to Grove Catlin’s tavern, on the ‘Green’ of Litchfield, Conn. It was
one of the most beautiful days of the year, and just before sunset.
The scene most striking. Litchfield is on a hill, about one thousand
feet above the sea, and having fine scenery on every side. On the west
rises ‘Mount Tom’ a dark frowning peak; in the southwest, ‘Bantam
Lake,’ on whose shores I have often walked and ridden. In the north
and east other ridges rolled away in the distance, and so, from
Litchfield Hill, there is a varied and delightful prospect. One of the
first objects which struck my eyes was interesting and picturesque.
This was a long procession of school girls, coming down North Street,
walking under the lofty elms, and moving to the music of a flute and
flageolet. The girls were gayly dressed and evidently enjoying their
evening parade, in this most balmy season of the year. It was the
school of Miss Sally Pierce, whom I have mentioned before, as one of
the earliest and best of the pioneers in American female education.
That scene has never faded from my memory. The beauty of Nature, the
loveliness of the season, the sudden appearance of this school of
girls, all united to strike and charm the mind of a young man, who,
however varied his experience, had never beheld a scene like that.
“It was commonly my practice to walk in the afternoons of summer, and
the opportunities for pleasant walking were like those of riding, very
good and tempting. Litchfield, like many New England towns, was built
chiefly on two main streets, one going north and south, and the other
east and west, and the whole on a hill or ridge, with Bantam river
running on the east and another stream on the west. North and South
Street was more than a mile in length, shaded nearly its whole length
by those lofty and broad spreading elms for which some of the towns of
Connecticut was noted. In the warm days of summer, and in these
beautiful and cloudless sunsets, like the day in which I had first
seen it, most of the young people would be on the streets, and among
them those of the students who, like myself, were lovers of beauty and
of scenery. Owing to my introduction to society, which is always a
great benefit to young men of any sense, I was soon acquainted with
the best families and my afternoon walks, as well as my evening
visits, often led me among those distinguished in beauty, grace and
position. One of my temptations to an afternoon walk was to meet the
girls, who, like ourselves, were often seen taking their daily walk.
Among these, were the Wolcotts, the Demings, the Tallmadges, the
Landons and Miss Peck, who afterwards became my wife....
[Illustration:
PL. IX.—LUCY SHELDON (MRS. THERON BEACH)
From a miniature by Dickinson
]
“There were more than fifty law students boarding in Litchfield, many
of them of wealthy families, and many of them from the South. Of
course, there must be some amusement, and often the midnight air
resounded with the songs of midnight rioters, and sometimes stories
were circulated to the students’ disadvantage. After hearing some
remarks on the ‘fast’ students, I met Dr. Sheldon walking, and said to
him: ‘Doctor, they say we are the worst students ever were in
Litchfield.’ ‘Pooh! pooh!’ said the doctor, ‘they are not half as bad
as they were in my day.’ So I was comforted with the idea that we were
not casting shame on those venerable Puritans who had condescended to
become our ancestors. Be this as it may, I greatly enjoyed those
evening sleigh rides, and those country suppers, when we would ride
off to Goshen, or Harwinton, or other village, and order our turkey
and oysters, served up with pickles and cake, and then set Black Cæsar
to play jigs on a cracked fiddle. But the grand occasions were
something beyond this, when we got sleighs with fine horses, and
buffalo robes, and foot-stoves, and invited the belles of Litchfield,
who never hesitated to go, and set off to the distant village to have
a supper and dance. I seldom danced, and some of the girls did not,
but there were always some who did, and we had jolly times. So passed
my days in Litchfield, doing a great deal of good work in study,
enjoying much of good society, and passing its hours in innocent
amusements.”
1801.
LUCY SHELDON—HER DIARY.
