A compelling and highly evocative manuscript letter written from Dover, New Hampshire, circa 1840s, addressed to a son away at school at Dartmouth College. Rich in personal, religious, and social history, the letter offers a vivid snapshot of life in rural New England. Historical Significance Second Advent / Millerite Movement: The letter contains a detailed firsthand account of local followers anticipating the imminent return of Christ (“they expect their Saviour the 22 or 23 of this month”). This places the document squarely within the Millerite revival period (circa 1843–1844), a major religious movement in American history. Social and behavioral observations: Notes adherents abandoning work, adopting austere dress (black handkerchiefs, no collars), and holding constant meetings—rare primary-source commentary on this movement. Public health insight: References a typhus fever outbreak, including deaths within a family and community-wide illness—valuable documentation of 19th-century disease impact. Family and educational context: Discusses schooling, finances, and expectations for the recipient’s return home, illustrating everyday middle-class life. Content Highlights Anticipation of the Second Coming with named participants Description of religious extremity and social withdrawal Account of illness and mortality in the community Domestic updates, finances, and schooling concerns Warm maternal tone, signed by Sophronia Gordon Physical Description Four-page folded letter with integral address panel. Written in light blue ink. Exhibits typical fold lines, minor toning, and handling wear. Clear Dover postal marking with “PAID 12½” rate marking. Collector Appeal Particularly desirable for collectors of: American religious movements (Millerites / Second Great Awakening) 19th-century New England manuscripts Medical and epidemic history Family correspondence and social history Pre-Civil War Americana A striking and historically rich letter combining religious fervor, community crisis, and intimate family communication—an excellent representative piece from a transformative period in American cultural history.
| Transcription: |
Absent Son being alone and thinking it about time for you to have a line sent you, I embrace this opportunity of writing you to let you know that we are all well hoping that these few lines will find you enjoying the same great blessing George I do not seem to have much to write you until your father comes in he wants me to write you about your school, but I can tell you what little news I have to write and then await for pa. Your Aunt and Ellen has not returned yet from the East, father is not so well I expect that is the cause of them not coming before but I expect them every day now they have been gone five weeks, George the Second advent folks are having great times here for about two weeks they expect their Saviour the 22 or 23 of this month, Samuel Perkins, Charles Warren, James Cummings, Oliver Wiatt, John Warren and Mr Southwick, Mary Ann Southwick and much as a dozen more has left business entirely to be in readiness for the coming of their Blessed Saviour, they appear very solemn they do not wear neither bosoms nor collars nothing but a black handkerchief round their necks, they hold meetings about all the time they don’t pray for sinners now they say their doom of mercy is shut and he that is filthy will be filthy still, and all that they can do is to save their own souls Thommas Bickford has not got out yet he has been very sick it has been very sickly here and is now there are a great many families here where there three or four sick of the Typhus fever, a man Roe and wife and two children had it at once, he and wife died and was buried in one grave the children are getting better your Aunt Fanny was here last week she and the girls anticipate a great deal of pleasure of your company this winter while your school lasts, I did not know how you was to get along my fears were says he has a hundred dollars for you, so I think you will have to come home before the term is out, well I will wait until he comes in then he will say what you must do Georgiana has not forgotten you and Alonzo she talks about you every day when she goes to sleep we have to sing come Jenny Lind to her, brother George to see music, she is fat as butter the rest is about the same, we all want to see you very much Tell Woodbury folks we are well and should like to hear from him by the way of a letter, Alonzo, father and mother sends their best love to there little sonny So I must draw at a close for the present from your mother Sophronia Gordon George pa says he expects the school is four or five months long but besides he has not seen the Agent of late but the last time he saw him he told him he considered you engaged to teach that school when he sees him again he will find out when he wants it to begin then write you perhaps you will have to come home a week or two sooner so you can make arrangements for it, Thanksgiving is the 19 of next month write as soon as you receive this and say when the term is out and when you will be at home perhaps they will wait. Address panel: Mr George A Gordon Dart Coll / Hanover N.H.
