Benjamin S. Lyman., 11/18/1855-11/18/1855

File — Box: 3, Folder: 28

Identifier: 68061

Series-level Scope and Content Note

From the Series:

Please note that correspondents often mention acquaintances or other individuals but will not provide their complete names. When known, the full name is given in parentheses. Also, in the case of the Clarke family, one A.K. Clark signs her name without the 'e' although it is likely that she is a member of the Clarke family. She also cites (her husband?) inconsistently as 'Mr. Clark' or 'Mr. Clarke.' Descriptions for each letter will use the spelling that the correspondent has used.

Dates

11/18/1855-11/18/1855

Collection-level Access Restrictions

Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.3 Linear Feet (3 Hollinger Document Cases)

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Container Summary

ALS (dated 11/18/1855, with envelope) to Franklin B. Sanborn from Benjamin S. Lyman. Reference to Sanborn's school in Concord: "...I am glad to hear that your school is getting on so well. You have for a pupil a young Higginson from Deerfield, as I hear through some sisters of his mother who lives here (Northampton); so I suppose that your fame is becoming extensive and I congratulate you therefor (sic.). Perhaps next summer your Academy, or Seminary, or Institute, or College, or Whatnot will have so much increased as to require two assistants instead of one - one to teach Mathematics, Physics, and the Natural Sciences in general. If so perhaps you could induce me to take up my residence in Concord, provided I am in the unfortunate condition of a man having no work to do, and provided also you could offer me a good round salary..." References to his current employment as itinerant woodchopper and as pedestrian traveller in search of odd jobs: "On the afternoon that I closed my last letter to you, I set out once more to see the world, with one dollar and one cent in my pocket..." Later: "...After walking about two miles, I found employment, when it was too dark, I suppose, for my employer to see how I looked. He agreed to let me work for him the next morning, and would have taken me for the whole day, but I had then determined to spend Sunday here. So I worked hard the next morning at digging potatoes. He boarded me a whole day and I hardly expected any pay, but he gave me twenty cents and I went home in the afternoon twenty-one times as rich in money as I had left it Monday morning..."