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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: January 26, 1864
Text: Poughkeepsie January 26tjl 1864 My Dear Miss Davis Your frank, and soul stirring letter of the 23 inst is at hand mental and its contents are only another proof of the want of some^medium whereby the craving desires, of so many of your sex can be gratified. to It was this very idea to afford '"Woman" an opportunity to help herself may that she -will do it - and that as well as Men, but being created after Man, desired thus too have he has in all ages. obliged her to become...
Show morePoughkeepsie January 26tjl 1864 My Dear Miss Davis Your frank, and soul stirring letter of the 23 inst is at hand mental and its contents are only another proof of the want of some^medium whereby the craving desires, of so many of your sex can be gratified. to It was this very idea to afford '"Woman" an opportunity to help herself may that she -will do it - and that as well as Men, but being created after Man, desired thus too have he has in all ages. obliged her to become second to him in all departments of life .while the Creator only intended her to be a help mate to him, not he hasAmost countrie hia Servant or Slave, he hasAmost countries made her his Slave. I will place your intelligent note on file and when our College open (Spring '65) will endeavour to find a possition for you in some one of the department of Studies, for I cannot believe that a Lady manifesting such intense thirst for human knowledge would prove a drone in the hive of any Institution.Your case meets the primary object for which V.F.C. was^fes designed, vis to furnish an education M the highest mental instruction to those you were hungering & thirsting for such Knowledge, Our College enter it is founded upon the University plan, any pupil canover the age of 12 years, and may learn such branches of Study as she or her guardians choose. The s whole course ^f Ctudica would occupy ordinaryly 4 Years, but any special given branches which she prefer to attain of Course will be grantod and she can the remain in College only one Year receiving a diplomata for what Studies 194 a Jan. 26, 1864 - 2 she has mastered. My health is such I do not as not to permit'me to go abroad, therefore could not meet your proposed appointment I send you a brief sketch of the proceedings of the first Board of Trustees, and a Copy of Pres. Jewett professional tour to Europe I single would send our plan on "Organisation" but have not a copy left. Now Dear Miss D I avail myself of the permission suggested in your kind let- you ter, "not to denyAthe Means needed" without the best of reasons," and that is suhstantialy this, that I have pledg" myself to God, and Country women, to Build \ eqtlp and endow an Institution for "Woman", and I dare other not allow myself to turn aside from this purpose for any.earthly object. I am dr Madame ^Matthew Vassar 1
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Creator: Vassar, Matthew, 1792-1868
Date: February 3, 1864
Text: 3 February 1864 Dear Miss Davis, Yours of the 1st Current is before me Contents notice"-. You ask for information which I would with pleasure afford you if I could viz torma of Education pr' Year" the probable expense pr Year annual at V.F. College" for a schollar." The terms will be fixed at the Meeting of the Trustees in June next and be put at the lowest minimum, of course the inflation of expenses of living in these war times are great, but I pray that peace may...
Show more3 February 1864 Dear Miss Davis, Yours of the 1st Current is before me Contents notice"-. You ask for information which I would with pleasure afford you if I could viz torma of Education pr' Year" the probable expense pr Year annual at V.F. College" for a schollar." The terms will be fixed at the Meeting of the Trustees in June next and be put at the lowest minimum, of course the inflation of expenses of living in these war times are great, but I pray that peace may return before the College opens. I remain D? Miss D. Yours &c MV jMatthew Vassar j 198 b
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Creator: Davis, Ellen M.
Date: January 23, 1864
Text: Kingham, Ms. Jan. 23, 1864 Dear Sir: Will you permit me, though we have never met, to address you? I know you to be the earnest, warm-hearted friend of all young women who have chosen Wisdom’s Way for their Life Path: and, as such an one I would come to you. You have done, for my sex, that which calls forth our deepest, sincerest gratitude, and which shall perpetuate in our heads- and not only ours, but is those of generations to come your revered memory. What a source of unalloyed pleasure...
