Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, November 26, 1839

  • Posted on: 4 October 2017
  • By: admin
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, November 26, 1839
x

transcriber

Transcriber:spp:srr

student editor

Transcriber:spp:obm

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1839-11-26

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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, November 26, 1839

action: sent

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

location: Albany, NY

receiver: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01  Death: 1875-10-03

location: Canandaigua, NY

transcription: srr 

revision: crb 2017-03-24

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Page 1

Tuesday morning Nov. 26
My dearest sister,
Here I am sitting in this dark cold office
with Mr Frankestien’s
Birth: 1817-12-19 Death: 1881-04-16
keen eye constantly seeking my
face which it seems to me never looked quite so un-
preposessing — I think it not a time to be particularly
pleased with ones personal appearance when one is subjected
to so severe scrutiny – The bust in its present state looks
just like dear Grandma Miller
Birth: 1751 Death: 1835-10-03
– I wish you could see
it – it is unaccountable to me that it does for I know
that Grandma’s features were unlike mine and altogether
better – what a crowd of recollections throng upon my
my mind whenever I cast my eyes that way – of
kindness slighted, counsel neglected, of affection like that
of a mother deep and strong thought of then as a
common place feeling which was very natural and consequently
very unimportant – dear dear grandma – how differently
now I should appreciate all those qualities which
then called forth no enthusiasm – With her strong feelings
and affectionate heart, how many disappointments she must
have suffered – and yet how little we thought of all this while
she was yet among us — “Go to the grave of buried love
and meditate” is advice which would if followed presumably

[top Margin] can I do? Can you give me any idea by drawing how your book rack is made I
want one but see nothing so pretty here – My Cloak and dress have come from N.Y
the dress fits me well. I could get no tatting, it is reps. The cloak is reps
trimmed with fur – which is not exactly what I should have selected – the cape is
a mantilla cape and is completely spoiled by having the silk pieced behind
in such a manner that it looks very badly – what next – I shall take
it to Mrs Horners
Birth: 1780 Death: 1856-12-09
tomorrow for a consultation – I cannot wear it so. How much
I wish I could consult with you – but I wish that every day –
Willie
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
the dear little wretch refuses to take his bottle any more – He seems to
think that sponge an imposition.

Page 2

could not fail to make us all wiser and better – The bust when
you see it will probably have changed its character that is if
it resembles your sis and will fail to call up in your
mind any of the feelings which at present over-power mine.
I received your letter of Friday yesterday morning – I am
distressed to hear you are again suffering from disease – I
am not surprised that you apprehend apoplexy
A form of disease characterized by the sudden dimunition or loss of sensation and voluntary motion, usually caused by pressure on the brain •
though I
doubt the propriety of being so frequently bled – Dr Williams
Birth: 1812-05-12 Death: 1882Certainty: Probable

and I will talk about that the next time we meet – I am
afraid bleeding so much injuries you – will you have the
homeopathy prescribe for you when you come here again –
I told Mr Secretary Blatchford
Birth: 1820-03-09 Death: 1893-07-07
that you ^he^ must not read your
letters and then gave him that one to read – he seemed a little
vexed at first that you should think him hypercritical
but finally said I might tell you that he was quite as
blind to all your failings as Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
or I could be and
moreover he agreed with me in thinking it dishonorable
to criticize the letters of a friend – He told me some time
ago that you knew more than any woman he ever saw
so I think you are pretty safe and inasmuch as it contributes
somewhat to my happiness to have his sympathy when I get a
letter from you I shall let him read them for the future
unless I should find something improper or unless you
peremptively forbid my so doing – so you see we have disposed
of this matter without having any consultation with you in the
subject – no offense I hope – Dear little Freddy does
Page 3