Lucy Sheldon, half sister of Charlotte, and the daughter of Dr. Daniel
Sheldon and his second wife Huldah Stone, of South Farms, was born June
27, 1788, and married Mr. Theron Beach, of Goshen, January 9, 1832. She
died April 7, 1889, having nearly reached her one hundred and first
birthday. She was born, married, and died in the same house on North
Street.[25] She long retained her light step, her active habits, and
fresh, youthful feelings. From her journal at the age of fourteen the
following extracts are taken:
_Monday_ This day Miss Pierce began her school I attended, resolving
to renew my former studies with greater assiduity than ever, and shall
endeavour to improve enough to merit the approbation of my Parents,
and instructress, Painted on my picture of the hop gatherers, and read
grammar, commenced an acquaintance with Miss Bosworth & Miss Goodyear,
who appear to be very fine girls, in the evening studied a grammar
lesson.
_Tuesday._ Continued my usual occupations.
_Wednesday._ Painted, read in miscellaneous works and recited a
grammar lesson, in the afternoon Mrs. Tracy, and Caroline were at our
house. Spent the evening at Mr. Adams’s.
_Thursday._ Studied and recited a grammar lesson, painted, and read
some very good pieces in the Mirror spent a very agreeable evening at
Mr. Allens.
_Friday._ Painted and read, heard Miss Pierce tell our faults, had the
pleasure to hear her say she had seen no fault in me for the week past
and hope she will ever have reason to approve of my conduct.
_Sunday._ Attended meeting all day & heard two pretty good sermons,
delivered by Parson Champion, in the evening went to singing meeting.
_Monday._ Drew, and began the history of Rome but Miss Pierce thought
proper that I should not write it as I had read it once before, In the
evening knit.
_Tuesday._ Recited a grammar lesson & painted, spent the evening at
the school house, with the young Ladies.
_Wednesday._ Today Miss Pierce did not keep as she expected to move
into her new house,[26] therefore Miss Henderson took her place in the
forenoon, but in the afternoon there was no school, and I assisted
Miss Pierce, in the evening attended singing meeting.
_Thursday._ Attended school, painted & recited a grammar lesson, In
the evening knit.
_Friday._ Miss Pierce did not keep school, Assisted Mama, and in the
afternoon we had company.
_Saturday._ Painted, read in the explanation of the Catechism, in the
afternoon wrote, in the evening heard Papa read.
_Sunday._ In the afternoon read in Baron Hallers letters to his
daughter; on the truth of the Christian religion, in the afternoon
attended meeting, & heard a very good sermon delivered by the reverend
Mr. Huntington, from these words. Matt. 16. Chap. 26 verse “what
profiteth for a man to gain the whole world, and lose his own soul, or
what will a man give in exchange for his soul, he expatiated on the
frailty of human events & the danger of placing too much happiness on
the pomp & riches of this world. In the evening attended singing
meeting
_Monday._ Assisted Mama and went to school, painted, read in Roman
history, In the evening wrote.
[Illustration:
PL. X.—HOP PICKING
From a water-color painted by Lucy Sheldon
]
_Tuesday._ Finished the hop picking,[27] In the afternoon Mrs. Smith
was at our house, who I think is a very fine old Lady, Assisted Mama,
In the evening knit.
_Wednesday._ In the forenoon copied my Journal In the afternoon wrote
a letter, In the evening knit.
_Thursday._ Studied a grammar lesson, & drew In the evening sewed.
_Friday._ Painted, and read in the history of Rome, spent the evening
at the school house.
_Saturday_ Assisted Mama, wrote, painted and heard Miss Pierce tell
our faults, and was very glad to hear her say she had seen no fault in
me for the week past, In the evening read in Baron Hallers letters.
_Sunday_ Attended meeting in the forenoon and heard an excellent
sermon....
_Monday_ Assisted Mama, came to school worked on my pin cushion, read
and heard the young Ladies read, the life of Coriolanus, in the
history of Rome, In the afternoon, sewed & read in little
Grandison,[28] which shows that, virtue always meets with its reward
and vice is punished, spent the evening at the school house.
_Tuesday._ Rose at sunrise, attended school, learnt a grammar lesson,
& wrote my Journal, In the afternoon, painted and spelt.
