https://www.fannysewardstory.org/bullies daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/christmas-1858 daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282399527-MNH02UBLVHUNYBHD4TKK/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p003-christmas1858.jpg Christmas 1858 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282399530-6N56ECHP27PWEXO04YD9/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p004-christmas1858.jpg Christmas 1858 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282399534-5PDXJ44TY606NEXM3FXT/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p005-christmas1858.jpg Christmas 1858 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282399537-JK2GZ51JTUX1ZYBYKA66/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p006-christmas1858.jpg Christmas 1858 Fanny’s Diary c. Christmas 1858 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/april-14-1865 daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403398-B40VEQ1WZC061XPLEGPP/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p99.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403402-YF6E6CAQC080KJ4Q43ES/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p100.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403406-NH1QAHC7H07UPRLVW9WS/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p101.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403409-74G4INOMR0WBBHWS0O88/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p102.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403412-05WZIBM12T16DMXHQ1P1/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p103.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403416-RMOUUWF74TIIPEWE7CTV/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p104.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403419-18GFRE8646ZE7Y252B3X/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p105.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403422-YMML6SCA55KP1U2EQY1Z/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p106.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403426-CJWR2DJAMZISZ9CLHH60/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p107.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403429-7UNANUDWRVTROQE1QA38/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p108.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403432-59V0MG724NFB0DRGMGE7/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p109.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403435-PNSNQ8SD96KGQBZBUHS4/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p110.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403440-567T7SLI4MOF5H5O3ECA/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p111.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403443-IXQQPCC04NALCVNL9POH/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p112.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403446-64NNM6F0I6RK7MM0B6R5/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p113.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403450-DGY9KO7H0O4JL4W3LUDB/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p114.jpg April 14, 1865 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282403453-XAQOCGF6IDKQZO8P2LDE/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p115.jpg April 14, 1865 Fanny’s Diary c. April 14, 1865 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/her-world daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282414579-PG4SIQE0N05B7BAY51P6/Emancipation+Proc..jpg Her World Reading of The Emancipation Proclamation c. 1862 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/8625c4ff-a80b-44fd-ae5d-c29c8640ec98/UTC+Puzzle.jpg Her World Fanny’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” Puzzle and Box c. 1853 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282414586-ZLUUVHX1875OSZRX4ZV3/IMG_20211105_104403680.jpg Her World Fanny “Carte de Visite” c. 1860 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Her World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Her World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Her World https://www.fannysewardstory.org/travel daily 0.75 2021-12-16 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/sep-2-1861 daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282418070-3SPGOZDGVJ8B9VXC5GSQ/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p103.jpg September 2, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282418074-T7D0P0P87TR8TWI97MJ2/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p104.jpg September 2, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282418081-QM0QN2PXZYLNPDFPJ3O3/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p105.jpg September 2, 1861 Fanny’s Diary c. September 2, 1861 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/dentist daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/kansas daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/practicemistakes daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/dogs daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282421735-SQBE9VZCZN1JGJ02IR0X/Fanny+Seward+with+dog%2C+not+cropped.JPG Dogs Fanny absolutely loved her dogs! The Seward family had many pets of all kinds that lived in their gardens. Fanny would often lead stray pets home with her so they would have a place to stay. Throughout the 1850s, the family had dogs named Watchie, Neppy, Rover, Trip, and Bell (pictured). Bell was Fanny’s special pet who lived inside with her, and he is a common character in her diary! Beyond household pets, Fanny also had a sensitivity for all creatures. After witnessing some turtles being cooked for dinner, Fanny was so upset that she vowed to never eat those animals again! “Among other New Year’s preparations Louisa scalded to death eight unfortunate terrapins--poor things, if I could influence everyone by doing so, I would never taste animal food, but I cannot. At any rate I will not eat turtle, terrapins, lobsters, eels, and frogs (nor snakes and lizards, which come next.)” Dec 31, 1858 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/may-19-1861 daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424027-GN90QJ0GR1SYU46YYY0F/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p86.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424031-86I45BIVS8CZ8I3C9YU2/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p87.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424034-NXYMN3RC1NGE97GPEUKJ/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p88.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424037-NX6H8QY6ZH2CA89XHRK2/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p89.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424041-9PUZOMBTYU7AY8GCUP4S/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p90.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424045-AQYI5RY889TG37MK3V0A/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p91.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424048-69PZK0VSVV3V7FC7R2QH/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p92.