Colonial North America: Schlesinger Library

I gave Benjamin an anodyine [?] and he had a fine ngiths rest. We started from B a four, and had a delightful ride to N___ We came quite unexpectedly, for our good parents thought it utterly impossible for us to ride such hot weather.

There has been a council below stairs, my dear brother to determine whether Lucy should leave the family circle to finish her letter and finding the vote was against it. I begged permission to be her substitute, that I might tell you how sorry we are that you are not of the party particularly as my husband is still here and would have been particularly gratified to have met you. He has been detained by the excessively hot weather and now I have persuaded him to defer his journey a few days that he may become better acquainted with my friends

We are truly rejoiced to see Lucy + her fine boy, but we fell unwilling to expose my little babe to the terrible disease he has and therefore keep them separate entirely. I hope Lucy will stay to meet Sister Edwards, and that after she returns to you. Polly will come to see me. Her P and myself are very desirous that Elizabeth should go on to N. by this Autumn and I hope Sarah will ake her place here for a few months at Cast as our dear excellent Mother is so feeble and infirm to be left without a daugh ter. She is much thinner than she was a year since. My little one is very fat, quient + healthy and I am not a a little proud of her, as you may suppose. My health is improving, and I trust a kind providence will grant me an entire restoration in this my native air__When I contrast my situation with that of my friend Julia strong my heart rised in grateful emotion_ She is now so low as to be thought very near the close of life. about to leave her aged, affectionate father and her feeble sister so known [?] a lots too great for language to express Her death [?] has been dreadfully sooped [?] and her sufferings are now very great from an ulcerated throught + lungs. I am not permitted to even sit by her but I must close without allowing myself to describe my feelings on this mournful subject

My best love to all including Polly Tell my Lucy that her Mamma will bring her Alexander's present

[*All send their love*]

Affectionate regards too to John + his family and B Lewis + Susan Yours truly {affectionate} sister C Phoenix

46. Northampton, Dated, 1 July 1818. {Received} 3 July, ~~~~~~~ at 2 o'clock, PM.

Rev. John Pierce Brookline Care of Mr John Souppan [?]

Northhampton, 3 July My Dear Husband, Brother Charles this moment informed me that Mr Whitney was below stairs. I have just given our dear boy an emetic [?], notwithstanding I shall only have a few moments to write. I must let you know how we get along. I am happy to say that Benjamins cough is so very much better. I was only awake four times last night. I long much to hear from you and the dear family. Eliza is very anxious I should stay a few weeks here with her, but I know feel as if I should return with C. I am greatly disappointed not meeting sister Rebecca. I stil hope she will come. The stage drove up to the door very early this morning. I confidently expected she was in it (not reflecting from whence it came) but who should it bring but Mrs Spencer, she that was cousin Aurelia Tappon, where we shall stow her, nights, I cannot tell, for we all chose the quarter out the old hive. she intends making a long visit. I believe is a little out of health. I did not se Mr Whitney when he called, was preparing to lay down the baby and run down when I see him going from the house, he said he should start in an hour. I took the first piece of paper I could find, shall not scarcely know what I write, some one constantly speaking to me. I have really been hurried since I hav. been here dividing my time between Eliza. her baby, and my own dear boy.

I have a thousand things, I long to tell you but nust desist or this will not go at all. Tell the dear children, Mother thinks much of them. love to all. I hope they help Polly as much as possible, my love to her. Sister Ann wishes you to say to Miss Fuller, to use the eggs as she directed. Yours affectionate L Pierce

Northampton, 6 July 1818. My Dear Husband, It appears to me almost impossible that a week only has elapsed since I left my beloved friend at Brookline. I have in that time passed through a variety of scences, some pleasant, and some painful. I cannot find a still corner to write in, someone constanly speaking to me tho' they see I am writing. I shall send this by the mail tomorrow, as I know you will be anxious to learn how we get along. Sister Edwards arrived Saturday afternoon with her son William. he had business here. She is very thing, and quite out of health, she has no plan, but I hope she will not return to her family for some time.

Sister Eliza looks very pale and is feeble, her infant is a very delicate child, and requires a great deal of attention. mrs Spencer is another invalid. I can truly say, let me feel ever so unwell I cannot hear to complain. Our dear little boy was very restful last ngith and has some fever this morning. I do not know but it is in consquence of teething. he has one already through. He coughs seldom, yet when he does, it is very hard. I shall be anxious til I get him safe home.

