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.

53

28 Aug. 1810

No 53

Mr Benjamin Tappan,

Northampton.

No. 54, to Eliza 2. Brookline, 27 September, 1810.

Dear Eliza,

We recieved your No 5 soon after its date, and were gratified with its contents. Mrs Perkins speaks of your attentions with pleasure. We also lately heard from you by Capt. Prince. By examining my journal, I find my last date is before commencement. Though father can not well reprove my neglect; for his last which I recieved is dated in May.

Bravo! Mr Williams is at length becoming like other preachers! He has preached two sermons, which did not interest as much as usual! Well, I love to hear people speak well of their ministers, and think them better than other folks, on the same principle, that I love to hear wives and husbands give me another preference about all the rest of the world.

You mention Elisabeth's birth day. I assure you, we did not forget it. Dear child, we are happy to hear, that her health is restored, and hope, she will reward you for all your attention by her affectionate and dutiful behaviour. Feroline has been quite indisposed with a cold. She is convalescing; but Lucy will not be able at present to go into Boston, and attend to your errands.

We had a fine commencement. It was my 26th; but Lucy could not go, though invited

by Mr Parkman. I dined at his table with an immense multitude from all parts of the United States. A considerable member of guests were from the Southern States. The day after Commencement, Lucy rose in Spurr's carriage with the Dr's family! I carried Miss Stebbins. Mr Allen vastly exceeded all our expectations. Mr Allston, I presume, did well; but I could not hear him. His attitude and gestures were in the very highest style of excellence. Saturday after Cam. Rev. Mr Dickerson of Walpole, N. H. spent [ye?] day with us. Poor man, he is still in persuit of a wife. He came near, it is said, finding one to his mind. But observing, on more particular aquaintance, that she had a crooked finger, this led him to reject her, as imperfect. 7 Sep. B'r John + wife spent the day with us, on their return from New York, and took home Salisbury, who had been with us during their absence. 10 Sep. the Rev. Mr Fiske of Wrentham called on us, and spent the night. The elegance of his chaise and horse, as well as his own handsome appearance made me suspect, knowing him to be a widower, that he was on the chace. Accordingly, after Lucy had retired, finding him very modest, I began to make inquiries about his solitary condition Vc. and he quick have me to understand, that he wished to change his condition, and, what is more, that he wished for the good offices of Lucy and myself. As good luck would have it, I was engaged to go with Capt. Babcock by sunrise, the next morning, to Framingham. The task therefore devalued on Lucy, by far the most suitable person, to accompany him to Miss A. Crafts, the lady, whom he wished to see. There I will leave him, and inform you, with Abigail and Feraline. On the 19th. I went to Wrentham Academy Exhibition; and of all the parades of the kind, this was the greatest, which I ever witnessed. The meeting house full; stage and curtains round the pulpit; printed hand bills of the performances; plays acted; all the officers of Providence College, but the President, present; band of musick consisting of 13 in uniform; an excort of [torn] hone company; an organ in the house, [torn] fits of straw, Vc. Vc. Vc. You must know [torn] this is the town, where straw braiding commenced; and it has now become an immense article of commerce. The ladies dress beyond what I have ever seen. Their bonnets, as you may well suppose, were of the very first order. We returned home, thursday afternoon. Saturday, 25 Sep. Aunt David Tappan with her son Benj. came to pay us a visit. Benj is just approbated; He preached the first sunday in Dr Dana's pulpit. Last sabbath, [Ah?] for Dr Holmes; Ph for Mr Channing. He is to preach for me, the Jan. vacation. They tarried with us, till wednesday morning. We really had a charming visit. Aunt is not robust; but in a very cheerful frame. I believe her a fine woman. What shall I say, but commission you to distribute among our friends more love, then I have room to express, and take a due share yourself from J.P. [Down center of page] P. S. Pres. Overflow[torn]t, overflowed; part overflowed, not overflown.

54 27 September, 1810.

[in center] No. 54 Mr Benjamin Tappan, Merchant, Northampton

No. 56 Brookline, 14 November, 1810.

Dear Sir, Your forever of the 10th instant was indeed acceptable, as it served to dissipate the fears, which I had begun to entertain, that our correspondence, on your part, was closed. For it was precisely six months between your last letters, since which I have written you no less than five. We sincerely condole with you, my dear sir, on the late lass, which you have sustained. From the circumstances, which you have detailed, your late sister must have been peculiarly dear to you. We rejoice to find that the same principles, which are your joy in prosperity praise your consolation in this time of trouble. We devantly hope, that they will continue to support you, till you arrive at that state, where these disciplinary dispensations will cease. Since I wrote last, the Rev. Samuel Clark of Burlington has been here with his new wife. She is really a discreet and prudent woman. I hope, she will be enabled to restrain his frivality, and to make him more sedate and prudent. What will Eliza think, when I inform her, that our Nancy White is about to marry Dr Goddard of Portsmouth with 11 children? Her mother will probably follow, if not accompany her. They will be really a great loss to us.