Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, December 8, 1836
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, December 8, 1836
transcriberTranscriber:spp:keh
student editorTranscriber:spp:sss
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1836-12-08
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, December 8, 1836
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:
Westfield NY
Place
Name: City: Westfield
County: Chautauqua County
State: NY
Country: US
Place
transcription: keh
revision: ekk 2015-06-01
<>
Page 1
Auburn Dec 8th 1836
My Dearest Henry, I am almost ashamed to say that
those unanswered letters from you are lying upon my table
you are very very kind to write to me so often and
at a time too when you are overwhelmed with business.
I do hope you will not injure your health by over-
exertion. This morning while Fred
Name: Frederick Seward
Birth: 1830-07-08
Death: 1915-04-25
and I lay
composedly
in bed talking about the wooden horse in which the Greecian
warriors secreted themselves, Maria
and announced the arrival of Mr Cary
Name: Trumbull Cary
Birth: 1786-08-11
Death: 1869-06-20
and Walter
Name: Walter Cary
Birth: 1818-12-21
Death: 1880-11-01
.
I dressed myself with all possible expedition
but was a few minutes too late the stage
was waiting for them and they had returned
to the American
Name: American Hotel City: Auburn
County: Cayuga
State: NY
Country: US
accompanied by Pa
Name: Elijah Miller
Birth: 1772-04-11
Death: 1851-11-13
. It appears
they are on their way to Washington
Name: City: Washington D.C.
County:
State: DC
Country: US
. Mrs C.
Name: Margaret Cary
Birth: 1787-08-11
Death: 1863-06-22
was
at the American and they were all as usual
in a remarkable hurry. I was very sorry I
could not see Aunty two minutes. I have all
along intended to write for her to come and spend some
time with me not supposing that their trip to
Washington was to be made so early in the season.
I cannot not now account for the motive of
in using so much despatch but suppose that
"The less cause there is for all this flurry
The greater is the pleasure in arriving
At the chief end of travel — which is driving" .
Pa said they were upset in the stage last night
but as none of them were injured in the incident
only serves to enhance the pleasure of the journey.
I hope we shall see more of them when they
return. Aunty
Name: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
sent Cornelia
Name: Cornelia Seward
Birth: 1836-08-25
Death: 1837-01-14
two beautiful pairs
of little socks which Maria puts on her feet
and exhibits to all who come along.
Page 2
I am very glad you have written to poor B
Name: Benjamin Seward
Birth: 1793-08-23
Death: 1841-02-24
– he must
feel the want of sympathy sadly. Do not think of
sending the ponies to me I should not probably use
them half a dozen times all winter and they are
of some real use to you - the ground here is bare
again and the weather not unpleasantly cold.
Tell dear Gus
Name: Augustus Seward
Birth: 1826-10-01
Death: 1876-09-11
that I
received his letter last Monday
it was a very good letter and gratified me
much. I will send his skates if I have an
opportunity but it seems to be doubtful about
Mr Rutherford
Name: Lewis Rutherfurd
Birth: 1816-11-16
Death: 1892-05-30
's going. I have been talking
with
Pa about him - he has gone home on a visit having
received his Grandfathers
Name: John Rutherfurd
Birth: 1760-09-20
Death: 1840-02-23
permission to do so the
time of his return is uncertain and Pa thinks
it very uncertain whether he goes to Chautauqua
Name: Chautauqua County City:
County:
State: NY
Country: US
at
all. Do get some one to assist you if possible.
I am afraid your health will suffer from confinement
and labour. Tell Augustus that Frederick commenced
a letter to him last Sunday but it does not seem
to progress very fast. John Hulbert
Name: John Hulbert
Birth: 1802-12-28
Death: 1865-11-19
is going to the
Owasco
Name: City: Owasco
County: Cayuga
State: NY
Country: US
to attend a school kept by Mr Fish
former teacher in the Academy - this information is for
Augustus he was a school mate of his at one time[ . ]
Reason:
Marcia
Name: Marcia Seward
Birth: 1794-07-23
Death: 1839-10-28
called yesterday. Divers reports are
in circulation about Lansing
Name: Richard Lansing
Birth: 1789-07
Death: 1855-09-29Certainty: Probable
and Fellows
they have attempted to swindle their creditors in
New York
Name: City: New York
County:
State: NY
Country: US
Marvin
Name: Richard Marvin
Birth: 1787
Death: 1840-08-20Certainty: Probable
and Seymour
Name: James Seymour
Birth: 1791-04-15
Death: 1875-12-03
are also censured
for a similar transaction in the sale of village
lots. I have been told that William Stone
Name: William Stone
Birth: 1792-04-20
Death: 1844-08-15
was one of the
purchasers but I cannot say that any of my
information is from the most authentic sources.
