Susan B. Anthony Papers, 1815-1961. Correspondence. With family; also one letter from uncle Albert F. Dickinson and an exchange of 14 letters between Susan B. Anthony and her sister Guelmar's future husband, Aaron M. McLean, 1839. 23 ALS.. A-143, folder

New Rochelle 7 mo. 28. 1839 First day P. M.

Dear Friends:

Two weeks have now elapsed since I received your last acceptable communication. I have not much to write only to remind you that Susan B. still remains in Rochelle and would be extremely happy to have ^your kindness in writing continued.

Are not any of you coming to New York this summer & out to see me. G. P. in her letter spoke of C. McLeans anticipating coming to New-York. If she does, tell her to come out here, by all means, & spend a little time with me & I will accompany her to the Lea [shore?] and show her how to go in bathing. We went again day before yesterday rode to the shore, as many as 14 of us, it was low tide therefore was not quite as pleasant, but still it was delightful. Tell Catharine that the stage leaves 21 Bowery St. & the steam boat the foot of Fulton every day between 12 & 3, but as the time frequently changes between those hours, I will not be more definite.

We have a scholar here that is deaf from the same cause that C is, namely the ear wax becoming hardened. She has been advised by an old friend (who ^has been taking care of Eunice, & who has known the beneficial effects of of the application in several instances), to put salt moistened with vinegar ^so as to drop, into the ear. The scholar has

[2] put it in her ear but twice. The Friend says it must be used every night for 6 weeks. I hope C. will have faith ^to try it, it must not be washed out of the ear in the morning. I just asked the girl who is deaf if she thought it had helped her any what little time she had used it & she said it had a great deal. A great deal depends on a persons having faith, Tell C to be faithful.

I have now been mistress in the school & house for three weeks, & no small trial has it been yest [&?]the hope to have some assistance from E. this week. I believe I have done all & as well as I knew how, very nearly.

2d day P.M. Another day has passed & I fear if I were to tell you the ^feeling of this frail heart during the day, they would cast a gloom over your mind & not [?] dispel mine. Eunice has been in school this afternoon & the scholars have kicked up their prettiest I can assure you., but I hope I will not judge from this that they have done so during her absence, for they have not, but I must must try to keep New Rochelle affairs at home. Do write and say all the good things you can think of, so as to comfort this distressed heart, but I expect in an hour [or?] two I shall feel as [cheery?] as ever. Heard from Phebe this morning she is well. Think I shall write to her this week as it is Quarterly meeting week at Purchase & friends frome this place attend ther. From your unworthy---Susan B.

[3] But still I wish to hear from you often. My dreams wander home nearly every night. Last night I had a very unpleasant one with respect to l[?]sings concerns about home of which I have frequently thought during the day. But they say you must take dreams just opposite, so I will try to think all is well.

They are waiting to take this to the office.

So no more of this stuff.

Susan B Anthony

Susan Banthony

Aaron M. McLean P.M. Battenville Wash Cty. N.Y.

1839

Batten ville July 29. 1839

Susan [&?]

I wrote you on Saturday last and wrote then all I knew and have had no new Ideas occur since then. So thus you need not be surprised if this should result in one of the lean kine.----

I have not seen any of your folks since I wrote you before I presume all the important news that has refference to Center Falls is contained on the inside of this. I received a note from Gula this morning requesting me to answer the questions in your last letter. As she had no time now the fact is Susan I cant do it. Cause I dont remember what those inquiries were. My memory is very treacherous. I cant write worth one cent unless the paper is ruled I suppose you discover The Judge is going to the Springs to morrow to see 'Matty' attend the Examination at the Girls School and bring the Girls home the latter part of the present week I talk of going out to see Van Buren. Would if I had money Enough. I am going to the Springs the latter part of next ^month if nothing happens to prevent to attend a political Convention. Called the "Young mens Democratic Senetorial Convention for the 4th Senate District" I presume I shall make a speech on the occasion & may perhaps be nominated as a candidate for the office of young Senetor. I am going to leave this letter open until evening or tomorrow morning and write some thing more. I put ^on a new vest this morning first rate in fact the prettiest vest any where about here

Will [Wier?] Just came into the Store he is a hansome one I dont think. You dont neither I dont spose.

"Over & over ten times over"

Centre Falls. July 28.__ First day. 5 o clock P.M.

Dear Sister,

I have spent most of the day in my room reading. Last evening A. sent your letter. also a book. the title, "Married Life,, it is a very good book. I have read it through. Father has been reading some in it and at present Mother has it. Some very good and true things in it.- Hannah is not at home. I expect she will be quite lonely to day. as she expected us to come after her. But it was not convenient. We have not any of us been to Easton since E. left Therefore have not yet received your package._ Uncle B. has not returned from Adams. he makes a long stay.---

Mr Whipple &c. are at Mr. Wilsons. I believe I told you in my last that Ann Tefft was at home: she has not yet left. When she first come she expected "Them,, (Mr Smith) after her the next Sunday. All things were therefore made ready. Pies. Cakes. &c. and the "poor old pelted Rooster was killed. But "They,, did not come. La! me! it has been "Mr Smith, Mr Smith, ,, why don't he come? it must "their,, arm is worse,, "They said if "they,, was alive and well, "They,, should come after me-- Well just now Ann and a (gentle--man rode by, they were from the village. Mrs. Jeff's being over to Seth's, I presume they were going for her. I dont know but this fellow was the said "They,, Just before they got to the Bridge the horse turned out of the road. Would not go &c. He got out struck and swore to the horse. And finally was obliged to lead him------ - - - --- I can hardly see to write it is quite dark and looks as though we should have a hard shower-- I will now leave this____ monday 29 smith has come----

[In left margin] Monday morning 29. Father is nearly ready to go to Battenville and I must send this by him in order to go Tuesday- Mother says you must come home in the Fall and stay a month or so. And then you can return to New Rochelle if I will keep you. Father thinks I ought not to begin yet a while to say any thing about your coming home- but I should like to know what time you think you shall come - - - Guelma

[2] I did think strongly of going down to Hardscrabble this after noon but as it looks rather like a shower I have concluced not to go as my business is not very urgent.. I shall probably be that way tomorrow after noon. Do you want to send any word if you do just let me know. I believe you said something about not having any sister there to tell your little griefs to & all that sort of thing. Now Susan if I was in your place I should concider that same fact quite a blessing These sisters of a body are always twice as much trouble & bother as they are worth. At least so far as my experience goes than the fact. Kind of necessary Evils.. - My new vest is white ground work & very delicate purple Flower. Polly Grey made it. The cloth cost 52 cents. Making 50 now if you can Algebra Enough to tell me the sum total of the Cost of the vest you can do very well. Its a lovely thing. if that Titus concern you crack up so are the Colore[d?] Ladies: you mentioned in one of your former letters. From your a/e I should naturally suppose they were some great ones I forbear making comments until I see you. I would rather have my new vest than 40 the Blackest Ladies in New Rochelle or any other place. And you would to if you could only see it. Is the Post Master at Rochelle a Democrat or Whig the next time he enquires about me tell I am a whole Hog Democrat.. They way the poor Whigs will get used up at the next Election wont be no way lazy. Matty has not come into the the state of New York to spend the summer for nothing I can assure you. Write often. Better not come home this fall

Thine truly

A.M. McLean

S. B. Anthony

[In left margin] Tuesday morning. I have nothing to add to this this morning Susan, only the weather was very warm thro the night and is oppressively warm & sultry this morning There is no news about this morning. Farewell.

Aaron