From a letter from Timothy Fuller to Elisha Fuller

Washington, D. C. January 20th, 1820.

My Dear Brother:

I hope all is well with you and your family. I am in good health, serving here in our nation’s capitol; but I miss my dear wife and children bitterly, as I do every year.

I thank you once again for taking it upon yourself to tutor little Sarah in her studies. It was only in her third or fourth year that I began her education, and a hardy one, too; but she has always been well-fit for the challenge - devouring every piece of knowledge that comes her way. Inspired by Jefferson’s writings, I took it upon myself to make sure that she be raised as a strong Republican woman, ready to serve her husband; and to prepare her sons for the life of the American Man.

Of the many books she has studied, she has some great favorites. She treasured Ovid, for in his writings she discovered the world of Greek Mythology, and has, ever since, been fascinated by these ancient fairy stories. She is thrilled by the old tales of heroism and dramatics; and I am sure that, in her mind, she lives atop Mount Olympus. At times, though, I must revoke this fanciful nature of hers. First - she is not allowed to read any of those ridiculous, sentimental girls’ novels, nor girls’ etiquette handbooks; and is forbidden to read any plays or novels whatever on the Sabbath. When I caught her reading Romeo & Juliet one Sunday a few years ago, she received a good spanking for it.

Indeed, she is a rather fanciful girl; and quite knows her own mind. Her latest habit is to insist upon being called by her middle, rather than her Christian name. ‘I do not like Sarah, call me Margaret alone, pray do!’ – she said in a letter to me. What a sweet, but silly child she is!…