go to school yet – Mr Parsons
Unknown
is very kind to him and now he has
discovered the peculiarities of his disposition does not over-task him –
Friday ^Thursday^ evening – So far dear sister I wrote last Tuesday morning since
that time I have ^not^ been able to write a line though I have two or three times
sat down for that purpose – Wednesday was the day appointed for me to go
and see Miss Bradish
Birth: 1803 Death: 1868
, it being decided by the whole Whig Cabinet
and Frank Granger
Birth: 1792-12-01 Death: 1868-08-31
beside, that I must make the first call – I
did not concur in the general opinion but I was outvoted – So at
1/2 past 12 I drove to the capitol for Henry to accompany me – we called
for Mrs Horner and walked from her house to Mrs Lockwood’s
Birth: 1791-06-21 Death: 1863-05-14

Mr Bradish’s
Birth: 1783-09-15 Death: 1863-08-30
man
Unknown
meet us at the door and conducted us up stairs
where we found the Li[ eut ]
x

Supplied

Reason: hole
enant Governor and his bride in readiness to
receive us – (they had [ been ]
x

Supplied

Reason: hole
apprised of our visit) – Mr Bradish is ^52^
the lady 26 – his m[ an ]
x

Supplied

Reason: hole
ner, to me, is rather excessive – he seemed
wonderfully well pleased with himself, bride, and all about him – She
is extraordinary in no way – looks very well – and appears very well – Mrs
Spencer
Birth: 1789-02-23 Death: 1868-10-10
who boarded with her last winter says she is very amiable
Worthy of love; deserving of affection; lovely; loveable • Pretending or showing love •

Cake and wine were brought – Mr Bradish pressed me to take a glass
of “Constantine” which I have since been informed was ^is^ nearly as old
as himself – it seemed a rich wine, of course I did not drink deep –
swallowed a crumb of cake, all fruit — Henry left us having but a moment
to spare – Mrs Horner and I made a few other calls – picked Fred up and
came home almost frozen – it was a bitter cold day– To day we have
dined with Mr
Birth: 1788-01-08 Death: 1855-05-17
and Mrs Spencer – all alone – Fred went along – they insisted
that Willie should come also but I thought it better for him to stay at home
we had a nice dinner – Mrs Spencers house is beautifully furnished

[right Margin] I am going to write for Mrs
Unknown
and see me – I hope she will
get here before Miss Conkling
Birth: 1814-01-27 Death: 1890-07-29
your own sister
Frances

Page 4

she has a very handsome dinner set – and splendid cut glasses – finger bowls
and all those things – I think I bestowed upon them all a satisfactory
share of commendation. This and little talk about the fashions and
soiree’s for the winter which was quite an important item occupied with
the dinner the three hours we were there – I came home and left Henry
to talk with the Secretary two hours longer — Mrs Spencer is to give
soiree’s this winter that we is decided upon – one every 3 or 4 weeks

[right Margin] It is also decided that I cannot see company in that way without giving
offense – I proposed that I should have an Irish wake it being the only thing
I could do which would be satisfactory to a large portion of the
democracy – however I am content with any arrangement which does not
require of me more than I am able to perform — Our thanksgiving dinner


[bottom Margin] is deffered until tomorrow – we being absent. Blatchford I have not seen
since morning – on his way to Church. We went to the Episcopal Church and
heard Mr Kip
Birth: 1811-10-03 Death: 1893-04-07
– came home – I sat at home for my bust– prepared some work for
a sewing girl
Unknown
, and then went again to Mrs Spencers – so the days go and no time
comes for half the things I wish to do. Augustus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
writes that his grandpa
Birth: 1768-12-05 Death: 1849-08-24
is
coming this week. Don't you think that Mrs Spencer said she had heard
that Miss Conkling was coming to spend the winter with me – she has un-
doubtedly written so to some of her friends, it vexes me exceedingly what


[right Margin] Freddy
is entertaining
the people in the
kitchen with phantasmagoric
they seem much amused
Nicholas
Birth: 1801-12-24 Death: 1893-02-15

is not well enough to go
out yet —