The
The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and
Printed Ephemera
Henry Francis du Pont
5105 Kennett Pike,
302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883
OVERVIEW OF
THE COLLECTION
Creator: Howe, Sarah Lydia Robbins
Title: Letters
Dates: 1833-1859
Call No.: Doc. 333
Acc. No.: 85x43
Quantity: 14 items
Location: 31 C 3
BIOGRAPHICAL
STATEMENT
Sarah Lydia Robbins Howe resided in Cambridge,
Massachusetts. She was born on December
16, 1787 in Milton, Massachusetts, the daughter of Edward H. and Elizabeth
Murray Robbins. Her sisters were Mary
and Anne Jean. One of her brothers was
James Murray Robbins, who continued to live at Brush Hill, the family property
in Milton. On October 11, 1813, Sarah
Lydia Robbins married Samuel Howe. Their
children included daughters Mary E. (born circa 1817) and Sarah R. (born circa
1827). Sarah Lydia Howe died in
Cambridge on June 17, 1862. Mary E. and
Sarah R. Howe never married and continued to live together, with their
unmarried aunt Catherine Robbins. Sarah
R. Howe was listed as a teacher in the 1880 census.
The relatives in Cincinnati with whom Mary E. Howe
resides were Uriah Tracy Howe, his wife Sarah, and their children, including
son Tracy. Estes Howe is another
relative who is mentioned. In Northampton,
Mary stays with her Lyman relatives, uncle Joseph and aunt Anne Jean Robbins
Lyman. Sarah Lydia’s sister Mary Robbins
married Joseph Warren Revere (1777-1868), the son of the noted silversmith, and
Revere relatives are mentioned in the letters.
The Robbins family was also related to the Forbes family.
SCOPE AND
CONTENT
Consists of 14 letters written by Sarah L. Howe to
her daughter, Mary E. Howe, who was living with relatives in Cincinnati, Ohio. Howe writes concerning social life in
Cambridge, parties and events in Boston, family affairs, the health of
relatives and friends, engagements, weddings, funerals, travel, and attending
lectures by Thackeray and Emerson. On
Thackeray's lectures, she commented: "I have continued to like them very
much--but do not agree with him in many of his literary criticisms ... I think
he mentions the drinking frolics and convivialities of these men with a gusto
that tells me he has no great objection to that sort of thing himself." Howe also comments on books she read and her
association with a book club in Cambridge.
Additionally, there is a letter written by Sarah to her sister,
Catherine Robbins, who was attending school in Northampton, Massachusetts. Catherine's later activities were often
recorded in letters from Sarah to Mary.
ORGANIZATION
The letters are in chronological order.
LANGUAGE OF
MATERIALS
The materials are in English.
RESTRICTIONS
ON ACCESS
Collection is open to the public. Copyright restrictions may apply.
PROVENANCE
Purchased from Robert F. Lucas.
RELATED
MATERIAL
The Revere family papers are available at this
repository on microfilm, Mic. 2837-2851.
Although they do not seem to contain any papers directly pertaining to
Sarah Lydia Robbins Howe, the collection does contain letters from members of
the Robbins family, and an account of the Forbes and Robbins family written by
Mary Robbins Revere.
ACCESS POINTS
People:
Howe, Mary E.
Robbins,
Catherine.
Howe
family.
Thackeray,
William Makepeace, 1811-1863.
Emerson,
Ralph Waldo, 1803-1882.
Topics:
Marriage customs and rites -
Massachusetts - Cambridge.
Funeral rites and ceremonies - Massachusetts - Cambridge.
Manners and customs – History - 19th century.
Book clubs.
Books and reading.
Mothers and daughters.
Cambridge (Mass.) - Social life and customs.
Letters.
DETAILED
DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION
Location: 31 C
3
84x43.1 Sarah L. Howe, Cambridge, June 13,
1833, to sister Catherine Robbins and daughter Sarah [R. Howe], care of Mrs.
Hunt, Northampton, [Mass.]
From Sarah L.
to sister Catherine: Glad Catherine and Sarah reached Northampton safely and
hopes Catherine is better. Mrs. Danforth
to come to tea this afternoon. Mr.
Phillips and Miss Hill married; Mary Howe went to their party. James Howe recovering from lameness. Bennet [Forbes] is to return to Canton
[Massachusetts, where the Revere family had a business]. Mr. and Mrs. Revere came with Mrs. Danforth
for a visit.