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424052-B6PEUYVPUQALM94VT4IU/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p93.jpg May 19, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282424056-XZOL37Y9GX8YBEFBVG8P/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p94.jpg May 19, 1861 Fanny’s Diary c. May 19, 1861 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/home daily 1.0 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282427471-ODYD2M4NJJFCQHHT1CE5/Fanny+Seward+by+Leutze+SMALL.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282427487-X3U7UAEVGHV87YW214P6/Fanny%2527s%2BDiary%2B1863.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282427492-7Y1QF9OU0674M9X54AC5/Cushman.PNG Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282427499-OTQYH0TK1Z5V2Z86J1L2/Cape+May+1866.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282427483-D2JMRESWTEKM79TQ3265/Will%25252CFanny%252526WHSc1850.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282427507-KKR7ZIEDZKEOHT8589SQ/Fanny+ca+1866.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282427480-C3RLD5GLVB7OTII9KV6K/Seward%252Bstabbed%252BNG.jpg Home https://www.fannysewardstory.org/prank daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/civil-war daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282430404-FGYROXP7V7JUT5CS1A73/Camp+of+Rush%27s+Lancers%2C+1863.PNG Civil War - Fanny recalls seeing Union camps early on in the war, such as the Rush’s Lancers camp, which is pictured to the left from 1863. Her descriptive language suggests a naïve perspective and possible over-glorification of war life. “We drove out past the Navy-yard to the camp of the __ regiment Sickles Brigade—It was on a hillside with roads on two or three sides of it. In the shade lay some of the men, one was washing some article in a little stream—others were gathered in knots while the sentries were walking up and down… Father & Mr Lincoln accompanied by the Colonel walked all around passing each man—they having no good parade ground were draw up into a sort of triangle in double rows…the Col gave his orders in a strong clear voice—the men goin through with the maneuvers then the were marked off by their individual officers into their companies…We now drove on, passing houses and any number of soldiers—This camp looked very prettily—the tents were arranged in rows. Being so hilly & elevated it is very healthy—We next came to another encamped regiment of the same brigade…In a short time the regiment were in line…their ground here enabled them to stand in a line—but being hilly you could not see the whole unless you stood on the top of the middle hill. They went through the manual remarkably well. The fixing & unfixing bayonets was quite wonderful to see—Westfield men were pointed out as one of the best companies, they say that country men make the best soldiers—this camp like the other is called remarkably healthy—there were but thirty sick in the whole regiment—one thousand or more. The band which was composed of two or parts of two was a fine one—going to the camps we passed the old capitol building were the secession prisoners were confined it is a large old brick corner house—a guard was around it and “confederates” leaned from the window—they wear a variety of clothing one or two a red flannel shirt one man had brown hairs & heard one was quite a lad” Sep 1, 1861 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/school daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/fear daily 0.75 2021-12-16 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/guileless daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/everyday-life daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282432471-TSAU0AWCBMUP4DORGHMN/IMG_20211104_163322050.jpg Everyday Life Fanny’s Handmade Paper Dolls c. 1857 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282432475-08ZB0PZJH1J80AC96AGU/IMG_20211105_104718277.jpg Everyday Life Fanny’s Handmade Basket, Chair, and Dish Made of Glass Beads Strung on Wire c. 1855 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282432478-UM381LJVXL339S66T0I9/IMG_20211104_155653163.jpg Everyday Life Fanny’s Flower Card Game to Play with Friends https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Everyday Life https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Everyday Life https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Everyday Life https://www.fannysewardstory.org/sep-1-1861 daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282435974-XJY6WE6HVW6R9ORUPZYP/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p96.jpg September 1, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282435978-RTB5LQ8WWDUF2ZJ9T4YP/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p97.jpg September 1, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282435987-2UPA8PMKWEOAOFLSDFB3/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p98.jpg September 1, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282435991-OYPC4S1NRREO9F54DN7S/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p99.jpg September 1, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282435994-YVJ8ENPASMSXBJB0E9IW/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p100.jpg September 1, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282435998-21BBZIMNY031V59SJR7Z/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p101.jpg September 1, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282436002-WV1915OW7F0YH4FQ58HP/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p102.jpg September 1, 1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282436005-FR0HPTKWTJ4OKD0T141L/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p103.jpg September 1, 1861 Fanny’s Diary c. September 1, 1861 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/dinner-party daily 0.75 2021-12-16 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/friends daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282439491-RQ1E5PZTC23KIJAPZUUP/Mary+Titus%2C+1870.PNG Friends Fanny was a very popular young girl! She had many friends in Auburn who would often come to visit her at her house. The girls would exchange gifts with each other, pull pranks, and take walks around Auburn. The may have gone on sleighrides together and written valentines. Some of Fanny’s friends included Mary Titus, Mary Wilson, Mary Van Wie, Mary Adams, Mary Robinson, Ellen Perry, Esther Perry, Sarah How, Fanny Bailey, and Julia Warden. There were so many Marys! Pictured to the left is Mary Titus c. 1870. https://www.fannysewardstory.org/values daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/lady-napier-opinion daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/self-doubt daily 0.75 2021-12-16 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/womens-rights daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282441304-QOZY6PSWO9OF7L249615/IMG_20211112_140351616.jpg Women's Rights - Fanny, like her mother, believed in women’s rights. She made her opinions clear from an early age, as one can see from the following diary entries. The first references