Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, April 25, 1832
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, April 25,
1832
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:crb
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Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1832-04-25
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, April 25, 1832
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Goshen, NY
receiver: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: crb
revision: crb 2017-01-10
<>
Page
1
Goshen Wednesday 25th
My Dear Sister, I am now I hope commencing the last letter which I
shall send you before we meet once again. I hope by this time next week we shall
be as far as Albany on our way home. We think it no unpropitious events
occurs we will reach Auburn by Saturday or Sunday of next week - should
we be delayed two or three days longer than we anticipated I will write
you a line from Albany that you may not be in constant expectation
of seeing us. I do hope I shall not be obliged to ride in a stage
past your house I am afraid I should be tempted to jump out which would
be very silly you know - but I will not talk any more about it.
"It thrild the heart strings, thro my breast,
All to the life"
don't you think I am here away from my little meek eyed boy - Freddy
morning Mr Seward
I had been talking of so long. I assented taking it for granted that I was to
bring my whole family with me - but I soon discovered that was far from
being any part of the arrangement. I was advised to leave both of the
children and a gig
I thought at first I would take Fred and leave Augustus
when I proposed the thing to the little fellow he burst into tears. I
knew Fred liked Eliza just as well as me except for the matter of
nursing & I had thought before I left Albany I felt so miserably that
I would wean Frederick when I got to Florida. Still I would much
rather have remained in the house with him at the time. But all
this is thought very silly and Mr Seward says boys ought always to be
away from home to school at three years of age. It was a hard
struggle but I finally left the little fellow and I can see him now with
Augustus little straw hat on saying "by Ma"- taking Eliza's hand and
marching off. I never will do it again, I would not to please all the
people in the state pass another such a night as the last. Of course
I feel much more disposed to cry all the time than he does dear little boy.
I shall either go home or send for him to day. Only think Clarence
only two months older than Fred is now when Marcia
which two years I think in all probability will be prolonged to three.
I don't wonder Clarence says he does not want to see "Cousin Marcia"-
Our dear good cousins
will send for Fred to come out and will not let me shorten my visit.
Frances
Page
2
all be very much ashamed of our country cousin. With all that Marcia has said
about Frances Cousin Mary
night which commenced "my much beloved Cousin" and contained more express-
ions of esteem and attachment than I ever make use of to any one - certainly
to any one I am inddifferent to. This looks to me like hypocrisy.
But you have not yet heard one word about the wedding - my last letter
was sent on Thursday when it was raining and raining. Friday the rain
ceased and about 5 oclock 6 gigs presented themselves to view and
finally deposited their contents at our door. This of course produced quite a
rush in the house the arrival of 12 guests being no common occurrence.
The ladies all came in first they were Tempe
Sarah Leddall
Florida. Mrs Seward was so bewildered that she could think of nothing
Miss Julian
being, one of the company so it fell to my lot to conduct the ladies
to their rooms up stairs and furnish them with brushes combs and
so forth. her here they remained adorning themselves until 8 oclock
precisely. I thought they stood the cold remarkably well. The
[ young ]
Reason: hole men in the mean time fastened the horses
and brought in the
baggage and when I came down I was introduced with due solemnity
to Dr. Finlow
of New York. Then I took George
dinner - yes - a fire was made in the drawing room which smoked most
sublimely - the young men were all invited into the smoke and Julian
and I commenced setting the table. The bride and brides maidens did actu-
ally, get dressed by 8 oclock at made their appearance at the tea table the bride
in changeable silk. A stupid evening ensued the mania of saying
smart things or not speaking at all, which you complain of - extends even here
though on a less refined scale. That Mr Star from New York - a coarse
conceited little cousin appeared to be ex esteemed the wit of the company
all his sayings were received with loud applause - fortunately for me
the children required much of my time and attention. I told Eliza that
John
them for company. Eliza appeared to have quite a sense of the thing -
said I must certainly tell Mrs Worden all about it she would enjoy it so much
We all went to bed about eleven - the morning came and with it a still
more busy day. The Jersey people were all to go home on Monday
so the party must e’en be on Saturday - was ever any thing so
Page
3
Malapropos - fortunately for us the company all went to Goshen to dine at Cousin
Harry's
I wrote the notes of invitation all on my best straw coloured letter paper
thereby consuming it all - about 40 persons were invited our cousins &
the Wickhams from Goshen included. The
company began to arrive at 5 oclock
and I could not make Mrs Seward stay in the room one moment so I
was obliged to receive them all without, knowing half of their names - but it
was not of much consequence here as the eating was of much more conse-
quence to most of them than the ceremony attending reception. After
they all came Cousin Mary Evans and I went out to assist about sending in tea
we found employment enough – ther[ e ]
Reason: did not
appear every to be any body two
^to^ do
any thing and upon the whole I found it no pleasant task. I thought then
how much I was indebted to you and Clary
all the unpleasant part of the management of a party - but I must leave
half of the vexations for verbal communication. The company left
at ten and I sit up until the Sabbath commenced to get the house
in some order for the morrow. Mrs Seward
her to go to bed at 11 oclock. She is not well enough any of the time
to be about house but will continue to work hard. I did not feel
like getting up the next morning but knew it was necessary. Mrs Seward
stayed at home from Church and cooked dinner when she ought to
have been in bed - all the rest of us went to Church - and "Harry Seward wife
for once did not attract the eyes of the congregation. I relinquished my
seat in the pew to the bridal party and sat with Mr Post
Gurnee
company from Jersey took their departure and we finished restoring things
to their original order. In the afternoon your dear long letter came with
one from Henry
two days too late but I made some which answered the purpose very well
sorry I made you so much trouble. Tell Tommy
him even my little Fred says Tom sometimes when he sees a coloured man.
I have not told you any thing yet about Mrs George W. Seward. I would rather
defer it until I come home as I have hardly formed an opinion yet. She
is not pretty - is not very sociable and is excessively diffident. 19 years old
and said to be an excellent housewife. I know you will laugh at so plain
a description but imagination is out of the question. I expect Henry on Friday
I suppose he has written to you before this time. We intend leaving here on Teusday
of next week and will be detained two or three days in Albany. Tracy
Page
4
me a short letter in one of Henrys - this you must wait until you can see
it is a kind of love letter. The Tracy's
takes place I shall see them and the Carys no more at present.
I almost laugh sometimes when I think of your telling me once before I came
away that I must not find any one to love better than you. I knew then the
thing was impossible and feel much more sensibly now how much my affection
for you is increased when I compare you with others of the sex. Good bye dear one.
Frances.
Mrs Alvah Worden
Auburn
Cayuga County
GOSHEN
N.Y.
APRIL 26
Type: postmark
[right Margin] Tell Clary I wish she would not clean house until I come home and get some one to help her
I know she will do it all alone if I am not there. My love to Grandma
in good health next week.
Goshen Wednesday 25th
My Dear Sister, I am now I hope commencing the last letter which I
shall send you before we meet once again. I hope by this time next week we shall
be as far as Albany on our way home. We think it no unpropitious events
occurs we will reach Auburn by Saturday or Sunday of next week - should
we be delayed two or three days longer than we anticipated I will write
you a line from Albany that you may not be in constant expectation
of seeing us. I do hope I shall not be obliged to ride in a stage
past your house I am afraid I should be tempted to jump out which would
be very silly you know - but I will not talk any more about it.
"It thrild the heart strings, thro my breast,
All to the life"
Author: Robert Burns Publisher: S. King Place of Publication:New York City Date: 1824
as Burns
Birth: 1759-01-25 Death: 1796-07-21
says. I feel melancholy
Depressed in spirits; dejected; gloomy; dismal • Producing great evil and grief; causing dejection; calamitous;
afflictive • Grave looking; somber •
enough to daydon't you think I am here away from my little meek eyed boy - Freddy
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
. Yesterdaymorning Mr Seward
Birth: 1768-12-05 Death: 1849-08-24
proposed I should come to Goshen and
make the visitI had been talking of so long. I assented taking it for granted that I was to
bring my whole family with me - but I soon discovered that was far from
being any part of the arrangement. I was advised to leave both of the
children and a gig
To fish with a harpoon • Any little thing that is whirled around in play • A light carriage with one pair of wheels, drawn by one horse; a
chair • A fiddle • A dart or harpoon • A ship's boat • A wanton girl •
was announced as the
mode of conveyance. I thought at first I would take Fred and leave Augustus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
with Eliza butwhen I proposed the thing to the little fellow he burst into tears. I
knew Fred liked Eliza just as well as me except for the matter of
nursing & I had thought before I left Albany I felt so miserably that
I would wean Frederick when I got to Florida. Still I would much
rather have remained in the house with him at the time. But all
this is thought very silly and Mr Seward says boys ought always to be
away from home to school at three years of age. It was a hard
struggle but I finally left the little fellow and I can see him now with
Augustus little straw hat on saying "by Ma"- taking Eliza's hand and
marching off. I never will do it again, I would not to please all the
people in the state pass another such a night as the last. Of course
I feel much more disposed to cry all the time than he does dear little boy.
I shall either go home or send for him to day. Only think Clarence
Birth: 1828-10-07 Death: 1897-07-24
wasonly two months older than Fred is now when Marcia
Birth: 1794-07-23 Death: 1839-10-25
left him for two
yearswhich two years I think in all probability will be prolonged to three.
I don't wonder Clarence says he does not want to see "Cousin Marcia"-
Our dear good cousins
here can understand all my feelings and say they
will send for Fred to come out and will not let me shorten my visit.
Frances
Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24
returns with us she says I must tell
you that she expects we willall be very much ashamed of our country cousin. With all that Marcia has said
about Frances Cousin Mary
Birth: 1794-08-30 Death: 1876-12-31
read a
letter from Marcia to Frances to me lastnight which commenced "my much beloved Cousin" and contained more express-
ions of esteem and attachment than I ever make use of to any one - certainly
to any one I am inddifferent to. This looks to me like hypocrisy.
But you have not yet heard one word about the wedding - my last letter
was sent on Thursday when it was raining and raining. Friday the rain
ceased and about 5 oclock 6 gigs presented themselves to view and
finally deposited their contents at our door. This of course produced quite a
rush in the house the arrival of 12 guests being no common occurrence.
The ladies all came in first they were Tempe
Birth: 1812-09-30 Death: 1848-10-18
the bride two sisters Frances
Birth: 1808-08-28 Death: 1873-12-06
&Sarah Leddall
Birth: 1815-04-30 Death: 1892-11-19
Miss LearUnknown
of New Jersey and Miss
Wood
Birth: 1809-11-06 Death: 1898-02-23Certainty: Possible
and Miss
Finn
Birth: 1822 Death: 1907Certainty: Probable
ofFlorida. Mrs Seward was so bewildered that she could think of nothing
Miss Julian
Unknown
had gone to put on her other
frock with the expectation ofbeing, one of the company so it fell to my lot to conduct the ladies
to their rooms up stairs and furnish them with brushes combs and
so forth. her here they remained adorning themselves until 8 oclock
precisely. I thought they stood the cold remarkably well. The
[ young ]
Supplied
baggage and when I came down I was introduced with due solemnity
to Dr. Finlow
Death: 1876-09-21
, Mr Hoyt
Birth: 1816
, Mr
Leddall
Birth: 1783-10-25 Death: 1865-04-15
- Mr Cooper
Birth: 1802-04-20 Death: 1879-07-26
- and
Mr Star
Birth: 1791-01 Death: 1876-07-15
of New York. Then I took George
Birth: 1808-08-26 Death: 1888-12-07
one side and asked him if they had
takendinner - yes - a fire was made in the drawing room which smoked most
sublimely - the young men were all invited into the smoke and Julian
and I commenced setting the table. The bride and brides maidens did actu-
