The author of this letter has not yet been identified. She signed her name “Sarah” and datelined her letter from Philadelphia.
Cornelia Elizabeth Boardman
She sent the letter to Miss Cornelia Elizabeth Boardman (1808-1880) of New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut. She was the daughter of Elijah Boardman (1760-1823) and Mary Anna Whiting (1767-1848). Elijah was a United States Senator from Connecticut. Born to a noted and politically connected Connecticut family, he served in the United States Army before becoming a noted merchant and businessman. Becoming involved in property and land ownership in Connecticut and Ohio, he founded the towns of Boardman and Medina. His involvement in politics also increased, and he gradually rose through the ranks of the local, and then national government in the United States Senate. He served as Senator for Connecticut until his death in Ohio.
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TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Miss Cornelia E. Boardman, New Milford, Litchfield County, Connecticut
Philadelphia [Pennsylvania]
22d of July 1846
My dear Nele,
I have been hoping and expecting a letter from thee. You could not surely consider that short note an answer to my long letter. Oh, I have had so many things to attend to, you will exclaim and a friend to boot. It all may be so. Yes, I thought you never neglected writing your friends, at least if you care anything for them. When you were in New York [City], how ____ you might, if you have wis___ come and spent a day in town with us, you need not expect me in NM this summer, cannot come to see thee, have no idea. I punish you half as much as myself, never the less cannot help it. If it had not been for Banks, should not known anything of AM for the last three months. She spent three weeks with us, and when she left, did think of returning in the course of this month.
If you see Mrs. Noxen, tell her I have commenced writing her once or twice, yet not hearing from Druscilla, could give her no information. She will return this way. However, I will then execute her commission. My love to her.
Such a melancholy two weeks as have just passed, I trust, may not dawn again. My dear cousin after a visit of eight weeks, and my darling niece Georgiana all took their departure in one day. News from Brother JP quite ill. Did not inform Mother owing to her being more than usually feeble, and the anxiety she would give herself respecting him.
The weather has been intolerable. Should have died, I am certain, without my cold bath. A letter from NM, I am certain, sure would do as all a vast deal of good. You have the baby with you ere this, I suppose. How I would like to nurse it a day. Since Georgiana was a baby I have loved sweet babies dearly. Dear Eliza Albert and he sweet little Mary paid us a short visit. I am looking daily for their return. ____ he has received no benefit, I hear. Feared as much when I saw them on their way. Never saw Eliza looking better. Anna is coming on finely.
Nele why do you not hurry and take what St. Nick sends? It may not be the last chance, you think. Take care you may trifle with good luck too long.
How are the Heights? Do they like Burlington? Mr. Stall invited us to go up there while the young Ladies were here yet we had not the time. By the by, he sends his love [and] thinks he may accept of you Aunt’s invitation in the course of the summer and pay Miss B and ______ a visit.
Where do you go this summer – Ohio I heard. Don’t you come this way?
Mother is sleeping soundly and my eyes are half shut, yet finish this I will, dull as I am. Let me go see it but thy own. Mother and Aunt are never excluded. How is it I hear my letters are traveling around the county ______ let them go from thee again, for I write to no one else. Inform me in thy next that they are all called in to what purpose are the avails of your fun appropriated the Episcopal Church. How come on the Squires house exceeds you before it. I suppose you will surely have to build a new one these days.
How is the fruit with thee? Wish I could give thee some of the fine apricots I have on the shelf. Peaches are not very good yet. Most of our fruit has been premature. Nothing as usual except strawberries. It amuses me to see how Banks enjoyed them. Said she never ate as many in her life. You must have found her Brother pleasantly situated owing to her long stay. Now, dear Nele, write me soon and tell me all about thyself and those nearest & dearest to thee. Many thanks to your Aunt for her kind tokens of remembrance. Shall answer her note with a long letter. If you do not notice me after this, Cornelia is sitting by me. Desires her love to you all. Such a fat child. You would laugh to see her. Her hair is just growing out and I comb it directly back to improve her forehead. Wonder if she will have more brains than her Mother. Shall not relax my efforts. Methinks she has accomplished wonders in writing and arithmetic.
Remember, this is only for the eye. Forget me not and write soon if you love me and I will not think contrary. If it were not I am so anxious about my absent brother, should induce Mother to [take] you to the Cape for a few days. ___ is very well and joins me and Mother in much love to thee all. Kiss the dear Baby, love to the children and your dear sister, How I wish John L. would spend a few days with us during his vacation. If he would enjoy it, I have a fine piano and will do all I can to have his time pass agreeably. Love to Emma and a remembrance to your Kitchen Cabinet. It has been drizzling all day. What are you reading? Tell Minerva shall write her soon. My love to all. How is Abel? He is deserving a better lot.
I wish I could peep in upon thee. Yet it is in vain. Adieu. Thine as ever, — Sarah
Gravestone of Cornelia Elizabeth Boardman
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