the book pictured to the left, in which the main character talks about attending a Woman’s Rights Convention. Fanny may have particularly disliked the following book quotes: “All talk of sameness of rights are absurd” (234) “Home is the sacred sphere of woman’s noblest activities...in the sacred intimacies of home is the centre of her life.” (245-235) “When you enter into politics and public life, you step out of your proper sphere, and you cannot do this without mischief to yourselves, to ma, and to the interests of the state.” (241) The character suggests women’s rights will end the human race and believes that women will forget about having rights once they find the right man. “ Evening we read aloud in “Dr Oldham,” by our friend Dr Henry... I like some things in Dr Oldham very much, but I abhor and detest his chapter on “woman’s rights” Mar 4 and 5, 1860 “I liked Mr H. for one thing that he never mentioned the human race as “men”--but always “men and women” as was right--” Jan 15, 1861 “I hear Mr Crittenden express himself over Florence Nightingale’s picture that he thought it a very unwomanly thing for a gentle lady to go into a hospital of wounded men--That was enough of you, Mr C. if I had not seen you at the table turn your head an spit on the floor cloth.” Dec 27, 1861 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/diary daily 0.75 2023-09-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443594-XUU5GXUJJ0KHYAH6MB9J/IMG_20211113_122534632.jpg Diary Fanny’s Personal Library c. 1866 and a Mathew Brady Photograph of Fanny and Her Father c. 1858 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443598-02JUBNEN7U9KGTKA0AOP/IMG_20211104_161045760.jpg Diary Fanny’s Pocket Diary c. Christmas 1862 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Diary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Diary https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443617-Q75Z5N4SI7EULJ65X2MW/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p003-christmas1858.jpg Diary Fanny's First Entry https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443623-6J6US2F6MMZOC1JIQIIJ/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p069.jpg Diary Recipe and Sketch https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443630-R4MLOM4DLXOLCI6D6JEV/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p86.jpg Diary First Shots of the Civil War https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443636-OO3JUAA004YOTLJPJVIE/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p96.jpg Diary Meeting Lincoln and Seeing Troops https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443643-Y2XH25YDMV1HMRAZ6NEK/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p103.jpg Diary Witnessing War https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282443649-Q46CUSG21E861661HM07/18630501_18650617_FAS1_p99.jpg Diary First Hand Account of Assassination Attempt https://www.fannysewardstory.org/lincoln daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282447126-8S1S51OUHK2DV80VIOAY/IMG_20211113_123138282.jpg Lincoln Fanny’s description of inauguration day eerily foreshadows the coming Civil War and Lincoln’s assassination. It would be very stressful as a 17 year old to constantly be worrying about your father’s safety. The Battle of Fort Sumter occurs only one month later, where a major shift in tone can be observed in Fanny’s writings. To the left is a signed card of Abraham Lincoln. “Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated & no serious disturbance occurred--What an inappreciable relief--For months I have felt constant anxiety for Father’s safety & of course joined in the fears so often expressed that Lincoln would never see the 5th of March--Hurrah-Hurrah” Mar 4, 1861 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/slavery daily 0.75 2021-12-16 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/reflection-of-past daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/figures daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/217c7b8e-ca80-42cc-a580-6ce920a77557/IMG_20220118_104458960.jpg Figures A message to 10-year-old Fanny from Charles Sumner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Figures https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Figures https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/6d533705-1d42-400c-9df7-1a2e5a17e2fd/Charles+Sumner.jpg Figures Charles Sumner https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/e2004bae-63fc-42c0-ba45-c27e049ad35a/37_Lady+Napier+and+sons.jpg Figures The Napier Family https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/896780d3-0b82-4a0b-9fb2-54d2f526e1a1/NPG-NPG_65_48Buchanan_d1.jpg Figures James Buchanan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/9030cc45-65e3-4b45-81df-dd416feffe41/ehowland.PNG Figures Emily Howland https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/a3129ee7-e748-437f-ba55-18183b233253/66_Abraham+Lincoln.jpg Figures Abraham Lincoln https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/c7920b93-05e1-4b31-8071-e83ca215b271/Mary+Todd+Lincoln.jpg Figures Mary Todd Lincoln https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/7ea402cd-54d4-40aa-800f-365beca43793/HD_mercierH.jpg Figures Henri Mercier https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/0170ed4e-e30e-4f5b-972d-c9c622798a58/tubman+young2.jpg Figures Harriet Tubman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/2bdc72b6-b973-434f-a816-d4f9094641d2/IMG_20220221_113835.jpg Figures Aunt Margaret https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/b3ed3c85-f41d-41bf-a52f-85a5debc5b64/mclellan.jpg Figures George McClellan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/14f7c6eb-8d05-48f3-a86f-ab93d16b1ec0/NPG-NPG_77_261Dix-000002.jpg Figures Dorothea Dix https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/dce90763-cf41-459e-a60e-46cbf0604f1d/NPG-7900830C_1.jpg Figures Edwin Stanton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/b028012a-6a62-44b0-9ce4-7464f2959dea/katechase.jpg Figures Salmon and Kate Chase https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/13d0b182-f2c9-42c4-b802-1409e7a747f6/NPG-NPG_81_M605_2a-000002.jpg Figures Preston King and John Crittenden https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/4126dfd6-c2bc-41be-b131-9a0014ac737c/NPG-S-NPG_79_246_152.jpg Figures Robert Lincoln https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/fe94fdb3-0eca-4568-9775-8ee70c702e8b/113_Eduard+de+Stoeckl.jpg Figures The de Stoeckl Family https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/f01c87e5-14b0-410d-9ae9-cf6102a85591/Cushman.PNG Figures Charlotte Cushman https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/aff46e69-ba6f-4e6e-a300-919be1671dcf/NPG-NPG_77_136Booth-000001.jpg Figures Edwin Booth https://www.fannysewardstory.org/auburn daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449496-2GBNFSHKTXCIT8ZCNZXF/hiresSB3.jpeg Auburn - Auburn Life Fanny grew up in Auburn, a town in the Finger Lakes region of New York! Although she often visited her father in