Early 19th Century Letter between Sally and a Miss L. Clifton of Philadelphia, sent from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.


Intimate letter between two friends, “Sally” of Lancaster, Pennsylvania and Miss L. Clifton of No. 3 Eleventh Street in Philadelphia. Sally briefly describes the town of Lancaster and a garden there:

“A dull, dreary, rainy, disagreeable day. What shall I do to kill time? No Fanny here to cheer my drooping spirits, no intimate friend to sympathise with me in all my afflictions. We were so unlucky as to get seats in the Monday’s stage. I was just playing an interesting game at gammon with a gentleman when the stage stopt; I had almost one a pair of gloves 10/6 penny. What a disappointment! but you know they are indispensably necessary or, we should not know how to value the numerous blessings we are continually receiving: so I ran upstairs slipt on my wig, and after receiving the most affectionate adieus from all my attendants and seeing them safely deposited in the vehicle for P—I quit Downingtown; fully persuaded I should not meet with such a pleasing company after I had passed the boundary line of Chester County. Margaret Wager was here yesterday morning. We walked all over town in about half an hour; so you may suppose how large it is. There is not a three story house in it. The one we live in is two story. We went to see Mr. Bigart’s garden which was very beautiful. I never saw such large poplars & measured one & it was a yard in circumference I enclose you a monthly rose [not present] I culled from one of the bushes. I was afraid it would surpass description so I determined to give you occular proof of its beauty and also to gratify your olfactory nerves with its fragrance. ... With best love to Captain Wharton his lady and Mrs. Tucker. I remain your sincere friend Sally”

A postal cancelation stamped in red ink dates the letter to c.1801–1820.


Description: Early 19th Century Letter between Sally and a Miss L. Clifton of Philadelphia, sent from Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Lancaster. Wednesday, August 5, [c. 1801–1820]. [2]pp. 4to. Bifolium with integral address leaf; red postal cancellation. Laid paper, small paper losses; expert tissue mends.

[3731973]

Price: $65.00

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