Historical Love Letters

By Nancy J. Farrier

 

Did you ever get a secret note from a boy in school? Or maybe a genuine love letter written to you by someone? February is the month of love, with Valentine’s Day and spring around the corner. I thought it would be fun to look at some famous love letters written through the ages. 

 

Ludwig Von Beethoven
Photo by John Karl
Stieler, Wikimedia Commons 

Ludwig von Beethoven had a mystery woman, whom he referred to as his Immortal Beloved. There is speculation as to the woman’s identity, but no concrete evidence. A letter to Beethoven’s Immortal Beloved was found in his personal belongings after his death. These beautiful words speak to the love he had for this woman.

 

“Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, Be calm – love me – today – yesterday – what tearful longings for you – you – you – my life – my all – farewell. Oh continue to love me – never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.”

 

 

Oliver Cromwell
Photo by Charles Lucy
Wikimedia Commons

Oliver Cromwell led the English rebellion to depose and execute King Charles I in 1649. He went on to unite England, Scotland and Wales. For such a military strategist, you might be surprised at his love for his wife. A love that shows in his letters to her. Here is a snippet from a letter penned in 1650.

 

“My Dearest, I have not leisure to write much, but I could chide thee that in many of thy letters thou writest to me, that I should not be unmindful of thee and thy little ones. Truly, if I love thee not too well, I think I err not on the other hand much. Thou are dearer to me than any creature; let that suffice…I rest thine.”

 

John Keats
Internet Book Archive
Wikimedia Commons

John Keats story is more tragedy than love story. He met the love of his life, Fanny Brawne in late 1818. Their families and friends were not in favor of a match between Keats and Fanny, but the pair secretly got engaged. In 1820, Keats was very ill with tuberculosis. His health declined and in 1821, he died at the age of twenty-five. In that short time of knowing Fanny the two exchanged many letters. Keats was buried with an unopen letter from Fanny. 

 

Letter 1, 1820:

“My Dearest Girl, I have been a walk this morning with a book in my hand, but as usual I hae been occupied with nothing but you: I wish I could say in an agreeablemanner. I am tormented day and night. They talk of my going to Italy. ‘Tis certain I shall never recover if I am to be so long separate from you: yet will all this devotion to you I cannot persuade myself into any confidence of you…You are to me an object intensely desirable—the air I breathe in a room empty of you is unhealthy…”

 

Letter 2:

“To Fanny Brawne: I cannot exist without you – I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again – my life seems to stop there – I see no further. You have absorb’d me.”

 

 

 

 

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
By Johann Nepomuck della Croce
Wikimedia Commons

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart to his wife, Constanze, written in 1790. Mozart composed twenty-five symphonies, piano concertos, and operas. His genius was music and he died young at thirty-five. But, he also wrote wonderful letters to his wife when he was away from home. Here is an excerpt.

 

“…while I was writing the last page, tear after tear fell on the paper. But I must cheer up…An astonishing number of kisses are flying about…I see a whole crowd of them! Ha! Ha!...I have cauht three. They are delicious!...Adieu—Dearest, most beloved little wife. Take care of your health…Adieu. I kiss you millions of times.”

 

 

Robert and Elizabeth Browning
By Thomas Buchanan Read
Wikimedia Commons

Elizabeth Barrett met Robert Browning after her read her published volume, Poems, in 1844. He wrote to her saying, “I love your verses with all my heart…” and the met secretly and married secretly since her father strongly disapproved of Browning. Their letters to one another show the great love they shared.

 

To Robert Browning: “And now listen to me in turn. You have touched me more profoundly that I thought even you could hae touched me – my heart was full when you came here today. Henceforward I am yours for everything…”

 

To Elizabeth Barrett Browning: “…would I, if I could, supplant one of any of the affections that I know to have taken root in you – that great and solemn one, for instance. I feel that if I could get myself remade, as if turned to gold, I WOULD not even then desire to become more than the mere setting to that diamond you must always wear.”

 

Have you had a love letter written to you that you cherish? Or, maybe a note that you’ve saved in a drawer or book of mementos. I think the line that stood out to me the most in these letters was from Beethoven’s—“Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.” What beautiful words of love. Please feel free to share your thoughts of these letters or one you may have received. I’d love to hear from you.

 

Nancy J Farrier is an award-winning author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.

