Mrs. Mary Southgate.
Medford, August 25, 1797.
Dear Mother:
I received your packet of things the 20th inst. and was very glad of
them. If you will be so kind as to send me word whether Sarah’s[7]
ear-rings were in the basket, I will be much obliged to you. I have
forgotten whether I did or not—write me word if you like your bonnet and
the children’s, I hope you do.
Give my love to Sarah and all the children, and kiss Arixene,[8] and
Robert for me. Never did I know the worth of good parents half so much
as now I am from them; I never missed our closet so much, and above all
things our cheese and Butter which we have but very little of, but I am
very contented. I wish you would send me up my patterns all of them for
I want them very much indeed, for I expect to work me a gown.
I am with due respect
Your dutiful daughter
ELIZA SOUTHGATE.
Mrs. Mary Southgate.
Medford, Sept. 30, 1797.
Dear Mother:
You mentioned in yours, of the 16th inst. that it was a long time since
you had received a letter from me; but it was owing to my studies which
took up the greater part of my time; for I have been busy in my
Arithmetic, but I finished it yesterday, and expect now to begin my
large manuscript Arithmetic. You say that you shall regret so long an
absence; not more certainly than I shall, but a strong desire to possess
more useful knowledge than I at present do, I can dispense with the
pleasure a little longer of beholding my friends and I hope I shall be
better prepared to meet my good parents towards whom my heart overflows
with gratitude. You mentioned in your letter about my Winter clothes of
which I will make out a Memorandum. I shall want a coat and you may send
it up for me to make, or you may make it your self, but I want it made
loose with a belt. I wish you to send me enough of all my slips to make
long sleeves that you can, and I wish you would pattern my dark slip to
make long sleeves. I want a flannel waist, and a petticoat, for my white
one dirts so quick that I had rather have a colored one. I have nothing
more to write, only give my love to all who ask after me. I have just
received a letter from Horatio, he is very well.
Your ever affectionate daughter
ELIZA SOUTHGATE.
Mrs. Mary Southgate.
Medford, Oct. 17, 1797.
Dear Brother:
Yours of the 11th of Sept. was gratefully received by your affectionate
Sister; and your excuse at first I thought not very good, but now I
think it very good, for I have been plagued very much myself. William
Boyd came from Portland about a fortnight since and by him I was
informed that Sister Isabella’s child was very sick and he was in doubt
whether it would ever get over it. I feel for Isabella much more than I
can tell you who is but just entered the bonds of Matrimony should so
soon have sickness, and perhaps Death, be one of the guests of her
family. I was also informed that the children had all got over the
hooping cough and that Octavia was much healthier than she was before
she had the small-pox. By my last letter from home Papa informed me that
I might tarry all Winter and I have concluded to. I suppose you would
like to know how I spend my time here. I shall answer, very well; my
going abroad is chiefly in Boston, for I don’t go out much in Medford.
It was vacation about a week since and I spent it in Boston very
agreeably.
I keep at Mr. Boyd’s when I am there, and Mrs. Little’s. I go to Boston
every public day as Mr. B. is so good as to send for me. I am very fond
of that family and likewise Mrs. Little’s. You speak of my writing and
you think that I have improved. I am glad of it. I hope I shall make as
great progress in my other studies and be an “Accomplished Miss.”
Horatio do write very soon; will you?
Adieu! your affectionate Sister
ELIZA SOUTHGATE.
Horatio Southgate.
Medford, Nov. 10, 1797.
You mentioned in your letter, my dear mother, that Cousin Mary informed
you that I expected to go to the Ball. I did think that I should go but
I altered my mind; I had 2 or 3 invitations but I would not accept of
any of them. My cloak likewise you mentioned something about, which I
shall attend to when I go to Boston. I expect to go to Boston at
Thanksgiving, for there is a vacation of a week. I had a letter from
_Horatio_ yesterday, he was well. Isabella wrote me word that my Father
had got the Rheumatism very bad, which I am sorry to hear. If the wishes
or prayers of Eliza would heal the wound, it would not long remain
unheal’d.
My love to all the children, tell them I don’t dare to tell them how
much I want to see them, nor even think. My love to all that ask after
me. May all the happiness that is possible for you to enjoy be
experienced is the sincere wish of
Your affectionate Daughter
ELIZA S.
Mrs. Mary Southgate.
Medford, Dec. 16, 1797.
My Dear Father:
I received yours with pleasure and was happy to hear that you were
better. I hope you will continue growing better until the complaint is
entirely removed. I came from Boston yesterday after spending vacation
there. I went to the theater the night before for the first time, and
Mr. Turner came into the box where I was. I did not know him at first,
neither did he me, but he soon found me out. With this I shall send some
pieces. My respect is justly due to my good Mother, and my love to all
who ask after me, the children in particular. I hope to improve to your
satisfaction, which will amply reward me for all my pains.