Sarah Orne Jewett Letters of 1871
Sarah Orne Jewett to Edward Everett Hale
4 January 1871*
Dear Sir:
Have you received a story -- {"}The Orchard's Grandmother"? I sent it to you some time ago, and have not heard from it -- Some of my letters lately have not reached their destination, & I have a little fear that it may have been the same with this. If you have received it, and have not yet examined it, I beg yr. pardon for
[ 2 ]
troubling you with this letter --
most respectfully
Sarah O. Jewett.
Address
Miss A. Eliot
South Berwick.
Maine --
Notes
1871: A note appears in the upper left margin of page 1: "? is this answered -- E E H"
The Orchards Grandmother: Jewett's story appeared in Merry's Museum in May 1871. Her by-line read not "Miss Eliot," but S.O.J., indicating that she was moving away from pseudonymous publication.
Miss A. Eliot
South Berwick.
Maine --
Notes
1871: A note appears in the upper left margin of page 1: "? is this answered -- E E H"
The Orchards Grandmother: Jewett's story appeared in Merry's Museum in May 1871. Her by-line read not "Miss Eliot," but S.O.J., indicating that she was moving away from pseudonymous publication.
The manuscript of this letter is held by Smith College Special Collections, Northampton, MA, Hale family papers, Sophia Smith Collection, SSC-MS-00071; Jewett, Sarah Orne, 1871, undated -- Correspondence, incoming, Box: 36, Folder: 18.
Edward Everett Hale to Sarah Orne Jewett
Boston. Feb. 3. 1871
My dear Miss Eliot,*
I thought I had written to you at the beginning of last month but find I was mistaken. We have read your story with very thorough interest, but we are now so crowded with stories that we have engaged that we cannot use it. Indeed I think it is rather more fit for one of the more juvenile magazines, -- and if you would like
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I will forward it to Merry's Museum with my recommendation.
Very truly yours,
E. E. Hale
[ a mark that suggests an intent to underline the signature ]
E. E. Hale
[ a mark that suggests an intent to underline the signature ]
Notes
Miss Eliot: Hale replies to Jewett's letter of 4 January 1871, inquiring about her submission of "The Orchard's Grandmother" to Old and New. This story appeared in Merry's Museum in May 1871.
One of Jewett's pen names was Alice Eliot, the name with which she signed her inquiry. Beginning at about the time of this letter, she began publishing under her own name. When her story appeared in Merry's Museum, the byline was "S.O.J." Her 6 February reply to Hale was signed "Sarah O. Jewett."
Hale's handwriting in this letter differs significantly from that of his other letters to Jewett. It seems likely that this manuscript was written by a secretary.
The manuscript of this letter is held by the Houghton Library of Harvard University: Sarah Orne Jewett Correspondence I, Letters to Sarah Orne Jewett.
Hale, Edward Everett, 1822-1909. 3 letters; 1871-1901. (86).
This transcription is from a photocopy held by the Maine Women Writer's Collection, University of New England, Letters from Sarah Orne Jewett, 1875-1890, Box 2, Folder 99, Burton Trafton Jewett Research Collection.
Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
Sarah Orne Jewett to Edward Everett Hale
[ 6 February 1871 ]
Dear Sir
Thanks for your very kind note which came this morning. I have thought the story (The Orchards Grandmother)* was not suitable for "Old & New" myself -- I am glad you liked it, however, and appreciate
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your interest and offer of your recommendation -- I think Merry's Museum will be a good place for it. Will you be kind enough to give my address as "Miss Eliot --" & believe me most truly & respectfully
Sarah O. Jewett.
South Berwick Me
6th February 1871
Notes
The Orchards Grandmother: Jewett's story appeared in Merry's Museum in May 1871. Her by-line read not "Miss Eliot," but S.O.J., indicating that she was moving away from pseudonymous publication.
6th February 1871
Notes
The Orchards Grandmother: Jewett's story appeared in Merry's Museum in May 1871. Her by-line read not "Miss Eliot," but S.O.J., indicating that she was moving away from pseudonymous publication.
The manuscript of this letter is held by Smith College Special Collections, Northampton, MA, Hale family papers, Sophia Smith Collection, SSC-MS-00071; Jewett, Sarah Orne, 1871, undated -- Correspondence, incoming, Box: 36, Folder: 18.
Editors of Atlantic Monthly to Sarah Orne Jewett
[ Begin letterhead, underlined
portions handwritten ]
Office of the Atlantic Monthly
No. 124, Tremont Street,
Boston, February 6, 1871
[ End letterhead ]
Dear Madam --
"This [ Editor ? ] who writes the small hand"* feels it due to himself to make some explanation of the apparently ungracious silence he has kept in respect to your note of last August. It comes to hand just after his return from a [ vacation his work so it appears ] had frightfully accumulated on his hands, and he excused himself from replying by a promise made himself to call upon Miss Jewett at 5 Walnut Street,* and then say how much he liked her [ unrecognized word ] of writing and what hopes he had of her literary success. Such a resolu-
[ Page 2 ]
tion was altogether too good to be kept,
and we need not say it was promptly and finally broken.
Your letter [ alas ? ] remained to be answered.
Let us answer it now.
