Poor Family Papers, 1791-1921. John and Lucy (Tappan) Pierce. John Pierce to Benjamin Tappan, 1810-1814. A-132, folder 9, Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

June 1814

[in center] Mr. Benjamin Tappan, To the care of the Rev. Benj. Tappan.} Northampton.

No. 90. Brookline, 24 June, 1814.

Dear Sir. Though I have written to you but a few days since, yet so good an opportunity occurs by Mr. Barry, that I cannot consent to let it slip. Nothing, I think, was mentioned in my last of cous. Benjamin's wedding. Lucy and I rode to Boston, in the afternoon of that day, 7 June, without Robert. We arrived at b'r John;s, 7 1/2 o'clock, thinking, that they would be ready to accompany us. But we did not start from his house, till after 8. John, Frances, Lucy and I rode in a hack. The house was spendidly illuminated. The company in the parlour were about 30, most of them elegantly dressed. The bride and bridegroom were not in a Chamber by themselves, as is customary among us; not did they sit together, like two buckram images, as is also common; but they mingled indiscriminately with their friends. After the bells had done ringing for 9, lo! the bell of the house rang most violently, and Bp. Behon and suir were announced! The Bp performed the ceremony with great ceremony, and the bride succeeded in repeating the responses, so as to be heard.

She was supported by two of her companions from the Sisterhood, Miss Irving and Miss Codman, sister to John. In the room adjoining the parlour, into which we could look through the opening of the folding doors, were about 20 of the blind, lame, [halt?], and maimed, some, I suppose, of Eliza's protegees, who came to take the last lingering look. We arrived home at Brookline, about 11 o'clock. You have seen, or will see so particular an account of the celebration of the downfal of Bonaparte in the Stone Chapel, that I can add nothing new. I can only say, that it was to me a most interesting occasion. Lucy did not go. Mr Channing's discourse produced a wonderful effect. If the great Wilberforce could say* of {brother} C's sermon on Bonaparte, published some years since, that "it contained his own sentiments much better expressed, than he could express them," what will he say of this? A person has gone directly to France, as Mr. {Samuel} G. Perkins informs me, who is intimately acquainted with Louis XVIII, and will hand him this discourse, within a few weeks. Have I mentioned to you the conversation of my neighbour, Thomas Walley? If not, it may surprise you to hear, that he has renounced Protestantism and become a Roman Catholick. Of this he informed me, on 1 June. I can truly say, that it did not suprise me. His mind has been leaning that way,

*in a note to {Brother} Harris, who sent him the discourse.

ever since I knew ^him. He has kept company with few, except the catholick ministers. They have been much at his house, have lent him books; and, when he has met with difficulties, they have resolved his doubts. I have been taking pains with him, without his being conscious of it, for some time. But what could I do with a man, who has long taken it for granted, that every thing said against the Catholicks is slanderous, and every thing alleged by them in their own favour is just and impartial? In many respects, this change is matter of grief to me. But it is a relief to me to have him take even this decided stand, rather than to witness his unstable and inconsistent conduct with respect to publick worship and the management of his [christianity?] Nor can I help adding, that I consider him, as to the step, which he has last taken, more consistent, than many among us, who while they call themselves protestants, in effect make pretensions to Catholick infallibility by condemning and exposing to the hatred of their fellow christians those, who, after the strictest inquiry, cannot conscientiously adopt their system of faith. With affectionate remembrance to your family and our other friends I remain, as ever, your dutiful son, John Pierce.

90. 24 June, 1814.

June 1814. Mr. Benjamin Tappan, Northampton. Mr. Barry

Mr Barry returns tomorrow afternoon. B. J.

No. 91. Brookline, 4 November, 1814.

Dear Sir, We were rejoiced to find by your letter to brother Lewis, that you both returned so safely and happily to your own fireside.

The day you left us, I went to Boston, and finding, that my cousin Edward Blake Junr. who married a Parkman, had lost his second daughter AEt. 14, I attended the funeral, that afternoon. Within a fortnight, they lost 3 daughters, all of Typhus fever. So that they probably experienced more trouble in that short space, than the aggregate of all they have suffered, since they entered this world of tribulation.

The next day, I was at the funeral of the Rev. J. L. Abbot. The sermon by Mr. Everett was appropriate, solemn, ingenious, and impressive. Mr. Frothingham will in all probability succeed Mr. A.

On 22 October, I went with some of my parishioners to Fort Independence. Among others I met your Col. Brick.

Monday, 24 Oct. I heard a very ingenious address by Dr. Holmes before the Anti-