Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 13, 1840
xml:
Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 13,
1840
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:cnk
student editorTranscriber:spp:srr
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1840-01-13
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 13, 1840
action: sent
sender: Benjamin Seward
Birth: 1793-08-23
Death: 1841-02-24
location: Westfield, NY
receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Albany, NY
transcription: cnk
revision: tap 2017-03-28
<>
Page
1
Harmony Hall
Westfield Jan 13. 1840
My dear Sister
I fear you will think me
troublesome in writing every week or two -
but I hope you will remember one thing to
my credit - I do not write, after all, half as
often as I would love to write.
Brother Henry
to visit Albany in the course of a month
or two - which I suppose is likely to be done
- as dear Marcia
forth all things" - although I see not her
in the world I am to be absent so long.
Many things may then be mentioned - & feelings
expressed which pen & ink are poor - & a sheet
too small to make known. It will be a great
happiness to me to spend a few hours with
you.
But the prominent object of my present
writing is to say that our Miss Denton
brother
be passing your place about the middle of
next week. If leisure favours, I have sup-
posed that you might wish to see her a little
& make some enquiries: with this view I
will require Hezekiah to call on you with a
Page
2
letter - when you may command the matter
to your liking. Miss D you know is a
sensative plant - but would dearly love to
peep into an executive mansion - but
will be equally cheerful to do just as
you may give lead to her call in the
city. She is disirous of visiting the
female seminary in Albany - and if you
happen to have about you a willing
hearted "Man of Robe" that could do
the service of bearing her through
it would be a great favor. Or if
Mr Blatchford
of introduction to the Principal, it would
answer as well.
Clarence
pretty full of courage, like the young Ken
tuckian
three months.
Thanks to a Kind Providence, we
are all well - although full of cares —
our new niece
Yankees - and Mary
fort in her way.
We are all perfectly delighted with
the message - please ask friend Blatchford
to save me a few fair copies in pamphlet
Page
3
form to furnish to my Western friends.
Pray treat with such little attention
as you can our neighbor Mr Dixon
the Senate.
The likeness of dear, dear Cornelia
boxed & will be taken down by the Den-
tons to be copied. Pray be careful of it.
Dr Canfield
take it to Phil - but is to be first in-
formed that it is in readiness
for him.
And Mr Durand
that he will prepare a copy of
my dearer Marcia for you, at
my expense, upon brother H. sug-
gestion of desire.
These tho' tender & pleasing
little arrangements to my feelings are
but as trifles to the in comparison with
consideration occupying my mind in
regard to the great realities of the upper
world. Had I but a little more knowl-
edge about the employments & occupations
there, I should be entirely unfitted for the
duties of my family & the occupation
of life. Excuse my haste
Your very affectionate brother B.J. Seward
Page
4
Mrs. W.H. Seward
Albany
WESTFIELD
JAN
14
N.Y.
Type: postmark
h
Jennings Jan
1840
Harmony Hall
Westfield Jan 13. 1840
My dear Sister
I fear you will think me
troublesome in writing every week or two -
but I hope you will remember one thing to
my credit - I do not write, after all, half as
often as I would love to write.
Brother Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
, I believe, expects meto visit Albany in the course of a month
or two - which I suppose is likely to be done
- as dear Marcia
Birth: 1794-07-23 Death: 1839-10-25
used to say "time bringsforth all things" - although I see not her
in the world I am to be absent so long.
Many things may then be mentioned - & feelings
expressed which pen & ink are poor - & a sheet
too small to make known. It will be a great
happiness to me to spend a few hours with
you.
But the prominent object of my present
writing is to say that our Miss Denton
Birth: 1810-07-11
& brother
Birth: 1819-01-19
leave here in a few days - so as
tobe passing your place about the middle of
next week. If leisure favours, I have sup-
posed that you might wish to see her a little
& make some enquiries: with this view I
will require Hezekiah to call on you with a
letter - when you may command the matter
to your liking. Miss D you know is a
sensative plant - but would dearly love to
peep into an executive mansion - but
will be equally cheerful to do just as
you may give lead to her call in the
city. She is disirous of visiting the
female seminary in Albany - and if you
happen to have about you a willing
hearted "Man of Robe" that could do
the service of bearing her through
it would be a great favor. Or if
Mr Blatchford
Birth: 1820-03-09 Death: 1893-07-07
could give her a billetof introduction to the Principal, it would
answer as well.
Clarence
Birth: 1828-10-07 Death: 1897-07-24
commences school this morningpretty full of courage, like the young Ken
tuckian
Birth: 1777-04-12 Death: 1852-06-29
, to learn the whole of latin inthree months.
Thanks to a Kind Providence, we
are all well - although full of cares —
our new niece
Unknown
"does nicely" as
say the Yankees - and Mary
Birth: 1815 Death: 1879-08-29
gives us
much com-fort in her way.
We are all perfectly delighted with
the message - please ask friend Blatchford
to save me a few fair copies in pamphlet
form to furnish to my Western friends.
Pray treat with such little attention
as you can our neighbor Mr Dixon
Birth: 1787-07-23 Death: 1875-04-19
of the Senate.
The likeness of dear, dear Cornelia
Birth: 1805 Death: 1839-01-04
isboxed & will be taken down by the Den-
tons to be copied. Pray be careful of it.
Dr Canfield
Birth: 1798-11-26 Death: 1865-01-05
says he will call for it
&take it to Phil - but is to be first in-
formed that it is in readiness
for him.
And Mr Durand
Birth: 1796-08-21 Death: 1886-09-17
informs methat he will prepare a copy of
my dearer Marcia for you, at
my expense, upon brother H. sug-
gestion of desire.
These tho' tender & pleasing
little arrangements to my feelings are
but as trifles to the in comparison with
consideration occupying my mind in
regard to the great realities of the upper
world. Had I but a little more knowl-
edge about the employments & occupations
there, I should be entirely unfitted for the
duties of my family & the occupation
of life. Excuse my haste
Your very affectionate brother B.J. Seward
Mrs. W.H. Seward
Albany
WESTFIELD
JAN
14
N.Y.
Stamp
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21Frances Seward
1840