This collection (12 items) contains 9 letters that Robert Emery of Salem and Springfield, Massachusetts, wrote to his daughter Margaret from 1808-1833, as well as 1 letter that Robert Emery received from a friend and 2 letters that Margaret Emery received from family members. The letters pertain to Massachusetts social life in the early 19thcentury. While writing to his daughter, Robert Emery provided news of family members and acquaintances, commented on his travels through Massachusetts, and shared his impressions of unfamiliar local customs. His incoming letter from Ann Bromfield of Andover, Massachusetts, pertains to the importance of housework to a woman's self-image (October 12, 1814). Margaret Emery also received letters from a nephew, R. Emery, about intemperance (August 5, 1827) and from an aunt and uncle about their disappointment after being neglected in a newspaper's society column (April 10, 1823).
John Emery (1746-1787), the oldest son of prominent Exeter resident Noah Emery, married Margaret Gookin (1745-1788), the daughter of Reverend Nathaniel Gookin; they had two children, Hannah Tracy (1771-1793) and Robert (1773-1841). Robert Emery was married three times: to Eunice Orne, Sarah Barnard, and Mary Lyman. Robert Emery and Eunice Orne had one daughter, Margaret Gookin Emery (1796-1865), who changed her name to Margaret Theresa Emery in 1815.
