Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, July 28, 1829

  • Posted on: 9 March 2016
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, July 28, 1829
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transcriber

Transcriber:spp:cef

student editor

Transcriber:spp:mhr

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1829-07-28

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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, July 28, 1829

action: sent

sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24  Death: 1865-06-21

location: Florida, NY

receiver: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16  Death: 1872-10-10

location: Utica, NY

transcription: cef 

revision: crb 2015-09-30

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Page 1

Teusday night 28th
My dear Henry, I have just finished reading the 2d f volume of "Corrinna"
Author: Anne Louise Germaine de Staël-Holstein Publisher: Samuel Tipper Place of Publication:London Date: 1807

I say the 2d volume because that is all that I have read as yet, you
must know that I was so stupid in the confusion of packing my
things to return from Goshen that in place of the 1st volume of "Corrinna"
I put up very carefully the life of Franklin and what renders it still
more provoking I did not discover the mistake yesterday until after
your Pa
Birth: 1768-12-05 Death: 1849-08-24
had gone to Goshen when I might have sent for it. To night
I am a little disposed to find fault with it notwithstanding its nu-
merous beauties because it terminates so unhappily the plot is
very similar to "Woman"
Author: Charles Robert Maturin Publisher: Charles Wiley & Co. Place of Publication:New York, NY Date: 1818
by Maturin
Birth: 1782-09-25 Death: 1824-10-30
. This book occupied so
much of my time last evening that I found my candle was
gone before I had written any. I have not yet told you how glad
they all were to see me and how happy I felt when I found
myself once more in my quiet room where every thing remained
just as I had left it. George
Birth: 1808-08-26 Death: 1888-12-07
and I had a very interesting colloquy
on our way home about matters and things in general, he said
that every body at present was very much engaged in persuading him
that it was proper for him to go and see Cornelia
Birth: 1805 Death: 1839-01-04
while she re-
mains at Suckasunny a course of conduct which he had no idea
of adopting from respect to his fathers feelings, he spoke with great
affection of his father and mother for which I like him. Do you know
that I love your father much more than any person ever could have
persuaded
To influence by argument, advice, or intreaty • To convince by arguments, or reasons offered •
me I would have done had I ^not^ lived under his roof and
had an opportunity of studying his character. It was a long time before
I could entierly overcome prejudices I had imbibed years ago. I am
sure Cornelia must have been unconcious of the effect some of her descriptions
produced. I know she would regret it now, but this is a digression.
Page 2

I tried to strengthen George's resolution and told ^him^ I did not think you
would advise him to go was this right? he would incur his fathers dis-
pleasure for a very transitory gratification. How strange it is how great a
sensation Cornelia's arrival at Suckasunny produces every body is talking
advising and asking questions. Yesterday your Ma
Birth: 1769-11-27 Death: 1844-12-11
recieved a letter from
her, she does not mention my letter probably has not received, says
nothing about my being here. She says it was her intention to have visited
Orange County this summer but that you advised to the contrary (only see how
Gus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
the little rascal has scratched up my paper) she said she felt
very anxious to see her friends and does not suppose it would make
any difference in her future prospects. The Dr's
Birth: 1798-11-26 Death: 1865-01-05
sister Mrs Piatt
Birth: 1804-10-03 Death: 1830-02-06
is now
at General Dickersons
Birth: 1770-04-17 Death: 1853-10-05
it is said she has come there to live I do not
know on what account. Cornelia said that the Dr had recieved a
letter from you since she left home. When I came home I left Dr
Evans
Birth: 1770-03 Death: 1829-08-16
quite sick on Monday, your Pa went out there he said he
was no better and thought his situation rather precarious. Mrs Evans
Birth: 1794-08-30 Death: 1876-12-31

and Mrs Tuthill
Birth: 1780-10-05 Death: 1869-06-28
were considerably frightened about him before I came
away but I thought unneccessaryly. I am very anxious to hear
from there again. Sarah came home Monday evening with your Pa
Augustus was very glad to see her he awoke early in the morning
and cried because she was gone. I read Frances
Birth: 1801-01-16 Death: 1860-02-07
what you said
about George Greir
Birth: 1802-09-27 Death: 1878-12-20
she did not appear very well satisfied that
you should think he was good enough for her, was very solicitous to know
what you said about Woodward
Unknown
. I admire the beautiful story you
wrote me about the different paths of life the more so perhaps because
it perfectly accords with my own ideas of happiness. Your letter
from Rochester came in three days is not that singular so much
sooner than any that I have had from Auburn. Daniel Wood
Birth: 1800-01-11 Death: 1859-08-18

preached here on Sunday I was very sorry that I was not at home
he has been here twice appears remarkably well for a presbyterian
clergyman he does not affect uncommon dignity or solemnity in
his manner and conversation, he enquired when you was coming
down I believe he returns this week.
Page 3

Wednesday night. This morning when I went down stairs I found a letter
on the mantlepiece. I had read nearly a page before I discovered that
it was written before the two last that I recieved, dated the 18th.
I should like to know where it has been staying all this time.
Bronson
Unknown
you say is turning his attention to Jane Dill
Birth: 1810 Death: 1877-01-07
with the $20000
this story I think must be correct because it is perfectly in character
I never could believe the report about Eliza Horner
Birth: 1807 Death: 1876-10-31
on that account
Every body here is very busy making hay while the sun shines that
is they are in hopes it will shine by the time the grass is cut.
The woodhouse is not finished yet it get along very slowly. I hope
I shall succeed in getting to Polydore's
Birth: 1799 Death: 1872-04-23
this week I have been there
twice once to take tea since I came down. I know this letter can-
not get to Auburn before you leave home so I am going to try the
experiment of sending it to Utica it is very doubtful I suppose
whether you get it before we go home. Your Pa intimated
Inmost; inward • Near; close • Close in friendship or acquaintance • One to whom the thoughts of another are shared without reserve • To share together • To hint; to suggest obscurely; to give slight notice of •
to day
that he should be obliged to go to Albany in a few day if
he does you will meet him there I shall ask him more about
it tomorrow before I send this letter. Thursday morning. It is a fine
rainy morning your Ma on that account has been at work in the
garden I never saw such a constitution as She has she exposes herself
more than I ever could in my best days. Sarah just came up with
her apron full of ripe apples dont you wish you had some of them
they are delightful notwithstanding they are sweet, which would
be a great objection for me in any other season. I shall not write
again unless you say something about in in your next letter be-
cause I am fearful you will not enquire for letters at Utica. It
will be nine weeks tim on Monday, dearest, since I parted with you this
is longer than we were have been separated before in seven years I shall
be proportionably glad to see you when you do come. I have not been really
homesick but once for this I suppose I may thank our little boy how much
less lonely I have been than when at the Springs. May He watch over you until
you again embrace your own Frances.
Page 4

Florida
July 30th 183/4
William H. Seward Esq.
at Utica.
Oneida County.

Hand Shiftx

William Seward

Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
Frances A S.
July 30th 1829