South Hadley Oct. 24. '/41My dear sister,
Long have I been anticipating answering your kind letter, and as long have delayed, little did I think when I received it, that so long a time would elapse, and that I should address you from South Hadley prison as G. Ayles [calls] it. Your first inquiry were you to see me, would be if I am homesick? To which I can reply I have been very homesick, but trust I am nearly over it. I was rather ashamed of it at first, but its frequent occurence soon diverted it of its shame, and excited pity. Yesterday Doct. Parker, and his Chinese teacher dined with us, a missionary from China, his teacher was dressed in his native costume, which excited our curiosity. He had on a loose blue crape, dress like form fastened with a green girdle, his hair was braided, and hung down on his back. He was very sprightly, in his motions, and appeared very interesting. Doct Parker made a short address, which was very interesting, a description of China, he intends returning soon. Today have attended church, Prof. Hitchcock preached, from Amherst College. After the service he came to the Seminary, and delivered a short lecture, on the subject of Missions, and Geology, exhibiting many speciments from, the country around about Jerusalem, such as stones from the Mt. of Lebanon, and from the garden of Gethsemane, some water from the Dead Sea, of which we tasted. It is strongly impregnated with salts, so much so that nothing can live in it. Have not heard from home, since I have been here, which was a fortnight Thursday.
Have nearly finished my examinations, find them rather unpleasant.
Saturday Afternoon. Is it possible that nearly a week has elapsed, since I commenced writing. Received your paper last Tuesday for which receive a thousand thanks, you cannot imagine how much good it did me, do send papers often and write me a long letter. Was able to read your writing on wrapper easily by scorching it a little.Also received one from home Monday, saying that Aunt Dorr, and Samuel, and Fanny Crosby, were there also Cecilia.
Today is composition day. The subject is a description of my nature place, of course it cannot be very interesting, as its subject is not exceedingly so, only its connection with home.
There is not but one but one [sic] lady, here that I was accquainted [sic] before I came, a Miss Brown from Norfolk. Could you take a peep into my room, I think you would say it was rather of a pleasant one, it is situated on the front side of the building, in the second story, No. 70. I room with a Miss Williams from New Haven, and Miss Wilcox from Sandisfield. Besides the furniture furnished by the Seminary, which is a bed, 4 chairs, a table, stove, washstand, and library and glass, Miss Williams carpets it, and furnish[es] curtains, and valence, and tablespread, which makes us very comfortable.
I have not taken any regular studies yet, but I think for the present I shall take Algebra, and History. Think I shall not take Music Lessons, as they have no teacher.
Tuesday morn Nov 2d
Have just finished my examinations, think you would rejoice with me if you knew how hard they were. They are more strict every year. They are the most so in Arithmetic of any thing[.] I am afraid I shall never finish this letter, as soon as I commence writing, some one will come for me in great haste.
You would be pleased to step into the dining hall, when we are eating, they are divided into 16 tables. 12 at each table. We usually have bread, and butter, or pudding, for breakfast, meat for dinner, bread and butter for tea, and cake and crackers. What delightful weather we have had for a few days past Indian Summer, I imagine. Please send me a piece of your bombazine dress. Do not know whether G. will spend the winter at home or not, he had not concluded when I left home. Mother is very anxious that he should. Thanksgiving comes in about 3 weeks, it seems as if I must be home then. I never have been absent.
Celestia and Sophia are expecting to come home with their families. Little Emma grows finely or rather your Arahel - Arahel ran away the Wednesday before I came here which we did not regret much as we thought he would not do enough this winter to pay for his schooling and clothes[.] Mother told him the night before he might go if he could not do better and he said Father and Mother are one so he had their leave[.]
I am perfectly ashamed of this letter and would not send it if I thought I should ever get time to write another. If I write a little every day, I am in hopes I shall finish it. Do write often long letters - and send papers often. Do not expect to go home untill [sic] the fortnight vacation which is in chay - [?] There is a vacation of two days connected with Thanksigving[.] Much love to Ledworth [?]
Think South Hadley rather of a pleasant place but think they might have selected one more pleasant for the Seminary. It does not lie on the river exactly but it is in sight G. said when coming here that he was often reminded of Ledrois description of the road from Westfield to Northampton, across the plains. G. S. L. visited at Bloomfield the week before I came all well. Chamsey and Maria are expected home this month. What a dreadful looking letter but I am afraid if I attempt to copy I shall never have time to finish it. Have not written home yet, as I thought I would not untill [sic] I had finished my examinations, but must soon as possible. Now do send papers often very often and I will as often as I can get them to send, as I can obtain none but what are sent to me. Mr. Condit the minister here is quite sick with the fever but is some better[.] I never knew what it was to want apples before I came here. They are so scarce they can hardly buy enough to make pies of[.] You would be pleased to see Miss Lyon I think I never [knew] any one who seemed to understand human nature so wella s she does. There are nine teachers some of which I love very much indeed[.] We study principally in our rooms, but are obliged to keep silent study hours[.] We have regular recreation hours from quarter before twelve to two and from half past four to seven which we are required to observe - Each one is obliged to keep an account of all her expenditures and to balance their accounts at the end of each week. Father says he shall find out how much economy I have this year - Why do you not have Ellen study Adams Arithmetic I think she would find it much easier to understand than Dabole. Do let her come down and spend the next summer in Ct. She will grow out of my knowledge if I do not see her soon also Andrew[.]
Much love to them and a kiss.
From your sister Julia -
[Identifying the Julia who wrote this letter was a challenge. It was addressed to her sister Mrs. Jerusha Langdon of New York, so Jerusha's maiden name is not available as a clue. In the 1841-1842 Seminary directory, there were five Julias who were students. I paired each of the five surnames with Jerusha's married name and looked for entries in FamilySearch.org that fit. There was indeed a Jerusha Stillman, born Aug 2, 1808 in Colebrook CT, who married a John LeDroit Langdon. The Julia Stillman listed in the 1841-1842 Seminary directory lived in Colebrook CT.]