Expressions of love and concern, as well as pious admonishments commingle in this letter from the Reverend Jonathan Ashley (1712-1780) of Deerfield, Massachusetts. He was writing in 1760, to his eldest daughter Dolly (1743-1833), who was living with a family in Boston. The minister wanted Dolly to learn the graces suitable to her social class and knew that she needed more worldly knowledge than was available to her in Deerfield. Like all parents, he was concerned also about Dolly’s safety and morality in an unfamiliar environment.
Ashley, Reverend Jonathan. Letter to daughter, Dorothy Ashley. June 18, 1760. Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association, American Centuries. https://americancenturies.org/collection/l99-099/. Accessed on October 16, 2024.
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