Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, January 25, 1834
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, January 25, 1834
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:gew
student editorTranscriber:spp:sss
Distributor:Seward Family Papers Project
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1834-01-25
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to William Henry Seward, January 25, 1834
action: sent
sender: Benjamin Seward
Birth: 1793-08-23
Death: 1841-02-24
location: New York, NY
receiver: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: gew
revision: ekk 2015-10-07
<>
Page
1
New York 25 Jan. 1834
My dear Brother,
I was a few days since in
Phila and being so near was reminded
that I had been guilty of a little bit
of neglect to a dear good exiled sister
& forthwith wrote her a long letter.
Very soon on my return I received her
answer and she complains that she is
forgotten of her friends. I do not ex-
pect (of course) that this poor letter will
be worth a reply, but if it be, let it
^be^ omitted & a line directed in lieu, to her.
A short letter, even, from you will great-
ly rejoice her – she is, poor girl, I fear
born to trouble – she is low spirited and
unhappy – says nothing about removing
to Mine Hill: says her Mahlon
often from home & she is lonely – do
write to her.
We are very well – and very happy –
money matters are easy with me and
all are cheerful & lighthearted. My
Page
2
little family are very apt to know and
sympathize with me in all my little trou-
bles: where I am depressed, they are down;
when I am relieved, they rejoice. And pros-
pects now are that I shall relieve myself
from the character of a pensioner; & hereafter
exempt all my friends from annoying appli-
cations, hereafter. about money.
Pollydore
is little hope! George
it is only a guess, based upon a hint) is
to live in his own house (Gales
place next the mansion) the coming
year & work the farm; & further re-
serves provisions, pasture &c &c
– and it is all uncertainty with
me till I write you next – or till
I see you here. I hope you will
make your arrangements to come
down, vrouw
all the first boat after the ice
is out of the way. Remember
I expect it – and will thank you
if you can, to let me know
Page
3
of it beforehand, long enough to write
Cornelia & ensure her presence also.
She wishes to come & we wish to
see her here & it will make her
visit worth ten times as much to
meet Frances & her children also.
I shall write her of this matter
& indeed you may as well com-
municate directly with her and
tell her when you will
be here & meet her.
My Friend Lord
this city is an applicant for an
auctioneers commission from you. He
is an Episcopalian of the Hobart School
– & what is much more to the pres-
ent purpose, he is an apt merchant
– well understands the office he seeks
– is as honest a man and as
honorable a dealer as anyone
can be who may be his competitor.
– I hope you will favour his
Page
4
pretentions: & if he gets the office
I shall greatly rejoice.
Remember me affectionately to Sister
& kiss the little boys for Uncle.
B.J. Seward
Hon Wm H Seward
Of the Senate
Albany
New York
Jan 27
Type: postmark
h
B.J. Seward
Jan 25, 1834
New York 25 Jan. 1834
My dear Brother,
I was a few days since in
Phila and being so near was reminded
that I had been guilty of a little bit
of neglect to a dear good exiled sister
Birth: 1805 Death: 1839-01-04
& forthwith wrote her a long letter.
Very soon on my return I received her
answer and she complains that she is
forgotten of her friends. I do not ex-
pect (of course) that this poor letter will
be worth a reply, but if it be, let it
^be^ omitted & a line directed in lieu, to her.
A short letter, even, from you will great-
ly rejoice her – she is, poor girl, I fear
born to trouble – she is low spirited and
unhappy – says nothing about removing
to Mine Hill: says her Mahlon
Birth: 1798-11-26 Death: 1865-01-05
isoften from home & she is lonely – do
write to her.
We are very well – and very happy –
money matters are easy with me and
all are cheerful & lighthearted. My
little family
Birth: 1828-10-07
Death: 1897-07-24
Birth: 1820-05-18
Death: 1889-05-08
Birth: 1794-07-23
Death: 1839-10-25
sympathize with me in all my little trou-
bles: where I am depressed, they are down;
when I am relieved, they rejoice. And pros-
pects now are that I shall relieve myself
from the character of a pensioner; & hereafter
exempt all my friends from annoying appli-
cations, hereafter. about money.
Pollydore
Birth: 1799 Death: 1872-04-23
is doing better, but oh thereis little hope! George
Birth: 1808-08-26 Death: 1888-12-07
I expect (butit is only a guess, based upon a hint) is
to live in his own house (Gales
Birth: 1745-12-28 Death: 1822-03-10
oldplace next the mansion) the coming
year & work the farm; & further re-
serves provisions, pasture &c &c
– and it is all uncertainty with
me till I write you next – or till
I see you here. I hope you will
make your arrangements to come
down, vrouw
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21
, pickininis, bagage, and all the first boat after the ice
is out of the way. Remember
I expect it – and will thank you
if you can, to let me know
of it beforehand, long enough to write
Cornelia & ensure her presence also.
She wishes to come & we wish to
see her here & it will make her
visit worth ten times as much to
meet Frances & her children
Birth: 1830-07-08
Death: 1915-04-25
Birth: 1826-10-01
Death: 1876-09-11
I shall write her of this matter
& indeed you may as well com-
municate directly with her and
tell her when you will
be here & meet her.
My Friend Lord
Birth: 1795-09-23 Death: 1868-03-04
ofthis city is an applicant for an
auctioneers commission from you. He
is an Episcopalian of the Hobart School
– & what is much more to the pres-
ent purpose, he is an apt merchant
– well understands the office he seeks
– is as honest a man and as
honorable a dealer as anyone
can be who may be his competitor.
– I hope you will favour his
pretentions: & if he gets the office
I shall greatly rejoice.
Remember me affectionately to Sister
& kiss the little boys for Uncle.
B.J. Seward
Hon Wm H Seward
Of the Senate
Albany
New York
Jan 27
Stamp
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10William Seward
Jan 25, 1834