We think it eminently worth while for you to hope so, and we agree with you in your liking for the Tennants. We had not forgotten the other story resembling "The Hunter Baby"* in plot, but neither seemed to us quite successful, though both were brightly and naturally written.
In short, we hope to hear from you again -- in prose, as you will imagine from the enclosure. If you are again in Boston, pray let us know.
Miss Jewett
We think it eminently worth while for you to hope so, and we agree with you in your liking for the Tennants. We had not forgotten the other story resembling "The Hunter Baby"* in plot, but neither seemed to us quite successful, though both were brightly and naturally written.
In short, we hope to hear from you again -- in prose, as you will imagine from the enclosure. If you are again in Boston, pray let us know.
Very respectfully
The Editors.
The Editors.
Miss Jewett
Notes
small hand: Thomas Bailey Aldrich's handwriting in his letters typically is quite small. He may be the author of this letter. Key to Correspondents.
5 Walnut Street: The Boston home of Jewett's friend, Grace Gordon. Key to Correspondents.
Tennants ... Hunter Baby: These transcriptions are uncertain, and these pieces have not yet been identified. Works with these titles did not appear in Atlantic Monthly in 1870.
Jewett's next appearance in Atlantic Monthly was "The Shore House" in September 1873.
The manuscript of this letter is held by the Houghton Library of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. bMS Am 1743 Box 1, Item 11 I. Letters to Sarah Orne Jewett.
Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
William Dean Howells to Sarah Orne Jewett
[ Begin letterhead, underlined portions added by hand ]
Boston, March 5, 1871.
[ End letterhead ]
Dear Madam:
We have just been reading your story of the Shore House* with the pleasure which all your sketches give us, and yet we have felt that it is worthy of a better story than you have set in it. Can't you think
[ 2 ]
the facts to dramatic proportions. Pray let us hear from you.
Yours respectfully
The Editors
Miss Jewett.
The Editors
Notes
Story of the Shore House: Jewett's second piece to appear in Atlantic Monthly was "The Shore House" in September 1873. This story, with the Kews and Dockums as characters, later became part of Deephaven (1877).
Penciled after the signature: [ William Dean Howells ]. Another letter on this topic, of 11 March 1871, was signed by Howells, and the handwriting in both appears identical.
Associated with this letter is an envelope addressed to Jewett in South Berwick, on Atlantic Monthly stationery. The cancellation date is not readable.
The manuscript of this letter is held by the Miller Library, Special Collections, Colby College, Waterville, ME: JEWE.1. Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
William Dean Howells to Sarah Orne Jewett
[ Begin letterhead, underlined
portions added by hand ]
Office of the Atlantic Monthly,
No. 124 TREMONT STREET.
Office of the Atlantic Monthly,
No. 124 TREMONT STREET.
Boston, March 11 1871.
[ End letterhead ]
Dear Madam:
By all means make a sketch of your story,* if you don't feel secure of your powers of invention. But in doing this pray remember that you will have to develop characters very fully. -- much more fully than you have done in the piece as it stands. Perhaps also it would be well to curtail some of the preliminary passages. Give ample accounts of the old house, the sea=faring* and light=house people, as you propose. I return you the manuscript by this post for your revision.
When you come next to Boston, pray let me know, and I will try to call upon you. Or if you have not time to send me your
[ 2 ]
addrefs, and in your leisure feel compassion enough for a busy man to waive ceremony, will you come out to Cambridge to see me? I live in Berkeley street, one door from Phillips Place, (Garden St. cor) and my name is that of
Your obedient servant
W. D. Howells.
Miss Jewett.
Notes
sketch of your story: It appears Jewett has queried Howells about a new approach to the story that would be her second piece to appear in Atlantic Monthly, "The Shore House" in September 1873. This story later became part of Deephaven (1877).
sea=faring: Howells uses "=" where one expects a hyphen.
The manuscript of this letter is held by the Miller Library, Special Collections, Colby College, Waterville, ME: JEWE.1. Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
Susan George Perkins to Sarah Orne Jewett
Concord May 1, 1871
Dear Sarah,
I was very much obliged to you for the copy of those verses and shall not apologize for the date of this letter, as it ought to convince you how long the flame of gratitude keeps bright in my bosom.
I hope you are enjoying this perfectly lovely Mayday.
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Everybody seems inspired by it and unusual toleration has been shown to the small horn blowers who usually render this day dreadful to sober minded people. I believe this custom of hornblowing is peculiar to Concord. I never heard of it anywhere else, but every youth in this town from four to fourteen considers his life incomplete unless he possesses a long tin horn upon which, for at least eighteen hours, from the earliest streak of dawn until
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he sinks
I am going to appear in theatricals to night. Sarah do you never do it. It looks alluring at first but will prove a tyrant. (The "it” is vague but it is because I felt what I cannot express). Once know a few parts in farce or comedy, be able to repeat them correctly and not have
[ Page 4 ]
"stage fright" and you become the property of the rapacious, I mean the religious, community. They use you chiefly for [ unrecognized word or words ] materials, for chapels, parsonages, chimes &c -- but you’re available for anything and no longer belong to yourself. If, this lovely day, you are basking in the sunlight and breathing "odorous air," think of me cooped in the house with crimping pins, for "wavy tresses" are a necessity in my character tonight. Pity me, and "shun the boards."
