Morse Family

Cambridge Dear Finley,

I wrote a letter to you on the 14th inst. at Charlestown, but not knowing whetehr it has gone forward or not I shall now write a line or two with regard to the solemn events, which has taken place in the family of which you are a branch.

Your Papa has gone to New York. Your Mama in his absence has lost your little brother [??] who, having died of the dysentery after about four days illness, was illegible buried on Monday last.

Write to your Mama as soon as you can; and be careful to comfort her to your Papa by improving your time in the best manner, by being dutiful to them, and pious toward God. Be exemplary to all; and at the vacation, let your parents realize their fondest expections respecting their eldest son.

Remember that good children only will hereafter meet in heaven to be forever happy earnestly endeavour to be of that number that you may meet your little brother and all good people in a better world. Do not forget your devotions nor perform them carelessly for God looks at the heart, and always knows your thoughts. Remember me with due respects to all, who enquire after me, & to Mr. Newman in particular. I have not time to add, but am yours affectionately Oliver Brown

have done & your reflections on the death of your brother, please us I same your Grandma Breese your uncle & aunt Snowden & cousin Malcolm, all well. Your uncle & aunt Snowden I expect will pay us a visit this fall--

I had a letter today from your Grandma Morse at Woodstrock They expect your Mama & me to visit them about the time of your vacation & I hope we shall have such an account of your conduct from Mastr Newman Abbot & Bates as will authorise me to take you & your little brothers with us-- Vacation will soon arrive now when I shall send Prince or some one for you. Till then be very studious & obedient to your

instructors & improve all in your power-- Richard has been sick with the defrenstory??but is now quite well as are all the rest of the family who wish to see you & with me join in love to you. If I find yu have been a good boy I shall make you a present of some little books I brought from N. York. Your affectionate parent J. Morse

Charlestown Sep 29 1801

My dear Son,

I have written you one letter since my return which I hope you have received-- since I wrote I have receievd a letter from you to your Mama is which you express a desire to come home before vacation. I presume this desire arises from your anxiety for the health of your little brothers but as they are very hearty & well & all the rest of the family are also. I presume you will be contented to stay till vacation which is now near at hand & when we shall be very glad to see you & intend during the vacation to take you to Woodstock.

Charlestown Feb 11 1804

My dear little sons

I have had the pleasure of hearing by your [?] Papa this week that you are all well and doing well as it respects your studies hope you will continue to do so, as you may rest assured that nothing in this world can afford your fond parents one half the pleasure that your good behaviour does and on the contrary no trouble is equal to that of having disobedient unruly children. I hope will never be of this number but make it your Daily business to obey your kind preceptor and study to please Mr & Mrs Blanchard who are so good to you and play with your school mates in a kind and friendly manner and above all things remember your duty to God pray to him Night and morning and read your chapter in the Bible as often and do not read trifling books on the sabbath Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy:--

stay & hear Edward & Richd examined Mr Newman sd they did well--

You must not forget the good advice so often given you by your parents who love you & are extremely anxious that you should behave well, & if your lives shd be spared that you should be good men & useful in the world.-- It is possible I may come up to see you again before the end of the term if the Trustees should again wish & examine the Academy, they talked-- so you must be prepared for another examination as it is possible there may be another. Take care thay don't get on the black list-- I hope future bills will be free from all black marks agt [against] your names.-- May God bless you my dear boys your affectionate parent J Morse

but reason; & it puts the mind into confusion & throws wildfire into the tongue, giving the advantage against them; it renders a person incapable of doing his duty to God & disposes him to commit acts of violence & injustice to men. --Therefore, my sons, keep your passions under discipline; when they are by any means excited, quench them instantly before they break out into unruly words or actions. By no means let them degenerate into malice, envy or spite.

I shall continue these extracts in my next. My dear boys-- Read the above excellent counsels endeavour to understand & remember & practice them. Forget not to read them every week as I have before directed you. In this way you will every day grow wise & better & this will comnfort the hearts of your anxious & affectionate parents. We are all well & send you much love. From your loving father Jed Morse

File this letter & keep it very carefully

Charlestown Mar. 24 1804

My dear Sons

You are now old enough to know the value of books, that they cost money & ought to be preserved with great care. Hitherto you have been too careless of your books & have suffered them to get torn & untied & lost as if they were of no worth. I expect now you are grown older you will put away these childish things. Let it be your ambition to keep your books, clothes & every thing about you clean & in good order. "Cleanliness," Mr Whitefield used to say, "was next to godliness," or a good life.

By the way, did you carry up my Greek [Lexicon?] by [Parkhurst?]? I miss it from my library. I did not intend you should have carried it with you. It is too valuable a book & not designed for youth. If you have it give it to Mr. Blanchard I request him to keep it till a safe oppy [opportunity] offers for returning it.

Charlestown July 3d 1804

My dear Boys

We had the pleasure of two letters from you yesterday by Mr Blanchard and was happy to hear from him that you were all well and behaving well go on my children to behave better & better and endeavour to like the holy child Jesus who as he grew in statuer grew in favour with god and man. We are not quite certain that we shall be at Andover next week but hope too if we can make it convenient. I expect a good deal of company to day as it is the concert of prayer in our meeting house and your Papa is to preach. Of course I cannot write you a very long letter by Mr B but will write you again soon. Tomorrow is the fourth of July and great preparations are making in this town to celebrate it.