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1844 letter from Huldah Beach in Troy NY to her brother Giles in Guildford Center. Lots of details on every life, she is quite religious. Mention of abolitionist events.
Dear Brother,
…to give you the news from New York…Sabbath days I go to some ways up town in the AM & at 4 in the PM I teach a class in Mr. Garrets sabbath school at the extreme end of the town in the opposite direction & then go again in the evening which occupies the day…I think I shall stay with Miss Briggs through the summer season if my health will permit me to stay in the city…we intend to have these the days, or years, of courtship which are said to be the happiest last a good while…I wonder if our folks are not lonesome they do not miss me but I should think they would you. How do you spend the fourth of July. I expect to attend abolition meetings if I get time to go any where I think we should celebrate any thing sooner than independence while – our land are groaning in bondage. My brother how do you spend the sabbath are you in sabbath school or bible class if not and the school is young why not instruct & be ready to labor in the vineyard of the Lord for if ye sow in dire time ye shall reap the blessing and on a death bed you will not regret any you may have done for the advancement of the cause of Christ….I am led to believe that the unfruitful tree has not ben cut down and cast in the oven…I have wished I had a home near where I could get out of noise and work & recruit a little but this is impossible with us I think every summer season when our work is so hard I shall never go through another it is much harder in the spring than in the fall. If my life should be spared I do not know as I shall change my situation before another summer if sums not very probably at present Miss Briggs gives me 12/ per week the year round if I stay with her. I will send you the – Evangelist if you wish me to occasionally as I have them all the time….
Your Affectionate sister Huldul Adieu
Addressed to Mr. Giles Beach Guilford Center Chenang County N York
Postmarked in blue ‘TROY JUL 3 NY’ and handwritten postal rate.
Brown spot.
Giles Beach (born 1821, died 1895) was a New York resident and organ builder, with ties to Guilford Center and surrounding towns. Beach built early pipe organs, including one for the Guilford Center Presbyterian Church in the 1840s.
The name appears as Huldah (sometimes rendered “Huldul” in older transcriptions). Records indicate she lived in Troy, Rensselaer County, NY, during the mid‑19th century.
Context of Abolitionist Activity in 1844
