Catharine Maria Sedgwick to Robert Sedgwick I Transcribed by Patricia Kalayjian Transcribed on Primary Source Cooperative 2021

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Available under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-SA Attribution--NonCommercial--ShareAlike. CMSOL Patricia Kalayjian, Lucinda Damon-Bach, Deborah Gussman 08 September 1814 sedgwick-catharine sedgwick-robert Catharine Maria Sedgwick to Robert Sedgwick I Massachusetts Historical Society Catharine Maria Sedgwick I

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 Family Relations (Sedgwick Family) War of 1812 Religion Politics Shopping and Material Exchange Social Life and Networks Leisure Activities Village Life Gender Roles Clothing Education Updated the TEI header and schema reference to have more regular xml
Stockbridge Septr 8th 1814

So associated is the thought of you dear Robert with peace and love, and happiness, that I cannot imagine you in the midst of warlike preparations and in danger of war’s calamities -- -- -- The joyous and heroic spirit of your letters identifies you, and in one solitary instance has “stirred up my womanish thoughts” 1 almost to manly courage so that I would not have withheld you from the dangers of battle, if you might return with the glory of successful heroism, and the surpassing glory of having done your duty -- -- But then dear Robert comes the sickening thought of sufferings of death -- ending all finite glory, rebuking human triumph, and I feel the Sister throbbing in every pulse -- -- -- Our country is drinking the cup of wrath -- we have deserved it, for we have trampled on blessings that distinguished us above all other nations -- -- In our last war the “Banner over us was Love,” 2 -- Now we seem to be left to taste the misery of being forsaken by Him, who, in the day of his mercy we forsook

But it is hardly fair dear Robert to send you such croaking letters -- would to Heaven that 2 comfort in any way -- I hope you will come here if it is but one day -- that we may hear your voice, and see your face -- -- Oh my beloved Brother the mercy of God in his Son Jesus Christ hath provided a time of peace a day of rest for us. “His rest is glorious” -- -- 3

Mr Watson has determined to defer going until Monday -- why I know not, but because it is delay -- -- Our little village has heard the note of war for the first time today -- An express arrived last night from the Gov’ with a requisition for one third of the militia to be drafted -- 2 Companies, sent forthwith Hunt is detached, with his Company by the Gen’l, and they march tomorrow morning at 6 o’clock -- The poor fellows were reviewed upon the green at Sunset, -- seventy of them -- They looked as merry as if they were going to election -- -- They are principally democrats, and of course feel bound to cover any reluctance with a braggadocio look -- -- --

My heart has ached for poor Anna Bartlett -- Have you seen her -- We had a pleasant visit from the Doctor and John 3 The Doctor was in great glee -- Hunting and fishing scrambling thro’ the ice hole, 4 and climbing fences -- He was very reluctant to go -- and didnot leave us until this Morning (Friday) Harry and the Doctor “hitched horses together” 5 very amicably --

Doctor Pomeroy is appointed one of the trustees of your Alma mater -- and our dear Charles, thanks to J Woodbridge’s kindness, is “Master of arts” -- -- --

Uncle Doctor seems to have mostly finished his course of toil and sorrow -- He is extremely feeble, and evidently declining -- Mumbet has just come in and says “if you are writing to Mr Robert -- Do tell him he had better have minded me, and staid at home, poor Boy. I think on him all the time” -- -- Indeed dear Robert, there are many hearts heavy for you -- God bless you May your life be precious in his sight-- and His beneficence spread light and safety in your path -- -- -- -- --

I received but two pair of shoes -- and those are too small. I have disposed of one -- and if you can change the other and get me two more pairs, one of chamois -- the other of 4 kid, both with heels, I shall be glad -- I want them just one size a very little size larger, and not so high on the vamp -- -- Now my dear Brother occupied as you are, if this commission is troublesome do not undertake it -- I can do very well without the shoes -- -- --

The family send love to you -- “Little Banyer gave me a look full of love when I told to give me a kiss for Uncle Robert -- Dearest Robert write often and if you can write that we shall see you --

CMS

Letter

Massachusetts Historical Society

Catharine Maria Sedgwick I

Wax blot and tears; bleed through; damage on bottom edge makes signature nearly illegible.

Robert Sedgwick Esq'/Broad Street/New York --

C M Sedgwick/Sepr 1814

to her brother Robert/Alarms of war

Vertical lines in left margin of pages 1 and 2

2 Maccabees 7:21: “Yea, she exhorted every one of them in her own language, filled with courageous spirits; and stirring up her womanish thoughts with a manly stomach, she said unto them.” Maccabees is part of the Apocrypha

Song of Solomon 2:4: “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

Isaiah 11:10: “And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.”

The "ice hole" likely refers to a rocky ravine now known as the Ice Glen, in Stockbridge, MA.

OED notes that “hitch horses together” is a US colloquialism meaning “get on well together, act in harmony.”
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