Archive Record

Metadata

Catalog Number

009.001.18

Collection

Mary Suckley (1802 - 1872)

Title

Correspondence : Mary Garrettson, 1842-1872

Date

1842 - 1872

Object Name

Correspondence

Scope & Content

Correspondence : Mary Garrettson, 1842-1872

1. June 28 [No Year] : Wrapper with note written in pencil, "Letter from Miss M. C. Garrettson in re: Sarah S. Livingston June or July 1875" [Yet Mary died in 1872]. The actual letter contained within is about a visit to Sarah Suckley at the Pennsylvania State Hospital. She wrote that she tried to find a Bible for Sarah to read, but decided to purchase a music box instead, because Sarah "could not fix her mind long enough to read." Describes Sarah's room at the hospital and the piano pieces that Sarah played for her. Also mentions a frightening encounter with another patient.

2. [No Date] : Personal news, weather.

3. [No Date] : Expresses sorrow at Eugene's death.

4. [No Date] : Expresses love for Mary and a desire for her to visit, tells her that Phebe sends her love.

5. 17 June [No Year] : Longs to see Mary, tells her of visits from Margaret, Maria, and Andrew Hunt. Includes a yellow envelope addressed to Miss Suckley at 103 St. Marks Place, NY.

6. 9 May [No year] : family news of Phebe and Kate, reminisces about when her friends lived within walking distance from her, future plans. Includes envelope.

7. [No Date] : discusses money, discovered Eagle's nest.

8. [No Date] : tells her she hasn't written because she has been copying her mother's papers. Personal news.

9. 31 May 1872 : Apologizes for not having written, expresses shock at Mary's death and Edward Lynch's letters. Personal news of who she had visited, who was to be married. "I have some hope of getting a nice Protestant woman, but burdened with a child, a little of six who is said to be very quiet." Discusses the current activities of reading the Advocate and keeping up with church activities.

10. [No Date] : family news, describes a visit to Maria whose "mind is cultivated," and hence a pleasure to visit. Postscript is written to Sarah.

11. 30 October 1869 : News of family, friends, and future plans.

12. 3 December [No Year] : Personal and family news, discusses news she heard about George taking a voyage to China to restore himself.

13. [1869] : Mr. Hunt shared the bad news of George's death, "Dear dear George how his life was filled with deeds of love to Man!" Expresses her feelings for Mary in her time of need, "God does comfort." With envelope.

14. [No Date] : weather, house is cold, personal news.

15. June [No Year] : complains of weak eyesight, poor health, and old age; "a cold in my bones confined me to my bed." Sends Mary blessings, personal news.

16. February [No Year] : Short note asking Mary to come visit.

17. 16 May [No Year] : Tells of gift from Johnny [a bird? something in a cage] in which the family took great interest.

18. [No Date] : expresses deep sadness that she hadn't heard from Mary in three months. Wrote that her feelings were "deeply wounded...when I think of it I could cry--& am near crying." Wonders how this has happened and if she had somehow offended Mary.

19. [No Date] : envelope addresses to St. Marks place home.

20. 7 January [No Year] : send table to Ellen Smith and "received a sweet note of thanks," other personal news.

21. 30 March [No Year] : envelope addressed to St. Marks Place home.

22. 19 May [No Year] : family news, illnesses, Eliza has been reading her the papers. With envelope to New York City address.

23. 29 March [No Year] : Thank you letter for gift of fabric, which will be used to make a cap. Family news.

24. 31 May [No Year] : Hopes that Mary will go to Philadelphia with her, invites her to visit because country climate will be more beneficial to George than the climate in New York City.

25. [No Date] : Extends gratitude to Mary.

26. [No Date] : Expresses great sadness over death of a child, "the eternal happiness...outweighs the uncertain future of this life," takes comfort in religion.

27. 18 June [No Year] : discusses visitors she has received.

28. 30 June [No Year] : discusses visitors she has received, relates the anecdotes she heard.

29. 28 [No Month] 1842 : Pleased that Mary is improving her mind, inquires after her piano playing, family news, silhouette cut out of paper.

30. April [No Year] : doesn't know whether or not she can visit, asks if Mary wants a Maple or Mahogany bedstead for her new house.

31. [No Date] : Apologizes for not writing sooner, thanks her for her last letter, which she found intelligent. Discusses nature, God, and family news.

32. [No Date] : Personal news, describes a visit she made with little Rutsen [son of Thomas and Catherine], family news.

33. 22 October [No Year] : letter about Rhinebeck.

34. 10 December [No Year] : Letter from A. P. to Mary (Garrettson?] re Sarah Livingston's treatment.

35. Extract from Mrs. Potters letter from M.R.G. re Sarah Livingston.

Language of Material

English

People

Garrettson, Mary Rutherford (1793-1879)
Suckley, Mary (1802-1872)

Subjects

Hospitals
Consolation

Legal Status

Property of Wilderstein Historic Site