Wednesday, January 19, 2022

1840 Letter from Mary Lydia Richardson (1823-1907) studying in Portland, Maine, to her father Dr. Erastus Richardson (1794-1855) in Eastport, Maine

January 6, 1840 letter from Mary Lydia Richardson (1823-1907), studying or seeking a school in Portland, Maine, to her father Dr. Erastus Richardson (1794-1855) in Eastport, Maine.

Another post features a letter with mention of Dr. Erastus Richardson:

A transcription of Mary's letter appears at the end of this post.  If you have information to share on any of the people mentioned in the letter, please leave a comment for the benefit of other researchers.
Mentioned in the letter: - hopefully readers can fill in the blanks

Transcription

Portland, Jan. 6th, 1840
My dear Father,
I received yours of the 25th on the 28th. I am very much obliged to you for the money. Do you wish me to pay my quarters board with it?
Mr. Weed's school commenced last Monday, he had but twenty scholars, but is to have more. I wish that I was to be one of the number.
Miss Cross's three months will be ended in a fortnight after this week.
Miss Jane Jones called to see me last Saturday. She is spending a few weeks in the city.

We made candy here New Year's night, but it was such molasses that it was miserable stuff. Tonight we are making some, I tried to work a piece, but it stuck so that I had to give it up. It is not equal to that we used to make at home last winter, especially when we had it stolen [or stollen].

Monday evening I spent at Mrs. C. Finkham with Miss Storer, the Miss Foster's and Miss Noyes & had a  very pleasant time.
There has been a great deal of cold weather here this winter and I think more snow to make sleighing then we had in Eastport all last winter, but today it is a January thaw.
Mrs. Brook wishes to know if you will please mention to Elizabeth that she received the letter she sent by Mr. Chadbourne, by Mr. McLellan. 

I bought for myself for a New Year's Present a very pretty ring. It was a dollar. I had my name put on on it.
Is Water St. entirely built up? I expect by the time I go to Eastport I shall hardly know it.
Do most of the girls in E___ go to the dancing school, and Cotillions? I should like very much to be in Eastport this winter and enjoy some of the good times.
I have just been out to see how the candy was doing. It is stuck about from one end of the kitchin to the other. I hardly think it will be fit to eat.
Mr. Whitman has been quite sick, he is not going to preach for several weeks. they have engaged a minister from Boston.
How is Mrs. Jackman this winter?  Please remember me to her, and Mrs. Hume with daughters and sons.
Has Louisa been in Eastport this winter? Did you distribute those Christmas notes I sent to you by the Cutter?
I must say one word about my nails. I have used that powder several times, and they look now like common people's nails.  I hope that they will continue to do so.
I must now draw to a close not for want of time but for news.
Give my best to love to Fanny, and to all of the girls.
Your affectionate Daughter,
Mary Richardson

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