The correspondence with family, friends and business associates gives a view into Jewett's family and social life as well as her life as a writer. The letters to and from Annie Fields include a consoling note after the death of Fields' husband, James T. Fields, in 1881. Jewett and Fields's long friendship is documented in their own letters and is mentioned in letters to others including letters that Fields and Mary Rice Jewett wrote to others after Sarah's death dealing with her estate. Close family relationships are presented in the many letters to Mary Rice Jewett particularly in the care the aunts took of nephew Theodore Eastman after his mother Carrie Eastman, Jewett's sister, died. The letters to Abbie S. Beede, who typed manuscripts for Sarah and Annie, shows the development of the relationship with Beede from distant to friendly with Jewett sometimes asking Beede for her opinion of a particular story.
To date, only a portion of the correspondence has been digitized. The transcriptions were part of the collection as it was acquired by MWWC; as such, their accuracy has not been verified but they are presented as-is. If you find an error in a transcription, please email your correction to ltaylor6@une.edu.
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I was getting dressed and thought I should write you...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visiting Susan Barley Cabot, reading.
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This has been a most trying day...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing the weather, visitors.
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The visits seem to go on most smiling...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing Annie Fields's teeth.
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The pride of Rome seems to have fallen...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing Sarah's work, French diplomats, invitation for her nephew (Theodore) to visit.
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I should think our parrot would have thought...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing artists John Singer Sargent, Edwin Austin Abbey, Jean Francois Rafaelli, Francois Millet; upholstery.
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I had such a nice time with dear Alice Howe...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visit with Alice Howe, hats.
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What a beautiful rainy Sunday!
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing reading, Sarah's writing.
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I will seize this occasion to speak of general subjects
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing Madame Thérèse Blanc, social plans, visit to eye doctor.
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I don't know what time my letters stray along to you...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing the 1830 murder of Captain Joseph White.
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Please excuse this second hand sheet...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book.
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I send you a long and appealing letter from the Judge...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visit from Madame Thérèse Blanc.
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I don't seem to have much to tell...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing dividing of Towne land, early summer, a nightgown.
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I suppose you will be getting my budgets...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing vistors, Tosy (a dog).
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You will be pleased to hear from your sister at Bagg's Hotel...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing traveling by train to Richfield Springs, New York.
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I thought you would like to know of my safe arrival...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing departure of Miss Jess, Annie Fields in good spirits, football.
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It is a good bright morning and I must have a hopping foot...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing social plans, the theater (Lady Macbeth), Helena Modjeska, travel plans.
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I thought it might be wise to write a line...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visitors, George Clough's work on Fogg Memorial Library.
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Who do you think appeared just as we finished tea...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing an upcoming visit, meal preparations, social plans.
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I was glad to see your letter and to know you were well!
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing social plans, doctors' visits, Annie Fields's health.
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Thank you for your nice letter yesterday...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing the train, Sarah's books, social plans.
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I had a delightful sail down the bay...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing Mouse Island, sailing.
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I was glad to find Carrie when I came home...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing the theater, visit from Coolidge.
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It does seem funny to write to you...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing Mary Garrett, Annie Fields's health.
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The chapters and their copy arrived in good season...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing her writing, various visitors, sailboats.
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That train is quite a beauty...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing the train, Mrs. Fields's health.