1843 – Letter of recommendation, written on impressive letterhead, for a teacher departing Quaboag Seminary in 1843, the year after Lucy Stone transferred from there to Oberlin College
Warren, Massachusetts: 1843. Envelope or Cover. This one-page stampless folded letter of recommendation written on a partially-printed bifold sheet measures 15¾” x 10” unfolded. The printed Quaboag Seminary letterhead at the top of the page measures 7” x 6”. The letter is addressed, and was given directly to, S. B. Saxton by the school principal, J. Pearl. In nice shape with old tape mends to the reverse which has a glue-stain, probably from being mounted in a scrapbook.
The seminary was a private female boarding academy, located in Warren, Massachusetts, which was founded in 1842 and incorporated in 1850. Its most famous graduate was Lucy Stone who attended before enrolling at Oberlin College in 1843.
In 1856, the town of Warren purchased the seminary building to serve as its public grade and high school.
The illustration features the school building with one of the proprietors and several students enjoying a respite in its front yard. The accompanying text reads in part:
“Tuition in Private Family at Warren Worcester Cy Mass. The subscriber will receive six young ladies into his family as boarding pupils, who wish to attend to the English branches, Modern and Ancient languages, Vocal and Instrumental Music. Expenses including Tuition in all of the above branches and every necessary convenience (except books and washing) are forty-three dollars pr term of eleven weeks. Books are furnished at cost – Washing at .38 pr doz. . .. / J. Pearl, Principal of Quaboag Seminary Warren. . ..”
The letter of recommendation reads in part:
“The bearer S. Burt Saxton has been under my tuition most of the time for the last two years. He possesses good natural abilities and his acquirements in the English branches; the Latin and French languages are quite respectable. He excels in the art of Music he has given lessons on the Pianoforte . . . to the entire satisfaction of his associate teachers and patrons. His moral character is unreproachable. . ..”
. Very good. Item #010788The name "Quaboag" was taken from the region’s original settlement, the Quahog Plantation, which was founded in 1660 and named for local Quaboag tribe. The settlement was completely destroyed by Native Americans in 1675, however local militia defended the settlement until a relief force arrived, allowing most settlers to escape to safety in eastern Massachusetts. The region was not resettled until the late 1680s.
Lucy Stone was an American abolitionist, suffragist, and outspoken advocate for and promoter of women’s rights. In 1847, after graduating from Oberlin, Stone became the first woman from Massachusetts to earn a college degree. Unlike other leading feminists of her time, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, Stone did not oppose the 14th and 15th Amendments, which granted full rights of citizenship to black men.
At the time of listing, no similar documents are for sale in the trade. Neither the Rare Book Hub nor ASBA show any as having appeared at auction. The American Antiquarian Society has a similar print in its collection along with some other Quaboag Seminary ephemera. An exceptional image of the school.
.Price: $250.00