All Items 8

L. Chapin letter to Orra White Hitchcock, 1824 March 30

Chapin, L.

A letter of condolence from L. Chapin to Orra White Hitchcock upon hearing of the death of Hitchcock's 22-month-old child, Edward Hitchcock. Chapin quotes some lines that he or she believe Orra White may find comforting, which appear to be drawn from John William Cunningham's "The Velvet Cushion." Chapin also inquires after mutual acquaintances.

L. Chapin letter to Orra White Hitchcock, 1824 March 30
Orra White Hitchcock letter to Edward Hitchcock, Jr.

Hitchcock, Orra White, 1796-1863

A letter to Edward Hitchcock, Jr. in which Orra White Hitchcock writes primarily to pass along a letter the family received from his sister, Catharine Hitchcock Storrs. Orra comments on the family news and requests Edward's copy of the Saturday Springfield Republican if he still has it.

Orra White Hitchcock letter to Edward Hitchcock, Jr.
Orra White Hitchcock letter to Mary Hitchcock and Jane Hitchcock, 1850 July 28

Hitchcock, Orra White, 1796-1863

A letter from Orra White Hitchcock to her children, directed to "Mary and Jane in particular & the rest in general." Much of the letter is devoted to expressing her desire for more frequent letters and news, no matter how mundane, from her children. She also offers each of her children advice and direction about their individual endeavours. She reports on their father's ill health and her hope that the weather will be warmer when they reach "the continent." Orra inquires about things at home, initially scolding Kate for not writing, but relenting after receiving a letter from her a couple of days later. Orra describes her travel with her husband(accompanied, at times, by their friends the Tappans) throughout Ireland and Scotland in great detail, focusing especially on Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. She writes extensively about their modes of travel, the landscape, the people, and the houses and dress. She shares her method for dealing with the many persistent "beggars" she encounters on the streets of Ireland, which is to go out with food in her pockets and when asked for money give out pieces of bread. She ends with a brief description of the meeting of the British Association for the Advancement of Science which she and Edward attended in Edinburgh. The letter was begun on July 28, 1850, with portions added over the next few days, with the final portion being written on August 1, 1850.

Orra White Hitchcock letter to Mary Hitchcock and Jane Hitchcock, 1850 July 28
Orra White Hitchcock letter to Edward Hitchcock, Jr., 1858 July 20

Hitchcock, Orra White, 1796-1863

A letter to Edward Hitchcock, Jr. in which Orra White Hitchcock writes primarily about everyday matters, mostly about the summer travel plans of various members of the Hitchcock family and visits to and from friends. She also reports on a dispute between Edward's brother Charlie and Hagar [presumably Charlie's colleague and fellow assistant state geologist of Vermont, Albert Hager, also spelled Hagar], and the senior Edward Hitchcock's plans to attempt a reconciliation between the two. Orra also writes of her expectation that Edward attend the upcoming Amherst College commencement.

Orra White Hitchcock letter to Edward Hitchcock, Jr., 1858 July 20
Orra White Hitchcock letter to Bela White, 1846 October 26

Hitchcock, Orra White, 1796-1863

A letter from Orra White Hitchcock to her brother, Bela White in Iowa, in which she describes unsuccessfully trying to meet with Dr. Chester William Cowles to send a letter to Bela White and to allow Dr. Cowles to see her family so that he could describe them to Bela. Since Dr. Cowles did not call on Orra White, she describes her six children and their characters in the letter so that Bela may in some way get "acquainted" with them.

Orra White Hitchcock letter to Bela White, 1846 October 26
Bela White letter to George White, 1831 September 15

White, Bela

A letter from Bela White to his brother, George White in Monson, Massachusetts, [brothers of Orra White Hitchcock] in which he describes his life in the village in Illinois where he lives. He notes his involvement in the building of an ox saw mill and his expectation that it will be profitable. He says that residents expect a "very considerable immigration from the eastern states" in the fall and that many of the southerners are returning to Tennessee, which he considers just as well. He mentions that he has not heard from Amherst since the previous winter. Bela also explains with humor that some older women in the town have given him a namesake since he is unlikely to wed and have children of his own.

Bela White letter to George White, 1831 September 15
George White letter to Orra White Hitchcock, 1833 September 23

White, George, 1806-1834

A letter to Orra White Hitchcock in which her brother George White describes his life in Hillsboro, Illinois, where he moved two years prior. He tells Orra about who has died recently, the particular illnesses in the region, and the migrants that are coming to the area-- "less Southern and more Eastern migration this year". He also discusses his own moderate success and his belief that he will be able to make enough money to repay his debts "at the East" and settle with all his creditors. He also discusses their brother Bela White's growing business.

George White letter to Orra White Hitchcock, 1833 September 23
Orra White Hitchcock diary, 1854

Hitchcock, Orra White, 1796-1863

A daily diary bound in green covers kept by Orra White Hitchcock in which she wrote about day-to-day events from January through October, 1854. She writes about her family (referring to her husband Edward as "Mr. H"), especially her children, and her friends. She also comments on the weather, occasionally writes about Amherst College and events she attended, and includes biblical verses and passages in some of her entries.

Orra White Hitchcock diary, 1854