Letters from Abiel Holbrook, 1800-1801 Digital

Contains correspondence from Abiel Holbrook to Lemuel Shaw, dated 1800-1801. His first letter relates to his arrival in Haywood, Virginia, where he was employed as a tutor to two boys, and his impressions of the landscape, society, and politics in the state. Holbrook describes sailing up the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, as well as the “extensive plantations” on the banks.

He writes about a visit to George Washington’s nephew, William Augustine Washington (1757-1810), at his plantation; his friendship with Washington is often mentioned in his letters, although Holbrook emphasizes that unlike in New England, the vast distances between estates in Virginia make socialization challenging, and he was often lonely. Nonetheless, his letters reference interactions with several prominent families in the region including the Tayloes and Wormeleys.

Another frequent topic is party politics. Holbrook believed “Jacobins” (Republicans) in the Virginia General Assembly “robbed” John Adams of 8 or 9 electoral votes in the 1800 presidential election because the assembly changed the rules for choosing electors from district voting to a “general ticket,” or winner-take-all.

Holbrook writes at length about the importance of “intrinsic worth” above property or birth to Virginia men, and reflects on his own financial situation and indecision about his path in life: “Sometimes I’ll say - I’ll preach - then no, I’ll marry a rich widow – perhaps I may be disappointed – I’ll keep an academy – but my schollars fret me – then this won’t do – I’ll go to the wilderness & raise a ‘world of cotton’ – but then again, I’ve no negroes…”

Holbrook describes the circumstances of several widows whom he might pursue: one woman inherited a 6,000-acre plantation and 200 enslaved people, but she was still in mourning, and Holbrook found her father too domineering; another candidate owned approximately 2,300 acres and 70 enslaved people.

He also reminisces about Harvard, describing it as the happiest time of his life, and asks Shaw about commencement and activities of Phi Beta Kappa. He requests that Shaw communicate his greetings to, and relay news about, their classmates, including Horatio Bean and Benjamin Marston Watson.

Other references in Holbrook's correspondence include a sighting of the American naval fleet sailing up the Potomac; the increase in trade in the region since the Capitol was moved to Washington, D.C.; and Virginians’ attitudes towards Jefferson’s presidency.

Holbrook vacillated between remaining in Virginia and moving home; factors influencing his decision were his social and romantic prospects, and political and cultural differences between the north and south. According to Holbrook, “Wise politicians here predict a separation of states & say N.E. will then be the only place of safety & genuine liberty.” He adds, “Also I fear insurrection of negroes – several attempts have been made, one this winter.” While he appeared willing to entertain marriage into an enslaving family, he then expressed reservations about slavery in the region, writing, “how can a N Englander endure the sight of slaves? It really shocks a feeling mind to behold so many of our fellow creatures chained to the earth for a piece of bread a day.”