Orra White Hitchcock letter to a Hitchcock daughter, 1850 June
Hitchcock, Orra White, 1796-1863
A letter from Orra White Hitchcock to one of her children describing her and Edward Hitchcock's journey in Great Britain thus far. Though it is unclear which child the letter is addressed to, the content of the letter suggests that the intended recipient is either Mary Hitchcock or Catharine Hitchcock [later Storrs]. Orra White discusses Edward Hitchcock's appointment to the board of commissioners for creating an agricultural college in Massachusetts and describes the visits he must make to similar institutions in Europe as part of that board. She indicates that the trip is becoming "irksome," due in part to the effects it is having on Edward's health. She passes along messages to her other children, Emily, Charlie, Jane, and Edward Jr. saying she hopes her youngest, Emily, will benefit from Orra's absence. Orra comments on local events back home and implores her children to write and share the news. The letter is continued on "Friday morn" with descriptions of the bells chiming in honor of the anniversary of the queen's coronation. Orra goes on to describe the news she heard at the breakfast table about an incident that had taken place the evening before at Buckingham Palace in which a "respectable looking man" hit Queen Victoria with his cane. She also describes various recent social engagements including lunch at the home of Lady Lyell, wife of Sir Charles Lyell. The letter appears to be incomplete.
