[Two-page stampless letter written by Sarah L. Cortright at Bethany, Wayne County, PA, on November 1 and 9, 1854, to her sister Ruth A. Cortright at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, South Hadley, MA. The Friday, November 9th, date is taken from references in the letter, the postmark on Nov 11, and from the likelihood that Sarah's busy schedule would have prevented her from continuing the letter on Friday, November 2. Sarah began her new position as Preceptress and teacher on November 1, 1854. She passed away on February 3, 1855. Letter measures approx. 7 3/4" x 12 1/2". Some paragraph breaks added for ease of reading.]
Bethany Nov 1st
Dear darling Sister Ruth
The duties of the day are over and so I will write a description and dedicate to you[.] Yesterday morning I finished the necessary preparations for my departure and then took breakfast at Uncle Volneys after calling at Sophronius and leaving the dress which caused me so much vexation also Pollok's Course of Time with your name in it for Mary Hubbard -
I had no opportunity of talking particularly with Aunty when she was at our house[.] When she started for Dundaff it was getting late and Uncle Volney was in haste, so she wished me to bring her things to the carriage, when I remarked that I would like her to take the dress of Marthas, she replied no, that she had no room for that, only to get her own things. I asked her if I should send it by Martha Hubbard? And she answered no but rather reluctantly I thought and so I determined I would have the old thing off my hands - She seemed very pleasant, just a little hateful at times. I fancied perhaps. I think perhaps that letter was a pill for them to swallow though I hope its effects will be beneficial -
Yesterday I enjoyed a very agreeable ride over with brother[.] We came by way of Honesdale for the purpose of looking after Ella's bonnet - your old french lace which I ordered to be trimmed with blue. I hope it will fit. Found things in confusion here owing to a delay of the furniture and after taking the things out of my trunk, we went to Mr. John Carr's to spend the night - Sarah returned with us and after getting the school together and listening to the opening address by Dr. Collins President of Dickinson College at Carlisle - they (Phelps & Sarah) started for Waymart -
The prospects here are just tolerable - I do not yet know what my duties are to be or how well I shall be able to succeed in the performance. The first feeling of anxious uncertainty however is over and I find my self more contented & light-hearted than I expected. I will not write any more and perhaps not until I hear from you though I scarcely expect to wait so long.
Good night
PhalieFriday fore-noon Intermission. Your letter was received with a feeling that I cannot describe to you though I would be very glad to experience it often, and as you seem so impatient for a reply I am going to send one immediately. I shall not write very much however this time only to tell you that for the present and in all probability for the next three years, you must remain where you are if you wish to do my pleasure. As my judgment decides this is the best course for you to pursue.
I am not going to tell you a smooth story. I am going to give you as briefly as may be however my opinion of our prospects and what it now appears to me will be best for us to do. I am not at all disappointed in the Holyoke Institution and though there are some things that for our own interests I would prefer otherwise I do not know of a school where I would prefer you to graduate. And consequently do not wish you to leave it - at least not at present - Another year, if a good opportunity should present where you could teach some and still be going on with Latin under a competent instructor I think it would be as well perhaps as to stay with those old-maids throughout your entire course. If no such place presents itself I should advise you to remain where you are - that is in term time.
Now do you understand that you are to remain where you are until different circumstances turn up - Meanwhile to get along with Latin as fast as you comfortably can and also to be picking up the English as fast as you possibly can - To get you a carpet and such other things as are necessary for your comfort, dismiss these worrying exercises and make yourself as contented and comfortable as possible. Laugh & grow fat if you want to cheat the spinsters play tricks on the girls and flirt with the beaux all you have a mind to - These are my commands which you will oblige me by obeying implicitly -
As for myself I am feeling quite satisfied with my condition. We are now about organized and I know pretty nearly what will be required of me. And think I shall have the ability and the inclination to perform them tolerably well. Of course I have quite an amount of labor to perform but my duties are far more pleasant than they were at Xenia & I am treated more as a teacher should be. Mr Rounds seems kind & pleasant though he is becoming somewhat noted in community I should judge for his penuriousness. Miss Shaw the teacher of Painting seems to be the most estimable old-maid and everything considered I think I have reason to congratulate myself upon my prospects for the coming winter[.] Mr Sturges brother-in-law of Lydia Matthews is steward[.] Just tolerable he is.
Our school numbers about 100 pupils. Next time I write I will give you more particular descriptions meantime you must excuse me as I am schockingly [sic] behind with my letters and find so little time for doing any thing for my self[.] You must not feel vexed with me if I do not work your drawers or any thing else. Is the separation as painful to me as to you"? [sic] Indeed it is if not I pity you - We will live in hopes of the good time coming[.] Next Summer will soon be here you know and then we will talk heaps.
