Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, April 7, 1834
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, April 7, 1834
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:mmh
student editorTranscriber:spp:srr
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1834-04-07
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, April 7, 1834
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Troy, NY
receiver: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: mmh
revision: tap 2017-09-13
<>
Page
1
New York — Monday 7th Ap
My Dearest Sister – You will think there is no dependence to be
placed upon me for the future I am one day going to New
York the next going home and then staying quietly in Albany
in anticipation, while I am in reality continually doing
something exactly the reverse – I do think I have been more
than usually the sport of circumstances for the last fortnight
I am now as you percieve by the date of my letter in
New York where I had no idea of coming the day before
I left Albany – After my disappointment about going
home and feeling constantly a keen sense of the disappointment
I should occasion you, I felt very much as if I should
like to run away from Albany for a few days and
had partly determined to go to Troy and visit the Board-
mans when Mrs Cary
her to this place – Henry
morning I prepared in some haste to take the afternoon
boat — Maryann as usual washed and ironed some collars
for Augustus
up some to take – all was in readiness by four oclock
and Mrs Cary & Walter
Mr Cary
and left us on the boat at the ringing of the last
bell – The day was fine and we sat upon the upper
deck an hour, a long time after the spires and domes
of Albany had become invisible to our eyes – Cushman
came down with us and rendered us every attention in his
power – he inquired much about you and desired a
particular remembrance which I transmit at this time
fearing that I may forget it — The approach of night and
the cold sharp wind warned us to seek the cabin –
here we found matters much more comfortable than we
anticipated – we were on the Ohio the cabin is larger
and for once there was an unusually small number
of ladies and only three children – We had good berths
and an accommodating chambermaid all went smoothly
Page
2
I went to bed at 8 oclock and did not get up again the next
morning until 6 although the boat came to the wharf
a little after four – Walter procured a carriage and we drove
to Mrs Sutherds are staying
we left Mrs Cary. Walter came with me as I was
a little uncertain about the number of the house
We drove to 150 Franklin street it proved to be the right
place an affirmative was returned to Walter enquiring
“Does Mr Seward
trunk and band box and Walter went back to Mrs Sutherds
Marcia
Jennings soon returned from his morning walk and
added his greetings to those of Marcia and the boys —
I went to bed soon after breakfast feeling tired and
stupid from the loss of my usual sleep – I slept two
hours and continued in bed two hours more – Marcia
came and lay beside me she is not well and has
not been able to go out since I came — The family
consists of Jennings Marcia Augustus Clarence Mr Bacon
a clergyman engaged in the Sunday Schools, Matilda
and Jane
with the intention of accomplishing that tedious hopeless
task ‘bringing her up’ — I pity any one whom I see engaged
in an undertaking of this kind – Saturday after dinner
I went with Jennings to see Mr and Mrs Sewards likenesses
they are taken by Mrs Spencer
Henry’s – they are both a good likenesses particularly
Mrs Sewards which I think is the better of the two —
We went from there to see Mrs Cary – found her with a
long face – Albert
a word of English and Mrs Brisban
very unhappy – very sure that her husband
be excessively displeased with Albert for presuming to
take a wife without his knowledge or counsel. Mrs
Cary said she rather thought she should go home on
Monday although when we left Albany she thought
it possible that she might remain here three weeks
I told her she must not think of going until I did and
Page
3
I wanted to stay at least three days – Jennings thinks some
of going to Albany this week and should he determine to do so
I shall wait for his company if he does not go I shall
leave here tomorrow or the next day – Yesterday I went
with Jennings to Dr Springs
but not a very great sermon – the day was unpleasant
the ladies all had on their pelisses or cloaks and winter
hats – looked very much as they do in Albany –
it rained in the afternoon I did not go out
any where – we had an interesting conversation on the
subject of religion– had a good Sunday – Jennings and
Marcia are entirely engrossed with the subject religious
affairs – They are very kind to me and do every thing
in their power to make my time pass agreeably
After tea Jennings went with me to see Mrs Cary – found
her with Mrs Brisban and a room full of ladies and gentlemen
gaily dressed – Mrs Cary was in better spirits than the day
before – thought she could stay a day or two longer
Walter goes back to day – I send this letter by him as
far as [ Al ]
Reason: holebany – It has rained all the morning – if
the walks [ are ]
Reason: hole sufficiently dry I shall go this afternoon [ to ]
Reason: hole
see old [hole] Phillips
Reason: hole
heard nothing from Mrs Cary to day and do not kn[ ow ]
Reason: hole
whether she is going with Walter or not – Marcia still
continues unwell and Mr Bacon is sick – they are about
sending for a physician – I am afraid that I make
a deal of extra trouble but Marcia says she is only
sorry that she cannot make it more pleasant for me
I tell her any thing that seems like home is pleasant to me
after boarding all winter – Augustus and Clarence
are playing ball and shooting miniature guns for
amusement — I am sorry the weather is so unpleasant
as to confine us to the house — I received a few lines
from Henry this morning – all well – little Fred is very
cheerful Marcia and Jennings desire to be remembered to you
I direct this letter to Alba Auburn supposing you are still
there – kiss Frances
My love to all at home I will write to Clary
return —
Page
4
Mrs Alvah Worden
Care of Seward & Beardsley
Auburn —
ALBANY
APL
N.Y.
Type: postmark
New York — Monday 7th Ap
My Dearest Sister – You will think there is no dependence to be
placed upon me for the future I am one day going to New
York the next going home and then staying quietly in Albany
in anticipation, while I am in reality continually doing
something exactly the reverse – I do think I have been more
than usually the sport of circumstances for the last fortnight
I am now as you percieve by the date of my letter in
New York where I had no idea of coming the day before
I left Albany – After my disappointment about going
home and feeling constantly a keen sense of the disappointment
I should occasion you, I felt very much as if I should
like to run away from Albany for a few days and
had partly determined to go to Troy and visit the Board-
mans
Birth: 1806-03-19
Death: 1838-06-16
Birth: 1773-10-08
Death: 1846-03-02
Birth: 1788 Death: 1863-06-22
proposed that I should accompanyher to this place – Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
kindly assented and Fridaymorning I prepared in some haste to take the afternoon
boat — Maryann as usual washed and ironed some collars
for Augustus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
– I mended some things to leave and putup some to take – all was in readiness by four oclock
and Mrs Cary & Walter
Birth: 1818-12-21 Death: 1880-11-01
, Augustus and myself departed —Mr Cary
Birth: 1787-08-11 Death: 1869-06-20
and Henry Maryann and Fred
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
were our escortand left us on the boat at the ringing of the last
bell – The day was fine and we sat upon the upper
deck an hour, a long time after the spires and domes
of Albany had become invisible to our eyes – Cushman
Birth: 1800-05-08 Death: 1851-12-06Certainty: Possible
came down with us and rendered us every attention in his
power – he inquired much about you and desired a
particular remembrance which I transmit at this time
fearing that I may forget it — The approach of night and
the cold sharp wind warned us to seek the cabin –
here we found matters much more comfortable than we
anticipated – we were on the Ohio the cabin is larger
and for once there was an unusually small number
of ladies and only three children – We had good berths
and an accommodating chambermaid all went smoothly
I went to bed at 8 oclock and did not get up again the next
morning until 6 although the boat came to the wharf
a little after four – Walter procured a carriage and we drove
to Mrs Sutherds
Unknown
in Broadway where the Brisbans
Birth:
Death: 1889-11-14
Birth: 1776
