Letter from John and Fanny Duncan on illnesses, travels, and deaths
Union Falls Nov 2/1834
My Dear Sister
Your letter was a long looked for prize and I did not intend to delay so long answering it but I have a multiplicity of hindrances of which I could not if I should try give you any idea. My sympathies are fully awakened I assure you by your letter and I do not at all wonder that you find it difficult to find time and strength to write better, but thus greatly relieved me to hear that you are again settled and I hope your prospects for usefulness are brighter than before, and you probably had opportunity by those severe trials which I know you must have had during your stay in Portland to learn much that well for you far greater usefulness in your future course, but I must haste to tell you something of past events. Perhaps I shall tell of some things you have already heard. You have most like had letters from Castleton since Father and [?] Lucy made us that pleasant visit of near three weeks—Father had just begun to recover from a severe illness and improved rapidly during his visit here. Sister was very feeble when she started from home and was attacked by cholera morbus at Reesville so that William, wo also accompanied them said he greatly feared at one time she would not be able to get here, but when Brother came for her he pronounced her better. I wish you could see her—She seems to be the victim of great depression of spirits at times arising probably from disease of body. Mr. Dunn returning from Troy called at Castleton a week ago afternoon found them well.
Friday Nov 17—You see my dear sister that my letter has paused two weeks. I have in the deep recess some very sudden calls to attend from strangers and among others since I last commenced this we had from two gentlemen from N. York one of whom was here with another gent, one monday morning while you was here he was here with his son four years ago and last summer the son in company with two other young men one of whom was a son of Dr. James W. Alexander of N. York. They come as many others do in hunting expeditions. Last mail brought Margaret a letter from Elisabeth Post which was a rare treat.
She writes they are in as good health as usual. Henry is yet as I suppose at Holland and Charles P with him. Robert and Hoyt still at their stations at Grand Haven you have little idea yet what it is to have children scattering about as mine do. John and James yet stay in Boston. And John was married the 6th of Oct to one of whom had never heard until we heard the announcement, and James had his first introduction to her at the wedding. I fear it was rather a hasty union but hope it is a good one her name Joanna Sears the daughter of a Sea Captain and her brother also a Sea Captain. I wish you would write to them soon they are in South Boston to which we direct. They have become acquainted with uncle and aunt Dean Edward Purdy and John Denison and Denison Dana. I suppose you have heard that uncle and aunt Purdy and Lucius are dead, Uncle Henry Denison too—and Mr. D Leard in Cast. of the death of Aunt Cross & Uncle Higley is the last of his family. I must close Frances Margaret—Charley and Eliza would be exceedingly glad to hear from you soon. Much love to brother & your dear children.
Your Sister, Fanny
Union Falls Nov 17th 1854
My dear Bro. & Sister
As is usually the case this comes to me just as the mail is expected along and must be ready in a few minutes or lay over another week which is my excuse for not writing more with best wishes for your health and prosperity I am truly yours.
John T. Duncan
My Dear Sister
Your letter was a long looked for prize and I did not intend to delay so long answering it but I have a multiplicity of hindrances of which I could not if I should try give you any idea. My sympathies are fully awakened I assure you by your letter and I do not at all wonder that you find it difficult to find time and strength to write better, but thus greatly relieved me to hear that you are again settled and I hope your prospects for usefulness are brighter than before, and you probably had opportunity by those severe trials which I know you must have had during your stay in Portland to learn much that well for you far greater usefulness in your future course, but I must haste to tell you something of past events. Perhaps I shall tell of some things you have already heard. You have most like had letters from Castleton since Father and [?] Lucy made us that pleasant visit of near three weeks—Father had just begun to recover from a severe illness and improved rapidly during his visit here. Sister was very feeble when she started from home and was attacked by cholera morbus at Reesville so that William, wo also accompanied them said he greatly feared at one time she would not be able to get here, but when Brother came for her he pronounced her better. I wish you could see her—She seems to be the victim of great depression of spirits at times arising probably from disease of body. Mr. Dunn returning from Troy called at Castleton a week ago afternoon found them well.
Friday Nov 17—You see my dear sister that my letter has paused two weeks. I have in the deep recess some very sudden calls to attend from strangers and among others since I last commenced this we had from two gentlemen from N. York one of whom was here with another gent, one monday morning while you was here he was here with his son four years ago and last summer the son in company with two other young men one of whom was a son of Dr. James W. Alexander of N. York. They come as many others do in hunting expeditions. Last mail brought Margaret a letter from Elisabeth Post which was a rare treat.
