Then and now. These two photos show Brandywine Road looking North to the square. The first photo is of the Leach store in the mid-1800s and the second shows the parking lot of CVS. Note the train station just North of the square in the first photo.
Brought to you by the Historical Society of Old Northfield
The next three letters appear to be on the same type of paper and are very worn like the previous letter. Since they are all from the same family, they were probably included in the letter from John Maxim (1796-1869), published last week. John Maxam married Roderick Dwight’s sister Marietta.
The first letter is written by Maryetta Dwight Maxam, (1801-1863), the mother of the two sisters who wrote the next two letters. Note that the writer of the third letter has the same name as her mother. The second letter was written by Cordelia Butter Maxam (1815-1863), and the third letter was written by Cordelia’s sister Maryetta Dwight Maxam (1826-1899). Assuming these letters were part of one envelope, they would have been written in January 1842. Roderick and Emily are in Northfield on an extended visit. These letters were sent from Adamsville Massachusetts.
Take note of the ‘bleeding the cucumber veins’ treatment in the third letter. Cucumber veins was an old term for varicose veins.
Brother/Uncle – Roderick Dwight (1802-1863), Emily Johnson’s husband.
Sister/Aunt – Emily Johnson Dwight (1808-1856)
Mother – Prudence Hillman Dwight (1782-1864), Roderick Dwight’s mother
Dad – Daniel Dwight (1778-1865), Roderick Dwight’s father
Josiah – Josiah J. Dwight (1833-1902), Roderick and Emily’s son
Elizabeth – Elizabeth Elmer Dwight (1838-1906), Roderick and Emily’s daughter
Juliette – Juliette Johnson Maxam (1835-1896), John Maxam’s daughter
Codelia – Cordelia Butter Maxam (1815-1863), John Maxam’s daughter
M Maxam/M D – Maryetta Dwight Maxam (1801-1873), John Maxam’s wife and Roderick Dwight’s sister
Emiline – unknown
Uncle Daniels – unknown
Josiah/J – Josiah J. Dwight (1833-1902), Roderick and Emily’s son
Elizabeth/E – Elizabeth Elmer Dwight (1838-1906), Roderick and Emily’s daughter
lklklklk – Love and kisses….
Mr. Hitchcock – unknown
Grandmother – Possibly Prudence Hillman Dwight
Lymars Ells – unknown
Ever Dear Brother and Sister
I have thought much of writing to you as it is the only way we can converse at present, But I do not feel like writing now my Throat is very sore and head confused. I expect to have a sore or sores break before I feel better my general health has been good for me since you left Colrain we should have wrote before if Mother and Dad had not written just before we received your letter I was very glad to hear from you and hear you was well and coming back we think of you and your Children and want to see you all Mother says she shall remember Josiah and Elizabeth as long as she remembers you we want you write all about your children how they enjoy themselves Juliette sends her love to you and was glad to hear you was coming back. we have heard blessing way of conway that Emiline has another daughter I must close with an earnest wish that you may prosper Temporarily and spiritualy. I still remain your affectionate sister M. Maxam
Dear Uncle & Aunt
As I sit down to pen a line to you, memory true to her office recalls past scenes with greater vividness, if possible. than if they were more passing before my eyes. Full well, I remember, the day you left your little home, for Uncle Daniels. I don’t know that I should have felt worse had you then actually started for Ohio; for I felt confident that you would move for Ohio next; and I had no expectation that you would return after you started for Ohio west, I gave up all hope of seeing you again. Judge then, what were my feelings hastily scanning the contents of your letter, eager to catch what was most important -“we think we shall return to Massachusetts at the first opening of spring [missing] met my eyes. All I have to say is, fulfill that good intention. You cannot sell [missing] we long to see you. I like not this cold, formal, manner of conversing; if I could see faces, get hold of your hands, and hear your voices, it would do me more good, than a talking on paper. I could do in a month. Doubtless, among your kind friends, you have quite at home, but do your thoughts never wander back to these cold, barren hills Do you never think of those friends you left behind? I know you do, but, you cannot more often than we think of you. How do Josiah, and Elizabeth, stand it? I want to see them very much, it almost seems as if could hear Elizabeth’s little tiny voice saying “don’t go afoot. I’ll make you a little wagon” as she did the last time I visited you before you left this neighborhood. I perceive I have almost taken up the space allotted to me. I am at home this winter have attended school a part of the time. We are attending singing school. Give my love to all your friends. Write and send paper I received a paper from you in November. Often. I do not think you can read this scribble for I am in such a hurry! lklkllklklk C. Maxam
I cannot stop to mend my pen, and it is growing late, and there is a singing school this evening.
Dear Uncle and Aunt
As mother is not able to write much I thought I could write a little and help fill up the letter my health is very good excepting a cold I have enjoyed myself very much this winter I have attended school every day but one and I should have attended then but I went to carry grandmother home we have an excellent school I think we never had much better it finishes this week Friday. Mr. Hitchcock teaches aunt Edithes nephew. I have been through the grammar am ciphering miscellaneous examples I think I should have been through had it not been for singing school Grandmother and I live in the east room she appears to enjoy herself very well much: she often speaks of you returning in the spring and I hope if it is as for you she will not be disappointed. [missing] and I attend singing school 2 times a week we have had eighteen schools I have only missed one school C but one I suppose you would like to know better [missing] healthy vs. not I must say not very healthy just at this time the [missing] rush is about considerable not so much in Colrain as in Heath I watched Lymars Ells oldest child she is quite sick rather better than she has been, a fortnight ago the doctor gave up all hopes of her recovery neighbors thought it improbable since that she got quite smart but was taken bleeding the cucumber cut off veins in her head she is rather better and we have hopes of her recovery it is growing late and I must draw to a close I want to see you all very much Give my love to Maria and tell her I have not forgotten how we used to wade in the brook when you lived here tell J and E I want to see them very much write and send papers often so good bye yours M D Maxam
The next series of letters are two short notes followed by a rather long letter from Betsey Johnson Wood, Emily’s sister. Betsey was introduced in the first letter along with her husband Thoedosius.
