Letter from Harriet Minot to Elizabeth Whittier, August 5, 1836
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Haverhill, (Massachusetts,) Aug. 5. 1836.
My dear Elizabeth,
I was truly glad to receive a note from you by Eliza. — She was much gratified by her visit at Amesbury. She describes you home as a very beautiful, fairy like place with an elegant garden and every thing to make you happy. I trust you will be very happy there — and I long to visit you in your present situation, but I know I shall never love it half as well as your former dear home. — There is no town in the world I could love as well as Haverhill, and no sweeter spot in Haverhill than Green Valley. — But, I shall never visit Green Valley any more.
You asked me about Eliza and Nathaniel. I have nothing to communicate. It is supposed by most they are engaged. Eliza left town Wednesday morn. She promises to return to Haverhill before going to New York, but I much doubt her doing so. —
Caroline Dow is to be married on Tuesday, the 23d. inst. She is very ungrateful for your pity. — I hope you will be present to weep with her or for her upon the occasion. — Sarah Ann is very well, and means to do herself the honor to call upon you soon. Our Anti Slavery Society met at Mrs. Longley’s yesterday. We had a pleasant meeting. There were fourteen present. Three were new members — Caroline Emerson, Mary Steel and Miss Sanborn. — Our next meeting is at Mrs. Gage’s in a fortnight. I hope you will be in town to meet with us by that time. When are you coming? Do come soon. Your Mother and Aunt both said, that you should spend all the summer here. — I do not think their promise is like to be well kept. — Mr. and Mrs. Taintor arrived in town last night. Not having seen them, I cannot report the state of her mind. The last time I heard from her, she seemed to be indescribably happy — but such things are not apt to last.
Is your brother married yet? I think I heard, that he was to be married to day. Are you much acquainted with Miss Poyer, and prepared to regard her as a sister? I congratulate you on your brother’s marriage. I wish my brother was to be married next week, if he would marry one whom I could love. — It was very perverse of him to get so obstinately tinctured with my principles of S. P. S. B. ism. I am sure I never wished to make Charles a convert to my faith. — Elizabeth E. Parrott is visiting me now. She came on Tuesday eve, and will stay through next week. I hope longer. — I wish you could be mutually acquainted. Sarah Parker is coming tomorrow. You will come and see her, will you not? This seems to be a sunny month — George is to spend the whole of it at home — and I think Isabel will come before its expiration. —
Friday, Aug 12. — I was interrupted dear Lizzy when I had written the above, and have not since had the leisure to finish my letter. Sarah came on Monday, and we have had grand times I do assure thee — we three wild girls — but Lizzy Parrott will leave to-morrow and then we shall look and feel more sober, at least until Isabel arrives. — Caroline Dow has grown quite young. — She seems more lively than I have known her within the last four years, and Sarah Ann and she are with us much of the time, and indeed we do laugh. — If you were here to laugh with us, and would laugh as we do, I am sure you would no more suffer from bodily illness. — On Tuesday eve, all we girls went to a temperance lecture to have a spree. Was it not well? Mark Furnald was the lecture — there were peculiarities about the discourse, which have afforded us much fun ever since. — On Tuesday afternoon, we went over to Mr. Perry’s, and passed an hour or two most delightfully. Maria is not at home, but will return on Saturday, to enjoy a short vacation, and then we promise ourselves the pleasure of again going there. —
What Anti Slavery news is there? Is there much Anti Slavery spirit at Amesbury? I believe you have a large society — you ought to have heard Mr. Root’s discourses. They were very fine, both of them. — Is there really a prospect of Stanton’s lecturing at Amesbury soon? I heard there was. If so, how delightful it will be for you. — Yesterday, we were griveously disappointed. A young lady about your size and dressed quite a la Quaker passed the window. Sarah and I both started up eagerly, exclaiming Elizabeth Whittier. — Alas! we were mistaken! But you will not let our desire for your presence long remain ungratified, will you? Sarah sends her best love to you, and says she does want very much to see you. Elizabeth Parrott bids me tell you she wishes she knew you, and that John G. is a real Will of the Wisp. — Sarah and my regards to your Mother and Aunt.
Farewell! Do let me see + hear from you soon. — Oh, I must tell you that Eliza Page is in New England, and I expect a visit from her soon.
With sincere love, Your’s Harriet M.