Marvin and Seymour have both gone to the south
to spend the Winter. Lansing and Fellows are not
here where they are seems somewhat doubtful some
say in jail at New York some say in New Jersey
Name: New Jersey City:
County:
State: NJ
Country: US
[right Margin] Pa thinks its useless to keep a fire in the hall I have no
place to see company except in the south room which
This sentence continues on page 3 margin
Page 3
Friday morning - I finished yesterday a letter which
I commenced a week ago to Frances Tuthill
Name: Frances Grier
Birth: 1844
Death: 1925
and wrote the 2 first pages of this, by that time my
eye sight failed me. Lazette
Name: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
came in and sat the
remainder of the day - she had just received a letter
from Worden
Name: Alvah Worden
Birth: 1797-03-06
Death: 1856-02-16
saying he should come out immediately.
This morning Frances
Name: Frances Chesebro
Birth: 1826-12-12
Death: 1909-08-21
has been over to announce his
arrival. She did not know any thing of his intentions
respecting their winter residence. The weather continues
pleasant I feel quite inclined to go out but
my breast is still sore and at times very painful.
Wednesday morning Mrs Miller
Name: Maria Miller
Birth: 1780-09-18
Death: 1850-03-09
's Ann
and desired a private interview with Pa - he received
an invitation to dine there in company with Miss Almira Bennet
Name: Almira Clary
Birth: 1787-01-21
Death: 1882-02-13
! He went, they were the only guests -
Clary
Name: Clarinda McClallen
Birth: 1794
Death: 1862-09-05
was invited over to tea but only called.
Do you
think Almira has a fancy for a second courtship. I
do not know what Maria's views are on this subject but
Pa's invitation was such a wonderful secret that I
should think she had some design in it. Peter
Name: Peter Crosby
Birth:
Death:
who
was a little slighted as he thought in not being
made a confidant says he looked in at the window
and saw them all in the green house admiring
the plants - this was certainly new amusement for
one of the party. There are the Duncans
Name: Maria Chase
Birth: 1791
Death: 1862-10-14
's who regret very much that you are
away from
home as they wish to be patronized by all literary men
and were commended to your good wishes by all your
friends at Canandagua
Name: City: Canandaigua
County: Ontario
State: NY
Country: US
. Mr
Duncan
Mrs Duncan
Barber
Name: Jonathan Barber
Birth: 1784-04-23
Death: 1864-05-11
- then they have with them a little
girl
sister to both, is not this an interesting trio. Professor Sweet
Name: Samuel Sweet
Birth:
Death: 1875
is also here and lamenting your
absence he
lectures on Elocution with what success I am unable
to say - that address will answer my purpose - your own
My love to Augustus —
Frances —
This is a continuation from page 2 margin
[left Margin] the hall stove renders comfortable at present is it not more
economical than keeping a fire in the North room?
Page 4
William H. Seward
Westfield
Chautauque County
Auburn Dec. 10 N.Y.
Type: postmark
Name: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
F.A. Seward
Dec 10, 1836
Auburn Dec 8th 1836
My Dearest Henry, I am almost ashamed to say that
those unanswered letters from you are lying upon my table
you are very very kind to write to me so often and
at a time too when you are overwhelmed with business.
