Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 16, 1841
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 16,
1841
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:nrs
student editorTranscriber:spp:crb
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1841-01-16
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Letter from Benjamin Jennings Seward to Frances Miller Seward, January 16, 1841
action: sent
sender: Benjamin Seward
Birth: 1793-08-23
Death: 1841-02-24
location: Washington D.C., US
receiver: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: nrs
revision: crb 2015-12-18
<>
Page
1
Washington City Jan 16. 1841
My very dear Sister
I have your kind letter – forwarded
to me at this place from New York. I did
not need this new evidence of your love to
convince me that your busy mind is follow-
ing after me in my rambles and joining me
in my joys. Dear Sister – I never felt the
importance of pen and paper as I now [ fell ]
Alternate Text: feel
it when I think of attempting to express within
my grateful emotion to you – or the hap-
piness I am enjoying in my new rela-
tions! Perhaps I may attempt to do
something at both when we meet – perhaps
not – for I feel even now that words are
weak to convey deep feeling.
Well! our visit is over – while I
am scribbling a line, the ladies are pack-
ing and in a short time we shall be
off. The weather has been raining every
day and I had almost said every hour
since we came. Still we have con-
trivnued To see and enjoy a great deal.
Page
2
Our Angel
faculty to draw upon herself for comfort
of any young lady I ever saw – she is a
lovely, artless young creature – has held young
Martin V.B.
pleased & twirled him she listed. He seems,
an unimportant, sweet little fellow –
Our ladies having spent time here,
years ago & being stocked with friends
formerly of New York – every thing has been
agreeable – We have been delighted with the
some portions of the debates of the house
- with the new picture. Baptism of Pocahontas
- with the array
in parties – with the kind attentions of
old friends and indeed with every thing
except the weeping weather. Angel has
of course been in her element – happy
as a queen – and as far as I can
judge, my Mary
- But in present circumstances I would
not pretend to judge of every thing
except –
Miss Granger
we with her, at Gadsbys – but our
ladies have each had their own
occupations, so that several ineffective
attempts have been made at intercourse
Page
3
& now we are to separate without ex-
changing calls. Mr. Frank
meet & exchange newspapers – he is
afraid of me. Fillmore
to me, to be cautious, - Fudge!
If I can see the way open for
her return may I bring angel with
me to Albany ? – I know your
cares. - & would not impose upon you
& were it not that dear sis is so like
an old shoe – quiet & easy &
lovely - & little trouble, I would
not ask the question – but I
think you would love her as
well as Mary – and if you
think so, I will try to bring
her with me – although I see not how
she can well be spared & may not
obtain her – have said nothing
& will not – unless proposed by you –
Do be frank with me dear Frances
- you know I do not wish to oppress
you – I love you too well for that!
Tell Henry
tience with me – I shall take to bu-
siness directly & make up for all.
Your own affectionate unworthy Brother B.
Page
4
h
no time to read over
h
Jennings Washington
Jan 16
1841
Washington City Jan 16. 1841
My very dear Sister
I have your kind letter – forwarded
to me at this place from New York. I did
not need this new evidence of your love to
convince me that your busy mind is follow-
ing after me in my rambles and joining me
in my joys. Dear Sister – I never felt the
importance of pen and paper as I now [ fell ]
Alternate Text
it when I think of attempting to express within
my grateful emotion to you – or the hap-
piness I am enjoying in my new rela-
tions! Perhaps I may attempt to do
something at both when we meet – perhaps
not – for I feel even now that words are
weak to convey deep feeling.
Well! our visit is over – while I
am scribbling a line, the ladies are pack-
ing and in a short time we shall be
off. The weather has been raining every
day and I had almost said every hour
since we came. Still we have con-
trivnued To see and enjoy a great deal.
Our Angel
Birth: 1825
certainly has a marvellous
faculty to draw upon herself for comfort
of any young lady I ever saw – she is a
lovely, artless young creature – has held young
Martin V.B.
Birth: 1812-12-20 Death: 1855-03-19
at her beck as much as she
pleased & twirled him she listed. He seems,
an unimportant, sweet little fellow –
Our ladies having spent time here,
years ago & being stocked with friends
formerly of New York – every thing has been
agreeable – We have been delighted with the
some portions of the debates of the house
- with the new picture. Baptism of Pocahontas
- with the array
Order; disposition in regular lines • Dress; garments disposed in order upon the person • In law, the act of impaneling a jury • To envelop •
of beauty &
taste as seen in parties – with the kind attentions of
old friends and indeed with every thing
except the weeping weather. Angel has
of course been in her element – happy
as a queen – and as far as I can
judge, my Mary
Birth: 1815 Death: 1879-08-29
has been no less so. - But in present circumstances I would
not pretend to judge of every thing
except –
Miss Granger
Birth: 1819-09-15 Death: 1892-06-16
– stops with us or
ratherwe with her, at Gadsbys – but our
ladies have each had their own
occupations, so that several ineffective
attempts have been made at intercourse
& now we are to separate without ex-
changing calls. Mr. Frank
Unknown
& I meet & exchange newspapers – he is
afraid of me. Fillmore
Unknown
sends word to me, to be cautious, - Fudge!
If I can see the way open for
her return may I bring angel with
me to Albany ? – I know your
cares. - & would not impose upon you
& were it not that dear sis is so like
an old shoe – quiet & easy &
lovely - & little trouble, I would
not ask the question – but I
think you would love her as
well as Mary – and if you
think so, I will try to bring
her with me – although I see not how
she can well be spared & may not
obtain her – have said nothing
& will not – unless proposed by you –
Do be frank with me dear Frances
- you know I do not wish to oppress
you – I love you too well for that!
Tell Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
not to get
out of pa-tience with me – I shall take to bu-
siness directly & make up for all.
Your own affectionate unworthy Brother B.
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10William Seward
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1805-09-24 Death: 1865-06-21Frances Seward
Jan 16
1841