Colonial North America: Schlesinger Library

No 48. Boston, 8 March, 1810.

Dear Sir,

I am in town, not only to attend Thursday Lecture, but alas! for me, to preach it. I am now at you son John's store, and can spare you 10 minutes.

Thursday before last, 22 Feb. I brought out Eliza and Elisabeth, who had been tarrying in Boston with her aunt.

The next day, brother John & wife with their two children came out, & spent a generous day with us. I forgot to mention Wm's daughter, who is really a fine child and who appears not only contented, but happy.

On the 26 Feb. I attended the funeral of Mrs Howe at Dorchester, my beloved Aunt, the only surviving sister of my mother. She was a truly pious and intelligent woman, and has left a long written legacy of advice and instruction to her children.

1 March I dined at Mr Tyng's, who lately married Betsy Higginson. We had a considerable party.

No49. -------------------------------------------------Brookline, 22 March, 1810.

Dear Parents,

As I predicted, my present letter is to announce to you the joyful tidings, that Lucy is safely confined with another daughter. To par ents it will be expected, that I shall be some what particular in detailing circumstances, though as Eliza writes, it will probably be a story twice told; yet I may possibly mention some circumstances, which escape her recollec tion or knowledge.

Lucy had waited so long beyond the 1st of March, that she became almost impa tient for the great event to arrive. Her nurse, a poor woman, was fortunately sent for by a woman in Roxbury, who had not previously engaged her, and there she has staid 3 weeks of our engagement, so that she will sustain no loss by waiting for us.

Monday afternoon, the 19th, Lucy was so disagreeably affected with the heart burn, that she took, of her own accord, while I was gone to the Association in Boston, a dose of epicac. But, she was so fearful of exceeding

No. 50. ------------------------------------------------- Brookline, 12 April, 1810.

Dear Sir,

Since my last, which expressed our joy ful emotions at Lucy's safe confinement, we have had to lament a new complaint, which sometimes happens to women in her situation; but which is very rare and very troublesome. Dr Band tells Adam Babcock, whose friendly solicitude for Lucy led him to consult so experienced a man, that there is nothing in their whole practice, for which they find it more difficult to assign the cause, or to prescribe a speedy remedy. Our Dr says the same. But the physicians say, that it is not so much a dangerous complaint, as a slow and tedious one. But Eliza has described it to you. I need not therefore enlarge. Never could any body be more useful, than Eliza has been, s ince her last visit to us. She is a great comfort to us all. Every moment of her time is employed in something, which improves her

own mind, or is beneficial to us and the children. When Lucy Pierce can bear it, she reads to her. Every day she has her regular hours for instructing the children, and superintending their work. In the evenings, when Polly has leisure to sit and work, she reads to her in the nursery. It is indeed one of the greatest comforts to Lucy Pierce in her confinement to have a sister here, who is so affectionate, attentive, and helpful. She often remarks, that there is not one girl in a thousand, who would so completely seclude herself from the world for the benefit of a sister's family. Lewis has been very solicitous to allure her into Boston, not only to see him more frequently, bu to ride with him in the circus. But she prefers doing good to following amusement, even when it would gratify a darling brother. The only relaxation, which she allows herself, is to go into Boston on Thursdays with me, and carry one of the children. Last thursday, or the thursday before last, we carried Abigail, and she walked from the sign of

[recto]

the Lion down to John's, and was very happy through the day. Yesterday Madam Partidge sent a message by her niece to have our two youngest children, meaning the two youngest but one, come and spend the day with her. We sent them; and they accordingly spent the whole day there very happily among entire strangers, though we sent Joshua once or twice to see how they behaved, who brought back word, that they were very contented.

I write, as you see, in great [haste]; for I have had much to do to prepare [the] records of the Bible Society, who [are to] meet this afternoon to organize, choose [?].

Elizabeth Pierce has doubtless informed you, that Lucy Pierce is in good spirits, trusting to Providence, and patiently waiting a happy issue from all her afflictions. We are sensible, that mother's services will be so much wanted with our good sister Rebecca, that we cannot indulge the hope of seeing her soon. But Lucy Pierce wishes to have her mother easy on that score, as she says, that Elizabeth Pierce has been more useful to her, than mother could have been. With love to mother, brothers & sisters, aunt & cousins, we remain ever your's

J&L Pierce.

quently rubbing her swoln limb. Her spirits remain good. But when she will be abl to walk about the house with tolerable ease, it is impossible to form any rational conjecture. We esteem it as a very great favour, that Elizabeth Pierce has been able and disposed to continue with her sister so much, and afford her so great assistance. Since the nurse went away, we have had a Hannah Prentiss; but she was unable to stay more than a fortnight. So I carried her to Boston on Monday, and brought out Elizabeth Pierce. We hope, she will tarry with us as long, as she can consent to be absent from home, and you can possibly spare her. I think, it is injurious on some days to Lucy Pierce to see so much company. Besides two of our Midway friends, who spend the last night, we have had no fewer than 15, who called this afternoon and evening. We are very sorry to have your expected visit to us delayed so long; but we acquiesce in it, as the will of providence. We hope, that all obstacles will be soon happily removed, and that our dead sister E. will experience renewed tokens of the divine favour. I was happy to learn, that your people remember their good minister in these difficult times. ------------------ The additional compensation must be highly gratifying to him, when considered as an almost unanimous expression of the people's good will. on the 26 Ap. our neighbour [Tolman?] lost his only son. This makes 3 children they have lost of the cholera morbus within 10 months. it is a most afflictive providence. But I must say that they endure it, as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. The wife of Wife of Mr Holden, the wheel wright is judged in a consumption and near her end. Capt Corey has a complication of disorders, and, it is supposed, will not continue long. Otherwise it is a very general time of health with us. This morning, Miss Stebbins [illegible - began?] school in the new building erected for the [illegible] pose by Mr Walley. She limites her number to 17 of whom Sarah is one. Elizabeth Pierce would also have gone were it not, that her aunt depends on carrying her to N. when she returns. Lucy Pierce joins me in affectionate remembrance to our mother & all our dead friends. The same day, on which I received you last, I had a letter from Arthur of the 6th ins. He writes like one who is deeply impressed with a snese of religion, and who mourns his privation of religious instruction more, than any other inconvenience of his present situation. With affection and respect I remain your's vc John Pierce.