I do hope you will not injure your health by over-
exertion. This morning while Fred
Person
in bed talking about the wooden horse in which the Greecian
warriors secreted themselves, Maria
Unknown
came in great hasteand announced the arrival of Mr Cary
Person
Person
I dressed myself with all possible expedition
but was a few minutes too late the stage
was waiting for them and they had returned
to the American
Place
Person
they are on their way to Washington
Place
Person
at the American and they were all as usual
in a remarkable hurry. I was very sorry I
could not see Aunty two minutes. I have all
along intended to write for her to come and spend some
time with me not supposing that their trip to
Washington was to be made so early in the season.
I cannot not now account for the motive of
in using so much despatch but suppose that
"The less cause there is for all this flurry
The greater is the pleasure in arriving
At the chief end of travel — which is driving" .
Pa said they were upset in the stage last night
but as none of them were injured in the incident
only serves to enhance the pleasure of the journey.
I hope we shall see more of them when they
return. Aunty
Person
Person
of little socks which Maria puts on her feet
and exhibits to all who come along.
I am very glad you have written to poor B
Person
feel the want of sympathy sadly. Do not think of
sending the ponies to me I should not probably use
them half a dozen times all winter and they are
of some real use to you - the ground here is bare
again and the weather not unpleasantly cold.
Tell dear Gus
Person
it was a very good letter and gratified me
much. I will send his skates if I have an
opportunity but it seems to be doubtful about
Mr Rutherford
Person
Pa about him - he has gone home on a visit having
received his Grandfathers
Person
time of his return is uncertain and Pa thinks
it very uncertain whether he goes to Chautauqua
Place
all. Do get some one to assist you if possible.
I am afraid your health will suffer from confinement
and labour. Tell Augustus that Frederick commenced
a letter to him last Sunday but it does not seem
to progress very fast. John Hulbert
Person
Owasco
Place
Unknown
theformer teacher in the Academy - this information is for
Augustus he was a school mate of his at one time[ . ]
Supplied
Marcia
Person
in circulation about Lansing
Person
Unknown
tis saidthey have attempted to swindle their creditors in
New York
Place
Person
Person
for a similar transaction in the sale of village
lots. I have been told that William Stone
Person
purchasers but I cannot say that any of my
information is from the most authentic sources.
Marvin and Seymour have both gone to the south
to spend the Winter. Lansing and Fellows are not
here where they are seems somewhat doubtful some
say in jail at New York some say in New Jersey
Place
[right Margin] Pa thinks its useless to keep a fire in the hall I have no
place to see company except in the south room which
Editorial Note
Friday morning - I finished yesterday a letter which
I commenced a week ago to Frances Tuthill
Person
and wrote the 2 first pages of this, by that time my
eye sight failed me. Lazette
Person
remainder of the day - she had just received a letter
from Worden
Person
This morning Frances
Person
arrival. She did not know any thing of his intentions
respecting their winter residence. The weather continues
pleasant I feel quite inclined to go out but
my breast is still sore and at times very painful.
Wednesday morning Mrs Miller
Person
Unknown
came over
earlyand desired a private interview with Pa - he received
an invitation to dine there in company with Miss Almira Bennet
Person
Clary
Person
think Almira has a fancy for a second courtship. I
do not know what Maria's views are on this subject but
Pa's invitation was such a wonderful secret that I
should think she had some design in it. Peter
Person
was a little slighted as he thought in not being
made a confidant says he looked in at the window
and saw them all in the green house admiring
the plants - this was certainly new amusement for
one of the party. There are the Duncans
Unknown
at Mrs ChasesPerson
home as they wish to be patronized by all literary men
and were commended to your good wishes by all your
friends at Canandagua
Place
Unknown
is
lecturing on Phrenology.Mrs Duncan
Unknown
. is his step sister and
wife! daughter of professorBarber
Person
Unknown
who is halfsister to both, is not this an interesting trio. Professor Sweet
Person
lectures on Elocution with what success I am unable
to say - that address will answer my purpose - your own
My love to Augustus —
Frances —
Editorial Note
[left Margin] the hall stove renders comfortable at present is it not more
economical than keeping a fire in the North room?
William H. Seward
Westfield
Chautauque County
Auburn Dec. 10 N.Y.
Stamp
Person
Dec 10, 1836
date:
Thursday, December 8, 1836
receiver:
sender:
year: