Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, November 30, 1849
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, November 30, 1849
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:maf
student editorTranscriber:spp:msf
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1849-11-30
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Letter from Frances Miller Seward to Lazette Miller Worden, November 30, 1849
action: sent
sender: Frances Seward
Birth: 1805-09-24
Death: 1865-06-21
location: Washington D.C., US
receiver: Lazette Worden
Birth: 1803-11-01
Death: 1875-10-03
location: Auburn, NY
transcription: maf
revision: tap 2018-11-12
<>
Page
1
Washington Thursday evening
My dear Sister
We left Frances
yesterday morning at 8 oclock – Frances was
to go immediately to Marianne Motts
field
anxious to have her stay at the Washington House
a few days on their account – I had such
sad experiences with a dress maker that I
advised Frances to seek another to have her
dress made – Mine was so completely spoiled
that I sent back to New York for bombazine
to make an entire new waist – This commission
was to be executed by the Minister to Austria
Col Webb
on his way to New York Tuesday evening –
He was in excellent spirits – among other
honours he has been brevetted General –
I hope you will to get the fringe which I
was so fortunate as to find in Philadelphia
Frances was to forward it by Express –
I think it very pretty – and like your
[top Margin]
We drove to Georgetown to day to enquire about our furniture –
the weather is fine – many trees retain their leaves yet
some climbing roses are still blooming in the
open air –Tell Willie not to neglect putting his
hobby horse up stairs before he comes – and also his wagon
I am glad to hear he says his lessons -
[right Margin]
h
Sister
Page
2
mantilla better than any that I see – There are
some others worn in Philadelphia but
New York was all sacks – We found
it much more pleasanter shopping in Philadelphia
than New York – It was a fine day and
our journey would have been pleasant but
both Abbey
Mary Coe
We were in Baltimore nearly three hours – Mrs
Bliss
us – Mrs Wood
I find the Presidents
agreeable – We are at Willards – This morning
notwithstanding it was Thanksgiving we drove
to the house where we found all the furniture
which came by rail road, but that shipped
from New York has not arrived, as it left New
York the 15th we hope it will be here tomorrow –
Abbey Mary and Dennis
get into the house that we employed a coulered
man
a cord of wood made a fire – bought 2
pails 2 brooms and and old tea kettle to
heat water – it being Thanksgiving the shops
are all closed – the girls are to clean
Page
3
two floors – fill some straw beds and with
the carpets make beds upon the floor until our
bed steads come – I went round again and
unpacked some sheets comforters and spreads
and left there feeling quite happy – The
whole house requires cleaning – it is convenient
for a city house though there is not a closet
on the first and second floor – The dining
room in the basement will I think be very
comfortable and convenient for Grandpa
I hope is coming - There is a ^front^ door into the
street from the basement – the kitchen is
large - without a particle of paint – a con-
venient well – no cistern – a nice little
yard back house convenient – Under the same
roof with the stable which is brick are a
wash room and two lodging rooms which
will by occupied by Mary and our man
when we get one – Mr Schoolcrafts
turns out about as I expected – he has been
spoiled by flattery and came to day to say he
had a place in one of the public offices which
he preferred to living with us – though I think
he wanted us to persuade him to come to us –
He was so impertinent that I took him at his
word and told him I should seek out some other
person – he was eviden[ t ]
Reason: ly disappointed
Page
4
We then went in pursuit of Cornelius Clark
man whom I saw here last Spring – he said
he could procure us a steward and would
himself help us move – he is intelligent and
appears honest – he is at least respectful which
Mr William Cook was not – Tomorrow morning
we are to have a hall stove put up rather against
the wishes of our Landlord
to have holes made in the walls – there is nothing
in the house but large open fireplaces which
to say nothing of the consumption of fuel would
not make the house warm – We are in a pleasant
neighbourhood – We shall also tomorrow put up
a cooking stove or range – Mary prefers the latter
Henry
this fine weather may continue – we are much
favored so far – Tell Fred
wants him but can specify no time until the
furniture comes – I do not think Willie
Auburn Christmas – we have all three of his letters
mine came to night also yours of Wednesday – Yours
first came to N. York then 2d to Philadelphia
I shall write to Frances tomorrow and will enclose hers
I am sorry abu Leasy
her but it is the common practice – Where in the
world does her man
often but says if her brothers
contented – I go to the house tomorrow immediately after
breakfast – Mr Schoolcraft does not come yet – Tell
John I shall expect him and Pa along by and by –
[bottom Margin]
C.C.
