Schlesinger Library

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Lucretia Mott

"In the true marriage relation, the independence o the husband and wife is equal, their dependence mutual, and their obligations reciprocal." __ Truth for authority not Authority for truth

was the last autograph line she made just a few days before her death Nov. 11 1880 - She would have been 88 - the 3 of Jan. 1881 --

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Parker Pillsbury returned from England in May 1856 -___________________________ Mr. Northrup - championed Petitions winter of 1856 - and Jam. A. [Jelka?] made a ridiculous report from the [funding?] Com. in [March?]-

This morning sir-Letter from Uncle Howe-says one of his Daughters can come (?) here as before 3 days of week 9 A M DA

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12/15.

The foregoing was written on the seventh day previously with an intention of copying, and sending it, but procrastinated from day to day until the week passed away. The cause of my neglecting it was not the absence of this mind from home, but that it is obliged to occupy every moment in studies.

I was requested 5 day evening last, about 7 o'clock, by one of the scholars, to step out and vew the Aurora Borealis, which she said was extremely brilliant and beautiful: and when there, I looked towards the north, but discovered no light and then to the zenith which was indeed magnificent; but said I, that does not look like the Aurora, it is more like a light from a fire and upon investigating found it so to be. The light appeared in the east, we walked in that direction, when we looked at the flames bursting forth in stupendous grandeur; not a bell was heard, all was calm with the exception of the minds of some of the scholars whose parents resided in the City. The scene indeed would have been to the eye, extremely pleasing, had it not been for the reflection that some of our fellow beings were about being deprived of a home and perhaps lives also. We learned a few moments after witnessing this phenomena that the fire was occasioned by the conflagration of a large board yard near Market Street Bridge. It was the largest fire I ever saw.

16th. Afternon. Received Fathers letter mailed the 12th this morning and were somewhat surprised as ??? we received one but three days previous, yet were very much pleased to again hear from you, hope you will continue ??? [write?] as often. When you cannot find leisure [moments?] to write please send newspapers even if there is nothing in them interesting to us in the extreme in this foreign region, distant from dear friends and native home; but that is not saying we do not meet with kind people in Hamilton; yet they are not Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters, nor can the scenery be converted so as

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to appear like home. Was glad to hear that Cousin Almira was coming out to spend the winter with you. Yes Father, notwithstanding I felt rather homesick on my first arrival here, yet I slept as well as could be expected that night after thou left us and was ready on the ensuing morning to commence my studies with as much avidity as could be expected after having been so long out of the practice. Have not had but one real homesick fit and that was one week from the night that Father left us felt then as if I were taking leave of him again, in fact the tears have come into my eyes while I have been writing the last sentence but do not suppose I carry a gloomy countenance all the time, far be it from that, yet oft do I think seriously of home and the endearing ties which bind us together. Father we will look at the sentiments, not the orthography and grammar of thy letters in which I did discover some errors. I have become somewhat initiated so much so that Deborah says she forgets that I am a new scholar. I have been through with Colburns meltal within arithmetick. [The first lessons.]

Guelma joins with me in love to all.

I or rather we remain your Daughters

S. B. Anthony

Dear Sisters.

1st day 17th. Here I am in Hamilton enjoying myself much better than I anticipated before leaving that dear inestimable spot called home in Battenville, but what would that place be to me were those friends, [whom? ?? ] prize above all earthly beings) removed to some other [part of??] the land; no more than is Hamilton nor so much, for surely the exten ded plains and would be beutiful groves (were it not for the decay of nature) of this more salubrious clime, far surpass the hills and uncouth rocks of our dear native land, where the chilling blasts of the arctic regions, are more severely felt. Guelma with many of the scholars have gone to meet ing, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather. Thought I

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would not go as we had but one pair of "Gum's" (as they call them). I did not attend meeting a week ago for the same reason. Here they all come wet and talking as fast as they can. Do remember and send papers often as we need them to cover books as well as to read.

If you cannot devote a few moments just ask ?? if he does not want to write our names on a piece of paper and ?? direct it to to West Phila. Was sorry to hear that M. B. McLean was wors, hope her disease will not prove so bad as inticipated. Do write both of you. Your sister Susan

12 Mo [26th]

Find my eyes do not hold as well as usual are some hinderment to my studies Having an oportuny of sending to the office have not corrected

[Postmark]

Philadelphia Dec 21

Daniel Anthony P.M. Battenville Washington Co. NY

Recieved 12 Mo 26th 1837

[Arrived? arrived?]

Susan B. Anthony Hamilton P.a.

1837

Battenville 12th 11 1837

Respected Daughters

As yet we have recd no letters from you since I left the Shades of Hamiltonville - One paper with G's name dated 30 Ult. has been recd -Tomorrow morning we look for a letter This will leave here & go as far as Salem tomorrow 4th day it will or ought to go to Albany & so on--I expect Steam Navigation begins to be interupted by ice whenever this is the case letters between us will be still longer on their way.

Russel Carter continues quite bad but is thought to be rather improveing -- Sally Burdick -- Matthew says (who is now present with me in the counting room) is some better but many think her consumptive -- does not speak at all but sitts at Table with the family by being moved there -- 7 inches of snow fell yesterday -the weather being stormy our little Meeting was still Less -- Sleighs are running today. ??? Maria McLean is quite out of health has had Doct Stevenson of Cambridge calld He thinks her case rather bad -- inclining to be dropsical -- Have had letter from Danl R -- all well there -- I am inclined to think from his letters that he dont

Deborah to inspect & correct his writing -- His composition perhaps may be called better than the Grammer or Spelling both of which are far from being perfect --

I have written for Almira Howe to come down with her Father & Mother who are expecting soon to be here Should there be sleighing their as well as here -- have asked them to take in Danl R if convenient -you will probably think I had better look out for the correctness of my letters--this I had ought to do--but I dont send them up a standard of correctness or of Grammatick perspicuity for any to follow-Has Susan become initiated into the tack ticks of Hamilton Institute &&c

12th Susans Letter to Self--& Somebodies to Aaron was rcd this morning--but have not time to read much of mine as the mail is waiting Aaron is at Breakfast

Love from all to all D Anthony

Daniel Anthony P.M.

Battenville N Y Dec 12

G., D. & S. B. Anthony West Philadelphia PA

Care of D. Moulson

Albany 12 Mo 21. 1837

Received 12/30

Respected Daughers

I left home home yesterday morning -- your Mother has [?] very bad--never saw her worse than she was first day night--Old folks pretty smart--have just rcd letter from Danl R but none from you lately - he is intending to come home soon - no news from Almira - Suppose the sleighing in that country not good enough Just rcd letter from your Grand Father Anthony - together with one of his or Cousin Mary's eighty pound cheese too as a Christmas token for his three children -- Russel Carter now rides around among the neighbours Sally Burdick thought to be rather improving -- Says [?] word --

In haste --

Daniel Anthony

Sickness -think to return home this day--