Washington D.C., Auburn was what she called home. However, the Auburn of Fanny’s day was not the same town that it is today! Back in Fanny’s lifetime, Auburn would have looked different than it does now. Fanny’s grandpa, Judge Miller, built the house that their family would live in on South Street, and Fanny often recollects roaming the side streets nearby. In 1816, Judge Miller also laid the plans for the Auburn Prison. He began Auburn’s Fort Hill Cemetery as well, and was the first person buried there in 1851. There used to be a publishing house in Auburn, and the Sewards probably purchased many new books from here (which Fanny would have loved!). There was also Guss & Williams’ Bookstore, Harbottles’, and a glassblowing site. Since Fanny lived by the Finger Lakes, she would go to the nearest lake and dam and skate with her family and friends. Skating was all the rage in the 1850s! She even mentions Skaneateles in her writings! “Mr Morgan has just been elected mayor of Auburn in place of Dr Briggs” Mar 11, 1860 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449501-XDQBHDCGZXJ5K6SVAZIZ/Auburn+1.png Auburn French’s 1857 Auburn NY City Directory (Seymour Library History Discovery Center) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449505-HVEFU5XEHTTN92NOW16A/Auburn+2.png Auburn “Agricultural Fair at Auburn” (Seymour Library History Discovery Center) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449509-WURFB4D8DPUJ66Q8DXM8/Auburn+3.png Auburn Way bill, Auburn and Syracuse Railroad, 1840s (Seymour Library History Discovery Center) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449512-8SQJ6N3IPWDX5SUJ6LXZ/Auburn+4.png Auburn Northern Christian Advocate (Auburn, NY) September 11, 1850, (Seymour Library History Discovery Center) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449516-H606J9275NG22JVCV82D/auburn-5.png Auburn Ads from the 1863-1864 Auburn City Directory (Seymour Library History Discovery Center) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449519-ORWLEWH52JR3OYLH5ZQ0/Auburn+6.jpg Auburn https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282449524-RFMGPTGZYYHBUGWY66B4/Auburn+6.jpg Auburn Auburn Journal and Daily Advertiser, April 30, 1861 (Seymour Library History Discovery Center) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/feb-25-1859 daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282452376-ZR997Y95T1YCRDITER2S/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p069.jpg February 25, 1859 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282452380-3RZ73GL4NNF71ZY100LI/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p070.jpg February 25, 1859 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282452385-D5U84OPMH5NPKNO9C5W0/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p071.jpg February 25, 1859 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282452389-Y5YOCG8D6RL4E47A6HKI/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p072.jpg February 25, 1859 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282452393-X2K345AJ5I6C6AAX877M/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p073.jpg February 25, 1859 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282452397-8MRLROMTSE1PL5UCQQH7/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p074.jpg February 25, 1859 Fanny’s Diary c. February 25, 1859 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/arts daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282455866-MWFPX9UCI85FDSRCLZF4/IMG_20211104_161718687.jpg Arts Fanny’s Art Folder https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282455862-8B1SPZYPA3667HBZLJ4X/IMG_20211104_155922641.jpg Arts Fanny’s Marionettes: These are French carved, wooden, and represent costumes of different countries around the world! c. 1855 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/books daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/0b37e9ec-267e-4a88-87e2-d26dde2523d0/IMG_20220118_110417006.jpg Books Fanny’s Library https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/2fdc3d29-7a8e-4791-be5d-deb31abbf8d1/IMG_20220118_114529862.jpg Books Cecil Dreeme, Fanny’s favorite book https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Books https://www.fannysewardstory.org/diary-covers daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282459519-970Z7G73AAHHLSK9U2TO/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p001.jpg Diary Covers Cover of Fanny’s First Diary c. 1858 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282459537-RZ3VXQOCVKWZZNENPRZZ/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p02.jpg Diary Covers - Make it stand out Title Page of Second Diary (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282459523-MG349KX6Y0NJLXP4FLKW/18581225_18591200_FAS1_p002.jpg Diary Covers - Make it stand out Title Page of First Diary (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282459526-8RXVDP9GOS5YVBJWA47C/IMG_20211104_161019008.jpg Diary Covers - Make it stand out Title Page of Fanny’s Pocket Diary c. 1862 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282459533-IBOX2ZVDVNJOJJQWBWJL/18601225_18620404_FAS1_p01.jpg Diary Covers - Make it stand out Cover of Fanny’s Early 1860s Diary c. 1860 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/document daily 0.75 2021-11-30 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/assassination daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/1638282463147-ZYXLJ6USZ590NFDQFF4V/Powell+no+2+1865.jpg Assassination “I sat by the side of the bed nearest the door, reading “Legends of Charlemagne.” Robinson was near. I saw that Father seemed inclined to sleep, so turned down the gas, laid my book on a stand at the food of the bed, & took a seat on the other side. About 10 o’c Dr. Norris paid his visit & left us all quiet…I do not remember hearing voices outside, but something led me to think that Fred was there with someone else…Perhaps the President was there, or had sent over. I did not stop to see if father wakened thoroughly, but hastened to the door, opened it a very little, and found Fred standing close by it, facing me. On his right hand, also close by the door, stood a very tall young man, in a light hat & long overcoat. I said, “Fred, Father is awake now.” Something in Fred’s manner led me at once to think that he did not wish me to say so, and that I had better not have opened the door…The man seemed impatient, & addressing me in a tone that struck me at once as much more harsh & full of determination than such a simple question justified, asked, “Is the Secretary asleep.” I paused to look at my father, & replied “Almost.” Then Fred drew the door shut very quickly. I sat down again…Very soon I heard the sound of blows—it seemed to me as many as half a dozen, sharp and heavy, with lighter one’s between. There had been an interval of quiet…I could not tell what it mean…and being impatient to find out, started…I thought Robinson & I reached the door at the same time…I saw that two men came in, side by side…the one nearest me, was Fred. The side of this face was covered with blood, the rest very pale, his eyes full of intense expression…On his right was the assassin…his arms were both stretched out, he seemed rushing toward the bed. In the hand nearest me was a pistol, in the right hand a knife. I ran beside him to the bed imploring him to stop. I must have said, '“Don’t kill him,” for father wakened…then raised himself & had on glimpse of the assassin’s face bending over, next felt the blows and by their force…was thrown to the floor…”This must be a fearful dream!”