Adieu (stagey you see) it is time to go to rehearsal.
[ Up the left margin and across the top
margin of page 1 ]
Much love to Mary.* How is the lovely and famous "Georgie"* {?} Hope you are by this time perfectly resigned about the seal skin cap and that your dog’s health and spirits are all that you can desire.
Your grandmamma’s profile is much admired. It is enough like yours for you to profit by the compliment. All wish to be remembered.
Affectionately yours
Susan Perkins
Susan Perkins
Notes
Mary: Almost certainly Mary Rice Jewett. See Key to Correspondents.
"Georgie": This is likely to be Georgina Halliburton. See Key to Correspondents.
The manuscript of the letter is held by the University of New England Maine Women Writers Collection MWWC0196_02_00_023_01. Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
William Dean Howells to Sarah Orne Jewett (Fragment)
[ Begin letterhead, underlined
portions added by hand ]
Office of the Atlantic Monthly,
No. 124 TREMONT STREET.
Office of the Atlantic Monthly,
No. 124 TREMONT STREET.
Boston, May 15, 1871.
[ End letterhead ]
Dear Miss Jewett --
I can't tell indeed when your sketch* will be published. There are a good many things that have precedence. Perhaps you had better write
sketch: Jewett's next piece to appear in Atlantic was "The Shore House," in September 1873.
Lacking a signature makes it uncertain that Howells penned this fragment, but the handwriting is at least similar to that of letters he signed.
The manuscript of this letter is held by the Miller Library, Special Collections, Colby College, Waterville, ME: JEWE.1. Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
Sarah Orne Jewett to William Dean Howells
[ 17 October 1871 ]*
My dear Mr. Howells
I cannot wait any longer before writing you a note to thank you for "Their Wedding Journey",* I am enjoying it so much and this last number is so good! It seems unnecessary, though, for you to improve, for people were so satisfied before and there are so many dear stupid writers who will go on and on in the same fashion till they die. I have taken great pleasure in the November number for I had been quite low spirited! Berwick has grown quite uninteresting to me for once in its life, and everybody is distressingly grown up and I have 'nobody to play with'.
I have been writing some children's stories for the Independent, and the state of my mind is shadowed forth in the last one, "Half done Polly,"* which is severely moral. I daresay you will not be able to account for my telling you this but I suppose it is another illustration of your "pleasures of autobiography so dear to all of us"* -- I dont know if I have quoted it right but it made a great impression upon me.
I once went over part of the "Wedding Journey's" route myself and I have enjoyed that part particularly. I have grown very ambitious of late and wonder continually if by any possibility I shall write so charmingly by and by. I am diverting myself at present by reading Froude' s History* but I find myself planning my 'fall campaign in the midst of important acts of Parliament and it goes off slowly!
Yours most sincerely
Sarah
O. Jewett
South Berwick,
17th Oct. 1871
Notes
1871: Three different typescript transcriptions of this letter are available. This one is from the Houghton Library of Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. bMS Am 1743.1 Sarah Orne Jewett Additional Correspondence II. Letters from Sarah Orne Jewett, Box 4 (122). The Houghton also holds a second typescript, which differs from the first mainly in that the entire text is a single paragraph, but also contains the uncorrected typo that appears in version 3: "Journeyin' ".
Version 3 appears below.
"Their Wedding Journey": Howells's first novel, Their Wedding Journey, began to appear serialized in Atlantic Monthly 28, in July 1871.
"Half-done Polly": Jewett's story appeared in The Independent 23 (October 5, 1871), and was collected in Play Days (1878).
"pleasures of autobiography so dear to all of us": This phrase appears in Part 3 of Their Wedding Journey: Atlantic Monthly 28 (September 1871), p. 348.
Froude' s History: In a letter of May 12, 1872, Jewett reports reading History of Elizabeth in James Anthony Froude, History of England from the Fall of Wolsey to the Death of Elizabeth (London, 1856-1870, 12 vols.
Version 3
From The Maine Women Writers Collection, transcriptions from
mixed repositories, Letters from Sarah Orne Jewett, 1875-1890,
folder 63, Burton Trafton Jewett Research Collection. The
differences between this and version 1 mainly are in
punctuation.My dear Mr. Howells
I cannot wait any longer before writing you a note to thank you for "Their Wedding Journey."* I am enjoying it so much and this last number is so good! It seems unnecessary, though, for you to improve, for people were so satisfied before -- and there are so many dear stupid writers who will go on and on in the same fashion till they die. I have taken great pleasure in the November number for I had been quite low-spirited! Berwick has grown quite uninteresting to me for once in its life, and everybody is distressingly grown-up and I have 'nobody to play with.' I have been writing some children's stories for the Independent, and the state of my mind is shadowed forth in the last one, "Half-done Polly,"* which is severely moral. I daresay you will not be able to account for my telling you this, but I suppose it is another illustration of your "pleasures of autobiography so dear to all of us"* -- I don't know if I have quoted it right but it made a great impression upon me. I once went over part of the "Wedding Journey in'" route myself and I have enjoyed that part particularly. I have grown very ambitious of late and wonder continually if by any possibility I shall write so charmingly by and by. I am diverting myself at present by reading Froude' s History* but I find myself planning my 'fall campaign' in the midst of important acts of Parliament and it goes off slowly!
Sarah O. Jewett
South Berwick,
17th Oct. 1871
Grace Gordon Treadwell Walden to Sarah Orne Jewett
Newport
October 27, 1871
October 27, 1871
I am in despair my dear Theodora* -- ! it rains, rains rains, all the time! & today we have been counting upon, as the day on which were to have our last sail -- for Johnny* leaves tomorrow for Boston, on his way to Lenox, on his way to New York, on his way to Europe -- ! & it rains harder than it ever has -- Well, it's fortunate that I'm of a contented disposition. I think I am, & disappointments
[ Page 2 ]
do not make me utterly wretched, but really, is not it too bad -- ? Did you think you were never to hear from me again? -- I began to think you never would -- I have enjoyed a great deal since I have been here, in spite of the horrid weather we have had all the time. Cousin Edward, fortunately knowing my indifference to rain, took me a lovely drive the other day in an open wagon, no umbrella, & a delicious Scotch-mist. Kate* had a cold & could not go so we took Carrie Hunter* as ballast, it was a double seated thing -- now I suppose you will go & write her a note telling her that's why we asked her --
[ Page 3 ]
Had a delightful drive round the new road to Bateman's* -- When
did I write you last, & what did I tell you? -- I can't
remember -- Did I tell you that Cousin Edward had given me a
most elegant dinner party? & also that we had been
there to lunch -- He certainly does know how to entertain. At
both entertainments a profusion of exquisite flowers -- a
bouquet at every plate -- (besides a magnificent one in the
middle of the table at the dinner). I hope Mamma has kept my
letters for I have written all about every thing & you will
like to read them when you come -- they will help me, you know,
when I "begin at the beginning+ ---- when are you coming? not
till I get home I hope. I don't exactly know [ Page 4 ]
when that will be -- but soon I think -- My Aunt Lizetta is with us, you know, &
[ Page 5 ]
going up the opening & finishing in a black velvet bow -- black bow behind also, "both before & behind" -- how do you like it, you can have yours made so if you like & we'll be twins -- or would you rather be twin with Bessie Winthrop *-- ? She has a black silk street dress made perfectly plain skirt with three rows of black velvet -- cross-way velvet -- little over half a finger wide -- not quite the same width apart, upper skirt one row of velvet & fringe -- it is very pretty & very little work, but velvet costs & so does fringe. The Hunter girls have very pretty cashmere dresses -- a narrow ruffle round the bottom, about an [ eighth corrected ] wide, & then eight folds about one inch & l/2 wide,
[ Page 6 ]
finished by a french roll -- I forget whether the upper skirt has a ruffle or fold -- then Bessie has a silk petticoat which I like very much, two rather wide ruffles, each with a heading & put on with a french fold -- both ruffles the same width & about an eighth apart, I should say, perhaps not so far -- & that's enough about dresses -- horrid things! -- This [ eve'g ? ] we are to dine at the Masons,* Kate, Johnny & I, then Johnny & I are to go to the Newmans' to a little party given in my honor -- Miss Lydine* love [ two unrecognized words ] the [ two unrecognized words ] beautifully. I have seen it, & it's a horrid looking thing, nothing but stamped [ cambric ? ]. Kate is so much better Sarah, goes out sailing, rowing, & every where -- even in the day time, is no longer an
[ Page 7 ]
owl. She is now going through a dreadful ordeal at the dentist's { -- } goes about every other day -- poor child -- has also been vaccinated, so is lame of an arm & all her teeth, & has a cold -- She however is well & seemingly in good spirits -- sends love & says she is going to write.
The Wedding* went off splendidly on the 19th. Willie looked handsome & Sarah did too, almost -- they both were in the best of spirits, & jolly & natural as possible. I was asked to the ceremony also, it was in the house -- wore my blue silk -- ^& tea rose-bud^ -- well, I won't tell you what Coz. Edward said -- but you know he is a man of excellent taste! -- He & Willie and Johnny all sail on the 15 of Nov. -- How Kate will miss them all this winter
[ Page 8 ]
King away, Sarah Gibbs too & every one --
Monday. Oct. [ deletion ] 31 -- I have left you for some time have I not, Theodora? -- I am now writing at Kate's desk in the back parlor, a beauty, given her by Cousin Edward. It is one of those with "figure holes," shelves &c -- & a "what-not" top, -- quite an elegant affair. Imagine my astonishment the first time I saw it open, & behold your Father gazing upon me --! here he is now, stuck up right in the middle -- "monarch of all he surveys"* for there is no other to dispute the ground with him -- the inside of
[ Page 9 ]
the desk that is, a little photograph of dear Mr. Birckhead presides over the out side -- just over your Father's head -- I must go back to where I left of -- & I don't exactly know where that is -- I have just now received a call from a very agreeable Mr. Reilly, Army officer.* Kate is out driving with one of her beaux, so you see she must be better -- for it is broad day light & bright sunshine between twelve & one -- This afternoon I was to take a walk with Miss [ Lydine ? ] but she has "backed out" which is fortunate for I should have been obliged to as my new boots which I bought just before coming here [ are corrected ] so large that one of them has rubbed up & down so on my heel that it has worn a place as large as a cent nearly all off -- & con-
