19th c Women Education / 1844 Female student Autograph Letter from Wheaton

Description

1844 Female student Autograph Letter from Wheaton Female Seminary in MA, - Describing Life in a very Early Female Education Institution
Author:
19th c. Women Education
Title:
1844 Female student Autograph Letter from Wheaton Female Seminary in MA, - Describing Life in a very Early Female Education Institution
Description:
ALS : Autograph Letter Signed
[19th c. Women Education] Autograph letter signed by student Sarah Hooker at Wheaton Female Seminary in Norton, MA. Dated Dec. 24, 1844. Four pages folded from a single extra large sheet with original wax seal still attached. Letter addressed to her mother in Falmouth, MA. Place identified as "Norton Seminary Boarding House," a boarding house for students at Wheaton Female Seminary (now known as Wheaton College) founded in Norton, MA in 1834. The letter specifically mentions founder and President Mr. Wheaton: Cousin M's sickness is really quite an event. She does not seem to gain strength at all. Mr. Wheaton who loves her as if she were his own daughter is almost discouraged." She writes on her academic studies: "I have everything convenient for studying but good pens."
She also shares her concerns about the quality of her schoolwork and writing, as well as social aspects of school life, such as making friends and getting along with her roommate. "I dread my compositions here more than anything. Some of the young ladies write so beautifully. I am very glad you have decided to let me take lessons. I wanted to move on account of improving in my singing. I practice the scales. I am going to try to improve all my advantages to the utmost. When I first came here, the girls, the wild ones, thought as I was "green" I would be a good tool for their jokes. So every moment there was a good opportunity, one of them in particular, would say or do something to make me appear confused. It would come frequently at table and I invariably made her appear exceedingly mean. Not intentional, but in clearing myself I made her of course look blank....There does not seem to be one of the girls who dislike me. There are many first rate ones." "My room-mate I like a little better...She is a very pleasant girl. She loves to have fun and frolic as well as ever. Poor girl she has had to go through the fire like the rest of us." Not uncommon for this time, portions of the document have crossed text, in order to maximize writing space and indicating that the student wrote a longer letter than the page could hold. Original fold lines and light toning. In very good condition. A unique and personal piece of early Female Education history.
Seller ID:
17072
Subject:
Autographs, Letters and Archives, Americana, Women History, Women's Education
Max
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