_Wednesday_ In the forenoon sewed, (P. M.) painted and assisted Mama.
_Thursday._ Learnt a grammar lesson, spent the afternoon at home, In
the evening attended a school ball, and had a very good one.
_Friday (Dec. 25th 1801)._ As this day was Christmas I attended church
and heard a sermon by Parson Marsh very well adapted to the occasion,
returned & spent the remainder of the day in sewing.
_Saturday. 26th_, Wrote my Journal, read in the Mirror, and heard Miss
Pierce tell our faults she said she had seen no fault in me for the
week past.
_Sunday 27th_, Arose at four o’clock, did not attend meeting, finished
reading Baron Hallers letters which I think is an excellent book.
_Monday 28th_, In the forenoon, read history and painted (P. M.)
studied & recited a grammar lesson spent the evening at home with
company.
_Tuesday. 29th_, Studied a geography lesson, In the afternoon painted,
In the evening knit.
_Wednesday 30th_; In the forenoon painted, In the evening knit.
_Thursday 31st_, Learnt a geography lesson & began to draw the sailor
boy.[29] In the afternoon, painted and sewed.
_Friday._ This is the first day of January the beginning of the year
1802, and I intend if it is in my power, to conquer all my faults, but
as perfection is not the lot, of mortals I shall not expect to attain
so near to it, In the forenoon painted in the afternoon there was not
any school and I remained at home, assisted Mama & sewed.
_Saturday 2nd_, Painted and heard Miss Pierce tell our faults, she
said she had seen no fault in me except holding my arms stiff which
made me appear awkward, and which I shall certainly endeavour to
correct, She also read a sermon from Blair particularly addressed to
young people which recommended the necessity of being pious &
industrious, In the evening, read in Mary Walstoncrafts travels
through Norway, Sweden, & Denmark.
_Sunday 3rd_, ... Read in Mary Walstoncrafts travels, this is a very
entertaining book but even here, I can see through some of our
principals.
_Tuesday 5th_, Learnt a geography lesson, painted, and in the evening,
sewed.
_Wednesday 6th_, Read and heard the young Ladies read history,
painted, In the evening attended singing meeting.
_Thursday 7th_, Read in the Dramatic pieces.
_Saturday 9th_; Painted and heard my faults told Miss Pierce has found
no fault with me for the week past.
* * * * *
_Wednesday 13th_, Painted and sewed, In the evening heard Papa. read,
in a Fathers letter to his daughter and I hope I shall profit by the
instruction it contains.
* * * * *
_Saturday 16th_, Read in Don Quixote & knit.
* * * * *
_Monday 18th_, Read history and, painted, In the afternoon sewed, In
the evening attended a school ball enjoyed myself pretty well,
returned at eleven o’clock
_Tuesday 19th_, In the forenoon painted, In the afternoon sewed, In
the evening read.
_Wednesday 20th_, Read history and painted, In the afternoon returned
home from school, and was happy to find Mrs. Adams, Maria,[30] & Mrs.
Seymore there, In the evening, went to singing meeting, but had a very
dull one.
[Illustration:
PL. XI.—A SAILOR BOY
From a water-color painted by Lucy Sheldon
]
* * * * *
_Sunday 24th_, ... After meeting, read in the internal history of
church.
* * * * *
_Tuesday 26th_, Assisted Mama, came to school read in the companion,
and wrote my Journal, In the afternoon, there was no school, because
Miss Pierces’s sister Nancy was more unwell, In the evening we heard
the melancholy news of her death, Mama and I immediately went over
there and beheld a very affecting scene, but I think the mourners bear
their loss with Christian fortitude & resignation, returned home and
spent the remainder of the evening in meditating upon the scene which
I had witnessed, and which had made a deep impression upon my mind.
* * * * *
_Thursday 28th_, In the forenoon sewed, In the afternoon attended the
funeral, and heard Mr. Huntington make an excellent prayer, returned
home and in the evening knit.