We talk of going to Belchertown, thursday afternoon, and having the stage call for us the next morning, of course I shall be obliged to go to Boston. Mother has so many cares, that I intend to take Elizabeth Caroline to B with me. Monday afternoon. Farther and Mother have been proposing to me to say a few weeks and then return with one of our brothers from Boston, no they hope they will both visit them this season. I cannot agree to this, even if they could afford me a conveyace, which is uncertain. I rejoice to hear the children are all doing so well. Your letter afforded me more sincere delight, than any thing I have met with, since I left you. I am sure you would wonder how I could write at all, instead of beng suprised at the numerous mistakes I make, could you just peep in and see how I am situated

Our dear Elizabeth, has grown very thin, and appears to have but little strength. Sister E is very anxious to take her to New york when she returns. Mr P also seems solictous about it. He is still here, tho' he has been talking of going for a number of days. It is hard leaving wife and child.

Monday 6th, My dear Father, Mother was kept awake last night so long with little B. E. [?] that she has left me to add a little to her letter. On the morning of the 1st of July as I was preparing to go to school, I preceived a carriage coming up the street. I instantly ran down stairs to inform Grandma of uncle Charles arrival for we had expected him some time, but what was my suprise on going to the door to behold my dear mother seated in the carriage, with my dear little brother in her arms. We were rejoiced to see them and we all think that Master Benjamin Pappar [?] Pierce is an remarkably fine boy. Mr Williams called in the fervour + Mother took the opportunity to inform him that he visited Brookline very seldom.

Aunt Stoddard came here to tea and Grand-ma's three daughters fnd the pleasure dard [?] I spent the afternoon at Roberts Meadow. Cousin Cilliam took his brother John, Frances Greeenwood, and myself out plenty of them this year. Friday 3rd I was agreed that the fourth of July should be celebrated on this day but alas! how disappointing to their hopes it rained as to wet the ground and prevent their meeting in the lot. But they concluded to have the party in Mr Lyman's hall and uncle Charles, aunt Hera [?], little dear Maria, and Mrs Spewer went to it. She same fro all we have quite a house full. Mother did not wish stay out home with my dear little little Brother. Saturday 4th words [?]. She came in a [?] with cousin Wiliam, Aunt Stoddard invited us all to come out there to dinner and we shared the rest of their mail up here, we have so many here. All the rest of us returned before night.

Sunday 5th I staid at home all day Mother went to meeting Mr Asahel Pomeroy and his wife Mrs S Thomas Shelf Stoddard and uncle Charles, called in the evening Monday 6th Today the weather is quite worn, uncle P. [?] put set out as he expected because it looked so much like rain int he morning. We expect to visit Mrs Storrs this evening. I hope my brother and sisters have recover ed from the hooping cough. Poor little Benjamin suffers very much from it. Aunt Edwards left her children with it but she says they have it remark ably light there this year that the people try to have their children get it.

She says that cousin Henry and Ogda are much better I have had a fine nap, nothwithstanding constant talking in the room, and have taken the pen from Elizabeth to finish this and send it to the store that it may not fail to be sent. Tho' a poorly written letter I know it will be valued where I most wish to have it. Do remember me particularly to mrs Goddard Lousia Fr__ and other friends to inquire after me. My love to all the dear children. I feel thankful that Sarahs cough is better. What a fine time, and Mother will bring them a large piece of maple sugar. I hope to receive another letter before I leave this place yours truly affectionate LC Pierce

[*Love to all the dear children. also to Polly.*]

48. Northampton Dated, 6 July, 1818 {Recieved 8} ~~~~~~~~

Northampton ma July 7 12 1/h

{Reverend} John Pierce Care Mr. J. Sappan Boston Single

No. 85. Brookline, 23 February, 1814.

Dear Sir, Your's of the 9th. instant, with mother's, Eliza's, and Elisabeth's of the same date, we received, last saturday, the 19th. instant, to our great joy. You mention the deaths in Northampton, since 1 {January} and inquire concerning ours. Mrs. Partridge, our neighbour and Mrs. Richards were buried the same day; the second instance only of the kind, since I have been in the ministry. At the funeral of the latter, all was "mourning, lamentation, and wo"; and that of the former, it was almost the mockery of grief. Mrs. R. accompanied her husband to Northampton, sometime since, was a member of my church, and is greatly lamented. Since her death, we have buried Mr. Samuel Griggs, AE t. 59, a victim to rum. The only persons now sick in the parish are Miss Lucy Aspinwall, sister of the Dr. She is in a decline, and {Deacon} Clark, who appears to be failing with jaundice &. He has not been at meeting, since 9 {January}. It may seem to you almost incredible , that this is my very first letter, since the year began. I have been very busy in writing sermons, and in attending to other duties of my profession. On 1 January, we dined at {General} Gardner's. She is now mourning the loss of her father, who died suddenly of the [lump?] fever. His funeral, which was

To make Gingerbread

Take 1 lb. Flour, 3/4 lb. Sugar, a quarter pound Butter, 3 Eggs an 1 /2 oz Ginger & 2 Spoonsfull rose water.

DITTO Take 5 lb. Flour 2 /2 Sugar, 1 /2 lb. Butter, 3 oz Ginger, 14 Eggs, 14 Spoonsfull rose water, 2 or 3 Spoonsfull Milk

for a Calfs head Tortois fashion Tak Take a Calfs Head {with} {ye} skin on, and parboil it, & take all the bones out & cut in peices then season it {with} pepper & put a jill of Ketchup & [apr.?] Calfs feet in it, & Salt & Sweet herbs a little mace pounded fine, shread an Onion fine, about half a pint of Claret take {enough} of the Liquor that you parboil it in to cover it, set it a stewing at 11 o' Clock & keep it doing till after one season the Liver cut in slices & fry put it in a dish by it self, {with} some of {ye} Gravy & {ye} [heart symbol] {with} it, the tongue must go {with} {ye} stew, take {ye} Brains {with} some melted Butter a little Ketchup & put in a bowl, Garnish it {with} yolks of Eggs Boiled hard, and force meat Balls.

(9 To make Calfs foot Jelly.

Take a pd. Calfs feet well clean'd boil them well, {then} strain it, put in Sweet wine, the whites of five Eggs beat to a froth, as much Lemmon juice & [ap?] of the peal as you like & Sugar to {your} taste, boil it well

Hartshorn Ditto

Take /2 lb. shav'd Hartshorn, a Knuckle of Veal, put it into about 5 quarts of Water, & boil it to 3 pints when Jelly'd, put to it a pint of white Wine, & a pint of Water, 1/2 pint of Sack, {ye} whites of 8 Eggs {ye} juice of 5 Lemmons, {the} pairing of one Lemmon, & Sweeten it {with} double refin'd Sugar to your Taste

Pippen Ditto

Take 15 pippins, pared, cored, and Sliced, and put {them} into a pint & half of water, and let them boil till they are tender, then put {them} into a Strainer, & let {ye} thin run from them, as much as it will; & to a pint of Liquor, take a pound of double refin'd Sugar, wet your Sugar & boil it to Sugar again, then cut some chips of canded Oranges or Lemmon peale, and cut it as fine as Threads, & put it into {your} Sugar, & then {your} Liquor and let it boil till tis as Jelly {which} will be quickly, you may perfume it {with} Ambergrease if you please, pour {your} Jelly into Shallow glasses : when it is cold paper it up, & keep in {your} Stove

10) To Stuff Codd Take some grated Bread, minced Oysters, pepper, salt tine, Marjorum Eggs Nutmeggs, Mace, Beef suit, or Butter, with Anchovers mixt into it & Stuff {your} fish {then} make good Oyster Sauce.

To Stuff Legg of Mutton Take grated Bread, {with} Oyster, beef suit, Eggs, Anchovers, minced, Onions, Nutmeggs, pepper, Salt, If it wants more moisting wet it with Claret make a little Gravy {with} {ye} bone of {your} mutton, Claret Onions, pepper, Salt a Clove or two, pour over it when it is roasted

Cracknails Take 6 lb. Flour, 1 lb. Butter, 1 1/2 lb. Sugar, 18 Eggs, 2 Nutmeggs, & a little Milk

Mackroons Take 1 lb. Almonds, 1 lb. Sugar, {ye} whites of 4 Eggs, rose water

Soop Take strong Gravy forc'd meat Balls, & mace, & a handfull of Spinage chop't a small loaf of French Bread [Crup't?], & put into {ye} middle toasted Bread cut small & put round it, {ye} forc'd meat Balls must be stew'd a little