1783: "I Have My Handsful"

Julia Stockton Rush wrote to her husband Dr. Benjamin Rush on July 19, 1783. The daughter of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Julia married in 1776, and her husband was also a signer of the Declaration of Independence. This letter describes some of the challenges of sending correspondence with friends and the housekeeping and mothering duties that occupied much of Julia's time.

Spelling and grammar is original.

Morven July 19th 1783

Mrs J Rush to Dr. B. Rush

That my dear husband should have the smallest Idea of my having neglected to write to him by the numerous opportunity, that have gone from here, cannot but give me the great uneasiness. I wrote a long letter in answer to your most affectionate one by Mr Wilson and gave it to that gentleman who left this town the day after he came, but last night I understood that he did not heave his seat at Somerset till sunday, you therefore will not hear from me I suppose till you get this by Mr Morgan, which may seem inattentive as so many of the honourable Members have gone to Philadelphia in the adjournment of Congress. I spent the afternoon in company with Mr Jacob Read the day before he set out, and heard him say he was going to Philadelphia but as he knowing my attraction there, did not see fit to ask my commands, I did not chuse to trouble him, but had I then known that Mr Wilson would not have reach'd you before Sunday, I should certainly have availed myself of a former acquaintance with Mr Read and beg'd the favor of him to carry a letter for me—ingratitude is to a crime of deep dye after receiving a letter so elegantly affectionat and gratifying to a wife not insensible—the least appearance of neglect hurts me exceedingly—thus much by way of appology. 

Dicky coughs very much but he looks very well and has a great appetite, he has something of a [illegible] too but not any thing considerable. Jack had a bad spell of the toothach the other day and his face swelled in the night as it has often done before, but it did not go down so soon as usual and last night I found a hard bump in his neck. I bathed it well with rum and oil and put a flannel to it and wrap'd up his head very warm, and have confined him today the bump is not as large as it was last night and I hope will go away with a few more bathings. I wrote you word that I would return if you wish'd it, on my own account I have seen my friends and am as well satisfied to return immediately but the children are often indisposed with one little complaint or other and require the particular attention of a careful person, the house is constantly so full of company that it is almost impossible for any, but one, whose heart is interested in every thing that concerns them like a mother to pay them proper attention. I have my handsful [illegible] you, therefore I fear it will be necessary for me to stay till you think it is proper to bring them home but I leave it intirely to yourself—

if the Morella cherries are not quite gone I wish you would tell Mrs Fisher to get half a dozen pounds or more and pickle them they make a most agreeable pickle I quite forgot it in the midst of my trouble they are very easily done she must put them with the stems on in a wide mouthed bottle or jar and just put some mace cloves and nutmeg with them, and cover them with cold vinegar she must buy some spice if she han't got it, and please to tell her to take the walnuts out of the salt & water and put cold vinegar to them, the vinegar in the barrel is sour enough now—

the family all join in love to you let me hear from you very often—and believe me to be with the greatest friendship and affection

yours most sincerely

J Rush

Source:

Rush, Julia Stockton to Benjamin Rush, 1783 July 19 , Page 2American Philosophical Society Library,