Letter from Charlotte to Samuel Cowles, 1833 October 13, 15.

  • Views (63)
  • Downloads (4)


  • Page 1

    Farmington October 13th 1833.


    My Dear Brother


    As I have never lived away from home, I know nothing by experience of your feelings when father and mother arrived at Windsor, but I cannot suppose that you was very sorry to see them, as I was informed that you “made no great delay in going over from the office to the stage-house.” I can assure you that I was glad enough to see the stage as it came around the corner, and was also happy to hear that mother was not at all fatigued with her journey. We are now quite settled: but I am sorry to say that we have lost Mrs Woodford, who left us the first of October, not expecting to return. We are now getting along as well as we can alone, although I attend the Academy and consequently have little time for domestic concerns. My principal studies are Latin and Euclid. --


    There was a great parade at Col Gad’s last Wednesday night on the occasion of the marriage of Mr Thomas Cowles and Miss Julia Ann Cowles. It was said to be a very splendid wedding—father and mother were invited, but did not go. The next evening there was a very large party at Mr Martin Cowles.



    Page 2

    Monday Eve. I have just returned from Mr William Cowles, and it is indeed a house of mourning, for the once gay and amiable Mary Ann is no more. Her health had been rapidly declining ever since she was sick in New York last May. Her parents had finally consented to have her go to Alabama, according to the advice of her physicians, and she set out on last Thursday morning, and reached New York that night. Friday afternoon she had a fainting turn, and continued to fail through the night, and Saturday morning she died. Her corpse was brought home last night at 11 o’clock. The funeral is to be attended tomorrow afternoon.


    Dr Richards of Auburn preached here the Sabbath after our people got home. They had the company of Mr Henry Richards from Hartford the day they came home.


    Perhaps you have heard of the dreadful accident which happened to a steamboat in the harbor at Essex. The captain having neglected to let off the steam, - at 3 o’clock in the morning the boiler burst, and in an instant all was terror and confusion- Mr and Mrs Fisher Gay & Horatio Cowles were on board, but neither of them was injured at all. The ladies emptied all the comfortables they could find, and then stripped all their cotton stiffeners, to procure batting for the scalded. This accident happened Tuesday morning. When Mr & Mrs Gay came away Wednesday, nine of the sufferers had died from the scalds and bruises which they received, and among them one young man from Plymouth, who had been down to Lyme to attend a wedding, and was going home to be married himself. He was killed instantly while sitting beside his intended bride.



    Page 3

    Oct 15th Tuesday Eve.


    I have been to the funeral this afternoon. There was a great crowd of people—Mr Porter made a very impressive address, which was, of course, principally directed to the young. -- Mrs Solomon Langdon died last week.


    I have a few plants which I intend to keep this winter, and, among others, a beautiful velvet rose, which is now in blossom. I do not know whether we shall have any nuts of any consequence, but we have very fine winter apples and a great many of them. I believe we shall send you some by-and-bye.


    I shall not give you any credit for punctuality, for I do not recollect receiving more than 2 letters from you since you was at home. I shall expect a letter very soon, and if I am disappointed pray do not expect to have any more letters from me.


    Affectionately Yours,


    Charlotte L. Cowles


    My dear son,


    We had a very pleasant journey home agreeable company, and a fine sail down the river, the trees loaded with laughter (?) how I did wish the little girls at Hardwick could have some of them – I often think of your delightful singing, and the pleasant society of the Miss Smiths which I hope you will visit often. I send you the cloth before mentioned which I advise you to get them to make up, give my best love to him, with the two largest pears which you will find done up in your package, remember us also to all our dear friends and tell them your mothers health was never better greatly improved by the visit to Vermont --- another solemn call my dear child to you as well as others of your age, in this recent death which your sister mentions. Her age 18 5th of the present month do not let this warning voice pass unheeded. How I do wish you could hear that affecting address by our pastor-- love to Mrs. R


    From your mother


    [Along the left margin of the last page:]


    I am very much obliged to you for the cards—they are very much admired.



    Page 4

    Mr. Samuel S. Cowles


    Windsor,


    Vt.


    [annotated by Samuel Cowles: Oct. 13, 1833]


    Page: of 4
    Download: PDF (9.71 MiB)

    Content Review Lists: