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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A sister now having been to Mrs. Bullard's...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing M. A. De Wolf Howe (assistant editor of the Atlantic), travel to Pride's Crossing, weather.
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It is a nice morning Jocko!
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing travel, work, visitors.
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What a lovely day!
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing house painting and decorating, new cook.
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I found your beautiful letty when I came out from breakfast...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing fog, Stubby, Brunswick.
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This has been a busy day with me, Mr. and Mrs. Bliss Perry...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing various visitors, travel in Athens.
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I must begin to write my letters over night again...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visits with Helen, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Bartol, Bessie Winthrop, Kate Birckhead; Lizzie Bartol's father's health; portraits; driving.
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I got your two good letters yesterday...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visits with Thiddy, S. W., Mary Garrett; Spoliation claims; driving.
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It is werry hot!
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visit from Reverend Morgan, heat, Mrs. Cabot.
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I am so sleepy with the cool evening...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visitors to Mrs. Cabot, fall weather.
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I was both glad and sorry to get your letter...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing visits with Helen, the Rockwells, Sandy.
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Now you may see a sister all prettily settled...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Mary Rice Jewett discussing arrival and settling in at Spring House, Richfield Springs, New York.
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It looks like rain so I don't believe I shall...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Carrie Jewett discussing social plans.
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It seems more convenient to sit here and write with a pencil...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Carrie Jewett discussing clothes.
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I did have the very nicest time last night!
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Carrie Jewett discussing social plans, invitation to Newport.
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I don't believe you were half so sad...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Annie Fields discussing Fields's depression.
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I was so sorry after I had sent the letter...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Annie Fields discussing Fields's depression.
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I didn't read a word in the cars...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Annie Fields discussing weather, riding the train, affection for Fields.
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And I wish I had my own dear warm little Fuff...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Annie Fields discussing music, her wishes to be with Fields.
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I had a good long afternoon's work...
Sarah Orne Jewett
Letter from Sarah Orne Jewett to Annie Fields discussing her affection, visitors.
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You gave me a very pleasant walk...
George Wallis Haven
Letter from George Wallis Haven to Sarah Orne Jewett discussing fruit, flowers, old age.
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If you think so, you may say...
Theophilus Parsons
Letter from Theophilus Parsons to Sarah Orne Jewett discussing her work, his aging.
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I bid you a most loving and cordial welcome...
L. M. Perry
Letter from L. M. Perry to Sarah Orne Jewett discussing Jewett's return home.
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I wish you had heard it...
Grace Gordon
Letter from Grace Gordon to Sarah Orne Jewett discussing her trip to the White Mountains.
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I have been waiting to send you the "Statesman of the 19th Century"...
John Lord
Letter from John Lord to Sarah Orne Jewett discussing "Statesman of the 19th Century," gout, Annie Fields's health and character.
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I want you to keep Fénélon...
Ellen Mason
Letter from Ellen Mason to Sarah Orne Jewett discussing books and reading, Kate's health, drawing class.