ally, get dressed by 8 oclock at made their appearance at the tea table the bride
in changeable silk. A stupid evening ensued the mania of saying
smart things or not speaking at all, which you complain of - extends even here
though on a less refined scale. That Mr Star from New York - a coarse
conceited little cousin appeared to be ex esteemed the wit of the company
all his sayings were received with loud applause - fortunately for me
the children required much of my time and attention. I told Eliza that
John
Unknown
and PhillipUnknown
would appear
^be^ very interesting in my eyes if I could getthem for company. Eliza appeared to have quite a sense of the thing -
said I must certainly tell Mrs Worden all about it she would enjoy it so much
We all went to bed about eleven - the morning came and with it a still
more busy day. The Jersey people were all to go home on Monday
so the party must e’en be on Saturday - was ever any thing so
Malapropos - fortunately for us the company all went to Goshen to dine at Cousin
Harry's
Birth: 1793-04-15 Death: 1871-08-27
and we were not retarded in our
labours by their presence. I wrote the notes of invitation all on my best straw coloured letter paper
thereby consuming it all - about 40 persons were invited our cousins &
the Wickhams
Birth:
Death: 1864-02-05
Birth: 1772
Death: 1845-11-16
and I could not make Mrs Seward stay in the room one moment so I
was obliged to receive them all without, knowing half of their names - but it
was not of much consequence here as the eating was of much more conse-
quence to most of them than the ceremony attending reception. After
they all came Cousin Mary Evans and I went out to assist about sending in tea
we found employment enough – ther[ e ]
Supplied
any thing and upon the whole I found it no pleasant task. I thought then
how much I was indebted to you and Clary
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
for always saving me fromall the unpleasant part of the management of a party - but I must leave
half of the vexations for verbal communication. The company left
at ten and I sit up until the Sabbath commenced to get the house
in some order for the morrow. Mrs Seward
Birth: 1769-11-27 Death: 1844-12-11
was so ill I prevailed uponher to go to bed at 11 oclock. She is not well enough any of the time
to be about house but will continue to work hard. I did not feel
like getting up the next morning but knew it was necessary. Mrs Seward
stayed at home from Church and cooked dinner when she ought to
have been in bed - all the rest of us went to Church - and "Harry Seward wife
Birth: 1800-06-17 Death: 1885-11-09
"for once did not attract the eyes of the congregation. I relinquished my
seat in the pew to the bridal party and sat with Mr Post
Birth: 1803
- AdelineUnknown
&Gurnee
Unknown
were among the guests the other
evening. Monday Morning thecompany from Jersey took their departure and we finished restoring things
to their original order. In the afternoon your dear long letter came with
one from Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
at
the same time. The receipt for floating islands came justtwo days too late but I made some which answered the purpose very well
sorry I made you so much trouble. Tell Tommy
Unknown
we have not of us forgottenhim even my little Fred says Tom sometimes when he sees a coloured man.
I have not told you any thing yet about Mrs George W. Seward. I would rather
defer it until I come home as I have hardly formed an opinion yet. She
is not pretty - is not very sociable and is excessively diffident. 19 years old
and said to be an excellent housewife. I know you will laugh at so plain
a description but imagination is out of the question. I expect Henry on Friday
I suppose he has written to you before this time. We intend leaving here on Teusday
of next week and will be detained two or three days in Albany. Tracy
Birth: 1793-06-17 Death: 1859-09-12
wroteme a short letter in one of Henrys - this you must wait until you can see
it is a kind of love letter. The Tracy's
Birth: 1800 Death: 1876
go to Connecticut when the adjournmenttakes place I shall see them and the Carys no more at present.
I almost laugh sometimes when I think of your telling me once before I came
away that I must not find any one to love better than you. I knew then the
thing was impossible and feel much more sensibly now how much my affection
for you is increased when I compare you with others of the sex. Good bye dear one.
Frances.
Mrs Alvah Worden
Auburn
Cayuga County
GOSHEN
N.Y.
APRIL 26
Stamp
[right Margin] Tell Clary I wish she would not clean house until I come home and get some one to help her
I know she will do it all alone if I am not there. My love to Grandma
Birth: 1751 Death: 1835-10-03
tell I hope we shall all meetin good health next week.