Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 1, 1859

  • Posted on: 27 July 2016
  • By: admin
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, January 1, 1859
x

transcriber

Transcriber:spp:crb

student editor

Transcriber:spp:sss

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1859-01-01

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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: Unknown
Unknown

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
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
goes to town occasionally
to 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 Cook
Unknown

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
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
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
x

 


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 keep
it now. So Amos
Unknown
is married again.
Yesterday Joseph Youngs
Unknown
came to see us. He is
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
Birth: 1814-06-05 Death: 1887-12-02Certainty: Probable

was still with his wifes
Unknown
aunt
Unknown
– undecided
what to do – the baby
Birth: 1839Certainty: Probable
was then at his
mothers
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
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
Birth: 1751 Death: 1835-10-03
. Irving’s appreciation
of Washington
Birth: 1732-02-22 Death: 1799-12-14
's character is very pleasing. It
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
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 Kate
are 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 her
lessons. 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 world
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
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 week
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[ . ]
x

Supplied

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[ . ]
x

Supplied

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
Birth: 1858
has gone into bed with
Fanny. 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.