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Ink and Intimacy: Exploring Emotional Themes in The Bennet Family Letters, 1826-1945: Adventure

Personal reflections and emotional discoveries in the Bennet letters.

Letters of Perilous Journeys

This page highlights two Bennet family letters, one penned by a mysterious unknown author and the other a snippet of a letter by John Stevens. The letters range from the early to mid-19th century, each illustrating a separate tale of potential dangers and exceptional resolutions. Common emotional themes in the letters are feelings of support, resilience, compassion, and resourcefulness though the events and backdrops of the letters vary. 

Reminiscences of a bank employee and his travels along the coast of Georgia, 1826

An unnamed charismatic employee of the Bank of the state of Georgia recounts various lively business travels throughout Southern Georgia, including the risky task of transporting $175,000 from Darien to Savannah by ship. The employee demonstrates compassion by providing medical assistance to a sickly elderly man and his daughter. He also conveys resourcefulness in his maneuvering of unexpected situations.

Untitled story describing a near-drowning incident, circa 1854

Portion of a letter from John Stevens where he recounts a harrowing oyster boating incident involving Oliver W. Stevens, his son Eddie Stevens, and two African American individuals, Primus and Alfred. John and Oliver demonstrate a sense of duty towards the safety of the young boys. Despite being able to swim to safety themselves, they stay with the group and work towards a solution. John's letter communicates feelings of pride in their survival and resourcefulness in the face of danger.