A poignant and intimate four-page autograph letter written from Eaglesmere, Pennsylvania, offering a vivid glimpse into domestic life, family dynamics, and rural society in the 19th century. Penned by a mother to her daughter, the letter combines affectionate counsel with detailed observations of daily life. The writer expresses concern over her child’s emotional well-being and dependence on social company, advising resilience and independence. Interwoven are references to family news, including a marriage deemed imprudent, the declining health of a grandfather, and correspondence from relatives. The letter also provides engaging local color: a hunting party encamped near a sawmill, unsuccessful deer hunts at the lake, and small-town social movements. Particularly notable are passages relating to dressmaking and household industry, including the preparation of petticoats and skirt patterns, reflecting the material culture and domestic labor of the period. Mentions of named individuals (Caroline Jones, Horatio, Aunt Libbie, among others) anchor the letter in a specific social network. Written in brown ink on folded wove paper, with typical mailing folds and light toning, and accompanied by a small pen-and-ink sketch (possibly textile-related), enhancing its personal character. Condition: Very good, with scattered foxing, fold wear, and minor ink fading, but entirely legible. A compelling example of maternal correspondence, rich in emotional expression and everyday detail, offering valuable insight into 19th-century family life and rural American society.
| Transcription: |
My own dear child How little you are fitted to cope with the ills of this world — you complain of being lonely — if you are so what must I be and yet dearest child I do not complain for it is my lot and I must wear it. I feel very unhappy about you and wish you were not so dependent upon the crowd to make you happy. Have you purchased your parting gift for your friend? If so let me know what it is — when you write darling tell all that interest you and you know that I shall be interested too. To dizzy — Forth is married — I think had I been in her place I would have been married privately, but I don’t think she ought to have been married again she has certainly Barney’s wife. There have been for several days a party of hunters encamped near the saw-mill. They were from Lewisburg — among the number were Mr Bain and a very good looking young man whose name I have not heard. The lake has been quite alive with them but they did not shoot a deer there was one just making its appearance when a stranger came out of the woods and shot it before there was time — this was too provoking as the Lewisburg party had been watching the lake all day. If you get up well that you get the upper clubs for learning current have been too many they would be forced so much. I think if you meet with anything very reason- able you had better get it. Your Aunt C says Mrs Walker has left Mrs Lovely’s and that she thinks you would like to go where she does — I suppose you would not I would not like you to go to a Hotel even with her. Horatio is suffering from a blister on his foot — he thinks he trod on a coal when walking was looking the cider for apple butter I have finished a strip for one petticoat of your dress and I have begun a strip for a skirt — like what I have drawn — tell me how you like it and the pattern I sent you before — I keep it by me so that I may take it up when I get weary of plain work. Caroline Jones wrote me a note last Wednesday the contents were more alarming than your uncle Horace was in his of Monday the 14th. I must write to your Father and to your Aunt Libbie and answer Caroline’s note also so I shall not write any more to-night to you. I may add a few lines tomorrow — love to all Harriet and Virginia send you six kisses. The latter says she is not learning any more but sister Virginia now sits at her side, Do keep up a good heart dearest child. I kiss you my darling. God be with you. Farewell Your devoted Mother Remember me to my kind relations — this reminds me of Uncle Daniel who began to speak of Mr G—— and could not remember his name — ah well I suppose I may call him your home in law may I not? I answered without thought — not yet — I shall enclose a couple of working patterns. I would like a trim of the same kind. I feel very unhappy about your grandfather. From what Caroline wrote I fear that his situation is very
