Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, January 2, 1839
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, January 2, 1839
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:rag
student editorTranscriber:spp:sss
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1839-01-02
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to William Henry Seward, January 2, 1839
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Auburn, NY
receiver: William Seward
Birth: 1801-05-16
Death: 1872-10-10
location: Albany, NY
transcription: rag
revision: ekk 2015-06-16
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Page
1
Auburn Jan 2d 1839
My Dear Henry,
I intended to have wished
you a "happy New Year" yesterday feeling
unusually well in the morning, but a visit
which Dr Humphreys
disturbed me so much that I was obliged
to go to bed with the nervous headache[ . ]
Reason:
I do not know why it is that he insists
upon obtruding himself into a house when
he is so unwelcome. God knows I forgive
him the misery and disappointment he has
occasioned me, if I did not I could
not kneel with him at the same altar
but his presence here distresses me exceedingly
bringing as it does so vividly to my remem-
brance all the painful circumstances relative
to the dis sickness and death of our dear
little girl in which he acted so unfeeling
and unprincipled a part. We have this
morning yours and Augustus
you are both very kind to write so often[ . ]
Reason:
Freddy
to which I hope to be able to add a postscript.
I suppose I may congratulate you upon
Page
2
having lived through the toil of New Years
day as I see no account of your death
in the papers, by the way I would like
an extra copy of the journal containing your
message, Pa
that the subject can afford me any
interest. Lazette
this week preparatory to going to Albany.
I am getting better slowly but I am
getting better. I still suffer so much
with faintness and palpitation of the heart
as to be unable to see any of my friends[ . ]
Reason:
I think I shall not only be invisible
but silent also during my stay at Albany.
I wonder you can really wish me
to come. Tell Weed
provision for that nice wood fire he fire he promised
me as I should not live long in the
atmosphere of your coal stores. One
word about your dinners. Avoid having a
great variety of dishes. Your liberal spirit will
be very likely to lead you into this error.
There should be no deficiency in quantity
or quality of such as you have, too many
indicates a want of taste and is now
decidedly mauvais too – this applies equally
to meats and desserts. I take it for granted
that you have very little time for the consideration
of these small matters. I have exhausted all
my strength - kiss Gus for me - your own Frances
Page
3
William H. Seward
Albany
Auburn N.Y.
Jan 3
Type: postmark
h
Jan 2. 1839
Auburn Jan 2d 1839
My Dear Henry,
I intended to have wished
you a "happy New Year" yesterday feeling
unusually well in the morning, but a visit
which Dr Humphreys
Birth: 1785-05-17 Death: 1848-03-09
took occasion to makedisturbed me so much that I was obliged
to go to bed with the nervous headache[ . ]
Supplied
I do not know why it is that he insists
upon obtruding himself into a house when
he is so unwelcome. God knows I forgive
him the misery and disappointment he has
occasioned me, if I did not I could
not kneel with him at the same altar
but his presence here distresses me exceedingly
bringing as it does so vividly to my remem-
brance all the painful circumstances relative
to the dis sickness and death of our dear
little girl in which he acted so unfeeling
and unprincipled a part. We have this
morning yours and Augustus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
' Sunday lettersyou are both very kind to write so often[ . ]
Supplied
Freddy
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
has commenced an answer to Augustusto which I hope to be able to add a postscript.
I suppose I may congratulate you upon
having lived through the toil of New Years
day as I see no account of your death
in the papers, by the way I would like
an extra copy of the journal containing your
message, Pa
Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13
will be very likely to forgetthat the subject can afford me any
interest. Lazette
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
talks of going homethis week preparatory to going to Albany.
I am getting better slowly but I am
getting better. I still suffer so much
with faintness and palpitation of the heart
as to be unable to see any of my friends[ . ]
Supplied
I think I shall not only be invisible
but silent also during my stay at Albany.
I wonder you can really wish me
to come. Tell Weed
Birth: 1797-11-15 Death: 1882-11-22
I hope he has madeprovision for that nice wood fire he fire he promised
me as I should not live long in the
atmosphere of your coal stores. One
word about your dinners. Avoid having a
great variety of dishes. Your liberal spirit will
be very likely to lead you into this error.
There should be no deficiency in quantity
or quality of such as you have, too many
indicates a want of taste and is now
decidedly mauvais too – this applies equally
to meats and desserts. I take it for granted
that you have very little time for the consideration
of these small matters. I have exhausted all
my strength - kiss Gus for me - your own Frances
William H. Seward
Albany
Auburn N.Y.
Jan 3
Stamp
h
Unknown
Mrs. W.H. SewardJan 2. 1839