Letter from Mary Lyon to Reverend William Tyler, August 21, 1835
Description:
Original 1835 letter written by Mary Lyon (1797-1849), founder of Mount Holyoke College, to Reverend William Tyler (1789-1875). The two-sided letter is written on paper that measures approximately 16-1/4 inches wide by 10 inches high. The paper was folded in half, then a number of times more, so the single sheet could act as both letter and envelope. Notice the red circular postal stamp mark with "Ipswich' within the circle and the stamped word "PAID.' In the same area is handwritten, "Paid 10.' This letter was written by Mary Lyon, presumably while she was staying at the Ipswich Female Seminary. Ms. Lyon writes that she is taking care of things while the seminary's leader, Zilpah P. Grant (1794-1874), was away. Lyon mentions going to Norton to see Miss Caldwell. Eunice Caldwell (1811-1903) had graduated from the Ipswich Female Seminary in 1829. After graduation, Miss Caldwell remained at Ipswich as a teacher for about five years. Caldwell then served as the first principal of Wheaton Female Seminary, now known as Wheaton College. Wheaton, located in Norton, Mass., opened April 22, 1835, the day after this letter was written. Mary Lyon was instrumental in creating Wheaton's first curriculum. Reverend William Tyler was Pastor of the Congregational Church in South Hadley Falls, Mass., where Mount Holyoke is located. Rev. Tyler served at that church from 1832 to 1839. He was a supporter of Mary Lyon's vision of education, and served as one of the first trustees of the newly founded Mount Holyoke Seminary from 1836 to 1856. From the context of this letter, it appears Rev. Tyler was spending time in Weymouth, Mass.
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