LOVE LETTERS
ReadBefore the digital age, people relied on letters to carry sentiments and information to loved ones. These letters provide an intimate look into relationships of bygone days. Reading them enables us to explore the ups and downs of romantic love from the 18th-century to the present.
Letter from Elizabeth Miller to Robert Miller Letter from Elizabeth Miller to Robert Miller (1918-04-20) by Elizabeth MillerLancasterHistory
A true love letter contains personal revelations, the desire to know the other's feelings, past events, future engagements, and the desire to be together. Its language creates a vivid image of the writer's feelings. In the past, romantic letters combined expressions of affection with information about family and friends, local news, concerns, advice, and daily chatter.
A Dream of Love
Thomas P. Cope (1768–1854), a Quaker originally from Lancaster, was the son of Caleb Cope. He was apprenticed to a dry goods merchant in Philadelphia at the age of 17. He became one of Philadelphia’s wealthiest citizens as a merchant, politician, and active philanthropist. Mary Drinker (1766–1825) was the daughter of a prominent Quaker in Philadelphia. Mary and Thomas were married in 1792.
Mary Cope to Thomas Cope (1808-03-15) by Mary Drinker CopeLancasterHistory
"Last night he appeared to me in a vision, like a sudden apparition; he kiss'd me many times with great fervency but still greater haste; he did not even tarry to sit down; and was gone again on some unxplain'd momentous business swifter than a meteor in a summer sky."
Mary Cope to Thomas Cope (1808-03-15) by Mary Drinker CopeLancasterHistory
In this 1808 letter, Mary tells her husband how disappointed she was in not yet receiving a letter, and ended by teasing him about her habit of staying up late and wishing for his return.
This letter gives the impression that she wrote very much as she may have sounded in conversation with her husband.
The Reason of Rhyme
Love is an emotion that is usually spoken or physically demonstrated. But when this emotion is expressed in writing, the correspondence becomes a record of that love. While some prefer to write lengthy letters, others record their emotions in verse. Love may be observed or expressed through poetry.
"To Miss S___" by "Mr. C"LancasterHistory
"Oh this heart shall be thine till another shall sigh"
This poem was written "to Miss S___," likely Miss Slaymaker, from "Mr. C" and is undated.
Poem from a Broken-Hearted Valentine by Unknown CreatorLancasterHistory
"To think how all that love hath flown, Transient as every faithless kiss!"
This undated poem was written by an unknown broken-hearted Valentine. Around the edges, he or she has written, "Why leave me pining," "Always at home," "Hope is my solace," and "Rather die than change."
Poems to Lizzie Worrest by John Ellis (1849-07-20) by John EllisLancasterHistory
"Dear Lizzie, mem'ry still doth cling, Around thy image fair; Where'er I go, where'er I stay, I plainly see it there."
Poems to Lizzie Worrest by John Ellis (1849-07-20) by John EllisLancasterHistory
John Ellis of East Coventry Township in Chester County was a merchant at the time these poems were written in 1849. He later appears in the Census as a farmer.
Poems to Lizzie Worrest by John Ellis (1849-07-20) by John EllisLancasterHistory
John and the recipient of these poems, his "dear Lizzie" Worrest, did not marry.
Valentine poem to Frederic Worrest (1851-02-14) by Unknown CreatorLancasterHistory
"More constant than the evening star..."
Frederic Worrest is the recipient of this 1851 Valentine poem, and is identified as a teacher in the 1850 Census. The poet who professes her love in this poem remains unknown.
Autograph Albums
School-age girls and young women often kept autograph albums in the nineteenth century. Friends, schoolmates, and the owner would fill in the blank pages with poems, prayers, notes of affection and friendship, drawings, signatures, and mementos. These albums contain sentiments and signatures similar to those written in modern school yearbooks.
Autograph Album of Alta M. Diller (1879/1880) by Alta M. DillerLancasterHistory
"My love for you will never fail, As long as fido has a tail. Your Schoolmate Chas. A. DeHuff, New Holland, Oct 22nd, 1879"
This autograph book belonged to Alta M. Diller (1865-1953), who used it when she was 14 and 15.
Autograph Album of Elizabeth F. Allen (1827/1832) by Elizabeth F. AllenLancasterHistory
"To Love is painfull it is true, Not to Love is painfull too, But ah! it gives the greatest pain, To Love and not be loved again."
This little poem is from the 1827-1832 autograph album of Elizabeth F. Allen.
