Home front letter during War of 1812
Author
Recipient
Date Written
Sept. 11, 1814
Ogden Ellery Edwards was 11 years old when this was written.
The recipient, Henry Edwards, was 15 when it was received.
Ogden Ellery Edwards died 33 years, 7 months, 14 days after writing this.
It was written 209 years, 24 days ago.
It was a Sunday.
Northampton, September 11, 1814
Dear Brother,
We received your letter by Porter Hill on Saturday, wishing that I would write you and not kill all the pigeons in Northampton. I have not been hunting once since I came home. I was sick at Plainfield about a week. I had the doctor to see me once. I do not know certain when I shall go back if Papa is ordered out by the governor. I shall not got back at all only for my books and clothes. Mr. Hallock thinks that I had not better go to college until three or four years as I shall be too young, therefore I expect to stay at home winters to cypher and write and study summers.
The light infantry company of this town under Capt. Partridge marched for Boston on Friday afternoon & the artillery company on Saturday besides these two companies there is twenty-eight drafted out of Capt. Eduardo & Capt. Strong’s companies of infantry.
Papa has ordered out two companies of his regiment namely the companies in this town and Northfield. Alfred & I have gathered about a bushel of shelled hazelnuts. I shall send you a few. I hope in this way to pay you for your past favors to me.
From your affectionate brother,
Ogden
P.S. These hazelnuts are from Alfred & myself. You must eat them yourself.
[Note from his mother, Rebecca Tappan Edwards]
My Dear Henry,
I have but little time to spare and can only say that I am sorry not to be able to send you a pair of pantaloon. I did not know of your Papa’s going in season to get them made. You had better buy three quarters and a half quarter of cam brick [cambric]—for cravats and send it to me. I will make them and write your name on them. You will also want another nice shirt of British shirting or very fine factory cotton. It will take three yards. William said he was confident he left his handkerchief at his Uncle John’s. Do look it up if you can. Be careful my dear son and do not eat too much fruit if you have much of that old pain. Talk with your Grandmama about it. In haste, your affectionate Mother,
R. Edwards
Scans of Letter