From Mother [Sarah L.] to Sarah R.: Obey your aunts and
be kind to cousins. Learn much in school
and write mother a letter. News of
acquaintances. “I miss you very much….”
85x43.2 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, Cincinnati, September 25, 1836.
Mother not able to attend centennial celebration; has
been nursing Mayer who had typhus fever.
Mrs. Spelman and Catherine helped with the task. Was finally able to procure a nurse. Dr. Jackson came several times; prefers him
to Dr. Plympton or Dr. Barrett. Sarah [R.]
stayed with Susan because it was too quiet at home; grandmother has returned
home. News of friends. Visited Mount Auburn.
85x43.3 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, care of U. T. Howe, Cincinnati, January 13, 1837.
Aunt Catherine is in Northampton, where Anne is in
decline. News of grandmother (ill with
rheumatism) and aunts Revere and Mary Robbins.
Winter has been mild and plants are blooming. Book club met; did not buy any books and was
provoked that Mrs. King was not elected a member. News of friends. Has been attending Charles Jackson’s lectures
on geology. Mentions books read. Emma Forbes invited Harriet, James, and Sarah
to her New Year’s Eve party, but they unable to attend. When Mr. Revere returns from Washington, hopes
to hear news of the exploring expedition.
More news of family and friends.
85x43.4 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, care of U. Tracy Howe, Cincinnati, February 23, 1837.
Glad to hear news of birth of Tracy’s son [also named Tracy]
and that mother Sarah is doing well.
Richard Robbin’s wife died in childbirth. Sorry to hear that Estes has decided to
“relinquish his profession.” Surprised
that Tracy is also considering another profession. Catherine [Robbins] much upset by Anne’s
death. Sending Mrs. Farrar’s book,
Wendall Holmes’ poems, and Mrs. George Lee’s book. Hopes Joshua Davis will help Mr. Dana as Mr.
Davis is rich and “had nobody better to love and serve than that dog who died
so genteelly last spring.” Sarah Perkins
much besieged by suitors this winter.
Many cotillion parties being held.
Mr. Sumner going to all the parties.
Is reading The Lusiad but
doesn’t enjoy it much. Went to Emerson’s
lectures upon Philosophy of History.
News of friends. Suggests that
Mary not try to travel back to Cambridge unless she can find a female
companion.
Written in pencil by a
later hand: “Note about my father abandoning his profession.”
85x43.5 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, care of U. T. Howe, Cincinnati, April 22, 1844.
News of family and friends. Catherine [Robbins] and S.L.H. enjoyed
themselves at Mrs. Dixwell’s party. The
students burned a shed near Dr. Walker’s cellar; it had contained a set of
carpenter’s tools. Mr. Codman and 28
other sophomores were placed on probation because of their poor exam
results. E. Williams very ill and in
decline. Mr. Bulfinch died; Mr. and Mrs.
Greenleaf may be moving here. Will be
spending coming week with the mantua maker Miss McF. Has several things to read, including Life of
Sir David Wilkie.
85x43.6 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, care of Hon. Jos. Lyman, Northampton, Mass., September 27, 1846.
The travellers
(Tracy and Sarah Howe and their children) reach Detroit after a comfortable
lake crossing. Tracy “at once immersed
in business” [railroad building, apparently].
Bought a Stimpson Range [cook stove], got the cellar and yard cleaned,
moved the bedsteads, rented part of the house to Miss [name unclear], and had
painting and papering done. Various
family visits. Mrs. Follen likes her new
abode and has her piano set up. News of
friends – an engagement, two deaths, calls.
Received a presentation coy of Mr. Sumner’s oration. Am reading Campbell’s lives of the
chancellors.
85x43.7 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, care of Hon. Jos. Lyman, Northampton, Mass., October 5, 1846.
Glad she is enjoying her visit; no need to rush
home. Visits to and from relatives. Made a call on the newly-wed Mr. and Mrs.
Felton. James’ mills are going
well. The new range works well. Comments on lack of beauty in Edward’s and
Munson’s wives. Book club did not
meet. Making underclothes for
Estes. News of friends.
85x43.8 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, no place, October 13, 1852.
Carrie [Wilson] received a summons home, and James saw
her safely on the train to New York.
