James Macdonald letters, 1820-1861 (majority within 1821-1840)
44 items
This collection is made up of letters related to Dr. James Macdonald , his brother John, and the family of Silvanus Miller, all of New York City. It includes letters exchanged by female members of the Miller family, who wrote about social news in Newburgh, New York, and letters of introduction for James Macdonald during his tour of Europe in 1831.
The first 5 letters pertain to the family of Silvanus Miller. Anicartha Miller received a letter in French on September 13, 1820, and Mary Ann Harris (later Mary Ann Parish) wrote 2 letters to her aunt, Mrs. Silvanus (Margaret) Miller from Newburgh, New York, in July 1821, and one letter to her cousin, Anicartha Miller, in March 1823. She commented on social news and provided prices for a teacher's services. In September 1821, Anicartha Miller wrote to her mother about Mary Ann's recent wedding.
In the summer of 1831, James Macdonald traveled to Europe to observe asylums and meet other doctors who treated the mentally ill. The collection contains letters of introduction for Macdonald, addressed to doctors in Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, England, and Germany; 3 are written in German. During his stay in Paris in 1832, Macdonald received personal correspondence, including a letter from his brother John about finances (March 20, 1832). In December 1837, John Macdonald wrote to Anicartha Miller about the possibility of dissolving their four-year engagement.
Later items include a series of 4 letters James Macdonald received from his wife, Eliza Harris Miller Macdonald, in 1840; she shared social news from Newburgh, New York, remarked on the behavior of their infant daughter, and commented on Macdonald's decision to adopt Christianity. The final letter in the collection is a request for James Macdonald's consent for the marriage of his daughter, Flora (undated, signed J.W.B.).