A Love That Panned Out
David Baer Hackman went out to California from Pennsylvania in search of gold in 1850. While there, David sent many letters home to his brother, Andrew, and to Harriet B. Miller. Although Harriet never responded to his letters, they reunited upon his return to Lancaster and married soon after.
Letter to Harriet Miller from David Hackman Letter to Harriet Miller from David Hackman (1850-11-08) by David B. HackmanLancasterHistory
The informal tone of this letter indicates that David and Harriet knew each other and were close at one time. He pleaded with her to write to him, told her briefly about his journey and his health, and offered to send a specimen of gold.
Letter to Harriet Miller from David Hackman (1854-10-04) by David B. HackmanLancasterHistory
"But before I come to Manheim I should wish to have you sent me a few lines to Lancaster that I may [know] wether I am a wellcome visiter to you or not. I should be happy to call on you first if it may please you of my doing so. I would furthermore state that if ever I have the honour of meeting you, I can meet you with a true and honourable heart."
Letter to Harriet Miller from David Hackman Letter to Harriet Miller from David Hackman (1854-11-13) by David B. HackmanLancasterHistory
"I have just returned from a short visit to Manheim...I regret to say that I have not had the honour of paying a visit to you. But as I had no one to introduce me to you, I was for maners sake [obliged] to leave Manheim even without seeing you."
Although he must have known her before going out to California, Mr. Hackman knew it was unseemly to visit Miss Miller without being properly introduced and having a mutual acquaintance present after such a long separation. He showed his respect for her by following the rules of etiquette.
Wartime Letters
Before the convenience of e-mail and satellite telephones, couples stayed in contact during times of war by writing letters. They came to terms with being separated and got to know each other better while sharing news of home and military life.
Letter to Robert Zartman from Louise Upchurch Letter to Robert Zartman from Louise Upchurch by Louise UpchurchLancasterHistory
Robert Zartman (1922-2000) grew up in Lititz, graduated from Lititz High School in 1940, and helped run his parents' dry goods and grocery store. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during WWII and was stationed at Camp Mackall, NC for some of his basic training. It was in Abemarle, NC that Robert met Louise Upchurch.
Louise Upchurch (1923-2002) was born in Mt. Gilead, NC and was a graduate of Appalachian State College in Boone, NC. She corresponded with Robert while he served overseas.
In this letter, Louise wrote at length about her "favorites" and preferences for clothing, music, jewelry, and other subjects. She had very strong opinions, but also wanted Robert's input. They got to know each other through letters, as they were unable to spend much time together in North Carolina.
Letter from Elizabeth Miller to Robert Miller Letter from Elizabeth Miller to Robert Miller (1918-04-20) by Elizabeth MillerLancasterHistory
Robert Everts Miller (1891-1974) enlisted in the U.S. Army Aviation Signal Corps in 1918 and served during World War I. His wife, Elizabeth (1894-1987), wrote to him frequently, telling Robert about home life and local gossip.
Valentine's Day
Sweethearts exchanged paper or written valentines as early as the 1400s. Some valentines were extremely ornate designs that were drawn, painted, or intricately cut from paper. These decorative pieces eventually gave way to manufactured cards by the mid-nineteenth century.
Puzzle-Purse Valentine (1830)LancasterHistory
With origins in origami, puzzle-purse valentines were exchanged by sweethearts beginning in the 1700s. A square sheet of paper was folded into a pinwheel shape, with a purse in the middle that could be used to store small items. Folding back the panels revealed a romantic message.
This puzzle-purse valentine from the 1830s reads:
"When love is met, It is hard to part, If betwixt the two, There is but one heart."
"I Love You" valentineLancasterHistory
Valentine's Day cards rapidly gained popularity in America during the nineteenth century. This undated valentine was sent in an envelope addressed to Molly S. Trout of Lancaster.
"May I ask this of thee?" valentineLancasterHistory
"Entire, unchanging truth and love, Never to let thy heart approve, Or give one thought or wish of love, To any other while from thee I rove."
Civil War-era valentine (flaps closed)LancasterHistory
This Valentine's Day card from the Civil War era combines romantic love with the love of country. The card's verse is ready-made and was attached to many cards sent home by soldiers.
An image of a Union soldier reading a letter from home opens to reveal...
Civil War-era valentine (flaps open)LancasterHistory
...the soldier and his sweetheart in a moment of romance, back at home.
Visit LancasterHistory.org to learn more about the love letters, and thousands of other documents, in the LancasterHistory.org collection.