She writes they are in as good health as usual. Henry is yet as I suppose at Holland and Charles P with him. Robert and Hoyt still at their stations at Grand Haven you have little idea yet what it is to have children scattering about as mine do. John and James yet stay in Boston. And John was married the 6th of Oct to one of whom had never heard until we heard the announcement, and James had his first introduction to her at the wedding. I fear it was rather a hasty union but hope it is a good one her name Joanna Sears the daughter of a Sea Captain and her brother also a Sea Captain. I wish you would write to them soon they are in South Boston to which we direct. They have become acquainted with uncle and aunt Dean Edward Purdy and John Denison and Denison Dana. I suppose you have heard that uncle and aunt Purdy and Lucius are dead, Uncle Henry Denison too—and Mr. D Leard in Cast. of the death of Aunt Cross & Uncle Higley is the last of his family. I must close Frances Margaret—Charley and Eliza would be exceedingly glad to hear from you soon. Much love to brother & your dear children.
Your Sister, Fanny
Union Falls Nov 17th 1854
My dear Bro. & Sister
As is usually the case this comes to me just as the mail is expected along and must be ready in a few minutes or lay over another week which is my excuse for not writing more with best wishes for your health and prosperity I am truly yours.
John T. Duncan
- Title
- Letter from John and Fanny Duncan on illnesses, travels, and deaths
- Description
- Letters from John T. Duncan and his wife, Fanny, to Mary Denison Lyman. They discuss news of illnesses, travels, and deaths. Fanny was likely Mary's sister.
- Creator
- Duncan, John T.
- Source
- Pacific University Archives
- Date
- 1834
- Is Part Of
- Lyman Family Papers
- Format
- Letter
- Language
- English
- Identifier
- PUA_MS31_18_a
- Rights
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/
- Type
- Text
- Media
-
https://exhibits.lib.pacificu.edu/files/original/6ba97637394e48f0f6fd17a05da85e3c.pdf -
Union Falls Nov 2/1834<br/><br/>My Dear Sister<br/><br/>Your letter was a long looked for prize and I did not intend to delay so long answering it but I have a multiplicity of hindrances of which I could not if I should try give you any idea. My sympathies are fully awakened I assure you by your letter and I do not at all wonder that you find it difficult to find time and strength to write better, but thus greatly relieved me to hear that you are again settled and I hope your prospects for usefulness are brighter than before, and you probably had opportunity by those severe trials which I know you must have had during your stay in Portland to learn much that well for you far greater usefulness in your future course, but I must haste to tell you something of past events. Perhaps I shall tell of some things you have already heard. You have most like had letters from Castleton since Father and [?] Lucy made us that pleasant visit of near three weeks—Father had just begun to recover from a severe illness and improved rapidly during his visit here. Sister was very feeble when she started from home and was attacked by cholera morbus at Reesville so that William, wo also accompanied them said he greatly feared at one time she would not be able to get here, but when Brother came for her he pronounced her better. I wish you could see her—She seems to be the victim of great depression of spirits at times arising probably from disease of body. Mr. Dunn returning from Troy called at Castleton a week ago afternoon found them well.<br/><br/>Friday Nov 17—You see my dear sister that my letter has paused two weeks. I have in the deep recess some very sudden calls to attend from strangers and among others since I last commenced this we had from two gentlemen from N. York one of whom was here with another gent, one monday morning while you was here he was here with his son four years ago and last summer the son in company with two other young men one of whom was a son of Dr. James W. Alexander of N. York. They come as many others do in hunting expeditions. Last mail brought Margaret a letter from Elisabeth Post which was a rare treat.<br/><br/>She writes they are in as good health as usual. Henry is yet as I suppose at Holland and Charles P with him. Robert and Hoyt still at their stations at Grand Haven you have little idea yet what it is to have children scattering about as mine do. John and James yet stay in Boston. And John was married the 6th of Oct to one of whom had never heard until we heard the announcement, and James had his first introduction to her at the wedding. I fear it was rather a hasty union but hope it is a good one her name Joanna Sears the daughter of a Sea Captain and her brother also a Sea Captain. I wish you would write to them soon they are in South Boston to which we direct. They have become acquainted with uncle and aunt Dean Edward Purdy and John Denison and Denison Dana. I suppose you have heard that uncle and aunt Purdy and Lucius are dead, Uncle Henry Denison too—and Mr. D Leard in Cast. of the death of Aunt Cross & Uncle Higley is the last of his family. I must close Frances Margaret—Charley and Eliza would be exceedingly glad to hear from you soon. Much love to brother & your dear children.<br/><br/>Your Sister, Fanny<br/><br/>Union Falls Nov 17th 1854<br/><br/>My dear Bro. & Sister<br/><br/>As is usually the case this comes to me just as the mail is expected along and must be ready in a few minutes or lay over another week which is my excuse for not writing more with best wishes for your health and prosperity I am truly yours.<br/><br/>John T. Duncan