[Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle, November 20, 1815]

Mentioned in this letter

Business, Economy, and Travel: Travel
Education, Religion, Literacy, and Culture: Education; Music; Poetry; Secret Societies - Freemasons
Home, Health, and Social Life: Fashion; Health; Health - Death; Health - Disease and illness; Health - Disease and illness - Influenza; Home economy
People: Bancker, Anne Elizabeth, 1811-1869; Bancker, Charles Nicoll, 1777-1869; Grelaud, Marie “Deborah” Claudine D’Espaigne, 1765-1856; Harris, Nancy; Landon, Jesse, 1770-1815; Montgomery, James, 1787-1834; Quinby, Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle, 1801-1875; Teackle, Elizabeth Upshur, 1783-1836; Teackle, Littleton Dennis, 1777-1848
Places: United States - Maryland - Somerset County - Princess Anne; United States - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia County - Philadelphia; United States - Virginia - Accomack County - Kegotank

About this letter

Description: Letter from Elizabeth Upshur Teackle to her daughter, Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle, while she was attending Madam Grelaud's French School in Philadelphia. She thanks Elizabeth Ann for praising her work and asks for her to send frocks that need altering to her. She also mentions the deaths of W. Harris and Jesse Landon.
Creator: Teackle, Elizabeth Upshur
Creation Date: November 20, 1815
Subjects: Teackle, Elizabeth Upshur, 1783-1837; Quinby, Elizabeth Ann Upshur Teackle, 1801-1875
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: Albert and Shirley Small Special Collections Library
Collection: Voices of the Eastern Shore
Place Names: United States - Maryland - Somerset County - Princess Anne; United States - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia County - Philadelphia

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20^th Nov: 1815. P. Anne.

My dearest girl

Your letter of this mail was receiv’d this morning and was welcome, as every thing from you must be, to me. I am gratify’d that my needlework pleased you, and cou'd not fail being so at the elegant compliment your quotation convey’d, however little I deserve it.

The needle, not the pen be mine,
‘tis easier far, with that to shine
In pointing ruffles, than assay
With this an epigram’s display.
Full well the one I know to point
The other’s always out of joint.

Here’s rhymes for you in return for rhymes. I wish I cou’d muster up enough of them to finish what I have begun in such a style. But this cannot be, for truly indeed, my mind is lame as well as my pen.

I am happy to observe, by your account of the Masonic procession, that other folks can stare and run after some shows as well as us poor silly country wretches. I really sympathize

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with the good people, as I hold nothing more disagreeable than to endure disappointed curiosity.

Mrs. Wilson pass’d through this place two days since on her way home. You may be sure I call’d on her to inquire for you, and my relations in P[hiladelphi]a. Her accounts of you were satisfactory and I am grateful to heaven for the continuance of your health. Mine too is daily improving I think, and your father’s influenza has nearly left him. You will be sorry to learn that poor W. Harris is dead. In one week, we lost him and Mr. Landon who died yesterday evening, both of the violent cold so prevalent generally. We shall miss our overseer greatly, as with all his garrulity, he was an excellent manager, and faithful to us. Nancy lives in the house with us. I give her the south wing to live in until I can provide otherwise for her.

Your father will go to Phila. in a few weeks, when I shall request him to give you money to buy your silk frock which

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I have been disappointed in obtaining from our new stores. Nevertheless, I wish you to send me your patterns by your father and I can make your frocks more readily, in all probability, then you can get them done. Send me any of your frocks by him that require altering and I will do my best at renewing, revising, and improving them.

How do you come on with your French and musick? I am anxious to know what progress you make.

My best respects to Mr^s. Grelaud. Your father’s love to you with that of your truly loving mother

E.U.T

P.S. I thank brother Charles for his letter, and shall write him so, soon. I sent another pair of stockings to Anna via Kegotank. When you see Mr. Montgomery, give my love to him and say that I shall take an early opportunity to thank him for his very friendly and acceptable letter.