companions it is not surprising that she
talks with John - She heard me say I
presume that I thought John did not
wish Pa to go — I shall be
more cautious in future —
I did not count it as an offence of
any magnitude in John
[right Margin]
Love to Clara
Your own sister –
Washington Thursday evening
My dear Sister
We left Frances
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03
and Philadelphia
yesterday morning at 8 oclock – Frances was
to go immediately to Marianne Motts
Birth: 1825-08-26 Death: 1872-07-03
– Mr Can
–field
Birth: 1812
and his sister Mrs
Conger
Birth: 1822 Death: 1861-05-02
were veryanxious to have her stay at the Washington House
a few days on their account – I had such
sad experiences with a dress maker that I
advised Frances to seek another to have her
dress made – Mine was so completely spoiled
that I sent back to New York for bombazine
to make an entire new waist – This commission
was to be executed by the Minister to Austria
Col Webb
Birth: 1802-02-08 Death: 1884-06-07
who passed through Philadelphiaon his way to New York Tuesday evening –
He was in excellent spirits – among other
honours he has been brevetted General –
I hope you will to get the fringe which I
was so fortunate as to find in Philadelphia
Frances was to forward it by Express –
I think it very pretty – and like your
[top Margin]
We drove to Georgetown to day to enquire about our furniture –
the weather is fine – many trees retain their leaves yet
some climbing roses are still blooming in the
open air –Tell Willie not to neglect putting his
hobby horse up stairs before he comes – and also his wagon
I am glad to hear he says his lessons -
[right Margin]
h
Hand Shift
Birth: 1803-11-01 Death: 1875-10-03Lazette Worden
mantilla better than any that I see – There are
some others worn in Philadelphia but
New York was all sacks – We found
it much more pleasanter shopping in Philadelphia
than New York – It was a fine day and
our journey would have been pleasant but
both Abbey
Birth: 1822 Death: 1895-09-16
and myself had the sick headacheMary Coe
Birth: 1819-11-24 Death: 1854-12-18
however performed the duty of nurse –We were in Baltimore nearly three hours – Mrs
Bliss
Birth: 1824-04-20 Death: 1909-07-25
and a young Mrs Taylor
Birth: 1809-11-17 Death: 1887-01-15Certainty: Possible
came on with us – Mrs Wood
Birth: 1811-04-09 Death: 1875-12-02
and the Dr
Birth: 1799-09-23 Death: 1869-03-28
were at the cars –I find the Presidents
Birth: 1784-11-24 Death: 1850-07-09
daughters still very
agreeable – We are at Willards – This morning
notwithstanding it was Thanksgiving we drove
to the house where we found all the furniture
which came by rail road, but that shipped
from New York has not arrived, as it left New
York the 15th we hope it will be here tomorrow –
Abbey Mary and Dennis
Birth: 1827
were so
impatient toget into the house that we employed a coulered
man
Unknown
to supply them with food – Dennis boughta cord of wood made a fire – bought 2
pails 2 brooms and and old tea kettle to
heat water – it being Thanksgiving the shops
are all closed – the girls are to clean
two floors – fill some straw beds and with
the carpets make beds upon the floor until our
bed steads come – I went round again and
unpacked some sheets comforters and spreads
and left there feeling quite happy – The
whole house requires cleaning – it is convenient
for a city house though there is not a closet
on the first and second floor – The dining
room in the basement will I think be very
comfortable and convenient for Grandpa
Birth: 1772-04-11 Death: 1851-11-13
whoI hope is coming - There is a ^front^ door into the
street from the basement – the kitchen is
large - without a particle of paint – a con-
venient well – no cistern – a nice little
yard back house convenient – Under the same
roof with the stable which is brick are a
wash room and two lodging rooms which
will by occupied by Mary and our man
when we get one – Mr Schoolcrafts
Birth: 1804-09-22 Death: 1860-06-07
stewardUnknown
turns out about as I expected – he has been
spoiled by flattery and came to day to say he
had a place in one of the public offices which
he preferred to living with us – though I think
he wanted us to persuade him to come to us –
He was so impertinent that I took him at his
word and told him I should seek out some other
person – he was eviden[ t ]
Supplied
We then went in pursuit of Cornelius Clark
Birth: 1820
– a colouredman whom I saw here last Spring – he said
he could procure us a steward and would
himself help us move – he is intelligent and
appears honest – he is at least respectful which
Mr William Cook was not – Tomorrow morning
we are to have a hall stove put up rather against
the wishes of our Landlord
Unknown
who does not like
to have holes made in the walls – there is nothing
in the house but large open fireplaces which
to say nothing of the consumption of fuel would
not make the house warm – We are in a pleasant
neighbourhood – We shall also tomorrow put up
a cooking stove or range – Mary prefers the latter
Henry
Birth: 1801-05-16 Death: 1872-10-10
is very anxious to get into the house – I
hopethis fine weather may continue – we are much
favored so far – Tell Fred
Birth: 1830-07-08 Death: 1915-04-25
his father says hewants him but can specify no time until the
furniture comes – I do not think Willie
Birth: 1839-06-18 Death: 1920-04-29
will be in
Auburn Christmas – we have all three of his letters
mine came to night also yours of Wednesday – Yours
first came to N. York then 2d to Philadelphia
I shall write to Frances tomorrow and will enclose hers
I am sorry abu Leasy
Unknown
abuses the privilege I have given her but it is the common practice – Where in the
world does her man
Unknown
sleep –
Fanny
Birth: 1844-12-09 Death: 1866-10-29
wishes to be at homeoften but says if her brothers
Birth: 1826-10-01 Death: 1876-09-11
were here she would becontented – I go to the house tomorrow immediately after
breakfast – Mr Schoolcraft does not come yet – Tell
John I shall expect him and Pa along by and by –
[bottom Margin]
C.C.
Birth: 1834-07-25 Death: 1922-02-28
has been brought up with servants forcompanions it is not surprising that she
talks with John - She heard me say I
presume that I thought John did not
wish Pa to go — I shall be
more cautious in future —
I did not count it as an offence of
any magnitude in John
[right Margin]
Love to Clara
Birth: 1793-05-01 Death: 1862-09-05
and the children –Your own sister –