Elisa Hatch Letters, 1842-05-29, 1843-07-23
Collection context
Summary
- Extent:
- 2.00 items (1) One Box and (1) One Folder
- Language:
- English
- Preferred citation:
Elisa Hatch Letters, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.
Background
- Scope and content:
The correspondence consists of two letters, dated May 29, 1842 and July 23, 1843, from Elisa Hatch to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Comings, sent from Jacksonville, Florida. The writer describes to her brother and sister, in Greensboro, Vermont, her thoughts and experiences while living on the Florida frontier, two years prior to Florida's admission to statehood.
The first letter, dated May 29, 1842, mentions her Boarding School for Young Ladies, and her role as a teacher in Southern aristocracy. She comments that she is able, by her own individual exertions, to support herself, her husband and children. She mentions the church at Mandarin, notes of books she has read, and the offer of a local lady to let her play the piano. Family news consists of her mother's marriage, the expenses of renting her house ($144 per year), her flourishing mulberry trees and other crops, and the orange trees being decimated by an unidentified insect.
The second letter, dated July 23, 1843, mentions her home life and activities, family, social obligations, and the "delightful climate" of the area. The family has abandoned their Mandarin residence, and are now living in the city of Jacksonville where she describes her home life. She comments on blacks and poor whites, her opposition to slavery, and the relations between white men and black women. She relates that although there are numerous cases of consumption in town, she considers Jacksonville one of "the most healthy places on the globe." She describes her neighbor, Mrs. Fleming, as a "good and noble old lady, 75 and Catholick." The family will be leaving Jacksonville shortly for the Indian River area of Florida, where her husband has claimed property under the Florida Armed Occupation Act.
- Biographical / historical:
The correspondence consists of two letters, dated May 29, 1842 and July 23, 1843, from Elisa Hatch to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Comings, sent from Jacksonville, Florida. The writer describes to her brother and sister, in Greensboro, Vermont, her thoughts and experiences while living on the Florida frontier, two years prior to Florida's admission to statehood. She describes in detail: her occupation as a teacher (Boarding School for Young Ladies); her role in Southern aristocracy and her social obligations; family relations, home life, and gossip; health problems; the expenses of renting her house; the care of her trees and other crops; and the local churches and community groups in Jacksonville, including the Temperance Society. She comments on blacks and poor whites, slavery, and the relations between white men and black women in the South.
- Acquisition information:
- Acquisition information for this collection is unavailable
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access and use
- Restrictions:
The collection is open for research by appointment only. Please contact lib-special@unf.edu to schedule an appointment.
- Terms of access:
Materials in the collection may be subject to copyright and are to be used for private study, scholarship, or research in accordance with the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code). Use of reproductions of copyrighted works in excess of " fair use," may result in the user's liability for copyright infringement and be subject to the civil and criminal penalties of federal law. Visit the United States Copyright Office's website at http://www.copyright.gov/ for further information
- Preferred citation:
Elisa Hatch Letters, Thomas G. Carpenter Library, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida.
- Location of this collection:
-
Thomas G. Carpenter Library1 UNF DriveJacksonvilleFL32224USA
- Contact: