this evening. Fred continues about the same, appears quite well when he is
is not coughing. I expect we shall all freeze to death when the eclipse comes it is so cold
now. Your own Frances —
Page 4Unknown
death. he diedat Savannah
Place
succeeded in obtaining the packet of cards at the same time a letter from
Cornelia
Person
would like to come and see us next summer if it could be so arranged
that the Dr
Person
tell me what you think about it. you do not answer half the questions
I ask in my letters. To day Lazette
Person
house after a man had made paths and Lazette came down I put on all
the cloaks and handkerchiefs I could find and went over. every thing
remained the same as I left. the poor rose trees were all frozen to
death. Mr Cherry
Unknown
came with a sleigh and took
the piano. I did feel sorryto see it go it was like parting with an old friend. it was a selfish sorrow
after all. Lazette always was entitled to the posession of it if any one as it
was purchased for her and I will not regret it if it serves to lighten her
heart of [ any of its ]
Supplied
Supplied
the co[ ndition t ]
Supplied
by that time Worden
Person
Person
sounds! After I came home Clary went to call on Serene
Person
absent Abijah
Person
Person
she does not like to have company in the winter ever. They are to stay with us to night
and go to Isaacs
Person
Supplied
Maria thinks it the principal end of living to have handsome caps and dresses made
in the newest fashion. I think she has the most happy faculty of making every one
dissatisfied with themselves of any one I ever knew. They consider people who
have children as objects of great compassion. Sally Maria
Unknown
has anotherdaughter
Unknown
. I do think she is to be pitied. Dr
FootUnknown
proposes calling this oneWolly, he is very disagreeable from their account, a perfect brute
I think. Wednesday night— This morning Pa and Abijah went to Seneca Falls
Place
went to Isaacs. Clary and Lazette took tea there this afternoon. Pa and Abijah
came home this evening. coming home they ran against another cutter and broke the
shafts of Abijah's cutter of course they could not ride home in that. Pa got
in with Dr Pitney who came along about that time and Abijah came with some
one else. Pa felt rather inclined to scold but Abijah laughed him out of it.
Tomorrow they expect to go home after the cutter is mended. To night is the
first cotillion party dont you think they have not had the civility to send
me a card. I think it is a judgement upon me for [ rejoucing ]
Alternate Text
Unknown
was neglected last winter. They called for Clary but she did not gothis evening. Fred continues about the same, appears quite well when he is
is not coughing. I expect we shall all freeze to death when the eclipse comes it is so cold
now. Your own Frances —
Auburn NY Feb 12
Stamp
William H. Seward
Albany
Person
12 Feb 1831
date:
Monday, February 7, 1831
receiver:
sender:
year: