Personal letter from H.W.Hunt to Elizabeth Aldrich
Entry/Object ID
2000.FIC.035
Scope and Content
A three page letter from H.W.Hunt to Elizabeth Aldrich relating family details and her wish for visitors. Ms. Hunt expresses frustration at times but resolves to live a Christian life. Other family details are related;
Transcription:
pg. 1
Mrs. Elizabeth Aldrich
pg. 2
Seekonk Aug. 22nd 1840
Long Absent yet much loved sisters,
Will you believe me when I tell you
that my long silence is not the result of forgetfulness or
intended neglect. You both too well know the care and
toil of rearing a young family to cast such reflections.
My children are all babies yet, but I do not think them
uncommonly troublesome. They all attend meeting with their
father and school during the week. But I find all my
time completely occupied in managing my domestic affairs
especially since mother’s death. She died in April last. We
felt as if our heads was indeed taken from and that
we had lost one of the best of mothers. But she departed
in faith and Christian resignation and hope. She seemed
like a shock of corn fully ripe in its season. She gave
up work in Feb but was confined to her room only a
few days and was as little trouble as any one could
be. She even dressed her count to the last with very little
assistance. Next week the baptist Association meet in
this place I have sent Invitations to my baptist rela--
--tives and friends to make it their home with me & I
should enjoy O how much I should enjoy the com--
--pany of my sister Betsy and husband at the same
time. Do tell me if there is no prospect of our Ohio
sisters visiting us here. We enjoyed the visit of your
husbands very much and from some remarks of Mr.
Aldrich. I thought you would come to R. I. once more.
Your children are capable of taking charge of business in your
absence. Ours when they become of such an age will find
their parents such old folks that they will not think
it expedient for them to take such a journey. Though
the sad accidents we so often read damps my courage for
a while yet I soon find myself anticipating pleasure
in a journey to the west. But much as I wish to see you
pg. 3
I would much rather you would first visit the family
of our deceased brother in your own state. I received
a letter from Betsey Winsor this summer in which she
made inquiry for Aunt Aldrich and expressed great
disappointment in your not visiting her as she had re-
peatedly expected, and wished me next time I wrote you to
remind you that you had given such encouragement.
She seemed to express great pleasure in the calls they had
received from the family and evinced more interest in the
different branches of the family than could have been
expected she spoke of her brothers as hard at work enjoying
the opportunity of school but a small part of the year.
As to work I was glad to hear that, for I consider industry
as a great safeguard to youth from many temptations to
which they are subject. When you visit them stay long
enough to become a little acquainted and then write me
all you can, especially as regards their moral and religious
habits whether they observe the sabbath and what is their taste
for improvement in mind, finally give them my regards
and assure them that with all my absent friends they have
an interest in my prayers. I could ask many many questions
about your families but I am short of time. I feel less
familiar with your affairs than perhaps any other member
of the family. Living at a distance from them where they
receive news they become partially passed by before they see
me and as our interviews are few and short I am sparingly
supplied with western intelligence I just state this that
you may judge howvery acceptable a letter would be
from you all. Where is Louisa and Julian and all the
rest cannot they assist their mothers to fill a sheet to
Aunt Nancy. Your time cannot be more closely occupied
than mine. But I enjoy good health and a sufficiency of
earthly good and though my cares and labours are so great
I endeavor I hope to perform the duties of Wife
Mother and Mistress as one who must give account to God.
pg. 4
dear sisters, when I think of our children launching
out into the world beyond our influence I feel how
very important it is that we should give them by our
advice and example such habits and principles as will for--
--tify and strengthen them for the many trials and temptations
they must assuredly encounter. I suppose our feelings
change with the ages and conditions of our children, mine
are yet young and sometimes so gentle lovely and affection-
-ate to us and each other that for a moment it is hard to be--
--lieve in the dreadful depravity of the human heart, but
alass some outbreak of passion or rash action soon
compels me to be lieve they are not so pure and as the
poet expresses it “made entirely of beams of angels eyes.”
But the blessing of God is promised to such as command
their households as faithful Abraham. They shall be
his children and He will be their God. I wish you my dear
sisters could give me some useful hints on these subjects
Ah methinks I hear you say we must read and obey
God help us so to do. And may his honour and
glory be promoted and our own souls saved and
each of surround his throne with unbroken families
in Heaven.
I could easily fill this sheet but must leave off. I
have just heard Julia was very much unwell feel
anxious to hear of her again Sister Stone must live very
lonely not one of her children with her.
I must compel myself much against inclination to
say good-bye.
yours in sisterly affection
N. W. Hunt
When either of you visit the east give me the
greatest share of your time.
