Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 1, 1859
xml:
Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 1,
1859
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:crb
student editorTranscriber:spp:sss
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1859-01-01
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to
person elements in the project's persons.xml authority file.
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "pla" point to
place elements in the project's places.xml authority file.
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to
person elements in the project's staff.xml authority file.
In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to
person elements in the project's bibl.xml authority file.
verical-align: super; font-size:
12px;
text-decoration: underline;
text-decoration: line-through;
color: red;
Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 1, 1859
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Unknown
receiver: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
location: UnknownUnknown
transcription: crb
revision: ekk 2015-07-15
<>
Page
1
New Years day
1859.
My dear Sister,
I sent a letter to you this
morning before the turmoil of the day
began. The table was arranged before 12 –
the usual box of cake came – and the
other things much as they were I suppose
last Winter saving the punch . I think
the guests have been more quiet in consequence
of this omission and some of the visits
much less protracted. It is now past
3 oclock – still they come – a few ladies
not many. Fanny
to see some one who enquires particularly.
Will
I have not seen Henry
Nicholas
helps John
box of New Years cakes are is reduced
to half of the last layer. Kate
intends – there is one striking inconvenience in
this house – no access to the back stair-
case without passing through the dining
room or making the circuit of that
room on the outside and entering a
Page
2
a side door. After raining a week, the
sun has appeared once or twice today
but the mud is indescribable. I
hoped it might freeze last night.
I received Clara
which we were all glad to see. We have
her daugerreotype to look at occasionally.
I found Kate she owing it to Maud Baker
the other day and seeming much pleased
with Mauds commendations. It lies on my
bureau with Augustus
taken his which was in company with Fred
Howes
it now. So Amos
Yesterday Joseph Youngs
in this neighborhood seeking a patent
for a husking machine. He has been constructing
it in Mary land somewhere near the place
where they lived – it is more than a month
since he left home, all were well then. Thomson
was still with his wifes
what to do – the baby
mothers
Washington
vol to you when Fanny finishes it. It is
very interesting. I think Clara would like
to hear it. It is by far the most clear
and comprehensive account of the Revolution
Page
3
that I have ever seen – though the 1st
volume is chiefly occupied with the
French and Indian war's. There are so
many accounts which remind of
events told us by Grandma
of Washington
makes one sad to learn how one so good
and just as Washington could be the object
of envy & calumny so bitter as was man–
ifested by some of his enemies. I do not
like Theodore Parker
I can see no possible good that is accomplished
by pointing out the defects of such a man
as Washington. Of course he was imperfect
as he was a mortal, but it is the
occupation of a little mind to dwell
on imperfections. Theodore Parker ought
to be above this. His fault seems to be of
the same nature as Ethan Brand's in
Hawthornes
are reading, evenings, Madame D' Arblay
memoirs
lessons. She had a letter from Sarah Hance
a few days since. Sarah inquires about
you & Clara and writes cheerfully.
Mrs Watrous
does not go smoothly with her. She
seems to feel it a great hardships to do
Page
4
any thing but write. Fred writes today
that Anna
Mrs Corning
if Will will meet her in Albany. I think
she has been detained by having dresses &c
made for Fanny & I. She sent a box
with them a few days ago. A silk
dress & a de Laine dress for me & a poplin
for Fanny also a velvet bonnet for me.
I am sure I should never have succeeded
in getting them so well made for myself[ . ]
Reason:
Sunday morning –
I am up early to send this letter by
the morning mail. New Years day was a
very busy one for the family – passed off quietly[ . ]
Reason:
Henry thought there were about 400 people
here – none came after dinner so we had
the evening to ourselves. Our folks are
still in bed except the men making
fires - it froze a little last night but
is not uncomfortable without a fire
this morning. Bell
Fanny. How does Pisgah do alone?
Will has written to Mr Brown
house filled – it must be repaired first – I
suppose that will depend somewhat on the state
of the weather. Love to Clara
Your own
Sister.
New Years day
1859.
My dear Sister,
I sent a letter to you this
morning before the turmoil of the day
began. The table was arranged before 12 –
the usual box of cake came – and the
other things much as they were I suppose
last Winter saving the punch . I think
the guests have been more quiet in consequence
of this omission and some of the visits
much less protracted. It is now past
3 oclock – still they come – a few ladies
not many. Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
goes to town occasionallyto see some one who enquires particularly.
Will
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
comes up occasionally to take
breath.I have not seen Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
since 12 oclock.Nicholas
Birth: 1801-12-24 Death: 1893-02-15
attends the door. Mr CookUnknown
helps John
Birth: 1827
& Elizabeth Louisa
Birth: 1825Certainty: Probable
. The box of New Years cakes are is reduced
to half of the last layer. Kate
Birth: 1837 Death: 1878-04-08
super–intends – there is one striking inconvenience in
this house – no access to the back stair-
case without passing through the dining
room or making the circuit of that
room on the outside and entering a
a side door. After raining a week, the
sun has appeared once or twice today
but the mud is indescribable. I
hoped it might freeze last night.
I received Clara
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
’s letter night
before last which we were all glad to see. We have
her daugerreotype to look at occasionally.
I found Kate she owing it to Maud Baker
the other day and seeming much pleased
with Mauds commendations. It lies on my
bureau with Augustus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
&
Fred
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
. Will has taken his which was in company with Fred
Howes
Birth: 1845 Death: 1860-08-06
' to his
room – says he wishes to keepit now. So Amos
Unknown
is married again. Yesterday Joseph Youngs
Unknown
came to see us. He isin this neighborhood seeking a patent
for a husking machine. He has been constructing
it in Mary land somewhere near the place
where they lived – it is more than a month
since he left home, all were well then. Thomson
Birth: 1814-06-05 Death: 1887-12-02Certainty: Probable
was still with his wifes
Unknown
auntUnknown
– undecided what to do – the baby
Birth: 1839Certainty: Probable
was then at hismothers
Unknown
. I am still reading Irving
Birth: 1783-04-03 Death: 1859-11-28
's Washington
Author: Washington Irving Publisher: G. P. Putnam & Co Place of Publication:New York City Date: 1856-1857
. I intend to send the first vol to you when Fanny finishes it. It is
very interesting. I think Clara would like
to hear it. It is by far the most clear
and comprehensive account of the Revolution
that I have ever seen – though the 1st
volume is chiefly occupied with the
French and Indian war's. There are so
many accounts which remind of
events told us by Grandma
Birth: 1751 Death: 1835-10-03
. Irving’s appreciationof Washington
Birth: 1732-02-22 Death: 1799-12-14
's character is very
pleasing. Itmakes one sad to learn how one so good
and just as Washington could be the object
of envy & calumny so bitter as was man–
ifested by some of his enemies. I do not
like Theodore Parker
Birth: 1810-08-24 Death: 1860-05-10
's lecture
Author: Theodore Parker Publisher: Privately printed Place of Publication:Boston Date: 1855
on
Washington. I can see no possible good that is accomplished
by pointing out the defects of such a man
as Washington. Of course he was imperfect
as he was a mortal, but it is the
occupation of a little mind to dwell
on imperfections. Theodore Parker ought
to be above this. His fault seems to be of
the same nature as Ethan Brand's in
Hawthornes
Birth: 1804-07-04 Death: 1864-05-18
story
Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne Publisher: Ticknor, Reed, and Fields, Place of Publication:Boston Date: 1852
. Fanny and Kateare reading, evenings, Madame D' Arblay
Birth: 1752-06-13 Death: 1840-01-06
's memoirs
Author: Miss Burney Publisher: Derby & Jackson Place of Publication:New York City Date: 1857
. Next week Fanny commences
herlessons. She had a letter from Sarah Hance
Birth: 1820-01-25 Death: 1867-06-10
a few days since. Sarah inquires about
you & Clara and writes cheerfully.
Mrs Watrous
Birth: 1805-01-29 Death: 1860
writes too but the worlddoes not go smoothly with her. She
seems to feel it a great hardships to do
any thing but write. Fred writes today
that Anna
Birth: 1834-03-29 Death: 1919-05-02
cannot come with Mr
Birth: 1794-12-14 Death: 1872-04-09
&Mrs Corning
Birth: 1794-07-31 Death: 1883-05-26
but will come next weekif Will will meet her in Albany. I think
she has been detained by having dresses &c
made for Fanny & I. She sent a box
with them a few days ago. A silk
dress & a de Laine dress for me & a poplin
for Fanny also a velvet bonnet for me.
I am sure I should never have succeeded
in getting them so well made for myself[ . ]
Supplied
Sunday morning –
I am up early to send this letter by
the morning mail. New Years day was a
very busy one for the family – passed off quietly[ . ]
Supplied
Henry thought there were about 400 people
here – none came after dinner so we had
the evening to ourselves. Our folks are
still in bed except the men making
fires - it froze a little last night but
is not uncomfortable without a fire
this morning. Bell
Birth: 1858
has
gone into bed withFanny. How does Pisgah do alone?
Will has written to Mr Brown
Unknown
to have our in-house filled – it must be repaired first – I
suppose that will depend somewhat on the state
of the weather. Love to Clara
Your own
Sister.