…Three men struggling beside the bed…they were Fred & Robinson & the assassin…Then I knew it was not a dream. I remember pacing the room back & forth from end to end—screaming. My screams wakened Gus but I do not remember seeing him…After a little time…some vague idea of calling for assistance carried me into the hall…at that time the assassin & those struggling with him were by the door in Father’s room, & I passed them as I went out…I think I saw the assassin stab Hansell, as he…rushed headlong down the stairs…It seemed to me that every man I met had blood on his face… I remember running back, crying out “Where’s Father?” seeing the empty bed. At the side I found what I though was a pile of bed clothes—then I knew that it was Father. As I stood my feet slipped in a great pool of blood. Father looked so gastly I was sure he was dead, he was white & very thin with the blood that had drained from the gashes about his face & throat…”O my God! Father’s dead”…” Good Friday, April 14, 1865 Lewis Powell, the “assassin”, is pictured to the left c. 1865. https://www.fannysewardstory.org/family daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/434dc356-2b42-4d3d-b09f-65110858386a/Seward+Family+Tree.png Family - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/2c2415cc-a969-4b64-8258-c5e90ca471ba/Cape+May+1866+%282%29.jpg Family Fanny (looking spunky as #3) and her family on vacation at Cape May in 1866 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/0d0cd327-f57c-4feb-a829-55ecbf1f246a/Frances+and+Boys.jpg Family Fred, Will Jr., Frances, and Augustus c. 1850 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/6f4aa532-2bd7-4ae0-b804-2336be7cee38/Will%2CFanny%26WHSc1850.jpg Family Will Jr., Seward, and Fanny c. 1850 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/5c920018-2414-4b25-9133-7cd318bfc229/IMG_20220127_160747821.jpg Family Fanny and her father c. 1858 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Family https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Family https://www.fannysewardstory.org/about daily 0.75 2021-12-16 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/vocab-page daily 0.75 2022-03-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694583486-2PQT0LQ193RL7MCB6DX4/20140228_Trade+151_0046.jpg Vocab Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1618497259178-6XJGK9GR6YAVBQL5L519/20140301_Trade-151_012-2.jpg Vocab Page https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5ec321c2af33de48734cc929/1607694644871-IC85FNH781UNZSZEGHDR/Aro+Ha_0428.jpg Vocab Page https://www.fannysewardstory.org/charles-sumner daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/69d40af6-63a2-4d5d-9f06-bb6566e03bc8/Charles+Sumner.jpg Charles Sumner Charles Sumner Charles Sumner was an outspoken abolitionist and Senator from Massachusetts. He is most remembered for being hit with a cane by sitting Congressman Preston Brooks in 1856 after giving his “Crime Against Kansas” speech. As a Radical Republican, Sumner was very good friends with the Seward family in the 1850s. He was especially close with Frances, with whom he shared many a conversation about the horrors of slavery. In the 1860s, Sumner had a bit of a falling out with Seward, who was becoming increasingly moderate during the Civil War. Since he was a frequent visitor at the Seward residence when Fanny was young, she considered Mr. Sumner a close friend. He signs a book for her with a note about the injustice of slavery when she is 10 years old. She writes about him a few times in her diary, and one of her first written impressions of him is that he is religious. “Mr Sumner is an excellent man, and one of deep religious feeling, even his servants bear testimony that like David he “kneels three times a day before the Lord.” Jan 29, 1860 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/the-napier-family daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/c8ddb828-b4e8-427b-ba5d-9977a5a7953c/36_Lord+Napier.jpg The Napier Family The Napier Family Francis Napier, or the 10th Lord Napier, was the British Minister to the United States in the late 1850s. Lord and Lady Napier and their children were quite close with the Sewards, and they often are mentioned in Fanny’s 1859 diary entries. Fanny was clearly fond of the family, especially Lord Napier, who gave a special present to his “friend.” They are not mentioned after 1859 since the Lord and his family returned to the United Kingdom and were replaced by the next Minister, Lord Lyons. While serving his brief tenure in Washington, Lord Napier was suspected of being pro-slavery and pro-Monroe Doctrine. This is interesting, seeing that Seward was anti-slavery yet a passionate proponent of America’s westward expansion. Seward struggled with maintaining neutrality and a positive relationship with England during the Civil War, after Napier was stationed elsewhere. “Since Lady Napier is gone my little book shall be the last to chronicle her defects, which like all other persons were numerous—I cannot deny that I was disappointed in her, but I will not write down her faults, trust in that I should desire others to do the same by me.” https://www.fannysewardstory.org/james-buchanan daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/0d17a855-3d13-4078-bd65-992e7eea20b6/NPG-NPG_65_48Buchanan_d1.jpg James Buchanan James Buchanan Buchanan was the 15th president of the United States and served right before Lincoln. Unlike Lincoln, Buchanan was a Democrat and did not like Seward. During his term in the late 1850s, the infamous Dred Scott decision was passed. This declared that slaves could not be citizens, even in free territories or states. He also tried to make Kansas become a slave state and completely divided Congress. All of this triggered the election of Lincoln and the dissolution of the Union. If it wasn’t obvious, the Seward family members were not fans of Buchanan. Fanny witnessed one of his speeches in 1860 and tore his words apart in her diary. She even disrespectfully called him an “old goose”! “speech by Buchanan who was to wear a Masonic apron (old goose) and use masonic gavel which the(y) said (what a lie) Washington, who was never a mason, used” Feb 22, 1860 National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; transfer from the National Gallery of Art; gift of the A.W. Mellon Educational and Charitable Trust, 1942 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/emily-howland daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/9030cc45-65e3-4b45-81df-dd416feffe41/ehowland.PNG Emily Howland Emily Howland Emily Howland was a