* * * * *
_Saturday 30th_, Painted, but as Miss Sally has not kept school, I
have continued my employments at home.
Have done nothing for these two or three weeks past worth notice
except, having read through pilgrims progress, which I admire very
much, and Lord Chesterfields letters to his son and think it would be
well for every young Lady to read it.
_Monday._ Read history and painted in the forenoon. In the afternoon
copied my Journal, In the evening ciphered.
_Tuesday._ Studied geography lesson, In the evening ciphered.
_Saturday._ Wrote a letter in my Journal. Miss Pierce did not tell our
faults particularly, but gave us the general rules of good behaviour.
_Sunday._ Did not attend meeting on account of the weather, In the
evening read in Don Quixote, and am pleased with his factious humor
and Sancho’s credulous disposition
* * * * *
_Tuesday._ Attended school, read history, In the afternoon painted, &
heard the young Ladies read in Juliana or the affectionate sister in
the evening ciphered.
_Wednesday._ Read through the fortunate discovery or the History of
Henry Villers, a novel written by a young Lady in New York, I think
the language, is not as good as I have seen, but the story is very
pretty. Attended school, studied a geography lesson, & wrote my
Journal, In the afternoon copied it.
* * * * *
_Saturday._ Rose late, assisted Mama, came to school copied my
Journal, Miss Pierce did not tell our faults particularly, In the
afternoon wrote plays for Miss Pierce, In the evening read.
_Sunday._ Read ten chapters in the Bible, attended meeting all day, &
heard two very good sermons, read twenty chapters in the Bible after
meeting, In the evening sewed.
_Monday._ Began to write the history of Rome....
* * * * *
_Thursday._ Attended a private school ball.
* * * * *
_Saturday._ Copied history, recited geography, and heard our faults
told, Miss Pierce has found no fault with me for the week past, have
had the honor of being chosen candidate for the prize, In the
afternoon copied plays for Miss Pierce, in the evening read.
* * * * *
_Monday._ Returned home & had the pleasure of finding Miss Cornelia
Adams[31] at our house, assisted in getting tea, & spent the evening
very agreeably.
_Tuesday._ In the evening copied of my part of Ruth.[32]
* * * * *
_Wednesday._ Studied a geography lesson & recited it, had the
mortification to have Miss Mary Glen get above me, began to draw a map
in the afternoon, In the evening attended a school ball
* * * * *
_Tuesday._ Read history, drew on my map, and read in the childrens
friend, In the evening ciphered.
* * * * *
_Monday._ This morning I was introduced to my new brother, & am much
pleased with him, did not attend school, sewed, & attended to domestic
affairs
_Tuesday._ The forenoon I spent in sewing at home, In the afternoon
went to school, drew on my map of Connecticut & read in the
inquisitor, which is a very humorous thing
_Wednesday._ Came to school & read geography to Miss Chittenden, In
the afternoon recited my part & wrote.
_Thursday._ Rehearsed my part, drew on my map & wrote.
_Friday._ In the forenoon, drew on my map, In the afternoon studied my
part.
_Saturday._ Assisted at home, attended school, read in the companion,
drew on my map, assisted Mama at home & heard a play rehearsed,
_Sunday_, Did not attend meeting, read in the Bible & Downman on
infancy, In the evening did not do anything.
_Monday._ Came to school, worked on my map rehearsed my play, In the
afternoon drew on my map read in the Roman history & companion, In the
evening came to the school house, & heard the young Ladies say their
play.
_Tuesday._ Attended school, rehearsed my play, drew on my map, In the
evening attended a private school ball enjoyed myself very well.
_Wednesday_, Attended school, drew on my map recited my part, & copied
history, In the evening sewed.
_Thursday._ Rehearsed my part, drew on my map & wrote.
_Friday._ Was fast, attended meeting all day, thought Mr. Huntington
preached better, than I had ever heard him before.
_Saturday._ In the forenoon drew on my map & rehearsed my part, In the
afternoon drew on my map, & heard the young Ladies say their plays.
LUCY SHELDON’S JOURNAL FOR THE WINTER 1803
_Monday, January 3rd._ This day I again commence my Journal, it being
almost a year since I have written one, and perhaps will be the last,
that I shall ever write at school, I am now old enough to know the
importance of improvement therefore think I shall attend with more
diligence than formerly, I have not however, as yet been very
industrious because I have not had any fixed employments, but I have
now resolved to attend regularly to my studies, This morning I stayed
at home and assisted Mama, in the afternoon came to school, but found
it very bad walking from the snow that had fallen, the preceding
night, took a music lesson, was called home before school was out,
spent part of the evening in ciphering and the remainder at Miss
Pierce’s with the young Ladies.
_Tuesday 4th_, In the morning studied and recited a geography lesson,
in the afternoon took a music lesson,[33] and wrote, in the evening
assisted Mama.
_Wednesday 5th_, In the forenoon painted, in the afternoon had the
misfortune to break a glass in one of the frames of my pictures,
attended school, in the afternoon sewed, had the pleasure to find Mrs.
Allen at our house when I returned home, spent the afternoon and
evening very agreeably, think Mrs. Allen is a fine woman, and any man
might be proud of her.
_Thursday 6th_, Studied and recited a geography lesson and began a
composition, and sewed, spent the evening very agreeably at Miss
Pierces.
_Friday 7th_, Attended school, finished my composition & heard the
history summed up, we are reading the history of South America, and
have got as far as where Cortes entered Mexico....
In the afternoon sewed, in the evening ciphered.
_Saturday 8th_, In the morning sewed and wrote, In the afternoon sewed
a little and played a great deal, In the evening read in the Bible.
_Sunday 9th_, Attended meeting all day, and never heard Parson
Champion preach so unintelligibly, I can’t tell what was the cause of
it, but I did not understand much of it, In the evening went to
singing meeting stayed till about eight o’clock, when I returned and
spent the rest of the evening at Mr. Tracy’s very agreeably with a
large collection of Ladies & gentlemen.
_Tuesday 11th_, Heard the young Ladies read history and copied my
composition, (gives a condensed account of the history lesson) In the
evening had company.
* * * * *
_Friday 14th_, Did nothing but study geography all day.
_Saturday 15th_, Spent part of the forenoon in writing and the
remainder in hearing Miss Pierce read some excellent pieces from
Moore’s Fables on different subjects In the afternoon sewed. In the
evening read in the Bible.
_Sunday 16th_, Rose rather late, attended meeting and heard Mr.
Huntington preach, he took his text from Luke 18 chapter. 14 verse.
the following were the words, “I tell you this man went down to his
house justified rather than the other” after relating the story of the
Pharisee and Publican, he told us we ought to humble ourselves before
God, and that we should avoid hypocracy, although the Pharisee
attended strictly to all the forms of religion, yet instead of
humbling himself he boasted of having fasted more than the lord
required of him, and thanked God. that he was not like other men, an
adulterer, or slanderer, while on the other hand, the Publican was
sensible of his wickedness, and when before the altar of God, he stood
afar off and being afraid, so much as to lift his eyes to Heaven, he
beat his breast, and cried, “God be merciful to me a sinner,” and that
for this reason, he went back to his house justified rather than the
other. In the afternoon attended meeting and heard a continuation of
the forenoon’s subject, In the evening went to singing meeting
_Monday 17th_, We danced all the forenoon, and in the afternoon sewed
and was examined in geography, spent the beginning of the evening very
agreeably at Miss Pierce’s, but the latter part not quite so much so.
_Tuesday 18th_, Wrote and was examined in geography, there was no
school in the afternoon, and I employed myself in reading in Adams
history of Rome, In the evening we had a ball, I was not placed as
high in the dance, as I intend to be next time, enjoyed myself very
well, returned a little after ten o’clock.
* * * * *
_Saturday 22nd._ Wrote a composition upon Vanity, and heard our faults
told, In the afternoon mended my cloaths, In the evening read.