Show moreKingham, Ms. Jan. 23, 1864 Dear Sir: Will you permit me, though we have never met, to address you? I know you to be the earnest, warm-hearted friend of all young women who have chosen Wisdom’s Way for their Life Path: and, as such an one I would come to you. You have done, for my sex, that which calls forth our deepest, sincerest gratitude, and which shall perpetuate in our heads- and not only ours, but is those of generations to come your revered memory. What a source of unalloyed pleasure it must be to you, to feel that, from this time onward there shall be many, many heartsthrobbing with the vitality which your munificence has given them the power to awaken and sustain. How many women of these United States, shall, in the days to come, take your name upon their lips- tearfully- and thankfully. And who shall estimate the eternal difference which your generosity shall make, not only to these, but to those who, in God’s Providence shall be entrusted to their keeping. Oh, Sir, you have done a noble work! May your life long be spared that you may see somewhat of its glorious results. It is because I know that I shall have your welcome sympathy that I presume to write you. I know that you will not think lightly nor unappreciatingly of what I, in all earnestness of soul, wish to ask you, nor write me a neg-active reply without the best of reasons. And so, Sir, if you will overlook the fact that we are, in reality, entire strangers, and consider me, on behalf of my sex, a grateful friend, as I regard you a kind benefactor, I shall feel that I am permitted to tell you what shall follow, and, as briefly as I can, that I may not presume on your time, not weary you. I am twenty-three years of age. Ten years ago my Father died, and left my Mother and myself without any income. My Mother kept me at school two years, for two years I performed manual labor, and for the last six I have taught in the public schools of this place, without intermission- forty-four weeks each year. In these years I havedesired, more than I can tell you to be acquiring the education of which my early misfortunes deprived me. I have studied by myself to some extent, but find it unsatisfactory in many respects, and excessively wearing to my nervous system, after the labors of the day. I have tried to lay aside enough to pursue my studies in some school- but I have been able to lay aside but fifty-five dollars. For I have never had a larger salary than two-hundred and fifty dollars, and, for more than a year after the war commenced, but two-hundred and twelve: and this to cover every expense. I presume that you will not wonder that I have not accumulated more. Indeed, I have needed what I have laid aside, many times.And now, Sir, I have come to the conclusion that it is useless, longer to expect, myself, to be able, ever to be so circumstanced that I can leave my daily labor and obtain that for which my soul incessantly longs. But I cannot relinquish these strong desires, because they seem to have become a part of my very life. I wrote something of my heart, a few days since (Jan. 4th) to a gentleman in New York City a celebrated inventor, but whom I had never seen, and since then, at his appointment have had an interview with him in Boston, and he promised me that he would pay half the expense of a Normal Course, if some other person would defray the other half.I have no friend who has the ability, that I can ask, therefore I pray you do not deem it rude that I have turned to you. The other gentleman, whose name I will give you if you wish, seemed to regard it in no other way than as handball, and not unreasonable. I have given the Normal Course the preference to others for several reasons. The expenses are lighter there than at most schools, tuition being free, and somewhat of aid being appropriated by the state for necessitous pupils. Then, too, the course extends through but a year and a half, and as I am older than the majority of female students, that is a consideration. Of course I should not think, at my age, of fitting for and entering college, although at an earlier period, I should have beenmuch gratified, could I have done so So I have decided that if it is possible, I will enter the Westfield Normal School at the commencement of the next term, in March. I am impatient to begin, for my days are “going on.” I am somewhat indisposed, the result of continuous application, and am hoping to take a few weeks rest, during next month, by putting a substitute in my place at school. I expect to spend a few days with friends at New York, and if you would rather see me before you decide (what I believe I have after all, only intimated, but which you will understand) I will meet you, at your appointment. I have written at much greater length than I had intended. I trust you will excuse1864 Ellen M. Davis 26 January Answered 28 me. Dear Sir, may I expect an early reply? I cannot tell you how grateful I will be. I await with solicitude. May God guide and bless you, Sir, Yours Truly Ellen M. Davis
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Creator: Davis, Ellen M.
Date: February 1, 1864
Text: Kingham, Feb. 11, 1864 Dear Mr Vassar: I received your kind letter on Thursday last, but have been prevented answering it until the present time, having been in the meantime preparing for, and ultimately conducting the quarterly public examination of my school. I wished very much to write to you at once. Will you please excuse me that I did not. I thank you, Sir, for the Reports. I have read them with much interest. When I wrote you I thought that one could not enter your College without the...
Show moreKingham, Feb. 11, 1864 Dear Mr Vassar: I received your kind letter on Thursday last, but have been prevented answering it until the present time, having been in the meantime preparing for, and ultimately conducting the quarterly public examination of my school. I wished very much to write to you at once. Will you please excuse me that I did not. I thank you, Sir, for the Reports. I have read them with much interest. When I wrote you I thought that one could not enter your College without the customarypreparation termed “fitting,” and also that it was expected of them to remain four years. Since you have told me that such a course is not insisted upon, but that a pupil may take up any branch that she may hitherto have had no opportunity to pursue, and continue in the Institution less time than the four specified years. I have decided that, of all Schools, I would rather attend yours: and if you will remember me, as you suggested, when the glad time of its commencement comes, I shall be proud to enter those Halls as one of the “original” members of Vassar Female College. In my wildest dreams of the future I had never anticipated such high distinction.And now, Sir, if it is not asking too much, will you please write me again, and tell me what will be the probable expense, per year, for me, at your school? I wish so much that I might see and converse with you on this subject, and on others relating to the time where I in common with many other grateful women shall enjoy the fruits of your magnificence. I am extremely sorry, Sir, that your health is not firm as you could wish. May God be with you, Sir, and may He restore to you that priceless soon if it can be His Will. And now, dear Sir, will you please accept my most heartfelt thanks for your kindness. God’s hand, I trust, directedme to you. My acquaintance with you marks an era in my existence. Henceforth my path shall be broader, and light shall illumine the darkness which I have felt in these many years. May God bless you, dear Mr Vassar Is the prayer of Your sincere friend Ellen M. Davis
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