Transcription
CATALOG NUMBER VC 1748 F
OBJECT NAME letter
DATE April 1, 1811
AUTHOR Margaret Stuyvesant
RECIPIENT Anne Stevenson [later Van Cortlandt]
MEDIUM Paper, ink
PEOPLE Mrs Ten Broeck (Cornelia?), Abraham ??, James Stevenson,
Magdalen Stevenson (“your mother”), Bishop (NYC), clergyman
(Albany), Mrs. Sarah Stevenson Walsh, Eliza [possible Elizabeth
Treat?], her youngest little girl,
PLACES “Bowery House”, Albany, our church, State Street (Albany),
KEYWORDS piety, friendship, bishop ill, eliza’s little girl broke her arm, James
can write to me for you but don’t let him read my letters, James
“scholar”?, no interest in the fashionable world, steamboat
Bowery House April 1st 1811
Although so long period has Elapsed since I / have received any information from you, I flatter myself that / a few lines from one who has Experienced so many proofs of / your kindness and regards, will not be unwelcome, and as you [??] / brother James has promised to answer my letters in Case you / should [^ be too much occupied or] not be disposed to do so, I shall at least have the satis- / faction to hear particularly of yourself and family. _ I in- / -quire of Mrs Ten Broeck whether Abraham makes any menti- / on, and her reply is “nothing particular”, which does not in / the least satisfy me _ I wish to hear that you are well and hap- / -py, at least that you Enjoy comparative happiness, for true / piety and submission to the Will of God will not only recon- / -cile us to the afflictions our natures are Constantly Exposed / but will with the practice of religion and resignation, produce a / consciousness of the fulfillment of duty on our part, as may ren - / -der us Contented + happy in the humble trust of possessing / the favor + love of film who has power to Extend Every benefit / towards those who serve Him in faith. _ I wish also, my dear / Ann to know that I am still thought of by yourself _ Excellent /
[END OF PAGE 1]
Mother, it would cause me as much pain to be forgotten by you / as it gives me pleasure to bear you both in remembrances, which / it will be always my desire to do with sincere friendship and / affection, at present there are few circumstances would render / me so happy as your Society if only for a day _ I think I am / Entitled to Expect it for a longer period, for if I mistake not / you promised to make a visit to Bowery in the Spring; the / season as yet, promises to be fine and I trust you will not dis- / appoint the Expectations I have Entertained since we parted. _ / the Change of Air would greatly benefit the health of yourself and / mother, independant of the pleasure it would Communicate to / your friends here, and your Sister will not Expect you should re- / -main at home for her twice a year ………
You have doubtless heard of the Illness of our good Bishop, he is / better than he has been, but it is not thought by his physicians / that his health will Ever be restored _ I fear that his loss will / be irreparable to the Church, at least that it will be difficult to / find a Character in Every respect so adequate to supply his / place. __ I am told that your Clergyman is getting very much / in favor and that it is the intention of the vestry to give him a / permanent call. It is a subject of importance – if they have done / so, we have reason to Conclude that they are well satisfied that he / is fully capable of being useful in so large a congregation.
[END OF PAGE 2]
There is no news worth relating + as to what is passing in the fashi- / -onable world, I do not suppose it would impart more satisfaction / to you in receiving, than it would me in the relation - but to con- / -fess a truth which would be condemned by many, I have neither / taste nor spirits to participate in the gaiety + pleasure of the / City, nor have I even visited it since last September, and what / is so interesting to the gay + fashionable is listened to by me, with / an indifference which would draw upon me from then the appel- / -ation of stupidity. _
Towards the last of January I was taken in / with a violent cold, which confined me to my room for nearly / s-[page torn]-eks, I am now quite recovered except occasionally w-[wax seal] / [page torn]-ith a pain in my breast. _ the rest of fam-[lost text?]-bled w-[wax seal] / [page torn]-mal health _ we were much alarmed in consequence, an ac- / -cident which happened to Eliza’s little girl (the youngest) from hav- / -ing fer arm fractured, it is more than a week since it happened + / she is now almost recovered from it. _ __ __
Although I consent to your brother James writing when you are / not inclined to, I should not wish him the trouble of perusing / my letters as they are only submitted to your indulgences + not / the criticism of a scholar _ my love to him + Mrs. Walsh _ be so good / as to offer the love of my mother to your parent + for me say whatever / can Express a sense of gratitude + affection which will ever be / retained by your friend Marg’t: Stuyvesant.
[END OF PAGE 3]
Steam Boat
Bowery House
[POSTAGE MARK]
6
[ADDRESS]
Mifs Stevenson
Miss Stevenson
State Street
Albany
Albany
To the Care of
James Stevenson Esq’r:Transcriber
Kathryn AlexanderLanguage
English