participant in the Women’s Rights movement and a supporter of African American education. She helped to fund, form, and teach in dozens of schools for the formerly enslaved, and thus was an abolitionist. Howland lived relatively near to the Sewards and visited their Auburn house. Fanny repeatedly mentioned her in her diary over the span of many years, and she would sometimes visit her schools. Frances was known to donate money for these schools, as well. Notice how Fanny used the term “contraband” to describe emancipated slaves in her entries. “While Sue and I were sitting in the library Miss Howland called. She is here to help & teach the contrabands at their camp. She boards at Dr. Breed’s. She has a bad cold, and or did not feel well.” Feb 10, 1863 “Miss Howland and Miss Searing…told us much about the contrabands. Some who belonged to Mrs Maury, who used to live at the observatory–Mrs M. used to pinch their ears and noses with red hot tongs, and black them over that they might not be discovered. She would also pinch their ears with her scissors handles till they were all worn and slit. Once she beat a girl till her back was covered with blood for reading in a book-and threatened to kill her if she did it again. This is a southern lady. Miss Howland says they do not complain much of these things, only talking of them when they are questioned.” Mar 10, 1863 Emily Howland. Photomechanical print published in American Women: Fifteen Hundred Biographies with over 1,400 Portraits (1897). Library of Congress https://www.fannysewardstory.org/abraham-lincoln daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/a3129ee7-e748-437f-ba55-18183b233253/66_Abraham+Lincoln.jpg Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln Perhaps the most recognizable name on this list, Fanny had many encounters with Abraham Lincoln. He was the 16th President of the United States, issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and led America through the Civil War. Fanny’s father was advising and aiding Lincoln throughout this fraught moment in history. The Seward’s house in Washington was right next to the White House, and Lincoln and Seward would often visit each other and were nothing short of best friends. For this reason, Fanny spent a fair amount of time with the Lincoln family, and she had varying opinions of many of the members. Although she probably didn’t care for Lincoln initially (since he had beaten her father and won the Republican ticket), she loved him after their first in person meeting. She discovered that Lincoln had a soft spot for animals, just like her. “we went to make a very informal visit to Mr. Lincoln ...he received us very cordially, I liked him very much...Mr. Lincoln showed us the pretty cats, kittens given him by Father Tuesday. They were playing in one of the grand halls. Mr. L. seemed quite fond of them. Says they climb all over him.” Sep 1, 1861 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/mary-todd-lincoln daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/c7920b93-05e1-4b31-8071-e83ca215b271/Mary+Todd+Lincoln.jpg Mary Todd Lincoln Mary Todd Lincoln Mrs. Lincoln was married to Mr. Lincoln, making her the First Lady during the Civil War. Fanny described her as being fashionable yet a bit strange. Sometimes she mentioned her being completely rude, especially to her family. Fanny assumed this was because Mrs. Lincoln did not like her mother, yet it was more likely that she didn’t like her father. Mrs. Lincoln was slightly annoyed at the amount of time her husband spent with Seward, and this was obvious in her first meeting with Fanny and the whole Seward family. Mrs. Lincoln suffered from the tragic death of a child, Willie Lincoln, in 1862. Fanny, who had met Willie, recorded this incident and didn’t seem to be as harshly opinionated about her after this. However, she did mention how she thought it was strange that Mrs. Lincoln didn’t let the President’s secretaries board at the White House! “After dinner...we went to call on Mrs Lincoln...we were shown by Edward into the blue and gold room and all seated...after a lapse of some time the usher came and said Mrs Lincoln begged to be excused, she was very much engaged--Came in the only time on record that she ever refused to see company in the evening...The truth of Mrs L.s engagement was probably that she did not want to see Mother else why not give general directions to the door keeper to let no one in? it was certainly very rude to have us all seated first” Sep 9, 1861 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/henri-mercier daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/7ea402cd-54d4-40aa-800f-365beca43793/HD_mercierH.jpg Henri Mercier Henri Mercier Mr. Mercier was the French Minister to the United States during the Civil War. Similar to Lord Lyons, Seward sometimes had issues maintaining a positive relationship with this diplomat, and Mercier began a new position in another country in 1863 due to this unresolved conflict. Despite this, Mercier was often a visitor at the Seward’s and was mentioned frequently throughout Fanny’s diary. Fanny did not discuss the politics around Mercier much in her diary. In fact, she hardly ever criticized people directly for their political beliefs, unless they were arguing for slavery or against women’s rights. Fanny was more interested in Mr. Mercier’s appearance, calling him one of the most handsome men she ever saw! “the French minister was here a short time--he is a middle-aged man, tall, black haired and quite handsome.” Dec 25, 1861 “I do think he is one of the handsomest men I ever saw” Apr 9, 1862 Henri Mercier, Harper's Weekly Magazine, February 22, 1862, 116. https://www.fannysewardstory.org/harriet-tubman daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/0170ed4e-e30e-4f5b-972d-c9c622798a58/tubman+young2.jpg Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman Harriet Tubman may be the most famous name on this list! Of course, Mrs. Tubman was a freedom-seeking slave who not only rescued herself but around 70 other enslaved peoples from Maryland. Her heroic stories transcend our education about slavery today, and she didn’t stop battling evil after the Underground Railroad. She also performed many duties on and off the battlefield of the Civil War and was a spokeswoman for women’s rights. Actively creating progress until the 20th century, Tubman spent her later years in Auburn, NY. She was very close to the Seward family, which was one reason that she chose Auburn as the home for her and her family. Mrs. Tubman purchased a few acres of land from Frances Seward just down the street from the Seward House and relied on Frances as a stop on the Underground Railroad in the 1850s. There was such a strong bond between these families that Harriet even entrusted her “niece”, Margaret Stewart, to the care of Frances and Lazette when she traveled south for the war effort. Margaret and Fanny would have lived and learned together in the early 1860s, yet she is not mentioned at all in Fanny’s diary. This is probably because Fanny knew the danger