The Caroline Williams Letters

History

These letters are written to Caroline Williams x1851, with one exception: a letter written to Aaron Pickett, who was Caroline's husband. Some of her favorite correspondents were classmate Martha Luce and Martha's husband Luke Osborn. Caroline also had a friendship with someone named Lucian, who was in her life at least tangentially since 1847, when this letter archive begins. By 1849, Caroline had a major crush on him. But by the end of 1849, she is noting the distance between them, and fretting about it to Luke. Lucian, who appears to be a friend or relative of Luke's, marries someone else suddenly in January 1850, breaking Caroline's heart. Around April, she receives some supportive letters from Martha and Luke, trying to help her cope with her loss.

Martha and Luke seemed to have a strong relationship; they both write letters to Caroline praising the devotion and charm of the other. Martha and Luke married in 1851, and Luke died a few months later. A letter written by Martha in December of 1851, about a month after he died, revealed her deep devastation over his death.

The Images

All documents have a portion of the first page scanned, and comments about their contents are included below.

A Letter Written on Jul 17, 1847: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Kingsville Ohio. Appears it was not mailed; inscription reads "Favored by Lucian" in bottom left corner. A hand delivery by a friend?; page 1 Full contents of letter.
A Letter Written on Dec 15, 1847: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Geneva Ohio. Postmarked Dec 18 [1847] in Kingsville Ohio.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jan 13, 1848: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Geneva Ohio. Postmarked Jan 13 [1848] in Kingsville Ohio.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Feb 10, 1848: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Geneva Ohio. Postmarked Feb 9 [1848] in Kingsville Ohio. [But letter is dated Feb 10.]; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Apr 23, 1848: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Feb 2, 1849: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams in South Hadley. Postmarked Feb 2 [1849] in Humphreysville, Ct.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Apr 17, 1849: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams at the Seminary. Postmarked Apr 17 in Charleston SC.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on May 15, 1849: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss Caroline Williams at the Seminary. Not postmarked, but the return address of Austinburg O[hio] is dated May 22 [1849].; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jun 10, 1849: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams at the Seminary. Postmarked Jun 20 [1849] in Salisbury [Conn].; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jul 18, 1849: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Present. Appears it was not mailed; inscription reads "by Martha's kindness" in bottom left corner. Likely a hand delivery, since the address is very vague too.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jul 27, 1849: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams in South Hadley. No postal markings.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jul 27, 1849: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Aug 6, 1849: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams in South Hadley. Postmarked in Salisbury [Conn].; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Sep 4, 1849: envelope Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Mary's Landing NJ.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Oct 14, 1849: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Dec 8, 1849: envelope Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Smith's Landing NJ. Postmarked Dec 10 [1849] in Amherst NH.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Dec 8, 1849: envelope Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Smith's Landing NJ. Postmarked Dec 12 [1849] in Hamilton NY.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written in 1850: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jan 14, 1850: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jan 27, 1850: envelope Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams in Smith's Landing NJ. Marked Feb 6 [1850] in Salisbury Ct.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Apr 18, 1850: envelope Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Smith's Landing NJ. Postmarked Apr 30 [1850] in Hamilton NY.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on May 18, 1850: envelope Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Smith's Landing NJ. Marked May 22 [1850] in Ohio.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on May 27, 1850: envelope Addressed to Miss Caroline Williams in May's Landing NJ, "favor of Mr Brown."; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on May 28, 1850: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jun 5, 1850: envelope Addressed to Miss Caroline Williams in May's Landing NJ. Postmarked Jun 6 [1850] in Kingsville Ohio.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Jun 23, 1850: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Aug 7, 1850: envelope Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in May's Landing NJ. Postmark illegible.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Sep 3, 1850: envelope The letter is folded and addressed on an exposed portion of the paper. Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams in May's Landing NJ. Postmarked Sep 4 [1850] in Buffalo NY.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Oct 28, 1850: envelope Addressed to Miss Caroline M. Williams in May's Landing NJ. Postmarked Oct 29 [1850] in Geneva NY.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Dec 25, 1850: envelope Addressed to C. M. Williams in "Present," and hand delivered by Martha.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Dec 6, 1851: envelope Addressed to Miss C. M. Williams in Kingsville Ohio. Postmarked Dec 9 [1851] in Morgan Ohio.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Sep 7, 1853: page 1 No envelope survives. Full contents of letter, though only the first page is scanned.
A Letter Written on Mar 7, 1856: envelope Addressed to Mr Aaron Pickett in Winneconnee Wisconsin. Postmarked Mar 10 [1856] in Kingsville Ohio.; page 1 Full contents of letter, though only part of the first page is scanned.