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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& Because. We each of us subscribed for the Huntress, she gave us each two books, written by her many years ago -

She is the most filthy specimen of humanity I ever beheld, her fingers look like birds, claws, in color & attennuity, they shone as if glazed.

A great black New Foundland dog, old Cat & kittens sat at her feet - & Mrs. R. says eight years ago she had in addition to these 2 guineau hens & two little pigs running about the floor. She was writing her editorial for this weeks Paper

Said I to her what a wonderful woman you are, she answered me, "I know it."

[17] [illegible]

March 28.

A little snow storm in the night - somewhat cloudy we visited the Washington monument about 10 Oclock A. M. then went to the Smithsonian Institute. Mrs. Rose made application to Prof. Henry, for the privilege of speaking in the Smithsonian Hall, he very blandly told her that they had to be very careful whom they per mitted to speak there - they could not allow any one to speak on any Political question of the day - Nor any exciting question, it would disturb the harmony of feeling for a woman to be allowed to speak at this time, & he hoped she would not make application to the Board of Regents. returned to the St. Charles & went to the Capitol about 1 Oclock, heard a speech from a Representative from Illinois against the Nebraska Bill, but nothing to atone for my

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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--

Battenville 1 Mo 1 - 1838

Received 1 mo. 10.th 1838 At D. Joulsons boarding school

Respected Daughters

A happy New Year to yourselves - Teacher and your associates - We have rcd Susan's letter of I think the 17 ult -- or rather we have rcd two posts from her & none from Guelma - there was one last week in the offce from Phil for Mary Ann McLean & one [before??] I have nothing new to say to you only that we have now 4 P. M. just got through with eating not Turkey but Goose a good one it was prepared by Hannah in most elegant style -- the little company that destroyed it consisted of no one except the every day inmates of the old store - this number however was complete -- even Merritt occupied his corner of the table and picked his share of the carcass -- I should have had just a piece for you had you been on the spot

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Dear Sisters

I have nothing in particular to write Father says he has commenced this letter and says that Mother and I must finish it. He has given you a history of the most important matters So that we shall have an easy task to write the rest.

Mary Stout is teaching school at the same place when She taught last summer & Harriet goes about making wedding cloaks. The last she made was for Caroline Cole who is going to be married (so report says) to Ancon Collins this winter (two fools met). Grandfather & Grandmother continue about as they have been. The rest of us are able to eat our share of the Goose--Daniel has not returned from the west yet. Our folks talk some of going out after him. Almira Howe is not coming to teach our school as we expected. Ira Howe and Emeline Read are both maried to somebody. Mrs Burdick continues along about about as she was when Susan left home. R Carter has not recovered yet but is able to sit up and ride out some -Esq. McLean's folks had a large party a week ago last Friday Evening. There was a good many folks there but I dont know any of the particulars. Aaron wont tell any thing about it only that it was first rate ----There was great sleigh rides on Christmas. The common folks went to Woodworths in Salem and had an oyster supper & dance in the Evening. Such as Dewitt & M. and McLean Clapps folks, Fords, & Coles, & Bishops & Collins &c&c went to Salem Aby McFarland also. -- But the upper crust went to Union Village, and had an oyster supper & fair

Such as Esq. McLeans Girls, Sophia Fitch, H Stout, Henry && Ann McLean Esq. & [??] Docter Collins went to the villiage

I expect they had a high scrape for Aaron looked the next 2 or 3 days, as tho he had been shot through a wood pile, and his appetite was vey poor &c --