in writing information like that down. Although this was her diary, she knew it might not be private, and she wouldn’t have recorded information that would have endangered her family or friends. There is a very small paper trail that connects the Sewards to Tubman, but the trail that does exist is powerful. Harriet Tubman and Fanny were very friendly, and Tubman had a premonition of Fanny’s death in 1866 that proved to be true. https://www.fannysewardstory.org/aunt-margaret daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/2bdc72b6-b973-434f-a816-d4f9094641d2/IMG_20220221_113835.jpg Aunt Margaret Aunt Margaret Aunt Margaret was not someone who would be in our history books, but her relationship with Fanny is worth mentioning. She was an elderly African American woman that lived in Washington. Fanny repeatedly described her neighborly visits to this woman over the years, so they must have been fond of each other. These visits often involved reading out loud and solemn accounts of everyday life. Aunt Margaret’s life was extremely difficult, and one cannot help but see her as a representation of the larger group of people who were in a similar situation. Their relationship also proved Fanny’s ability to empathize and step into possibly controversial social situations. “Aunt Margaret was here this afternoon. I never saw her so broken down–a few days ago her grandson, a fugitive, after only two weeks of liberty died, aged 21. She has seen eight children scattered from her grasp by the accursed hand of slavery, and has no living relative near her–This blow seemed to utterly cast down this poor patient creature She has often told me that she cared to live no longer, and only waited for God’s call–now life seems a burden heavier then before–I read to her three chapters from new testament–She seemed to listen most earnestly–and said she wished she had some one to read her from the bible–but white folks did not come to see her, and colored folks could not read.” Mar 28, 1862 Possibly the New Testament used to read to Aunt Margaret. Inscribed “Fanny A. Seward June 1855” https://www.fannysewardstory.org/george-mcclellan daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/b3ed3c85-f41d-41bf-a52f-85a5debc5b64/mclellan.jpg George McClellan George McClellan General George McClellan was a Civil War officer for the Union. He was the first Commander of the Army of the Potomac and General-in-Chief to the Union Armies after the retirement of Winfield Scott. Although well-liked by his men and the public, he had issues with caution on the battlefield and was removed from both positions in 1862. Lincoln replaced him after the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day in American history. Despite his military failures, McClellan was often the vessel for Fanny’s patriotism in her diary. She defended him multiple times and even argued with others over his dedication and goodness (which was not common for Fanny to do). Fanny’s patriotism grew throughout the duration of the war, although the final years were hardly documented in her diary. Much later in the war, Fanny was teased that when she married it would be to a soldier. “A young man in uniform stepped in, and at the first glance I knew that the person before me was–our Commander in Chief! … General McClellan spoke but little, in a low pleasant voice–What he said was very brief, and I missed one or two remarks from not understanding what he said–He was taller, thinner in the face and younger looking than I expected to see him. His hair was rather dark brown, with a light moustache and imperial–his eyes blue–his expression a good deal like that of some of his photographs–but his face not so full–He is a well looking, not a handsome man, in my opinion–and in regard to that part of his looks, most portraits are flattering” Mar 30, 1862 George Brinton McClellan / Mathew Brady Studio, undated / Modern albumen print from wet plate collodion negative / National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution https://www.fannysewardstory.org/dorothea-dix daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/14f7c6eb-8d05-48f3-a86f-ab93d16b1ec0/NPG-NPG_77_261Dix-000002.jpg Dorothea Dix Dorothea Dix Dorothea Dix was an important medical reformer and Superintendent of Army Nurses for the Union Army. She worked tirelessly to better conditions for the mentally ill, indigenous people, and soldiers. Miss Dix established some of America’s first laws surrounding the governance of asylums and sanitariums, and she was a proponent of prison reform. Perhaps she might be thought of as the American Florence Nightingale. Miss Dix’s importance and dedication to improving the lives of others was not lost on Fanny. In fact, Fanny dedicated a large section of a couple diary entries to her admiration of Miss Dix when she finally got to meet her in person during the Civil War. Fanny clearly admired her and told anecdotes about her accomplishments with the mentally ill and wounded. She probably also was impressed by her single lifestyle, as Fanny was inspired by strong, unmarried women. “The name of Miss Dix is dear to humanity as that of one whose life his been devoted to succoring the distressed. I never saw her before—She is tall, about fifty, with oval face, and small features—does not look strong—She has a low voice—such as the watcher of sick beds should have. Her whole mind seemed filled with the suffering of others—she spoke of the attrocities committed by the rebels at Bull Run…She said she never saw anything like the fortitude and moral courage shown by the men in our army” National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution c. 1849 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/edwin-stanton daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/dce90763-cf41-459e-a60e-46cbf0604f1d/NPG-7900830C_1.jpg Edwin Stanton Edwin Stanton Mr. Stanton was the Secretary of War for Lincoln during the Civil War. He was a member of the presidential cabinet and a close advisor, just as Fanny’s father was. Stanton remained in this position for Johnson until 1868, when he resigned. President Johnson did not support Reconstruction well and was not very liked, especially by Stanton. Seward focused on purchasing Alaska at this point in time. Fanny seemed to be well acquainted with Mr. Stanton, which makes sense considering he would have worked closely with her father. She particularly spoke well about him during her recount of the 1865 carriage accident and assassination attempt. Stanton was a first responder and source of great comfort and aid to the Sewards during these two traumatic moments. “Mr Stanton is like his pictures except for a cheery look, & a merry twinkle of the eyes. I liked him very much–his manners are warm and hearty.” April 5, 1862 Matthew Brady Studio, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution c. 1865 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/salmon-and-kate-chase daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/b028012a-6a62-44b0-9ce4-7464f2959dea/katechase.jpg Salmon and Kate Chase