Voice of the People: Daily Life in the Antebellum Rural Delaware County New York Area

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Family and Daily Life Homepage | Letters/Diaries/Newspapers, etc | 1850 letter from Samuel Sherwood to his daughter Mary: fatherly advise

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Background: Samuel and Laura Sherwood moved with part of their family from Delhi to New York City in 1830. Samuel was a lawyer. They continued to summer in Delhi. This letter was written by Samuel to his 18 year old daughter Mary who was  visiting her sister Ann, married to Congressman Herman Gould, in Washington.
New York Jany 16/50

My Dear Daughter –

Yours of the 12. was recd. yesterday morning and we have all coursed you over from head to foot- looked at you in the rooms, at your dinner & tea- and until you mentioned your meals, I was apprehensive that you might be seduced to the supper table, which you recollect I barred. Never take a seat at the supper table-this is vulgar at a boarding house, and belongs only to the wards, the bon vivants and to the “North Country Irish Gentlemen”-not to American Ladies in Select Society.

Senators King & Dickinson I am pleased to have you acquainted with-Mr. King is an accomplished old Bachelor-I was in Congress with him & knew him quite well. Mr. Dickinson you know I rank...

image of letter: transcription appears above

Transcribed for this website by Terri Nan Trebbits.

Letter courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association Archives, 46549 State Hwy 10, Delhi, NY, 13753.

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