Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, February 10, 1848

  • Posted on: 17 October 2018
  • By: admin
xml: 
Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, February 10, 1848
x

transcriber

Transcriber:spp:obm

student editor

Transcriber:spp:csh

Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive

Institution:University of Rochester

Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections

Date:1848-02-10

In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's persons.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "pla" point to place elements in the project's places.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's staff.xml authority file. In the context of this project, private URIs with the prefix "psn" point to person elements in the project's bibl.xml authority file. verical-align: super; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline; text-decoration: line-through; color: red;

Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Augustus Henry Seward, February 10, 1848

action: sent

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

location: Auburn, NY

receiver: Augustus Seward
Birth: 1826-10-01  Death: 1876-09-11

location: Mexico

transcription: obm 

revision: tap 2018-07-23

<>
Page 1

Auburn Feb 10th 1848
My dear Son,
I have waited rather an unusual
time since writing my last letter hoping
to be assured of your arrival at the City
of Mexico
— The papers inform us that Gen
Pattersons
Birth: 1792-01-12 Death: 1881-08-07
command arrived there the 7th of
December — a train for Vera Cruz left
the 9th two days after, by this train
I confidently expected a letter but as
none came I infer either that you
did not arrive in time to write or
that you were prevented by illness —
It makes me so wretched that I dare
not dwell upon the last supposition I
try to feel altogether thankful that you
have escaped so many dangers and to
hope that you are still safe — You were
so kind in writing so many letters from
Jalapa that I ought perhaps to feel content
but it is now nearly three months
since the date of the last which is a
long long time for a Mother to be
ignorant of the movements of a dear child
Of one thing I am perfectly sure that you
who are always co so kind and considerate

[top Margin]
I have detained this letter some days in order that Aunt
Clara might finish hers to send with it —nothing
new has occurred — I feel quite uncertain when or
how to direct this but it must take its chance
Page 2

have not failed to write when an opportunity
offered — My last letter was written some
time in January, after Frances
Birth: 1826-12-12 Death: 1909-08-24
and the boys
x Birth: 1828-10-07  Death: 1897-07-24  Birth: 1839-06-18  Death: 1920-04-29  Birth: 1830-07-08  Death: 1915-04-25 

had left me — and your father
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
was in Washington
Aunty Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
has been with me two weeks
her health is not good this Winter though I
think she is better now than when she came —
She says Frances received an entertaining letter
from you written at Jalapa which they
will answer when Aunty returns — they
were uncertain where to direct a letter — Aunty
will remain about a week longer — Fred
sent me the letter you wrote to him after
having answered it — Aunt Clara
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
is writing
an answer to hers which will accompany
this — Your father returned from Washington
a week ago — While there he met Col Belknap
Birth: 1794-09-07 Death: 1851-11-10

who was on the way to Mexico and is to take
command of the 5th Regiment — which we are
informed is now at Tacubaya — not far
from the city of Mexico — I imagine that you
are among them and am very anxious to hear
something of their intended monuments —
We hear many rumors of Peace which I
pray may be consummated but it is
yet in a state of harassing uncertainty
Your father met at Washington many
persons from Mexico among others two sons
x Birth: 1816-10-07  Death: 1872-07-22  Birth: 1807-09-30  Death: 1866-11-11 

Page 3

of the Emperor Iturbide
Birth: 1783-09-27 Death: 1824-07-19
— one of them a prisoner on
parole — Gen Quitman
Birth: 1799-09-01 Death: 1858-07-17
is at present in Albany
receiving numerous demonstrations of respect from
the citizens — I should like much to send you
a Newspaper occasionally but suppose it would
hardly reach its destination — I am somewhat
curious to know how many of my letters come
to your hands — The battle of Buena Vista
is to be celebrated in New York on the 22d of
this month by — great preparations are being
made by the friends of General Taylor
Birth: 1784-11-24 Death: 1850-07-09

Gen Taylor and Mr Clay
Birth: 1777-04-12 Death: 1852-06-29
are the two most
prominent candidates for President — The
convention for nominating the candidate is
to convene some time in June — The Demo-
cratic convention comes off in May — I am
not able to speak with any degree of certainty
of their candidate indeed I do not know
who is talked of — I believe I have heard
no village news that would interest you —
Little girls and boys are every day becoming
young ladies and gentlemen — parties are
frequent — now and them a marriage
occurs but I believe none among our ac-
quantences — William Muir
Birth: 1824-09-16 Death: 1900-05-02
has become the
Uncle of a little girl
Birth: 1848-02
at Seneca Falls
Mrs Perry
Birth: 1810 Death: 1877-01-07
and Alice
Birth: 1843-10-26
continue to board with
Aunt Clara — Aunty and I took tea there
Page 4

with Mrs Sherwood
Unknown
x

Editorial Note

Possibly either Phila Sherwood
Birth: 1794-02-11 Death: 1866-02-03
or Henrietta Sacketts Sherwood
Birth: 1796-03-24 Death: 1852-11-14
yesterday —little Catherine
Birth: 1837 Death: 1878-04-08Certainty: Possible

is just recovering from measles — Willie and
Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
do not get them yet — Willie is not
well though better than he was early in the
Winter — Fanny is perfectly well — grows rapidly
and talks incessantly — We have had less
snow this Winter than in many years — The
winter has been unusually mild — much of
the weather no colder than October —
Cousin Frances is making her first experiments
at housekeeping alone — I believe she succeeds
very well — I have no doubt that she is ass-
isted by Henry
Birth: 1822-02-03 Death: 1888-11-24
and his sister Catherine
x

 


who is there part of the time — Frances' engage-
ment appears to be publicly known — I do not
think any time is appointed for her marriage
I hope you will come home in time to be
groomsman, indeed Aunty says it will be
delayed for that purpose — The paper of
this morning brings the intelligence that a train
was to leave Mexico for Vera Cruz the 15 of
Jan — I hope it will bring me a letter from
you — Grandpa
Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13
is well — sleeping on the
sofa at the present time — I have not told you
that poor old Snip
 Death: 1848
is dead — he died about
two weeks ago — of old age — he had been about
as well as usual this week previous — ate his
supper that night but seemed to suffer from cramps
Dennis
Birth: 1827
found him dead in the little shed between the
barn and carriage house in the morning —
peace to his ashes —

[right Margin]
All join in love and good wishes to you
May God ever bless and keep you
your affectionate
Mother