Correspondence, 1869-1893 and n.d.

ArchivalResource

Davis, Eliza. (Mrs. Noah Davis). Correspondence, 1869-1893 and n.d.

Correspondence, 1869-1893 and n.d.

http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/46888510

Chiefly a collection of 51 letters from Martha Brown to her sister-in-law, Eliza Davis. The major topic is Martha's mourning for and worshipful attitude towards her husband, who died in 1880. Martha is a poetic, but sometimes melodramatic, writer and conveys her sorrow (as well as her Victorian, middle-class views about marriage) in phrases such as "I lived in him and for him. He was to me the universe, the whole world--all contained in him. I cared first of all to please him." As time passes, however, Martha becomes more engaged with the family, "the city" (Hartford, CT), and eventually metamorphoses into a world traveler. Her penchant for description serves her reader well as she discusses family visits and health--especially that of her nephew Willie, who suffers from "turns;" the weather and scenery; the housekeeping and gardening; the social conventions of various gatherings, especially weddings and receptions; and finally her first sea voyage to Europe in 1885, especially the Alps, the Rhine River Valley, and Paris. Although her letters describe only her first trip, by 1893 she has journeyed to Europe twice, as well as to India, Japan, and Egypt, and is planning a visit to Palestine. In 1884 she remarks on the speed of a telegram from Europe (20 minutes), but 9 years later she has "journeyed over 3/4 of the globe. How strange it seems to have friends in these far away places. It seems to bring countries closer." In addition, there are 4 letters (1880-1892) to Eliza Davis from her sister, two nieces, and a man named Henry Bailey. The first three convey primarily family news, including a vivid description of the illness and death of Henry [a nephew of Eliza's]. The fourth discusses Flavius Brown's death and will and other financial matters, including the information that Martha received $50,000 from her husband's estate. The collection also includes 2 letters (1882) to Noah Davis in connection with his senatorial seat. One discusses possible lodgings for him in Hartford. The other is from a former Civil War prisoner (interred in Andersonville prison for three years), who seeks Davis' influence in obtaining employment as the Legislature's doorkeeper. Acquired as George Washington Flowers Collection of Southern Americana. (01-030).

57 items.

Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library