Item 55: A Partial Letter from Harrison Wright to Sarah H[ollenback]. Butler, 1844 March 29
Item — Box: 10, Folder: 55
Dates
- Created: 1844 March 29
Creator
- Wright, Harrison, 1815-1858 (Person)
Disclaimer for Name and Subject Authorities
Some of the name and subject authority tags have been assigned by educated guessing and estimation of persons and subjects by region, age, profession, and familial relationships. They have been thoroughly researched by using primary and secondary sources available digitally, and named in each description, or in some cases linked directly to the person tag.
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Good.
Measurements:
7 ⅞ in. x 9 ⅞ in.
Description:
The letter dated March 29, 1844, is written by Harrison Wright to Sarah Anne Hollenback Butler, the wife of Chester Pierce Butler, and president of the Ladies of Luzerne Wyoming Monumental Association. In the letter, Wright is writing to Butler about the upcoming dedication ceremony for the Battle of Wyoming Monument her ladies and their association have been preparing for. It appears that Butler and Wright have had a previous disagreement concerning inviting a guest of prominence to attend the ceremony, as Wright mentions that he hopes the patriotism of their ladies will not be superceded by the “multiplicity of [Butler’s] cares and troubles.” The gentleman in question is president, John Quincy Adams, noted by Wright’s calling him, Jno [John] Q, and states that his attendance will immortalize the efforts and accomplishments of the women, and further, Butler herself. Wright explains that he can have someone else ask another to write to Adams, his friend Charles, if Butler will not. His tension appears to be due to his telling many people that Adams will attend, and he writes that, if Butler does not secure his invitation, the people are going to be angry and “cuss the Monumental Association.”
Harrison Wright is the son-in-law of Sarah Anne Hollenback Cist Butler, marrying her third daughter, Emily Lindsley Cist Wright.
Sarah Hollenback Butler does go on to write to Adams herself. We know this because we have the reply from Adams in Subseries I: Presidents of the United States, of Series IV: American Figures. The item can be found in Item 16: Letter from John Quincy Adams to Sarah H[ollenbach] Butler, (removed to Legal Box #1), 1844 May 18.
Charles has been identified as potentially Charles Miner, 1780-1865, from what we see reference of him in Adams’ letter. Adams mentions Miner’s speech is one of the few things that entices him to attend, even though he cannot.
Transcription:
Page 1:
I have no doubt that the multiplicity of your cares and troubles have entirely drawn your attention from the subject of the celebrations next 3rd July, I hope if there is any patriotism and may you patriotic Ladies you will not at the chance go by at showing your patriotism to your most patriotic Countrymen + countrywoman I have told Every body [everybody], and Every body believes that Jno. Q [John Quincy] is coming here to immortalize your “Stone hope” by his Eloquence, and so Every body is coming - and unless you are(?) in is Every body [everybody] I have told - Every body who believes and every body who cares - must be disappointed - and then the consequence with that Every body [everybody] will be mad and Every body with “cus” “the Monumental Association” for mark you I have told Every body that you were going to invite him - so that the concentrated(?) math of Every body. lights [lays?/sits?] not on my head but on yours - you get scotched - I escape -”choose you” I have drawn you a modest request to our friend Charles - who can invite the old gentlemen in better phrase than any man I not(?) of - and it will name his head. with a full plan(?)/flem(?) to save(?) you - Now if you must do it my most wish is that some “Tory” will come up your monument totally -
Page 2:
I would like to see this valley full of people just once. and I Run(?) of no so feasible a way of doing in - Dont let the project die of consumption, but if it must die - let it be of some respectable complaints Yours very truly
Harrison Wright March 29. 1844
Hon[orable] Sarah H. Butler Pres[iden]t of M. M[onumental]. A[ssosication]
Page 3:
Blank
Page 4:
Mrs Chester Butler Wilkes Barre Luz[erne] County - Pa
In pencil and another hand: Harrison Wright 1844
Wyoming July 3
I have no doubt that the multiplicity of your cares and troubles have entirely drawn your attention from the subject of the celebrations next 3rd July, I hope if there is any patriotism and may you patriotic Ladies you will not at the chance go by at showing your patriotism to your most patriotic Countrymen + countrywoman I have told Every body [everybody], and Every body believes that Jno. Q [John Quincy] is coming here to immortalize your “Stone hope” by his Eloquence, and so Every body is coming - and unless you are(?) in is Every body [everybody] I have told - Every body who believes and every body who cares - must be disappointed - and then the consequence with that Every body [everybody] will be mad and Every body with “cus” “the Monumental Association” for mark you I have told Every body that you were going to invite him - so that the concentrated(?) math of Every body. lights [lays?/sits?] not on my head but on yours - you get scotched - I escape -”choose you” I have drawn you a modest request to our friend Charles - who can invite the old gentlemen in better phrase than any man I not(?) of - and it will name his head. with a full plan(?)/flem(?) to save(?) you - Now if you must do it my most wish is that some “Tory” will come up your monument totally -
Page 2:
I would like to see this valley full of people just once. and I Run(?) of no so feasible a way of doing in - Dont let the project die of consumption, but if it must die - let it be of some respectable complaints Yours very truly
Harrison Wright March 29. 1844
Hon[orable] Sarah H. Butler Pres[iden]t of M. M[onumental]. A[ssosication]
Page 3:
Blank
Page 4:
Mrs Chester Butler Wilkes Barre Luz[erne] County - Pa
In pencil and another hand: Harrison Wright 1844
Wyoming July 3
Creator
- Wright, Harrison, 1815-1858 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu