[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her sister, Ann Upshur Eyre, November 11, 1810]

Mentioned in this letter

Education, Religion, Literacy, and Culture: Gender roles; Poetry
Historic Homes and Places: Eyre Hall
Home, Health, and Social Life: Fashion; Fashion - Dresses; Weddings
People: Barnes, Anne Denwood, 1790-1811; Barnes, Richard, 1790-1869; Carroll, Henry James, 1765-1814; Eyre, Ann Matilda Upshur, 1780-1829; Eyre, John, 1768-1855; Gale, Amelia Williams, 1760-1816; Gale, John, 1752-1813; Jackson, George Wilson, 1780-1823; Kendall, George Teackle, 1788-1815; King, Mary Ann; Miss Gray; Teackle, Elizabeth Upshur, 1783-1836; Teackle, Henrietta "Retta," 1792-1827; Teackle, Littleton Dennis, 1777-1848
Places: United States - Maryland - Anne Arundel County - Annapolis; United States - Maryland - Baltimore City; United States - Maryland - Dorchester County - Cambridge; United States - Maryland - Somerset County - Princess Anne; United States - Virginia; United States - Virginia - Northampton County; United States - Virginia - Northampton County - Eastville

About this letter

Description: Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her sister, Ann Upshur Eyre. She asks Ann to write back to her, and she mentions she grows tired at managing her own personal affairs alone, especially with her husband out of town. She also discusses attending the wedding of Miss Anne Denwood and Mr. Barns with Retta and mentions their cousin John.
Creator: Teackle, Elizabeth Upshur
Creation Date: November 11, 1810
Subjects: Teackle, Elizabeth Upshur, 1783-1837; Teackle, Littleton Dennis, 1777-1848; Eyre, Ann Upshur, 1780-1829
Item Type: letter
Identifier: MSS 2338, 2338-a, 2338-b Box 1
Publication Information: Papers of the Quinby, Teackle, and Upshur families, 1759-1968, Accession #2338, Special Collections, University of Virginia Library, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Va.
Institution: ASSSC
Collection: VOESH
Place Names: United States - Maryland - Somerset County - Princess Anne; United States - Virginia - Northampton County

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Nov. 11^th, 1810 P.Anne

Dearest sister

When friends love one another it is needless to observe the forms of etiquette which are only necessary to cold hearts, who distrust their own prompt actions may betray their real designs, or indifference of sentiment. This is not the case with you and I, whose affection cannot betray us into indirect disrespect; or any improper conduct to each other. It is true, I have not rec’d a letter from you since the last time, as Paddy says; and it is also true that I am very desirous to hear from you, and this being the most probable method of reminding you of your duty to me I make bold to scold your neglect of it, a little.

Geo. Kendall brought the joyful tidings that you were once more restored to tranquility, since which “epocha” I have been left to my own fertile conjectures

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which sometimes present you in the regal dignity of undivided empire in your particular deportment; at others, gloominess presages depict you in all the majesty of your rights, struggling to maintain that authority which a too restless and ambitious personage contested for a time. Alas! Alas! My lady queen, how have you been beset! With intimating incendiaries plotting inmates. Discontented pride is a dreadful thing to deal with. Woe be to those who have to stem its torrent in another’s breast, confusion to her who carries the viper in her own.

Ah! Pray let me into all your affairs. It is a modest request I am sure, and befits the bashful dame who announces it. For her, she is still a hopeless widow bewitch’d. Mourn most tenderhearted lady! Mourn with your sister. To be a widow is bad; but to be a widow bewitched is worse, even worse than the fate of a widow befidgetted.

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I am beginning to be most heartily sick of my solitude and want of proper help in my private affairs. It is so troublesome to have to manage everything one’s self. The nominal presence, only of a man about the house, is some comfort. The splendid state I now feel, of unquestion’d dominion is but the mockery of power. To be a queen without a subject, is to be a head without a tail. Now you know my husband is my own lawful liege vassal, and I scorn to domineer over lesser wretches, whose implicit obedience, & passive conduct affords no opportunity to the great display of that generalship which is my boast. Don’t start at this presumptuous piece of my presumption! For know that I am a general as well as sovereign over my good man, who suffers me step into his shoes without seeming to understand that he is on a pilgrimage barefoot to obey the commands of his manor serving tyrant, but apparently humble servant. This is a great secret of yours, mine