Death: 1851-05-29
we left Mrs Cary. Walter came with me as I was
a little uncertain about the number of the house
We drove to 150 Franklin street it proved to be the right
place an affirmative was returned to Walter enquiring
“Does Mr Seward
Birth: 1793-08-23 Death: 1841-02-24
live here”— the driver brought in thetrunk and band box and Walter went back to Mrs Sutherds
Marcia
Birth: 1794-07-23 Death: 1839-10-25
had just risen and gave me a warm welcomeJennings soon returned from his morning walk and
added his greetings to those of Marcia and the boys
Birth: 1828-10-07
Death: 1897-07-24
Birth: 1820-05-18
Death: 1889-05-08
I went to bed soon after breakfast feeling tired and
stupid from the loss of my usual sleep – I slept two
hours and continued in bed two hours more – Marcia
came and lay beside me she is not well and has
not been able to go out since I came — The family
consists of Jennings Marcia Augustus Clarence Mr Bacon
Unknown
a clergyman engaged in the Sunday Schools, Matilda
Unknown
and Jane
Unknown
a little coloured girl that Marcia has takenwith the intention of accomplishing that tedious hopeless
task ‘bringing her up’ — I pity any one whom I see engaged
in an undertaking of this kind – Saturday after dinner
I went with Jennings to see Mr and Mrs Sewards likenesses
they are taken by Mrs Spencer
Birth: 1806-01-07 Death: 1875-04-08
the same artist who tookHenry’s – they are both a good likenesses particularly
Mrs Sewards which I think is the better of the two —
We went from there to see Mrs Cary – found her with a
long face – Albert
Birth: 1809-08-22 Death: 1890-05-01
was sick, his wife could not speaka word of English and Mrs Brisban
Death: 1889-11-14
the mothervery unhappy – very sure that her husband
Birth: 1776 Death: 1851-05-29
wouldbe excessively displeased with Albert for presuming to
take a wife without his knowledge or counsel. Mrs
Cary said she rather thought she should go home on
Monday although when we left Albany she thought
it possible that she might remain here three weeks
I told her she must not think of going until I did and
I wanted to stay at least three days – Jennings thinks some
of going to Albany this week and should he determine to do so
I shall wait for his company if he does not go I shall
leave here tomorrow or the next day – Yesterday I went
with Jennings to Dr Springs
Birth: 1785-02-24 Death: 1873-08-18
church heard a very goodbut not a very great sermon – the day was unpleasant
the ladies all had on their pelisses or cloaks and winter
hats – looked very much as they do in Albany –
it rained in the afternoon I did not go out
any where – we had an interesting conversation on the
subject of religion– had a good Sunday – Jennings and
Marcia are entirely engrossed with the subject religious
affairs – They are very kind to me and do every thing
in their power to make my time pass agreeably
After tea Jennings went with me to see Mrs Cary – found
her with Mrs Brisban and a room full of ladies and gentlemen
gaily dressed – Mrs Cary was in better spirits than the day
before – thought she could stay a day or two longer
Walter goes back to day – I send this letter by him as
far as [ Al ]
Supplied
the walks [ are ]
Supplied
Supplied
see old [hole] Phillips
Unknown
as I may return tomorrow – I ha[ ve ] Supplied
heard nothing from Mrs Cary to day and do not kn[ ow ]
Supplied
whether she is going with Walter or not – Marcia still
continues unwell and Mr Bacon is sick – they are about
sending for a physician – I am afraid that I make
a deal of extra trouble but Marcia says she is only
sorry that she cannot make it more pleasant for me
I tell her any thing that seems like home is pleasant to me
after boarding all winter – Augustus and Clarence
are playing ball and shooting miniature guns for
amusement — I am sorry the weather is so unpleasant
as to confine us to the house — I received a few lines
from Henry this morning – all well – little Fred is very
cheerful Marcia and Jennings desire to be remembered to you
I direct this letter to Alba Auburn supposing you are still
there – kiss Frances
Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24
for Aunty – your own sister FrancesMy love to all at home I will write to Clary
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
when Ireturn —
Mrs Alvah Worden
Care of Seward & Beardsley
Birth: 1807-05-30 Death: 1894-01-15
Auburn —
ALBANY
APL
N.Y.