1821 CASTINE MAINE Letter - FIRE - SLEIGH PARTY - BALL - GOOD CONTENT!

Description

Lengthy, 2 folio pg. letter, approx. 8-1/4" x 13-1/4", dated at Castine, Maine, Feb. 2, 1821, from Isabella Tilden (signed "Isabella", but note from her daughter identifies her last name), to Miss Mary Read, at Belfast, Maine.
A well-written letter, with good content, writing of a recent wedding, a ball which she stayed at till midnight, a sleigh party consisting of 7 gentlemen and 10 ladies, and of a fire in the night, which she went to watch, with the women forming a line to pass water to the men trying to put it out.
Includes:
"My dear Mary,
I hardly dare to address you after having neglected you so long; methinks I hear you charge me with coldness and a want of those feelings of Friendship which ought to exist between us - methinks I hear you say is it possible that Isabella, her who so often has called me by the endearing appellation of sister, should have forgotten me. O Mary! my conscience smites me, I plead guilty, and shall offer no excuse save the fear of exposing my bad writing, and poor composure. But why should I fear the eye of a sister? No, Mary, no! I will not let such fears prevent my enjoying the productions of your pen, the sentiments and feelings of your tender, affectionate and noble heart, which I shall undoubtedly have if I but write. Do, my dear girl, forgive your Isabella and think her not unkind if you can, think not my professions of love were the effusions of a moment; no my dear girl, they were founded on good ground and will remain permanent.
My dear girl, I have began several letters and something would prevent my finishing them, and little Samuel has just spilled the ink on this, but I am determined to make a finish on this sheet, for fear I should not be able to send it by the next Packet. Last evening, Cousin Sarah was married to Mr. John Hale. C. and myself were there. The party consisted of 25 persons besides their own family. Sarah was dressed in white silk. I thought she appeared very pretty. Charles I thought looked rather serious, but my dear girl I think you will know what to attribute it to, but fearing you should not, I will tell you what I think, your absence. Mary is it true, do you think? Mary I wish you was here my dear girl to cheer him a little. Sometimes he appears more lively. I then think, 'you have heard from Mary'. O! the effects of Love.
It would be pleasing to all your friends, Mary (for I assure you, you have many) to have a visit from you. Miss Watson expresses a great wish to see you at Castine, and Heaven grant she may have her wishes gratified. Mary my dear girl, how have you spent your time since I left Belfast? I hope pleasantly. I have, for the most part of the time. I presume C. gave you a description of the ball we had. It was quite a pleasant one, but had you been one of the party, it would have been still pleasanter. C did not dance, his was quite lame, but on my expressing a wish that you was there, said he, 'I think I should dance then if she was'. We kept very good hours, I think, returned at 12 o'clock. I presume Charles would not have gone had I not been in Castine.
Likewise we have had a sleigh party, consisting of 7 Gentlemen and 10 Ladies. Miss Watson and myself went, C. did not. We were invited by a Mr. Chamberlain, had a very pleasant time. We rose the distance of three miles to Mrs. Freeman's, Mother of Mr. Z. Freeman's, wife of Brooks. We had a very good supper, spent an hour or two and then returned home. In this manner, my dear girl, Isabella spent the first day of the year 1821, or rather evening, for the morning was spent in washing and the afternoon in sewing. I have returned several calls, and spent several evenings abroad. I have spent one day and one afternoon and two evenings at Uncle Little's. Aunt is very sociable and complains that I do not visit her oftener. I attend singing school with Miss Watson, who goes merely to assists the treble. I have made such progress in singing that I can raise & fall the eight notes to perfection and sing Arlington....
Mary, I presume C. has given you an account of the fire which we have had at Castine. Mary, how alarming to be awakened by the cries of fire! My first impressions were that Mr. Mason's house was on fire. I sprung out of bed, threw up the window ,when I ascertained where it was. I looked from the window for several minutes, then went down the street and stood a silent spectator while most of the boarders were distinguishing themselves by their exertions in putting a stop to the fire. A line of Females were formed, and passed water as fast as possible....
My dear girl, before I close my letter, I will inform you how I spend my time as it respects domestic affairs. I rise generally between 6 and 7 o'clock, make my bed and sweep, then sweep the parlour and set the table for breakfast. After prayers, I make the rest of the beds and sweep, which generally brings the time to ten o'clock. Most generally from that time till 1, I study. Then I assist after dinner and then again at tea, &c. Thus Mary is my time employed....
It is almost dark my dear Mary and I will not weary your patience any longer this tme with my imperfect ideas.
With sentiments of esteem, I bid you a short adieu. Your sincere and affectionate, tho' unworthy,
Isabella"
There are a few partial fold splits, neatly repaired with archival document tape, and some ink stains at the left side of the first page, (caused by "little Samuel", as Isabella wrote in the letter).
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