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Starting the First Draft
I recently started my third journey through the letters and life of Horton Howard. First pass was to transcribe the 150 or so letters written by him, to him, or that mentioned him. The second pass was to condense the material in these letters and add material from other historical sources. While working on the…
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A Matter of Priorities
Now that I’ve taken a second pass through all the letters and research I’ve accumulated, I notice something interesting about the priorities held by those who settled that part of the Northwest Territory that became Ohio. I’ve mentioned before that Horton Howard led a group of Quakers (or Friends, as members of the Society of…
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Marrying an outsider
Parents had concerns about their children even when times were simpler. The concern that Horton and his wife, Hannah have for their daughter is evident in this letter. 1825 – first day afternoon, 11th day of 12th month Horton wrote to his daughter Sarah, who was at school in Columbus” Mother asks me to “tell…
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Uncertainty of Living
I am impressed, when reading Horton’s letters, by his dedication to his family, and the importance he places on maintaining family connections. Some of that was likely the influence of the Quaker ways, but I wonder how much was a result of life’s uncertainties. Without antibiotics or other medeicines we take for granted, disease and…
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A Full House
In 1804, Hannah Hastings of Wilmington, Delaware, visited the Howard’s community and struck up a friendship and correspondence with Horton. Hannah’s letters were filled with admiration for Horton. I have wondered whether this admiration and friendship naturally blossomed into something warmer, or whether 30 year old Hannah suspected that Horton would soon be widowed again.…