Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Janet Watson Seward, May 11, 1872
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Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Janet Watson Seward, May 11, 1872
transcriber
Transcriber:spp:tap
student editorTranscriber:spp:msr
Distributor:Seward Family Digital Archive
Institution:University of Rochester
Repository:Rare Books and Special Collections
Date:1872-05-11
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Letter from William Henry Seward, Jr. to Janet Watson Seward, May 11, 1872
action: sent
sender: William Seward
Birth: 1839-06-18
Death: 1920-04-29
location: Unknown
receiver: Janet Seward
Birth: 1839-11-18
Death: 1913-11-09
location: UnknownUnknown
transcription: tap
revision: tap 2018-04-19
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Page 1
An. Instrument
Whereas on or about the year
1857. My wife Janet W. Seward
(then Janet Mc Neil Watson)
being of a musical turn of mind
but young and inexperienced in
the ways of the world. did
purchas of one Van Lear
Unknown
aMusical Instrument called, Known
and designated as a Piano,
Stated by him (I mean Van Lear)
and supposed by her (I refer to
Janet M. Watson) to be a first
Class Instrument.
But whereas after after long
and tedious trials of some 15
years or more it became appearant
that the Piano aforesaid was by
no means what it was supposed
to be but on the Contrary it
proved to be quite insufficient
for, and unsatisfactory ^to^ the said
Janet and the riseing generation
for whom she was responsible
and for whoes musical edicuation
she has to provide.
And whereas the said Janet
has this day arrived at the
Thirty thirty third year.
Of her age and is every day growing
older and wiser.
Now therefor I. the lawful husband
of said Janet W Seward being
merely a Banker and holding
no Office, but nevertheless firmly
maintaining my right to hold
my own opinions, when they
do not conflict with those of
others. One of which opinions
being that the mistakes of
youth and inexperience when
ascertained by more mature un-
derstanding of after years, should
in all cases be corrected and
that when poor Piano’s are put
off upon unsuspecting young
Ladies that the offending
instruments should be replaced
at the Expense of their husbands
who ought to have married
Earlier and prevented the error
in the first instance
I do therefore hereby authorize
the said Janet to Exchange the
Instrument in question for one
which shall be satisfactory to
her. The Exchange to be made
with the aforesaid Van Lear
or any other person who can
be induced for the hope of
gain to take the present Piano
out of the house. And I hereby
bind myself to pay the sum
necessary to effect the desired
result
Witness my hand and seal
this 18th day of Nov 1872
Wm H Seward Jr
husband of Janet W Seward
as aforesaid
For
My Wife
on her 33 Birthday