1819. [Copy of School bill of Annie Chester. 1819.[47]]
Reading edition
1819. [Copy of School bill of Annie Chester. 1819.[47]]
Miss Chester
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3 & 4th vols of universal history 1–34
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189[Letter of Mary Chester,[48] daughter of Elisha Chester; Litchfield Ct. May 29. 1819]
Litchfield May 29th 1819
Dear Mother
If you can imagine to yourself a person travelling in the burning sandy deserts without anything to quench his thirst for a long time finally some one should give him a cup of cold water I say Mother if you can tell what kind of a sensation that produc’d you could have a better idea of the satisfaction it gave me to receive your lovely letter. I am sure Mother you will be willing to devote one hour in a week to give me so much joy in a land of strangers. Respecting my contentment, I am perfectly contented since I have heard such good news from home. My school which appear’d so gloomy when I wrote before has now become a pleasure. I have done with the school for this week. Saturday afternoons I spend in writing to my sweet Groton friends. I have now been here two Sabbaths: the first was rainy; the second I attended meeting and heard the life giving doctrines of the Gospel preach’d by Mr. B.[49] I have taken a class in the Sabbath school which occupies only the time of the intermission. Have you had no news Mother from Elisha. I expected to have heard from him by your letter. There have four ladies arrived in town this week from Georgia for the purpose of attending school here. I want very much to see them; for there is one chance in a hundred that they may know or have heard some thing about Elisha. Litchfield Academy is very popular. There are ladies here from Canada, Albany Vermont New York Massachusetts & Pennsylvania. I see no cause yet to regret that I have come here. I have one advantage over the other boarders here having arriv’d here the first; having a more retire room than any of them; which I consider as a very great thing among such a gay company.
Am I certainly rightly inform’d? Can it be that Mr. Baker is no more. He whose friendship has given me the appellation of sister he who promised usefulness in the vineyard of Christ can it be that he lives no more. With respect to him and Elisha I see the words of scripture in a manner verified the words of scripture two shall be in one bed the one shall be taken and the other left. Your elixur I think it is you gave me has I think been of service to me for the first fortnight 190it rain’d almost successively. I was out to school every day and took some (cold?) but by taking of your drops I am again in perfect health. I hope I shall not forget the God of mercies. Miss Pierce is a lovely woman. Saturdays she devotes to religions instruction. She manifested in a very striking manner her concern for her scholars and her distinguished piety in an observation she made to day which was, “I can truly say that I would be willing to lay down my life this day for your sakes.”
May 30th Sabbath day Rather unpleasant but I have attended meeting to day. On account of meeting I do not think I could be so well suited any where else from home. He does not charm his hearers with his words nor with his person; but takes them up with his subject. This morning he preached upon the excellencies of the christian religion; this afternoon upon the divine Sovereignty. I am much indebted to father for his few lines. I should really like to stay this quarter out if I can be sure of getting through with the expense of it. Respecting painting I find it is considered far from the first and when unaccompanied with the more solid branches of literature it is an inferior branch. Miss Pierce frequently laughs about a couple of young ladies who came here last summer to get an education: they did nothing at all but paint; staid about three weeks finished their education and return’d home. I wish I had some of your sowing here Mother. I have considerable time to work while I am reciting But I am not idle. I have knit considerable. Where is Thomas why don’t he write to me. I intended to have devoted this page to him but my studies prevent me. The other boys must not forget their promise. Give my respects to my friends
your loving daughter
Mary C
Litchfield May 29th 1819
Dear brother Edwin
I have had the unspeakable joy of hearing my composition read in school this morning. It being among the first that had been read since I have been here you will doubtless think I was all tiptoe about it. Every thing here is founded on system and as fix’d as the laws of the Medes and Persians. We must get to bed at such a time and get up at such a time; and am accountable to my Instructors for almost every moment. I am very sorry that you should reflect upon yourself at all about my journey; for I think it was good for me to have affliction on my journey: and I don’t know but it is one means of making me more contented here. I hadn’t the least idea of being so entirely free from homesickness as I am now. Litchfield is really a pleasant 191place and contains some very pleasant inhabitants and some unpleasant ones: but of the latter class I know but a little. There are students from the southward boarding next door from this studying law. Two of them went into New York state last week to fight a duel. The offence was but a trifle. I shall not complain again that I am too old to go to school; for one of our boarders is said to be twenty eight years old and besides that, which might be discouraging to a person in any Study; she has just commenced the study of English Grammar; I make out much better with study than I expected too when I came from home. Respecting Illinois are you getting ready to go? I’ll endeavour to be ready when you call for me: but I should like to visit poor despised Groton once more. I have not become so cultivated yet but that I could endure the sight of the Thames and its inhabitants. Mr. Beecher went fishing the other day in a pond and caught a noble parcel. They looked so much like home that I felt inclined to scrape acquaintance. I have lobsters or shad once a week. You never need be put to it for matter to write to one for the most minute circumstances would be interesting to me. Every Wednesday afternoon we have lectures in Philosophy. If I had a shirt here to make for you, I would make it while I am hearing these lectures. They are very interesting. My time is wholly taken up. I have to keep a journal and write compositions which with other studies occupy all the time of a moderate genius. Thursdays we have a rare fuss parsing. It takes us more than three hours to parse five lines in common composition. For one word we have to recite from the beginning to the end of Grammar. I have begun to write a letter to Misses ——. intended to have sent it this week but felt rather I must write home. If their friendship has not quite fail’d I shall have a letter next week. I shall write to Norman with them. You said before we parted that possibly Henrietta might come; but I don’t see any thing of her. Give my respects to May. B’s family and to Mrs. Bailey. I have to write a dissertation next week on the advantages of commerce. I wish you would send me your sentiments upon it. I am obliged to be so Sophomoric that I cannot spend much time writing. Do write soon and let me know if you have any news from Elisha. I wish I had my Philosophy here; but it is no matter. Adieu my dear brother may your friend and Protector be the God of Israel; till we shall meet once more. Till then dear brother adieu.
Mary Chester.[50]
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