On View
Not on viewLetters
Artist
Sophia E. Thoreau
1819 - 1875
DateMay 26, 1866
Terms
- Letters
- Ink
- Paper
- Concord (Massachusetts)
Dimensions20.31 × 25.38 cm (8 × 10 in.)
Credit LineGift of Mr. Walton Ricketson and Miss Anna Ricketson (1929)
Object numberTH16.3
DescriptionBook (Th16.1) contained letter (Th16.3) in envelope (Th16.2), loose, and a drawing of a Quaker by "D.R." The envelope has historically been matched to letter Th16.2, but the association seems unlikely; based on content in the letter, it could not have been mailed as early as the envelope's postmark of 1862. Date for letter is, instead, based on inscriptions in the book, Th16.1.
(Unofficial) transcription of Th16.3:
Letter from Sophia Thoreau (Concord, Mass.) to Daniel Ricketson, Esq. (New Bedford, Mass.).
Concord, May 26th
Mr. Ricketson
Dear Friend,
As you say it is not agreeable to intrude ones infirmities, but I cannot excuse my delay in acknowledging your last two pleasant notes without cofefessing [sic] that I have been sick, + with many cures devolving upon one have not felt able to pack the big book. Tomorrow I intend sending it. The volume formerly belonged to my grandmother, Jennie Burns, who was a Quakeress. If I were not the last of her descendents I should not let it pass out of the family. But I think of no one who[se, scratched out] would value it more than yourself. + it gives me pleasure to send it to you.
We enjoyed Walton's short visit very much + I wish he might come + see some of our vineyards when the fruit is in perfection. Mr. Channings leaves our neighborhood tomorrow, but we shall not miss him for he never [underlined] comes to see us. Mr. Davis whom you inquire about, origina-ted in Concord graduated at Cambridge, + was obliged to leave the South where he was doing business, when the rebellion commenced. He + his wife since then, have boar-ded at the Hotel, making it agreeable to strangers as I have often heard. My personal
acquaintance with him is slight. I shall enclose in your package some letters which I have deferred sending, having waited for Mr. Emerson who has all, written by Henry to yourself. It is possible that in another edition of the letter he may decide to use more of them. Mr. E. spoke to me of returning them but afterward concluded to retain them for further examination.
When you have health + inclination I wish you would tell me how you feel about the country. The report of the Anti Slavery meetings in New York has cheered me. It is good to see a little of the salt that is to save this nation. I think that you will enjoy Mr. Cholmondeley's letters. They are very pleasant, He is very sincere in his crit-icisim [sic] upon dear Henry's
books so far as he has read them. His photographs I value very much.
Mr. Blake + Brown came to Concord a few weeks since. It is very pleasant to see Henry's friends. I do not know Mr. Watson of Plymouth. Mrs. W. I have met, + Mr. Spooner has
frequently called at our house. I am happy to know that they cherish his memory.
Diel [Daniel], I write you that forty strangers celebrated Henry's birthday at Walden; they had a pick-nic on the spot where his hut once stood.
Mother joins me in kind regards to your family.
Y'rs truly,
S.E. Thoreau.
[written in the margins of the front page]
I have directed the book to New Bedford, thinking the Express did not do to Accertiuet [?]
(Unofficial) transcription of Th16.3:
Letter from Sophia Thoreau (Concord, Mass.) to Daniel Ricketson, Esq. (New Bedford, Mass.).
Concord, May 26th
Mr. Ricketson
Dear Friend,
As you say it is not agreeable to intrude ones infirmities, but I cannot excuse my delay in acknowledging your last two pleasant notes without cofefessing [sic] that I have been sick, + with many cures devolving upon one have not felt able to pack the big book. Tomorrow I intend sending it. The volume formerly belonged to my grandmother, Jennie Burns, who was a Quakeress. If I were not the last of her descendents I should not let it pass out of the family. But I think of no one who[se, scratched out] would value it more than yourself. + it gives me pleasure to send it to you.
We enjoyed Walton's short visit very much + I wish he might come + see some of our vineyards when the fruit is in perfection. Mr. Channings leaves our neighborhood tomorrow, but we shall not miss him for he never [underlined] comes to see us. Mr. Davis whom you inquire about, origina-ted in Concord graduated at Cambridge, + was obliged to leave the South where he was doing business, when the rebellion commenced. He + his wife since then, have boar-ded at the Hotel, making it agreeable to strangers as I have often heard. My personal
acquaintance with him is slight. I shall enclose in your package some letters which I have deferred sending, having waited for Mr. Emerson who has all, written by Henry to yourself. It is possible that in another edition of the letter he may decide to use more of them. Mr. E. spoke to me of returning them but afterward concluded to retain them for further examination.
When you have health + inclination I wish you would tell me how you feel about the country. The report of the Anti Slavery meetings in New York has cheered me. It is good to see a little of the salt that is to save this nation. I think that you will enjoy Mr. Cholmondeley's letters. They are very pleasant, He is very sincere in his crit-icisim [sic] upon dear Henry's
books so far as he has read them. His photographs I value very much.
Mr. Blake + Brown came to Concord a few weeks since. It is very pleasant to see Henry's friends. I do not know Mr. Watson of Plymouth. Mrs. W. I have met, + Mr. Spooner has
frequently called at our house. I am happy to know that they cherish his memory.
Diel [Daniel], I write you that forty strangers celebrated Henry's birthday at Walden; they had a pick-nic on the spot where his hut once stood.
Mother joins me in kind regards to your family.
Y'rs truly,
S.E. Thoreau.
[written in the margins of the front page]
I have directed the book to New Bedford, thinking the Express did not do to Accertiuet [?]
Collections
- Henry David Thoreau Collection
- Photographs
Object number: 2023.28.12.10