I recieved your letter yesterday night. I was glad I wanted very much to hear from home, I am sorry Andrew [2]X
Andrew Jackson Whitman (1827–1863), the sixth child of Walter and Louisa Whitman. Like his father and brothers, Andrew was a carpenter; he later served in the Union Army briefly during the Civil War. See Martin G. Murray, "Bunkum Did Go Sogering," Walt Whitman Quarterly Review 10 (Winter 1993): 142–48. has been sick, Jeffy [3]X
Thomas Jefferson Whitman (1833-1890), "Jeff," was the eighth child of Walter and Louisa Whitman. Walt's favorite brother, Jeff played the piano and had a lively sense of humor. must take care of himself. I feel sorry for you Mother in your first of May moving [4]X
Mother Whitman was preparing to move to 77 Classon Avenue in the spring of 1856. May 1 was moving day in Brooklyn, so this letter predates May (see Wesley Raabe, editorial note, letter from Louisa Van Velsor Whitman to Walt Whitman, March 19?–May 14?, 1871, Walt Whitman Archive, note 1 ). In "'walter dear': The Letters from Louisa Van Velsor Whitman to Her Son Walt," Raabe provides more details about the Whitman family relocations during the decades of the 1850s and 1860s (Walt Whitman Archive). I hope you have some one to help you, you do not tell me how much rooms you have, I hope its a convenient place, I think its good you move before the first of may, I can immagine how you are dear Mother, buisy all over the house every one running to Mother to ask about every thing, I hope you feel well and strong, I hope you can find time to write to me again after you get moved, —

I think very much about you all at home, — my teeth are to be done to day [5]X
For her dental work Hannah went to Dr. James Lewis (1820?-1901), mentioned in her letter from March/April 1856. Dr. Lewis practiced dentistry with his brother John and purchased a house on Pearl Street (known as the Lewis-Patton House). See David J. Blow, Historic Guide to Burlington Neighborhoods (Burlington, VT: Chittenden County Historical Society, 1991), 1:51. I have been up dozens of times sometimes I have to wait half a day

I do not mind that the least bit however, I think my teeth will be very good. Charlie speaks their being so expensive but thats nothing you know the Dentist takes a picture [6]X
Heyde paid for Hannah's dental work with one of his paintings, as Hannah notes here., the one he has taken I do not like much it is a copy, [7]X
Hannah is referring to Heyde's practice of copying certain scenes, described as "never-fail sales" by Barbara Knapp Hamblett (see "Charles Louis Heyde, Painter of Vermont Scenery," [MA thesis, SUNY Oneonta, 1976], 30). Some of his more popular scenes were of Mount Mansfield, Camel's Hump, and the High Bridge on the Winooski River. Charlie has painted three or four like it, he has another like it on hand

View PageFull size in new windowCharlie has to pay for the frame of course [8]X
Heyde was paying for Hannah's dental work with one of his paintings. The frame for the painting meant an extra expense. I am pleased very much to have my teeth I know I never could get them myself. Charlie is kind to get them for me.

Dear Mother Charlie ( I think ) has written the worst kind of complaining letter to you he says he has he has written to some one, he was very angry because I saw it, I did not read one word I dont know it is to you, before that he told me he had written to you many things so I thought it was a letter to you that he did not wish me to see, I dislike really to say any thing ill of Charlie, but Mother I think sometimes a person should speak for themselves, I think its right they should. I know if Charlie writes about me as he talks to me its very dreadful, and as far from the truth as it is improbable, there is nothing I would like better than to do as Charlie would like I would do any thing in the world that he thought was right. I appreciate all that I have. I should not be cofortable as far as living is concerned if it was not for him, its easy to talk its different to do, but if I only could support myself someway I hardly think I should bear so much abuse at any rate all the time, he says I have not the least sense but that I never think of noticeing however View PageFull size in new windowhe tells me to pack my damed duds [9]X
Swearing is one form of psychological abuse. Telling Hannah to leave when Heyde knew that she did not possess the economic resources to do so was a way of controlling her behavior. and clear out he says I had better go home on a visit at any rate I have told him that I should not stay with him all the time if my friends were better off. I did not wish to be a burthen to my friends, he does not hurt me much when he gets angry he threatened to choke me to death he has struck or pushed me about some, once he bit me a little on the shoulder more to hurt tore or wripped the sleeves of my dress that I wore but all that I care nothing at all about, if he would not talk so to me, if he has written a letter (I know he has) to you I hope you will notice it enough to answer it, you at home are most all I have. I do not write because I have bad feelings towards Charlie I have not, I hardly ever get angry at him, I always try to pacify him, sometimes I do not at first, I am one that cannot live if he is angry I cant eat or sleep, it affects my mind very much, more and different from what it used to, I dont know what it is without its nervousness or histericks it takes my strength, I do not feel strong to day I must go to the Dentists, I am little sick sometimes I am always frightened half to death Charlie complains so terribly.

View PageFull size in new windowCharlie has not the least patience with me that is the cause of it all, he finds continuell fault, of course I know I do not do always right if he would be kind I should do more and better sometimes I work very hard all day and then on other days I do very little day before yesterday I almost made Charlie a shirt I should have entirely finished it but I had something to do in the evening I cut it out in the morning,

yesterday I was all day at the Dentists I went in the morning directly after breakfast, and then again directly after dinner, its a very long way from here there are three other Dentists here, but Burlington is large, old place to day I am washing some, my washing takes much time Charlie says a person woman to get married should have some cultivation, — all the benefit I be Charlie has some one to find fault with, I dont think I do much good in the world I do not do any, — to save my life I cannot please Charlie or help his getting angry little things make him angry that I say without thinking any little idle word, there never was a woman abused as I be I mean with talking, you never heard a man talk as he can, there is one thing good Mother I never lay it (his unkindness I mean)to heart I soon get over I only feel bad a short time, this will be the last letter of this kind I shall ever write.

I have written this time about myself remember I think and feel anxious to know about home

I shall write again soon I was pleased about the Leaves of Grass [10]X
Hannah is referring to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, mentioned previously in her letter of December 20, 1855. Whitman did not publish the 1856 edition until September.