Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe

The Life of Harriet Beecher
Stowe
by Charles Edward
Stowe

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Title: The Life of Harriet Beecher Stowe

Author: Charles Edward Stowe
Release Date: October, 2004 [EBook #6702] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on January 17,
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LIFE OF HARRIET BEECHER STOWE
Compiled From
Her Letters and Journals
BY HER SON
CHARLES EDWARD STOWE
[Illustration: Handwritten Preface
It seems but fitting, that I should preface this story of my life, with a
few words of introduction.
The desire to leave behind me some reflection of my life, has been
cherished by me, for many years past; but failing strength and

increasing infirmities have prevented its accomplishment.
At my suggestion and with what assistance I have been able to render
my son Revd. Charles Edward Stow, has compiled from my letters and
journals, this biography. It is this true story of my own words, and has
therefore all the force of an autobiography.
It is perhaps much more accurate as to detail & impression than is
possible with any autobiography, written later in life.
If these pages, shall lead those who read them to a firmer trust in God
and a deeper sense of this fatherly goodness throughout the days of our
Earthly pilgrimage I can stay with Valient for Faith in the Pilgrim's
Progress.
I am going to my Father's & this with great difficulty. I am got hither,
yet now I do not repent me of all the troubles I have been at, to arrive
where I am.
My sword I give to him that shall succeed me in my pilgrimage & my
courages & skills to him that can get it.
Hartford Sept. 30 1889
(Signed) Harriet Beecher Stowe]

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT.
I desire to express my thanks here to Harper & Brothers, of New York,
for permission to use letters already published in the "Autobiography
and Correspondence of Lyman Beecher." I have availed myself freely
of this permission in chapters i. and iii. In chapter xx. I have given
letters already published in the "Life of George Eliot," by Mr. Cross;
but in every instance I have copied from the original MSS. and not
from the published work. In conclusion, I desire to express my
indebtedness to Mr. Kirk Munroe, who has been my co-laborer in the
work of compilation.

CHARLES E. STOWE.
HARTFORD, September 30, 1889.

CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
CHILDHOOD 1811-1824.
DEATH OF HER MOTHER.--FIRST JOURNEY FROM
HOME.--LIFE AT NUT PLAINS.-- SCHOOL DAYS AND HOURS
WITH FAVORITE AUTHORS.--THE NEW MOTHER.--
LITCHFIELD ACADEMY AND ITS INFLUENCE.--FIRST
LITERARY EFFORTS.--A REMARKABLE
COMPOSITION.--GOES TO HARTFORD.
CHAPTER II.
SCHOOL DAYS IN HARTFORD, 1824-1832.
MISS CATHERINE BEECHER.--PROFESSOR FISHER.--THE
WRECK OF THE ALBION AND DEATH OF PROFESSOR
FISHER.--"THE MINISTER'S WOOING."--MISS CATHERINE
BEECHER'S SPIRITUAL HISTORY.--MRS. STOWE'S
RECOLLECTIONS OF HER SCHOOL DAYS IN
HARTFORD.--HER CONVERSION.--UNITES WITH THE FIRST
CHURCH IN HARTFORD.--HER DOUBTS AND SUBSEQUENT
RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT. --HER FINAL PEACE.
CHAPTER III.
CINCINNATI, 1832-1836.
DR. BEECHER CALLED TO CINCINNATI.--THE WESTWARD
JOURNEY.--FIRST LETTER FROM HOME.--DESCRIPTION OF

WALNUT HILLS.--STARTING A NEW SCHOOL.-- INWARD
GLIMPSES.--THE SEMI-COLON CLUB.--EARLY IMPRESSIONS
OF SLAVERY. --A JOURNEY TO THE EAST.--THOUGHTS
AROUSED BY FIRST VISIT TO NIAGARA.-- MARRIAGE TO
PROFESSOR STOWE.
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY MARRIED LIFE, 1836-1840.
PROFESSOR STOWE'S INTEREST IN POPULAR
EDUCATION.--HIS DEPARTURE FOR EUROPE.--SLAVERY
RIOTS IN CINCINNATI.--BIRTH OF TWIN DAUGHTERS.--
PROFESSOR STOWE'S RETURN AND VISIT TO
COLUMBUS.--DOMESTIC TRIALS.-- AIDING A FUGITIVE
SLAVE.--AUTHORSHIP UNDER DIFFICULTIES.--A BEECHER
ROUND ROBIN.
CHAPTER V.
POVERTY AND SICKNESS, 1840-1850.
FAMINE IN CINCINNATI.--SUMMER AT THE EAST.--PLANS
FOR LITERARY WORK.-- EXPERIENCE ON A
RAILROAD.--DEATH OF HER BROTHER GEORGE.--SICKNESS
AND DESPAIR.--A JOURNEY