Find A ProjectSign Up To TranscribeSign In
EN
DeutschEnglishEspañolFrançaisPortuguês

Perkins, Daniel. Letters to Ebenezer Hancock from his mother, Mary Perkins, and his stepfather, Daniel Perkins, 1758 June 27 and 1758 November 16. HUM 14, Harvard University Archives.

ReadAboutContentsHelp
These two letters were written to Ebenezer Hancock while he was an undergraduate at Harvard College. His stepfather, Daniel Perkins, wrote on June 27, 1758 and his mother, Mary Perkins, wrote on November 16, 1758. Both letters were sent from Bridgewater, Massachusetts, where the Perkins lived. The letters contain general greetings and wishes for Hancock's well being, as well as parental advice regarding his behavior and comportment. Biographical Notes Ebenezer Hancock (1741-1819) was born in Braintree, Massachusetts on November 15, 1741. His father, John Hancock, died when Ebenezer was an infant and his mother, Mary, remarried to the Rev. Daniel Perkins. Ebenezer was raised by his mother and stepfather in Bridgewater, Massachusetts, while his older brother John was raised by their uncle, Thomas Hancock, in Boston. Ebenezer attended Harvard College and received an AB in 1760 and an AM in 1763. After a few attempts at preaching, he decided to enter into business rather than the ministry and formed a partnership with Edward Blanchard. Their business would prove unsuccessful, dissolving in 1768. In 1767 he married Elizabeth Lowell of Boston; they would have four children together. Ebenezer's brother, John Hancock, helped him reestablish credit and earn an income after his initial failures, giving him work as a debt collector and later, during the Revolution, having Congress appoint him Deputy Paymaster General for the Eastern District. Ebenezer served in this role for three years, traveling around the country with a military chest filled with currency. He also served on the Committee of Correspondence, Inspection, and Safety in Boston and by turns as a Selectman, a Moderator, a Justice of the Peace, and as inspector of the Massachusetts mint. Ebenezer Hancock died in Boston on March 11, 1819.

Pages

(seq. 1)
Complete

(seq. 1)

My dear Son being heartily concerned for your happiness both here and herafter, I willingly embrace all opportunities to plead with you not to neglect any duty not wittingly and willingly to commit any sin, to devote your self only to Gods service and Learn whilst young to be sober minded, to beware of the follies & Vanities incident to youth, and to give yourself to study meditation and prayer whereby you will [?] sooner and much better qualified to serve God [?]d your generation here and be prepared for the reward of a faithful {servant} at last. pray mind your studies, attend the orders of the Colledge, be ready in attendance upon the duties appointed you there, & take heed of extravagant companions & needless expences, take care you dont offend your uncle and Aunt and dont suffer your self to run into any irregular & disorderly practices. I would advise you if you dont keep thanksgiving at Boston to get leave to go to Lexington and that will be best. pray let us hear from you as often as you can Your Father and sister desired to be remembered to you as I also do I am in all affection your Mother

[{Bridgewater}?] {November} 16 1758.

Mary Perkins

Turn over

Last edit over 3 years ago by Cary Saunders
(seq. 2)
Complete

(seq. 2)

PS after the above was written [Dolly?] received a letter from you and was greatly pleasd with it and would have writ but not having Time desires me to add that she is Thankful for your kind and good epressions rejoyces at your good dispositions in her favour and your regards for us all We all rejoyce at all times to hear from you hope you make good proficiency. She sends her most hearty affection to you as we do all & would inform you that [?] Father and I, had a very Tedious & tyresom[e] journey home, the way bad, and the weather severe so that I was very much overcome and am still pretty much out of order, but desire to be thankful I am so well as to keep about house. we are all well besides.

from yours affectionately as above

Last edit over 3 years ago by Cary Saunders
(seq. 3)
Complete

(seq. 3)

Rec'd. Nov. 17th 1758

For Mr. Ebenezer Hancock student at Harvard Colledge in Cambridge [?]

Last edit over 3 years ago by Cary Saunders
(seq. 4)
Complete

(seq. 4)

{Dear} Son

We receivd yours by Shaw, are very glad always to hear from you, take great satisfaction in the character we hear you have, and the progress you make; and hope you'l hold out & hold on to ye end, that you may be qualified for eminent service, have the comfort of a good & quiet conscience your self, and be a credit to all your relations; but be sure to look above ye world, in your aims at better things: Your Mother & Sister are as well as usual, send their hearty love to you. I believe we shall not come down any of us at ye Commencement; shall expect you to come and see us in the Vacancy. Your sister sais she will s[illegible] stay till you have been here, and then go down to Boston; she sais also that she has a cheese for you. pray dont forget to get me a catalogue, & the Theses, if you can; for else I fear I shall have none. Our friends are well here. remember us to your Uncle Aunt Brother &c when you see them. So with my love to you I subscribe yours in all fatherly affection

{Daniel} Perkins

[{Bridgewater}?] June 27th 1758

Last edit over 3 years ago by Cary Saunders
(seq. 5)
Blank Page

(seq. 5)

This page is blank

Last edit about 4 years ago by SRMA
Displaying pages 1 - 5 of 6 in total