You ask if Phelps has improved any I think he has considerably. He is not precocious at all but I believe he will be a very sensible kind-hearted man capable of appreciating souls real greatness[.] He made my ride over very pleasant and comfortable. I have not written home or heard from home since I have been here. Dont [sic] know when I shall go home.
Ho I have a class in Physiology[.] Hope the class will appreciate the proficiency of their teacher[.] I received a plain English invitation to take up winter quarters in Xenia but returned the answer that circumstances put it out of my power & that he could get plenty to kneel at 'Hymens Altar' if he desired &c. Next news I hear I suppose he will be married to some little Simpleton[.] Miss Shaw & Miss Colder, a pupil of ours formerly of Charlottesville Sem, have just been in and desired their love.
[The following information was supplied by "banjoreno," a seller on eBay:
Sarah L. Cortright (1830-1855) was born in Canaan Township, Wayne County, the daughter of Charles A. Cortright (c. 1808-1857) and his wife Rebecca R. Hart (1809-1876). Charles worked as a farmer and in 1850 the family farm was valued at $2,500. Sarah graduated from Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, NY, and then served "for some time" as Preceptress "of an institution in Xenia, Ohio" before returning to Wayne County. The Trustees of the University of Northern Pennsylvania appointed her Preceptress and Teacher effective November 1, 1854, which was the beginning of the new term. The first quarter closed on January 17, 1855, followed by a week of vacation. In early February an outbreak of what was apparently bacterial meningitis broke out at the school and in surrounding areas. On February 3, Sarah died of "congestion of the brain" and was laid to rest in Canaan Corners Cemetery in Waymart, Wayne County. On February 8, 1855, the Wayne County Herald noted that Sarah was a "beloved member" of the school. Sources: The Wayne County Herald (Honesdale, September 21, 1854; February 8, 1855; and February 15, 1855).
Sarah's sister Ruth A. Cortright (1833-1910) attended Genesee Wesleyan Seminary 1853-1854. She followed Sarah's advice and remained at Mount Holyoke Female Seminary for the 1855-1856 school year. Ruth did not attend Mount Holyoke the following year, most likely due to the illness and death of her father. She resumed her studies at Mount Holyoke in 1857 and graduated in 1858. After graduation she lived for a time in Waymart with her mother "keeping house." In the 1860's, she worked as a teacher in PA, IN, and IL. In 1871 Ruth married Carlton O. Lee (1828-1888) and they made their home in Wichita, KS. They are buried in Maple Grove Cemetery, Wichita. Their brother Horace Phelps Cortright (1838-1914) remained on the family farm in the late 1850's with Ruth and their mother. Sources: A Catalogue of the Officers and Students of the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary for the Academic Year Ending November 23, 1854; Annual Catalogues of the Teachers and Pupils of the Mount Holyoke Female Seminary From 1847-57; and Catalogue of the Memorandum Society and of the Alumnae of Mount Holyoke Seminary 1837-1877.
The University of Northern Pennsylvania received its state charter in 1848. On September 18, 1854, the Trustees announced that the Wyoming Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church would take over the administration of the school on November 1, 1854. They also announced that the Board of Instruction would include, among others, "Rev. Nelson Rounds, Principal and Professor of Mental and Moral Science and Hebrew"; "Miss Sarah Cortwright, Graduate of Lima Seminary, Preceptress, and Teacher of the Higher English Branches"; and "Miss Jerusha Shaw, Teacher of Drawing and Painting". The school was destroyed by fire in 1857. Sources: The Wayne County Herald (Honesdale, September 21, 1854, and April 23, 1857).
In 1834 the Genesee Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church incorporated the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, Livingston County, NY. It became known regionally as Lima Seminary.
"Pollok's Course of Time" refers to Scottish poet Robert Pollok's most famous poem "The Course of Time", which was published in 1827.
"Dr. Collins" refers to Dr. Charles Collins (1813-1875), who served as President of Dickinson College 1852-1860.
Mirie M. Calder, mentioned at the end of the letter, was a student at the University of Northern Pennsylvania.
The following relatives and neighbors of the Cortright family are mentioned in the letter and lived in Canaan Township:
"Uncle" Volney Cortright (1811-1856) and his wife "Aunty" Philena Hamlin (1811-1891) lived on a nearby farm.
"Sophronius" refers to near neighbors Sophronius Lee and his wife Eliza.
The 1850 Census shows that 11-year-old Mary Hubbard, daughter of George and Olive Hubbard, was attending school.]