Love Letters Sustained Abigail and John Adams

An original letter from John Adams to his future wife Abigail
Elise Amendola/AP

“Dear Miss Adorable,” John Adams wrote in one of his first letters to Abigail, and so began one of the great romances of our American history. John Adams was twenty-four years old when he met the oh-so-young Abigail Smith. She was just fifteen and he was not particularly impressed with her in the beginning. “Not fond, not frank, not candid,” was his assessment of the young girl.

But over the next three years she matured, and he began to view her in a different light. And when love finally bloomed, it burst into full blush. “I hereby order you to give him, as many Kisses, and as many Hours of your Company after 9 O Clock as he shall please to Demand ...”

Portrait of John Adams - 1766

Portrait of Abigail Adams - 1766

This was a love that could stand the test of time and distance. John served in Europe in the Netherlands, France, and Britain from 1774 to 1784 as an envoy for the fledgling United States. Kindred spirits, the Adams love was sustained by their affection and intimacy.

Even though Abigail’s formal education was sadly lacking, she was a voracious reader and thus understood John’s important work representing the young government. While John roamed the world for a great cause, Abigail astutely ran their household and raised their five children, one of whom would later become president following in the footsteps of his father.

In a time when we can communicate with almost anyone on the planet instantly, it is almost impossible to understand how two people could write 1,160 letters when each took about six weeks to cross the ocean. Sometimes those letters were lost and never delivered at all. When decisions had to be made regarding the children, or when something written in a letter caused consternation, it was a slow response indeed. Abigail was John’s confidante, supporter, best friend, and most loyal critic.

John Adams Jr., American statesman and Founding Father, served
 as the first Vice President and second President of the United States.

Later, when he returned home and they could have taken up life on their Massachusetts farm, John accepted the presidency and became America’s second president. Abigail then stepped into her role as first lady—even before the term “first lady” was used—and began to define the job. It was she who set up much of the protocol still observed today. She entertained dignitaries at dinner. She conducted a great Fourth of July party to which everyone in the area was invited. But most importantly, she was a listening ear to her husband, offering wise advice and counsel.

Why did this love relationship work so well? Probably most of all because of the respect each had for the other. John realized that what they had written to each other over many years could stand as a primer on successful marriage. He had all the letters in his possession bound in a leather binder, and he advised Abigail to do the same. The marriage also survived because it was without an exit clause. They were in it together for the duration.

Those letters and the information and strength of character they portray are the fruit of many lonely years spent away from each other. It was not fun, and it was not easy, but both buckled down to whatever task presented itself and endured. Was there never a blip in their relationship? Oh, yes. John wrote to Abigail and extolled the French ladies. He said they were “handsome, and … exceedingly brilliant.”

That didn’t fly well with Abigail. In a slow-motion quarrel, she fired back at him. “How much female Education is neglected … tho I acknowled it my happiness to be connected with a person of a more generous mind and liberal sentiments.” Ouch! But quarrels and disputes didn’t last long, and they were soon back addressing each other as “My Dearest Friend.”

Equal Franchise Society reproduces extract from famous Abigail Adams
 letter of March 31, 1776, in which she warns John to “Remember the Ladies.”
Rare Book and Special Collections Division, Library of Congress

Abigail was a very forward-thinking woman, and 150 years before the House of Representatives voted to pass the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote, she wrote, “I long to hear that you have declared on independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.” We can only imagine what John must have thought when that letter arrived.

After one term in office, John was defeated in his second run for the presidency in 1800. He decided the time had come to retire. In one of his last letters, he wrote to Abigail that “It is fit and proper that you and I should retire together and not one before the other.” The letters ceased soon afterward because these two devoted and loving people were at last together and there was no longer a need for written communication.

Abigail summed up the marriage relationship well: “And there is a tye more binding than Humanity, and stronger than Friendship.” True, Abigail. True indeed.

Keep Those Love Letters

by Linda Farmer Harris

Welcome to Thanksgiving Day!

Jerry and I are praying your list is long and filled with joyous reminders of God's faithfulness this past year.

I thought about blogging the traditional Thanksgiving facts and figures, but by now you know that the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade that's probably been playing in the background all morning began in New York City in 1920.

Yes, we're having the traditional turkey and honey-baked ham. However, we're not shooting our own turkey this year. Although, I must say it was very tempting. We have Merriam turkeys and they can grow into a nice plump size. The flocks number about 16-20.

Imagine my surprise when I found a flock taking turns at my small migratory bird feeder. After they left I had to set the feeder on the ground and remove the bowl. Those critters made it rock and their weight loosened the bond between pedestal and the bowl. While the feeder is not a family heirloom, it has traveled many miles and several homes with us.