_Sunday 23rd_, Did not attend meeting in the morning, read all the
forenoon, In the afternoon attended meeting but did not attend to the
sermon, as much as I ought therefore cannot relate it, In the evening
went to singing meeting, and wrote a letter.
* * * * *
_Saturday 28th_, Wrote all the morning, In the afternoon came to the
school house, and wrote, while I was there Mr. Nash came in and
instructed his sister I was much pleased with his kindness, in trying
to improve her.
_Sunday 29th_, It stormed very hard, but I thought that was not a good
excuse for staying at home, therefore attended all day, text was taken
etc....
* * * * *
_Saturday Feb: 4th_, Assisted Mama, came to school and heard that the
two Miss Chapins were going home, went up to Mrs. Lords, where I found
Mr. Reeves who had come to bid a last adieu, to Miss Chapin, though he
was not so unmanly as to shed tears, yet his look indicated what were
the feelings of his heart!!!... I much grieved to have to part with
two such good friends as Clarissa & Betsey, particularly the former,
who perhaps is not a finer girl, than Betsey, yet I have been more
intimate with her, therefore was more sorry, to have her go, returned
to school and wrote, Heard Miss Pierce read us a piece on discretion
from the Spectator which I admired very much, In the afternoon sewed.
_Sunday 5th_, Did not attend meeting, read very steady all day, In the
afternoon was taken quite ill, but soon recovered after exercising
some, In the evening knit.
_Monday 6th_: ... Read in the vision of Columbus.
_Tuesday 7th_, Assisted Miss Mary all the forenoon, In the afternoon
attended school, wrote and heard Miss Leavitt play on the piano thinks
she plays very handsomely, In the evening attended a school ball,
enjoyed myself pretty well, returned after eleven o’clock.
_Wednesday 8th_, ... I took a music lesson.
* * * * *
_Saturday 11th._ Wrote and did some plain sewing in the afternoon
mended, In the evening read twelve Chapters in the Bible.
* * * * *
_Wednesday 16th_, Sewed, and heard the history In the afternoon read
in Blair’s Lectures, In the evening had company.
* * * * *
_Saturday 19th_, Copied my Journal and took a music lesson, painted,
slept the greater part of the evening, retired to rest a little after
eight o’clock.
* * * * *
_Saturday 26th_, Came to school, took a music lesson, and returned
home again, for the past week I have studied three geography lessons
and two grammar lessons, have attended ciphering one evening, having
been sick, the greater part of the week, spent the remainder of the
day in doing nothing we had this week, studied Egypt. etc., I have
heard the history read twice this week.
_Sunday 27th_, Did not attend meeting, was so sick read one or two
chapters in the Bible.
* * * * *
_Saturday March 5th_, The preceding week I have been sick the greater
part of the time, notwithstanding have not missed getting a geography
lesson, every other day, have been here every night to spell, and have
studied and recited several grammar lessons, stayed at home one day
ciphered one evening, and attended a lecture on Friday
* * * * *
_Saturday 12th_, For the past week I have studied three geography
lessons, drawn out a large picture, and heard the history read twice,
there was no school one day, I sewed, read 35 pages in Homers Iliad,
In the evening attended a ball.
* * * * *
_Saturday 19th_, Have studied for the week past, two geography
lessons, painted and made a frock, been to ciphering three evenings, I
have studied the Latitude of every kingdom, and island in the
world....
_Sunday 20th_, Attended meeting in the afternoon, the sermon was read
by Mr. Reeve who read so low, that I could hear but very little of it,
in the evening sewed very steady till nine o’clock.
_Saturday 26th_, The preceding has been spent as usual in studying
geography, hearing the history & painting, have written one
composition & ciphered one evening, we have studied for our geography
lesson, the boundaries of the seas & a description of the New England
States etc., Miss Pierce gave me 9 credit marks for my frock, I have
this winter missed in spelling 1 whole one and two half one’s.