Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Kiah B. Sewall (1807-1865), a native of Maine who was a lawyer in Mobile, Alabama, wrote to his daughter Ellen, then living with her grandmother in Portland and going to school.
As he often did in letters to his children, Sewall commented on his daughter's letter-writing form, grammar, and word usage. Sewall and his children and wife often were separated -- especially in the summer when the rest of the family went to Maine. His older children were educated in Maine as well.
Sewall also wrote about the challenges and benefits of being separated from one's loved ones. He wrote, "...partings teach us how much we ought to love and value our friends while we are with them."
He asked her how she liked Portland and whether she would like to return to Mobile in the fall -- and stay.
The letter is dated 1835, but could not have been written then. Ellen was born in March 1841. The letter may have been 1853 or 1855.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: K.B. Sewall to daughter Ellen, Mobile, ca. 1853
- Creator: Kiah Bayley Sewall
- Creation Date: circa 1853
- Subject Date: circa 1853
-
Locations:
- Mobile, Mobile County, AL
- Portland, Cumberland County, ME
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 24.7 cm x 20 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 105, Box 1/5
- Collection: Sewall family papers
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- Sewall family
- Sewall, Ellen,--Correspondence
- Sewall, Kiah Bayley, 1807-1865--Correspondence
- Sewall, Kiah Bayley, 1807-1865--Family
People
Other Keywords
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
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