[ Page 10 ]
sequently it is quite painful for me to walk, so we are going sailing with the L.C.* instead, Kate, Ellen,* & I -- wish you were here to go to{o}, don't you? This evening I go to a party at the Hunters. I must tell you about Sat. it was such a day! ---- the day Johnny left -- in the [ morn'g ? ] about ten we went for our last sail in the "Bessie " -- Ellen, Kate & I, Johnny & Willie -- it was perfect -- just rough enough {--} home soon after twelve -- then about one Johnny came again to say a last farewell -- then Mrs. Birckhead & I took a long walk till dinner time at three -- then Capt. M. came for us to sail a quarter past four, Kate Hunter, Kate & I -- splendid! It was so rough that we "shipped seas" continually -- I got soaking wet -- my shoulders were wet to the skin, notwithstanding a water-proof dress & wrap -- my hair
[ Page 11 ]
wringing wet. (Another interruption in the shapes of Mrs. Thorndike & Miss Wheaton)* I don't think I ever enjoyed a sail so much & in the same way, I mean, it was so exciting -- home just in time to change our clothes & go to drive with Cousin Edward at 6 oclock, a moon-light drive -- Kate & Ellen on the back seat, Cousin E. & I in the front -- It was very cold & the moon was behind the clouds nearly all the time, only once did it peep out & look at us for one half minute, but it was just perfect, we were in just the right place to see it, by the beach, & the light in the water was so beautiful {--} we went round the new road to Bateman's & back then to the beach -- home about half past eight {--} regaled ourselves on the drumsticks of a chicken & hot wine & water & went directly to bed -- don't you think it was a day indeed!? --
Today Cousin Edward has gone to Boston with Willie to meet Johnny there, the two brothers go on to Lenox & Cousin E. comes back tomorrow -- he leaves next week -- all to meet in N. Y. from where they sail -- expect to be home next May -- Had a nice letter from Mary* the other day -- It came to the Masons, & created quite a sensation
[ Page 12 ]
for they all thought it was a gentleman's writing, & wondered what gentleman friend I had in Cincinnati. Bessie wished to see the signature which I showed her -- "Ever yours M. R. J." which certainly did not make her any wiser -- I however enlightened her, as she seemed quite worried -- She & Mr. Winthrop go next Sat. to the Winthrops in Brookline for a little visit -- the [ cousins ? ] go the middle of next week -- dear me, if I had a house here I'd never go. Saw the moon rise just over the water last [ even'g ? ] -- it was perfect -- I miss Sarah King & Sarah Gibbs very much -- (another interruption, Mrs. Vernon & Mrs. Horner -- Jack's mother* I presume.) You see I am the only one at home & Mrs. B, unfortunately for me, told the servant to let any one in as she wished me to see Buck Winthrop, if he came & give him a message from her, & inquire about Willie, as he saw him in New York -- I have not seen him
[ Up the left margin of page 9 ]
for years. I am not likely to now, as he does not
[ Up the right margin of page 9 ]
seem to make his appearance.
[ Up the left margin of page 10 ]
I hope Kate has not eloped!
[ Up the left margin of page 11 ]
Write soon -- I shall have a great deal
[ Up the right margin of page 11 ]
of "filling in" to do when I see you.
Grace
[ Up the left margin of page 5 ]
Mr. Gibbs is in N. Y. with his wife & mother -- he[ Up the right margin of page 5 ]
was here the other day but never came near us!
[ Extra large in pencil cross-written on
p. 12. ]
Capt [ Walter's / Matthews ? ] [unrecognized
mark ] is to come [ & stay ? ] for another [
Monday ? ] & to walk [ four or five unrecognized
words ][ Extra large in pencil cross-written on
p. 8 .]
Just home from sailing { -- } lovely -- L. C. [ unrecognized words, perhaps 7 ]. I am writing by firelight -----
Notes
Theodora: Jewett's given first name, which is rarely used.
Johnny: Gordon Walden mentions three people who seem to be family members, but whose identities remain unknown: Johnny, Cousin Edward, and Aunt Lizetta. Reviewing genealogical information on her parents shows few candidates. It is possible that Aunt Lizetta is Ariana Elizabeth Smith Austin (1829-1911), her mother's cousin. But as yet, no close relatives have been discovered who are likely to be Johnny or Cousin Edward.
Kate: Probably Katherine de Costa Birckhead, though she could be Gordon's older sister, also Kate. See Key to Correspondents.
Carrie Hunter: Sorting out the Hunter family has proven very difficult. It would seem likely that "the Hunter girls" are relatives of Kate Birckhead's mother, Eliza Hunter. She was a daughter of American politician and diplomat, William Hunter (1774-1849) and Mary Robinson (1807-1863). Also connected with them may be Charles Hunter, who married Mary Stockton Rotch. They apparently had only one daughter, Mary Rotch Hunter (b. 1854).
Bateman's: Bateman's Hotel in Newport, RI, was an important resort and landmark.
drawing: Gordon Walden has drawn this image at this point in the letter.
malta lace: presumably Maltese lace.
Bessie Winthrop: It is possible that Bessie and Buck Winthrop (mentioned later) were Elizabeth Mason and Robert C. Winthrop, Jr. See the note below on the Masons.