Did you know that wild turkeys can fly up to 55 miles per hour over short distances? They have excellent vision and hearing, with a field vision of about 270 degrees. For more turkey facts, see Margaret Brownley's HH&H post on the 24th - "Let's Talk Turkey."


Did you know the Turkey Trot ball room dance popular in the 1900s was named for the short, jerky steps of the turkey? 

After a big meal, a little exercise is suggested to tackle those 4,500 calories we each expect to consume. Nothing like an hour of shopping tomorrow to burn 300 calories an hour.

I thought about the folks who weren't able to join us for the meal; folks who write real letters not emails. Not long ago, a friend loaned me some old letters her mother had received from a gentleman at the Capital Business College, Austin, Texas, beginning in 1891.

Tied with a lavender ribbon, the stack of letters is 2 1/2 inches high of wafer thin paper and envelopes. Even the commercial penny post cards are delicate.

One is postmarked Luling, Texas, 30, May, 1892, with a two cent stamp. The intrigue starts with a note from Henry imploring Katie to get a picture of Leona, a girl he fancies. Katie swipes a photo and takes it to church the next day, but Henry didn’t show up. She had to return the picture. Apparently Leona found out and framed her displeasure in a note via Katie back to Henry. Thus, starts the romance that ends in love and marriage, and several baby carriages.

Written with what appears to be an old-fashioned ink pen, some of the letters look like formal calligraphy, others the stroke of a too full nib. For the most part, the penmanship is beautiful. It makes me want to take up calligraphy.

A 2X2 torn and folded piece of notebook type paper was tucked between the pages of one of the letters. The text said it was a kiss until they could be together for a real one. By 1893, the initials SWAK (sealed with a kiss) on was on the back flap of the note card sized envelope.

Another letter dated 12, Oct., 1892, is a 7X9 yellowed tissue thin paper folded into a 4 1/2 X 3 1/12 note. The stemmed rose at the left top is in color and embossed.

 

Many of them are written in pencil for which the author apologizes each time for the breech in correspondence etiquette. Apparently, the most accepted method is brown ink. The shape and style of several letters not how we see them written today. Tiny pieces of brittle paper fell from the bottom edge and I gently laid it with its envelope and back into the metal cake tin.

It was charming to see these pre-zip code addresses—Lockhart, Caldwell County, Texas—and know that they were delivered.

One letter dated Feb, 18, 1893, was from Mr. Norris to Miss Foster on behalf of Mr. Ridout because he had a sprained wrist and couldn’t write for himself. So sweet.

Another letter was to a daughter from her father in 1897 after his return from Spring and Summer in Indian Territory. Later in 1937, he writes a frank, yet loving letter of advise and parental admonishment.

Terms were interesting. Letters were referred to as missives. They used phrases such as “I am old and driving out close to the end of the row, but still doing for the other fellow.” “Yours as of the 22nd.” “…a poor wandering sinner.” “I’m like bad money-always on hand.”What young lady wouldn’t want to be called “mi bonita novia” (my beautiful girlfriend or fiancée)?

Social events were still steeped in formal courtesies. One of the notes read, “Henry, Your company will be accepted with pleasure for tonight. Your friend, Leona.” They talk of going to the Friday night ice cream supper, the dance, picnic and ball, and pecan hunting on Saturday.

Apparently Henry thought Leona had a gentleman caller on the side and spent a two page letter extolling his own virtues and urging her to be his exclusively.

The folded down small notes within the letters were so romantic. The longer letters were written, ready to mail when just a bit more apparently needed to be added.

Henry’s greetings to Leona ranged from Dear to Dearest, then Dearest and Nearest, then Dear Little Girl, all the way to Dear Remembered One. The easy banter back and forth was endearing.

The letters toward the bottom of the stack are in the early 40’s. By 1942 the postage was up to three cents. The letters now talked about military service, train rides to training grounds, the fear of pending deployment, and the expectation of being away from home for Thanksgiving.

Family letters were exchanged more frequently and were four and five pages of close written messages of encouragement and news of every kind. The thin onion skin pages were folded and crimped down to get their postage’s worth. They now included news about cousins, uncles, and fathers, and the war.

I admit I wept as I read an obituary tucked in one of the last two letters. I think I'll write a letter instead of going shopping.

Are you a letter writer?

Happy Thanksgiving,

Lin writes historical fiction set in the 1890s. She and her husband, Jerry, live on a hay and cattle ranch in Chimney Rock, Colorado.