Charles Larned letter - April 3, 1813
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Larned, Harriet
Larned, Ruth
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Abstract
A 3 page letter to Charles Larned from his sister [Harriet] and mother [Ruth], dated Pittsfield, [Massachusetts], April 3, 1813. The letter is addressed to Mr. Charles Larned, Winchester, Kentucky. The letter contains news about the Larned family, many of whom were actively involved in the War of 1812, as well as news about their local community. Archival collection RG 451.
Description
Letter Transcription:
Pittsfield, April 8, 1813
I think that by this time my dear Charles you will allow I have some reason to
give you a gentle reprimand for breach of duty—but I will not censure you
upon suspicion maybe you have substantial reasons—at any rate one cannot
very graciously reproach the other for negligence I for one am healthy as ham
& that we have so seldom exchanged letters during your absence & on my
honor promise to be a better girl in future—but the truth is my Dear Charles I
am secretary for the Family—Mama you know never writes & James but
seldom & they are all dispersed in different directions, consequently I have
many calls upon my time—this to be sure is a pleasant duty & I urge it only as
a slight palliation for my remissness if you should consider it as such—now I
have finished my preface—I will try to be more interesting & doubtless I
succeed. Our dear Father we hope & trust is now in Green Bush, where he
will probably remain a month perhaps & from thence he expects to go to
Sacket’s harbor—at which place you know our troops are fast collecting-- We
shall hope to see him either here or there before he goes. Brother George I
believe is [still] at Plattsburgh but expects soon to be removed to some other
military part perhaps with Papa (I hope so at least). We have just got letters
from Brothers Sylvester & Joseph at Middlebury—they are in good health.
Mama has for some weeks been afflicted with an inflammation in her eyes but
seems now to be convalescing. Sister Martha has been somewhat unwell for a
few weeks but is now tolerably recovered. James & myself are both in our
usual good health & at this time seated by the same stand, one reading, the
other writing. Thus my Dear Charles have I given you an abstract history of
our Family—but here indeed is a wonderful omission; not a word about Miss
Harriet Hunt, who in truth ought to have been noted first but the last she’s not
the least in my memory. She is much grown since you saw her, but does not
speak as fluently as we could wish—a few word she can say. Probably before
this you have been informed of the great loss your friend Sherrill has sustained
in the death of his mother—also of the revolution that has taken place in
Hackbridge as it respects the religion & morality of the place that more than
one hundred on the plain have become religious converts & c—indeed I am at
a loss what to say that will afford your pleasure—a narrative at this time must
be gloomy indeed. The distressing situation of our country at this time would
make almost any recital melancholy. The prevailing epidemic has swept off
many of your acquaintance no doubt. Mrs. Dewey of Williamstown, the
sister of Mrs. Danforth, has left a Husband, Children & many Friends
sincerely to lament her loss—some few have died in our village, but we have
escaped astonishingly –it has raged in every town about us--If we are
unwilling to acknowledge a God in his mercies. I fear she shall be compelled
to do it in the awfulness of his judgments.--------I am much [pleased] with our
new neighbors the Parsons Wife & a Miss Woodward her cousin is a fine girl,
I think, Mrs. Allen has not a handsome face but something in her manner that
interests one her person I think the handsomest I ever saw & the Parson seems
well pleased with his selection—Mrs. Ripley is with them this winter & will
probably remain thro the summer—Her husband at [Sackett’s Harbor] little or no alteration is apparent since her marriage—she seems as gay & fond of
company as ever.-------Mrs. [McKnight] it is expected will commence
housekeeping in about three weeks in the house formerly occupied by Mr….
[Report] says that Mr. Goodman & Clarissa Weller are soon to be married &
many other things that I must omit to mention for Mama wants a… PS
reserved--now my Dear Charles remember you are considerably… & I am
confident you have as much leisure as I have –… be ceremonious but write
whenever I find time not & I beg… the same – I tell James I shall not send his
love for he must write himself. I shall anxiously expect you to write & do not
disappoint your affectionate, sister--H
One word my Dear Charles from your affectionate Mother who longs to see
Her Dear son Charles—but being deprived of that rich blessing at present—
begs Him so to conduct that she may hope for it ere long—do you search the
Scriptures and keep the Sabbath holy unto the Lord—and all the sacred
Commandments of God—it is my ardent desire…He would protect, support
and provide for your soul and body and believe me your affectionate friend
and Mother. R Larned.