Masons: Ellen Francis Mason was a mutual friend of Jewett and Gordon Walden. Her parents were Robert Means Mason and Sarah Ellen Francis. Her sister, Elizabeth Mason (1844-1929) was the fourth wife of Robert C. Winthrop, Jr. (1834-1905). See Key to Correspondents.
Miss Lydine: Probably Lydine is a first rather than a last name. This person has not yet been identified.
The Wedding: Gordon Walden refers to the marriage of Dr. William Hunter Birckhead and Sarah Gordon King. Dr. Birckhead was Kate Birckhead's brother. See her entry in Key to Correspondents.
Sarah Gibbs … Capt. Matthews: Probably Gibbs was Sarah Gibbs Thompson (1843-1924). She was the daughter of William Channing Gibbs (1787 - 21 February 1871), former governor of Rhode Island, and Mary Kane (1800-1873).
Later in the letter appear Mr. Gibbs, his wife, and mother. This may be Sarah Gibbs's older brother, Frederick Augustus Gibbs (1828-1893) and Jane Rosalie West (1834-1897), along with Mary Kane Gibbs.
Captain Matthews could be the Civil War veteran, David Andrew Matthews (1847-1923). He became a captain during the "Indian Wars." After leaving the army, he returned to Worcester, MA, where he eventually became Chief of Police in 1907.
"monarch of all he surveys": British poet William Cowper's (1731-1800) "The Solitude of Alexander Selkirk, " opens, "I am monarch of all I survey."
Mr. Reilly, Army officer: This is completely speculative. Henry Joseph Reilly (1845-1900) served in the U.S. Army artillery at the end of the Civil War, and by 1866 he had been promoted to Second Lieutenant. He died in battle during the Boxer Rebellion in China. A battery at Fort Adams in Newport, RI, was subsequently named for him. Whether he was in Newport in 1871 is not known.
the L.C. : This reference remains unknown. Locally, the L.C. has meant Little Compton, a Rhode Island town near Newport. Or perhaps Gordon Walden refers to a local club?
Mrs. Thorndike & Miss Wheaton: Residing in Newport at the time of this letter were Charles Thorndike (1834-1910) and his wife, Mary Edmondson Edgar (1836- 1910). See The Harvard Graduates' Magazine (1910) pp. 735-6.
In the absence of more information, it is difficult to speculate which Miss Wheaton this is. A possibility is Alice Wheaton (1833-1922).
Mary: Mary Rice Jewett. See Key to Correspondents.
Mrs. Vernon & Mrs. Horner -- Jack's mother: The Vernons were a prominent merchant family in Newport. This letter might refer to Sophia Peace Vernon (1802-1880) or to her daughter-in-law, Mary Peace White Vernon. According to A History of the Vernon House in Newport, R.I. by M. L. Stevens, Mrs. Horner was Sophia Vernon's sister (p. 51). Other internet documents indicate that this may be Anna Horner, but no further information has yet been located.
Presumably, the reference to Jack's mother is a joke related to the nursery rhyme, "Little Jack Horner."
Capt. Walters: This transcription is very uncertain; the name could even be "Matthews." If "Captain Walters" is intended, his identity remains unknown.
The manuscript of the letter is held by the University of New England Maine Women Writers Collection MWWC0196_02_00_022_01 . Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
Ella Maria Walworth Little to Sarah Orne Jewett
Boston
Nov. 13. / 71
Nov. 13. / 71
My dear Sara
I havn't* written you this week, for until this very minute I have been laboring under the delusion that you wrote me that you should come up some day last week{.} In rereading your letter I find that as Grace* is not at home you shall wait till she comes &c -- How stupid of me, but after all it is only the nature of the --- .
I havn't* written you this week, for until this very minute I have been laboring under the delusion that you wrote me that you should come up some day last week{.} In rereading your letter I find that as Grace* is not at home you shall wait till she comes &c -- How stupid of me, but after all it is only the nature of the --- .
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I am sorry to hear that you have been sick again{.} You must be a cautious child, now aren't you?
A change of air is just what you need. I wish you could let me know what day you are coming up this week, so I can be at home for you. I should be dreadfully disappointed to miss you. I havn't written to Mary* yet, but I mean to. She must be having a jolly time in Cincinnati. We are going to see Charlotte Cushman Tuesday evening in Catherine,* so we have been reading the play aloud. I [ unrecognized word ] have seen her, and I anticipate a
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a great deal, Emma* is [ two unrecognized words ] to go with us. Did I write you that I had an allowance, and I have great times settling my accounts. I know I could never be a book-keeper, for my debt & audit never balance. Aunt Joe* thinks I am very generous as I offered to take her Tuesday out of my allowance! Now if you were only here I would take you, dearie.
Have you read 'My Wife and I'* -- I think there are some splendid ideas in the book. I am reading it now, and to-morrow I am going to get that book you spoke of 'A Daughter
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of Heth.'* My time for reading is rather limited just now, for I havn't a dress to wear, and I have got to sew for myself -- Oh these hard exacting [ Mammas ? ]! mine, for instance. Mother's good moral lectures come to me a great deal [ oftened ? ] than they use to. It must be that I am 'back sliding down hill{'} as Dollie Codman* used to say. I can sympathize with you on hats, but I am going to be milliner to day, and see what I can concoct from the scrap box. What a splendid day this is, clear and cold, a day when one feels like exercising. I should like to
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all the morning if only I had somebody for company. Did I ever tell you Sara that my Cousin Charlie Hoyt* was editing a ^little^ paper in Chicago, and now for the question. Some time my dear, 'when you've nothing else to do' will you write a little piece of poetry for his paper. He would be perfectly delighted to have anything from your pen, for I told him about you when he was here last summer{.} Now please not feel obliged to do this Sara, for I only happened to think how nice it would be for him and so mentioned it.
I ought not to write longer
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this morning for I have so many things waiting for my fingers, not busy ones unfortunately. Write to me soon my dear, if you do not come up.
Very lovingly yours
Ella*
Ella*
Notes
havn't: Walworth Little consistently spells the word this way in this letter.
Grace: Almost certainly Grace Gordon Treadwell Walden. See Key to Correspondents.
Mary: Probably Mary Rice Jewett. See Key to Correspondents.
Charlotte Cushman ... Catherine: American actor and singer Charlotte Saunders Cushman (1816-1876). Though this has not been confirmed, it seems likely that the play in which she performed was Catherine of Cleves, a drama translated by Francis Egerton, 1st Earl of Ellesmere (1800-1857) from Alexandre Dumas (1802-1870), the elder's, Henri III et sa Cour (1829).
Aunt Joe: Though a number of Walworth Little's aunts and uncles are listed at Find a Grave, there are no women who would seem likely to be called "Aunt Joe."
My Wife and I: American author, Harriet Beecher Stowe published My Wife and I in 1871. See Key to Correspondents.
A Daughter of Heth: Scottish novelist William Black (1841-1898) published A Daughter of Heth in 1871. In 1873, he published one of Jewett's favorite novels, A Princess of Thule, the source of her name for her first horse, Sheila.
Dollie Codman: This person has not yet been identified.
Page 5: This page is written upside down on letterhead. Though the photocopy is difficult to make out, the letterhead appears to be an ornately decorated "W."
There is an envelope associated with this letter, addressed to "Sara O. Jewett" in South Berwick. There is no other readable information on the front. On the back is a note in another hand: Ella requests a poem for her cousin's paper 1871.
Charlie Hoyt: Charles Chase Hoyt (b. 1855) eventually went to work for Ella Walworth LIttle's father, in 1897 becoming vice-president of Walworth Manufacturing. See his letter to Jewett of 22 February 1876.
Ella: Apparently in another hand, this note appears below the signature: (a schoolmate of MRJ.)
The manuscript of this letter is held by the Houghton Library of Harvard University: Sarah Orne Jewett Correspondence Series: I. Letters to Sarah Orne Jewett MS Am 1743, (57) Ella 1 letter; 1871.
This transcription is from a photocopy held by the Maine Women Writer's Collection, University of New England, Letters from Sarah Orne Jewett, 1875-1890, Box 4, Folder 159, Burton Trafton Jewett Research Collection.
Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.
Georgina Halliburton to Sarah Orne Jewett
28 November 1871*
------- And I ask you with me to look back often during this week upon the past and let us close the old year with devout thankfulness for past mercies -- and prepare for the new with prayer and strong resolve to meet and perform all that is given us to do, so ere another twelve-month passes by, we may be more ready, reliable and faithful: let us do all the little things so well that that God may find us ready to bear heavier burdens, perhaps those of others or whatever He sees fit to send. If joy, may we give it to others, if sorrow we may carry it to Him. Let us strive with all this "Pride of Life" to remain humble, and to feel we are children of God, and for every treasure we possess here let us lay up double that treasure in Heaven, so when God calls us. it will not be hard to go for we will have more there than we leave behind. --------- Dear Sarah, when I think of our love for each other it makes me very happy, and it seems an instance of our treasure in Heaven -- I love you, not for anything outward and I know you love me in the same way -- We love what is good in each other, and that is God's, and is in Heaven, & the more we love our friends & each other in this way, the more we give unto God's Keeping. This is one of the happiest ways, save our love for God, of giving our treasure to Him, but we know of many ways beside. All the trials meekly borne, all deeds gently done, every right motive truly obeyed, & countless other ways which I am sure we know. We can, and I hope we will daily lay up our treasures in the blessed country where we shall one day meet them and be so glad to find them there before us -- not behind, wasted and perished in the cold world. --------- We will try every day to give something pure to God. Even a little sacrifice if nobly given will He accept, one little temptation resisted, one evil habit conquered. God will not deem it too small to keep for us, No, dear. I am sure some day the little deeds; the little kind words; the very least of all will be there to welcome us, and we shall not be strangers; it will be Home. -----------------I have written just as I wish I could talk to you and I shall be sorry if I have not been able to convey my meaning but I think we understand each other's way of expressing now. [Illegible deletion] I trust you will agree with me and we will begin together this new year, not as we began the old, but as we finished it."
Notes
1871: Jewett copied this portion of the letter
into her diary of 1871. She commented: "... one of the
best letters I ever had in my life, & which has done me
wonderful good. I like so much her idea expressed in the
first of the letter, that the world-year & the
Christian-year -- are distinct & yet join together in one
-- one is the motive, & the the other the
action: "the one working out the aspirations and hopes,
and building firmly the castles which in the holy year we have
founded upon works of faith."
Sarah Orne Jewett to Carrie Jewett [ Eastman ]
5 Walnut St.*
Saturday Decr. 30th '71
Saturday Decr. 30th '71
Dear Carrie
I did have the best time yesterday, and I will begin at the beginning and tell you all about it. You know I said that Mrs Waterston asked me to come up yesterday at 12, so Grace and I started out, though it snowed. She was very glad to see [ us corrected ] and took us first into the large library which is like a room in a novel! First we looked at the paintings and there was a portrait by Vandyke* and an old Dutch portrait of a lady which I liked very much -- Then we looked at some of the autograph letters which were very interesting. There was one of Napoleon the first's & Oliver Cromwell and Horace Walpole & Robert
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Burns* & a leaf from the manuscript of "Kenilworth" and quantities of others, & then we looked at the part of the library where the old books were: old missals and Bibles and one of the books which used to be chained in the churches -- with the chain still hanging to it -- These books you know were made before printing was discovered -- and all done with pens -- painted exquisitely with the illuminated borders and capital letters, all done by some old monk. It used to take almost a life time to copy a book. Then there were some of the first that were ever minted where the common letters were done with type and the coloured letters done by hand. & these could be done so much quicker that people thought the printers were in league with the devil! There
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was a copy of the famous Nuremberg
Chronicle* which I had read a great deal about -- Then,
after we had looked over the books & pictures as much as
we could we went into a smaller room beyond where there were
cabinets of minerals and petrifaction
& fossils of all kinds, & curiosities they brought
from California -- & then we went up stairs first
into Mrs W's own chamber & then
into her sitting room which was the most perfect room I ever
saw. There is a portrait of her daughter Helen who
died -- which I could not keep my eyes off of, it was so
lovely -- and so many engravings and beautiful water-color
paintings --. Oh dear! it was so charming! We stayed
nearly two hours, and came away in the midst of a portfolio
of pictures Mr. Waterston
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began to show us for we found it was so late & I had an engagement -- She went up to his study & brought him down & he was so interested because I came from Berwick. He did have such a good time He & Grace{,} & Mrs. W. & I "paired off". I thought I liked Mrs. Greene tremendously but I am much more fond of Mrs. Waterston already and I have promised to go there always -- I told her at Mrs. Greene's that I like the poetry which you know she had printed for her particular friends -- & dont you think yesterday she gave me one of the books and a photograph of Helen! Somehow or other she knows I write and we were the greatest friends. She reminds me of Aunt Helen Gilman* somewhat. Well -- after this we called upon the Soule's who were very pleasant though we could only stay a minute -- and then we came home and I went to return Mrs Winthrops call and then
[ Text ends; no signature ]
[ Up the left margin of page 4 ]
I shall not spend Mothers money{.}
Notes
5 Walnut Street: The Boston home of Jewett's friend, Grace Gordon. See Key to Correspondents.
Mrs. Waterston: The American writer Anna C. Quincy (1812-1899) married the author Rev. Robert Cassie Waterston (1812-1893). Their daughter, Helen Ruthven Waterston (1841-1858) died in Naples, Italy. Her main book of poems was Verses (1863). Her home was 526 Massachusetts Ave in Newton, MA.
Vandyke: Sir Anthony van Dyck (1599-1641), a Flemish painter, who did much of his work in England.
Napoleon the first's ... Oliver Cromwell ... Horace Walpole & Robert Burns: Napoleon the first is Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821), who became Emperor of the French in 1804.
Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), the British military and political leader who served as head of state during the English revolution of 1640.
Horace Walpole (1717-1797), the British author and politician.
Robert Burns (1759-1796), the Scottish poet.
Kenilworth: Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) published his historical romance, Kenilworth in 1821.
Nuremberg Chronicle: Wikipedia says: "The Nuremberg Chronicle is an illustrated biblical paraphrase and world history that follows the story of human history related in the Bible; it includes the histories of a number of important Western cities. Written in Latin by Hartmann Schedel, with a version in German, translation by Georg Alt, it appeared in 1493. It is one of the best-documented early printed books ... and one of the first to successfully integrate illustrations and text."
Mrs Greene: Probably this is Anna Blake Shaw (1817-1901), who married the minister and activist, William Batchelder Greene (1819-1878). Their daughter, Elizabeth (Bessie, 1846-1875), became a benefactor of the New England Hospital for Women and Children.
Aunt Helen Gilman: Mrs. Helen Williams Gilman. See Key to Correspondents.
the Soule's: While this is far from certain, it is probable Jewett refers to John Payson Soule (1828-1904), a Boston photographer, and his first wife, Harriet Campbell (1825-1884).
Mrs Winthrops: Probably, this is Cornelia Adeline "Adele" Granger (1819/20 - 1892), widow of John Eliot Thayer (1803-1857), who was the third wife of Robert Charles Winthrop, an American lawyer, politician, and philanthropist. Representing Massachusetts, he was Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1847-49. Her parents were the politician Francis Granger and Cornelia Rutson Van Rensselaer.
The manuscript of this letter is held by the University of New England Maine Women Writers Collection: Jewett Correspondence MWWC0196_02_00_062_01.
Transcription and notes by Terry Heller, Coe College.