Maria Fay hosted the book club, about 50 persons; Fanny attended with
her. Took a “tour” around Norfolk County
starting on Friday, visiting friends and relatives. Dr. Davis has purchased a farm near
Winchester, Virginia. Visited the lot
where John proposed to build; the trees were gorgeous, “gleaming with gold and
glowing with rubies.” Dr. Johnson and Dr. Charles Foster plan to
establish practices in Cambridge. News
of friends and travellers.
85x43.9 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, no place, December 9, 1852.
Mild winter.
Bennet Forbes, Margaret, and Fanny leave for England soon. James Howe has taken a house on Mt. Vernon
Street, more convenient for Harriet to make and receive visits than their
residence in Brookline. Eye
troubles. Does not like going to evening
parties. Did not go to book club
meeting. Mr. Mumford not having much
success at fund raising. Can send her
Mr. Hillard’s Webster oration if she has not seen it. Ladies planning a fund-raising fair in the
spring; starting needlework next week. Brattle
House balls next week, but Sara does not wish to go alone. Rogers courting E. Lincoln. News of family and friends.
85x43.10 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, no place, January 5, 1853.
New Year greetings.
Christmas was pleasant [does not further describe, however]. Continue to attend Thackeray’s lectures; discusses
what he says. Revere and Lyman
relatives also attend lectures; Aunt Lyman must move by April 1. On New Year’s Day, went with Estes, Lois, M.
White, and Sara to home of James and Harriet; “they have gas, water, furnace
and all conveniences.” Enjoyed Charles
Norton’s recent lecture on Calcutta.
Boston assemblies start soon, and hopes Sara will have someone with whom
she can attend them. Has enjoyed Life of
Mrs. Ware [Memoir of Mary L. Ware, by
Edward B. Hall]. Mentions lodger Mr.
Clough, “very polite and refined.” More
about Mr. Mumford’s fund raising efforts.
Mr. Clough’s lecture on English literature was not the best. News of family and friends.
85x43.11 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, [Cincinnati], February 28, 1853.
Has been in Boston and unable to reply to her
letter. Death of Mrs. William Allen a
great affliction to all. Visits with
family and friends. Fanny received 79
presents [for a wedding, it seems]. News
of extended family. James and wife
Harriet are taking French lessons. Miss
Emily Jenniser[?] died, “which is something to rejoice at as there was nobody
to take care of her.” Having a hard time
getting daughter Sara to go to parties, such as the one given by Dr. Lowell for
cousin Florence Russell. Archie starting
to read. Sidney has gone to Washington
for the inauguration. News of others’
travels.
85x43.12 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, [Detroit], August 2, 1855.
Enjoyed her
letter about the trip to Lake Superior.
Sally wrote about the wedding [does not say whose]. The couple taking a trip to North Conway and
the mountains. News about various
members of the family. Other engagements
and weddings. Made currant jelly and
raspberry jam and is knitting – eyes cannot take much sewing or reading.
Note in other hand,
stating that Mary was staying with the family of U. T. Howe in Detroit.
85x43.13 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, [probably Cincinnati], January 28, 1859.
Purchased
stockings. Sent a newspaper account of
the [Robert] Burns festival, with some good poetry. Visited Mrs. Bradford, Mary, and James. “Mary much engaged in anti-slavery business…”
and was involved in a fund-raising event for the cause. Mrs. Bradford hopes Mary will go visit Fanny
in Detroit. Estes and Lois plan to go to
Washington, D.C., and Sara plans to go with them. Sara will get some new dresses for the
trip. Thinks a dark dress is what Mary
needs for “that smutty region.” Contents
of the February issue of Atlantic, including
a “charming story” by Mrs. Stowe. News
of family and friends.
85x43.14 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, no place, February 22, 1859.
Estes, Lois,
and Sara enjoyed Washington. Sara’s
luggage was lost on the way home, but she will “gradually get more
clothes.” Mentions engagement of Jeanie
Revere[?], but no day has been named, nor has a house been procured or
furniture purchased. News of family and
friends.
85x43.15 Sarah L. Howe (mother), Cambridge, to
Mary E. Howe, no place, March 4, 1859.
Sarah
Dewhurst has been making a dress for her, and she has seen to getting gas piped
into the house next door. Sara’s luggage
was found and returned, thankfully, as some of the items were borrowed. James enjoying his trip to St.
Augustine. Early March very cold. Death of Mrs. Jane Sedgwick, with her last
words. Corruption in Washington as
exposed by Albert. Lois hosting a parlor
concert tonight. Mrs. Otis is hosting a
ball for the Mount Vernon Association.