| The
Correspondence of Emma Seymour and Phillip Battell |
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The
Project  |
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The purpose of our project
is to learn about the romantic relationship and courtship of the 19th
century couple through reading corresponding letters of Emma Seymour
Battell and Phillip Battell. During that time period, the middle and
upper-middle class Americans considered love letter writing a serious
introspective activity that help strengthen connections between the
lovers during the period which they are apart. We chose to focus on
the earlier letters of the relationship because they provided a glimpse
into a relationship during the courting phase. These letters helped
to demonstrate the anxiety and stress both Emma and Phillip experienced
as a response towards societal pressure and view of the perfect marriage.
The correspondence between Philip Battell and Emma Seymour is a perfect
example of a nineteenth century love letter exchange.
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| Emma Seymour Battell was
born in Middlebury in 1803, daughter of Horatio Seymour and Lucy Case
Seymour. Horatio was Governor of New York State (1853-1854 and 1863-1864)
and was the Democratic Party nominee for President of the United States
in 1868. Her brother name was Ozias Seymour (1800-Feb 8th,1861) and
was married to Mary Louise Hager Seymour(Dec 20th, 1808-Oct 14th,1895).
She married Philllip Battell in 1836. In her letters written to Phillip,
Emma showed strong interest towards music especially the piano. She
attended the Troy Female Seminary. She gave birth to Joseph Battell
(1839-1915) and Emma Battell (1837-1900). Emma passed away of lingering
consumption in Nov 3rd, 1841.
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Phillip Battell was born
in Norfolk, Connecticut, November 28, 1807. He was a son of Joseph
Battell and Sarah Battell. He was sent to Lennox Academy, MA at
the age of twelve in order to prepare for college. He was admitted
to Yale at the age of fifteen years old. After college, he spent
a year in New Haven Law School and passed the bar in 1829. He was
married to Emma Seymour Battell in 1836, and moved to Middlebury
in 1838. His contribution to Middlebury included; editor and manager
of the Topaz, leader in Middlebury public movement to make the town
look more attractive to tourist and visitors by planting trees,
constructing sidewalks and cleaning up the streets. After the death
of Emma in 1841, he continued to reside in Middlebury with his two
children Joseph Battell (1839-1915) and Emma Battell (1837-1900)..
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Read Emma's Correspondence
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Read Phillip's Correspondence
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