Brown Papers, 1848-1920 (bulk 1848-1854): Administrative Information

This collection includes 23 letters dating over a period of two and a half years from March 9, 1848 until October 10, 1850, all written to or from Mount Holyoke Seminary. Mary Quincy Brown was a member of the Class of 1849 and taught at the Seminary from 1849 - 1852. Her younger sister, Susan, was a member of the Class of 1851 and taught from 1851 - 1852, The family resided in Newburyport and there are letters from the parents to their daughters, but most of the letters are written by Mary or Susan, or the two together, while they were at Mount Holyoke.

Both Mary and Susan were at Mount Holyoke at the time of Mary Lyon's death. The health of both students and teachers was clearly a matter of ongoing concern. The letters reveal little of personal reactions to the Seminary experience and perhaps it is worth noting that many years later Mary reported that she had been dreadfully homesick but carefully concealed this when writing home. Susan also commented a number of times that she had made few acquaintances. The family appeared to be friends of the Condits and the girls were frequent callers on Mrs. Condit and Helen.

There is one additional letter written in 1854 by Father Brown to his wife about a trip to Philadelphia.

Of special note:

1848

Mar. 9	Father to Mary Lyon about Susan's admission; 16 years old and "disciplined in reading, studying and thinking from early childhood." Math, Virgil.
Apr. 11	Missionary subscription. Friends leaving on account of health
Oct. 4	List of needs including sewing materials and food
Oct. 18	Wants Polyglot Bible. Miss Whitman is unwell and leaving.
Nov. 14	Mary is making up "minus time in domestic work". Susan describes daily schedule; wipes dishes and scours knives. Recites Latin, grammar, history. Likes the teachers. Model of Jerusalem in Northampton. Mary reports Senior and Middle Classes all mixed up but now separated and Senior Class has 21. Wants parents to visit and go up Mount Holyoke.
Dec. 1	Thanksgiving.

1849

Feb. 13	Lots of colds. Miss Lyon lectures on bringing eatables or having them sent. Copelands wants missionary teachers for Choctaws. Miss Hosmer and Miss Preble to go.
Feb. 22	Student (Wingate) ill with erysipelas.
Feb. 28	Death of student. Dr. Brooks very well acquainted with disease "having been where it was very prevalent a few years ago." Stayed with her night and day. But Miss Lyon, worn out by care and anxiety, and having a little of the influensa bef ore, "sunk under it and has been quite sick ever since." Doctor stayed with her two nights. Teachers worn down. Miss Fiske had influensa but "as a general thing the health of the school is very good." Mary Quincy brown, 1849 1849 coast Deacon Porter tried to visit Miss Lyon. Burden on Miss Hazen. Miss Lyon told us "it was best frankly to state the case to our parents."
Mar. 7	Death of Miss Lyon. Might have recovered but "suffered so much from nervous excitement that she could not rest at all." Loves Miss Hazen. Miss Scott has whole care of domestic work. Miss Hazen very retiring, shrinks from public notice but "talks so beautifully"
Mar. 14	All in love with Miss Hazen. Students say they never knew her before. Funeral; teachers wore black crepe on their bonnets. Mr. Laurie at burial.
Mar. 21	Wind causing rooms to smoke.
Mar. 27	Mary's religious beliefs.
May 7	Mother urges rhubarb and camimile flowers for health.
May 10	Mary describes return trip to South Hadley. Miss Curtis died two weeks after leaving. Miss Whitman advises that Susan should spend two more years.
June 14	Miss Whitman wishes to know if students want a school, when and where. If only Mary had courage she would "like to go far out in the west among the destitute." Longs to earn her own living so she can give to missionary subscription "as much as I pleased"; wishes she had "some of Miss Lyon's benevolence and self-denial" Miss Lyon said night before fast day to lay aside all studies and worldly pursuits. Miss Fiske to be married. Cholera in Boston. Dr. Brooks will not permit rhubarb pie, though all were made. Five deaths since beginning of winter term. Miss Tolman's sea journal.
Jul. 27	Wants to stay for anniversary to hear Dr. Hitchcock's eulogy. Four seniors coming back to teach. Miss Fiske delighted with wedding gift of girls.
Nov. 23	What does mother think about Mary going as teacher to Creek Indians, near Arkansas River. Expenses for travel paid, plus board, fuel, washing, lights and $100. Suicide by drowning of young lady here - lots of excitement in quiet village.
Dec. 10	Father writes he will keep girls "in funds". Hopes for teaching place near home. Sends clipping of Dr. Parkman's "supposed murder".

1850

Mar. 8	Susan wrote to her father that she was tired of study and "staying here". Miss Hazen felt there was a great tendency to want to go before the close of the term but she thought it best to stay, although she herself would be away until the last week of the term. Miss Whitman was sick (very weak that morning) and unable to see anyone, so only Miss Chapin was left. Susan would like her mother to visit but she wanted her to see Miss Hazen.
(spring)	Miss Chapin seems "rather cold". New wing. Beds in drying room.
Oct. 10	Mary writes she is at Seminary long enough - "tired of it". New principal from west. Mary wants to leave - "my health will never hold out" Duties of teachers "constant wear and tear" - very homesick
Nov. 11	The first part of this joint ..:letter addressed to their mother was written by Susan and concerned items which Mrs. Brown was to bring on a visit to the Seminary: crotched cuffs, linen collars, a yard "of that patch". In the second part Mary asks fo r silk for aprons, her night caps (only two are at the Seminary) and olives if she can get them.

CR Ludwig

April 1991, November 2001