Elijah Lovejoy Papers Series 1 Letters

Illinois State Historical Library

Letter from Elijah Lovejoy to Elizabeth Lovejoy, March 10, 1835

Letter 5 of 11

from the Memoir of the Reverend E. P. Lovejoy, held in the collection of the Illinois State Historical Library

Elijah Lovejoy Letters

Transcription

My Dearest Mother,

I am married. So much for the first sentence, which contains the substance of the whole matter. But as I suppose you would like to have a few particulars, they follow.

I was married on Wednesday last, the 4th inst. at St. Charles, a village about twenty miles distant from this place. My wife's maiden name was Celia Ann French. I thought we made a very respectable couple at the time. As for my own personal appearance, you know enough of that already. For the lady, I can tell you (she sits at my right hand while I write,) that she was twenty-one years of age last August, is tall, well shaped, of a light, fair complexion, dark flaxen hair, large blue eyes, with features of a perfect Grecian contour. In short, she is very beautiful. This is not a mere expression of a fond husband, but just the simple truth. John will tell you if you ask him.

But the best is yet to come. I need not tell you she is pious, for I hope you knew I would marry no one who was not. She is, I know, intelligent, refined, and of agreeable manners; and unless I have entirely mistaken her character, she is also sweet-tempered, obliging, kind-hearted, industrious, good-humoured, and possessed alike of a sound judgment and correct taste. I am sure you will not think it the least evidence of these last--at any rate, I do not--that she has chosen your son for a husband. In addition to all this, she loves me, I think, as much as I deserve. I shall now leave you to measure that love.

With such a wife I think I ought to be happy--I am sure I am thankful to the Lord who gave her to me.

Celia sends love to you, and all her new sisters and brothers in Maine. She will expect a letter from sisters Sarah, Sibyl, and Elizabeth.

Pray tell me what is the reason of your long silence in Maine? I have heard nothing for a long time from a living soul in all that region. John is well, and so am I, and so is my dear wife. I have my hands full of business, but the Lord has hitherto sustained me.

Your most affectionate son,

Elijah P. Lovejoy

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