Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, December 10, 1839

  • Posted on: 12 October 2017
  • By: admin
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, December 10, 1839
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transcriber

Transcriber:spp:obm

student editor

Transcriber:spp:msr

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1839-12-10

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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, December 10, 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: obm 

revision: tap 2017-03-24

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Page 1

Wednesday Dec 10th 1839
My dearest Sister,
I have been in a fever that I could not
get a moment to write to you for the last two or three days
it has been all war-war-war here and I should think
our hall was the place of rendezvous I believe I wrote to you about
the “posse comitatus” who made an ineffectual attempt to awe
the tenantry — Last Monday at 5 oclock the Sheriff
Birth: 1799 Death: 1865-06-30
departed again
with a military escort of about 150 to aid him should
it be necessary in enforcing the law — Saturday and Sunday
there was much talk on the subject — Monday was a dismal
dark drizzling day – the military company went out in wagons
towards night the rain increased – the wind blew tempestuously
we were uncertain of the reception or accommodation of the
soldiers – no express came – numerous rumours were afloat—
some said they were completely hemmed in by the tenantry
who were prepared to resist them with arms – that they had
encamped in the open air and were subjected to the fury of
the elements without any protection – in want of food &c &c
Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
after waiting some time impatiently for intelligence sallied
An issue or rushing of troops from a beseiged place to attack the beseigers • A spring or darting of intellect, fancy, or imagination • Excursion from the usual track • Act of levity or extravagence • To issue or rush out, as a body of troops from a fortified place to attack besiegers • To issue suddenly; to make a sudden eruption •
out
in pursuit of Gen Ring
Unknown
who was to receive the express – I went
to bed feeling pretty homesick and very much afraid that
some lives might be sacrificed before the termination of the
expedition – Henry stayed until 12 oclock – (after having dispatched
Stephen Myers
Birth: 1800 Death: 1870-02-14
(who keeps a provision store) with a wagon load of
bread and meat—) he came home leaving Blatchford
Birth: 1820-03-09 Death: 1893-07-07
with the
Page 2

General to await and report the arrival of the express — At 2
oclock a gentle tap at our door announced his arrival
The express had come — The company of soldiers had been met
by upwards of 1000 of the tenantry armed with cudgels
it was thought not advisable to undertake to oppose them
with so small a force - assistance was desired – they had
all found comfortable lodgings the previous night at houses
in the vicinity — John Spencer
Birth: 1788-01-08 Death: 1855-05-17
Bates Cook
Birth: 1787-12-23 Death: 1841-05-31
and Rufus King
Birth: 1795 Death: 1867-07-09

were immediately sent for, for a consultation upon the next
course – John was roused, the greys harnessed – and Blatchford
dispatched to collect them together – this was about
3 oclock – I found the candles burning in the hall &
the papers strewn about in delightful confusion when
I issued from my room the next morning – Mr Spencers
stayed to breakfast — In the course of the day Henry’s
Proclamation was issued – a reinforcement of 90 men sent
on to Heldorbarrack – I think upon the whole men enjoy
such scenes pretty well all seemed anxious to go and
those who remain appear generally in a delightful state
of excitement — As for Blatchford, he was more animated than
you can imagine – with a face dreadfully swollen, he was
constantly perambulating the streets on foot and on horseback
carrying messages and transacting all manner of business —
The women whose husbands and brothers were sent out did
not feel so happy – for my own part I wondered the Patroon
Birth: 1789-03-29 Death: 1868-05-25

did not sacrifice half of his estate in preference to
jeopardizing the life of one man – At one ocloct oclock last
night Stephen was again dispatched with provisions – blankets
were also sent out – In the course of the day numerous
Page 3

dispatches passed between this city and Helderbarrack
brought by express and relays of horses were stationed on
the road and everything made as much as possible to
assume the aspect of war. Among my numerous discomforts
I am obliged to sit half the time for that bust – of which I am
most heartily wearied – and then last night when all was in so
much confusion I must go to Mrs Benedicts
Birth: 1791 Death: 1869-12-30
to meet Mrs Bradish
Birth: 1803 Death: 1868

and a few others
Unknown
– that party was made very small, expressly on my
account – of course the engagement was made previous to the
commotion in the city – Henry could not accompany me – Blatchford
escorted me as far as the door – I think I did pass the evening
rather more pleasantly than I have done when I visited there before.
Mrs Bradish was dressed or rather undressed unbecomingly and
seemed to me very silly – Mrs Spencer
Birth: 1789-02-23 Death: 1868-10-10
& Mrs John Townsend
Birth: 1790-01-12 Death: 1849-08-17

were as usual – The carriage and Secretary came at ½ past nine
when I was happy to be released — Our people did obtain a
few hours sleep after one oclock – The news from the field of action
this morning, quite encouraging – all in fine spirits marching
towards the enemy with a comfortable assurance that the Sheriff
would accomplish his business without the loss of any lives – The last
express came at eleven this morning – it is now eight in the evening
nothing more has been heard — Weed
Birth: 1797-11-15 Death: 1882-11-22
returned last evening from Harisburg
- how do you like the nomination? – Fred
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
and I are not at all pleased
Fred was in favour of Clay
Birth: 1777-04-12 Death: 1852-06-29
and I was not in favour of Harrison
Birth: 1773-02-09 Death: 1841-04-04
– but I supp[ ose ]
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Supplied

Reason: misspelling

this would be treason out of the house – There is an article in that abusive
paper the “Morning Herald” which gives the nomination in so ludicrous
a light that I will keep it for you if you have not seen it – The comments
of the other papers you will see — Those who have had other preferences bear
the disappointment well – Willie
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
is better and as merry as ever, he
sat alone this morning some minutes – plays with every thing – eats
Page 4

bread and milk and loves Mrs Benedict exceedingly – Freddy is still feeble
I sent Friday for Dr Williams
Birth: 1812-05-12 Death: 1882
– the pain in his side was so violent
that it alarmed me — The Dr of course gave him calomel
A preparation of mercury, much used in medicine •
&
pronounced his stomach disordered - the pain neuralgia, proceeding
from a disordered stomach – he has had no violent paint since but
is far from well – I feel very anxious about him – he has not been
in school for a fortnight is pale and thin – “When is Aunty coming”
“Does Mrs Worden say anything about coming”- “Mrs Worden will never
come” is often reiterated in my ears – I should like to know
whether you do not intend to come until Spring – you seem to talk very
deliberately about Frances commencing another term at school – I have a
letter from Gus
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
saying he will come about the 23 – I presume his Grandpa
Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13

will wait until then- Capt Worden
Birth: 1818-03-12 Death: 1897-10-19
was here yesterday – he is a candi-
date from the agency of the State Prison – office office office is the
burden of all the letters and most of the visits – Nicholas
Birth: 1801-12-24 Death: 1893-02-15
and Harriet
Birth: 1807 Death: 1888-08-20

have finished moving today – they moved the last of all – I have
Mrs Alvah Worden
Canandaigua
ALBANY
DEC 10
N.Y.
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Type: postmark


[right Margin] felt quite lonely ever since – Harriet is a good woman we were
all sorry to part with her – Jenny
Birth: 1839-11-18 Death: 1913-11-09
comes next week –
Every body says my bust is an excellent likeness – I wish it was
completed – Your own Sister Frances — Does your book
rack stand in a corner or is it straight against the
side of the house – I cannot tell by the front view —