Salmon and Kate Chase Salmon Chase was the Secretary of the Treasury in Lincoln’s cabinet, positioned closely with Fanny’s father. After this, he became the Chief Justice of the United States. He started the national banking system and printed paper currency, which we all use today. Kate Chase was his daughter, and one of the biggest socialites in Washington during the Civil War. She was well known for her beauty, fashion, and hosting skills. Fanny mentioned Mr. and Miss Chase multiple times in her diary. Her comments on Kate are especially interesting, as she repeatedly commented on how beautiful she is. One cannot help but wonder if shy Fanny felt a bit envious as a similarly-aged girl at the same parties. Of course, Fanny would have never said such a thing in her diary, and her words about Kate were always positive and complimentary. “I liked Miss Chase very much, she is very pretty, beautiful eyes & long silken lashes, both are dark, her hair light & wavy–a sweet voice–a fine figure dressed in excellent taste–a drab ottoman cloth, perfectly fitting & the grave color set off by a dainty scarlet cravat bow–She seemed pleasant & good natured–She has a turned up nose; & what would disfigure almost any one else, is a beauty with her.” Apr 9, 1862 Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, LC-DIG-cwpbh-00855 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/preston-king-and-john-crittenden daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/13d0b182-f2c9-42c4-b802-1409e7a747f6/NPG-NPG_81_M605_2a-000002.jpg Preston King and John Crittenden Preston King and John Crittenden Preston King was a Senator and Representative of New York that shared similar political views to the Seward family. John Crittenden was an Attorney General and Senator and Representative of Kentucky. He did not believe in the same things as the Sewards, and may be most remembered for the Crittenden Compromise. This proposal was an effort at compromise before the Civil War that basically made slavery constitutional to the point that it could never be questioned again. Fanny met both of these men in Washington and clearly had strong opinions towards both. Fanny criticized Crittenden more than once in her diary and had a bit of a bias against certain elements of Southern culture (which is understandable but not completely fair). “Evening, Preston King called–also Mr. Crittenden. The latter talked very foolishly, even wickedly about the war. Called at a grand pastime of nations–thought the negroes as inferiors should not be allowed to fight–wanted no foreigners in our army–etc. etc. Mr. King was so cool, and so firm, it was charming. He maintained a humorous and enlightened ground. Mr. Crittenden was all Kentucky & Southern chivalry. Feb 9, 1863 John J. Crittenden, Mathew Brady Studio, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; Frederick Hill Meserve Collection c. 1860-1863 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/robert-lincoln daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/4126dfd6-c2bc-41be-b131-9a0014ac737c/NPG-S-NPG_79_246_152.jpg Robert Lincoln Robert Lincoln Robert Lincoln was the eldest son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln and the only child to live into adulthood. He served as Secretary of War under Presidents Garfield and Arthur and was closely linked to three presidential assassinations. He was a year older than Fanny, and when they met at a few Washington parties, she clearly felt positively about the son of her father’s best friend. “Fred introduced to me a young gentleman, as “Mr. Lincoln”--as I had heard that Robert Lincoln was in town I knew if must be he. I talked some time with him. He is ready and easy in conversation, having, I fancy, considerable humor in his composition. He told some very amusing anecdotes of his little scapegrace brother, “Tad,” concerning his doings with an old gentleman “of the colored persuasion” etc.--He–(R.L.) is much shorter than his father–with a look, however, about his face which reminded me of Mr. L, but he is quite well looking, a good, strong face, rather than a handsome one. He is at the same time at ease and unassuming Robert Lincoln rather than the son of the President of the United States. Agreeable, good-natured and intelligent, I should say.” Feb 12, 1863 Robert Todd Lincoln, Mathew Brady Studio, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution c. 1864 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/the-de-stoeckl-family daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/371d9dac-60f9-4457-9a74-227e3c7ca222/Alaska+Treaty+by+Leutze.jpg The de Stoeckl Family The de Stoeckl Family Baron Eduard de Stoeckl was the Russian Minister to the United States and negotiated the Alaska Purchase deal with Fanny’s father in 1867. In order to reach this momentous occasion, the de Stoeckls and the Sewards needed to build a strong friendship and professional relationship. Although Fanny did not live to see the Alaska Purchase, she was very familiar with the de Stoeckl family and their parties. “I went with Fred to a party at Madame Stoeckl’e, with Fred. The house is charming for an evening entertainment. Oval rooms cluster round a circular hall. The stair way hidden by a fall of lace. Above the hall is a narrow gallery from which you look down upon the other, in the center of which was a pyramid of exquisite flowers. The rooms were handsomely draped, and decorated with rich flowers. Mr and Mme Stoeckl received in the red parlor. Madame wore a moiree antique, white with small flower pattern in clusters…A house could scarcely be more charming in its arrangements for entertaining than that of the Stoeckls.” Feb 19, 1863 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/charlotte-cushman daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/f01c87e5-14b0-410d-9ae9-cf6102a85591/Cushman.PNG Charlotte Cushman Charlotte Cushman Charlotte Cushman was a world-famous stage actress who could play a huge range of roles, including both male and female parts. She travelled the world and was quite the celebrity. As an impactful and independent unmarried woman lacking conventionally attractive feminine qualities, she was a huge role model to Fanny Seward. Cushman was a member of the LGBTQ community and her busy love life was highly publicized. Fanny looked up to strong, unmarried women throughout her life, but Cushman was by far the most influential to her. As a lifelong lover of the theater and supporter of women’s contributions to the arts, it makes complete sense the level of impact Cushman had on Fanny. The actress visited the Sewards many times and spent a lot of time and attention on Fanny. At one point, Cushman somewhat ominously took Fanny and her family to visit the newly built Ford’s Theatre and gave her a tour. There is no doubt that Fanny aspired to live as impactful and inspiring a life as Charlotte Cushman. “She wore a drab traveling duster and black neopolitan bonnet, trimmed with purple. Her dress was a drab alapaca with whit pin-stripe made in a skirt & short loose sack, the latter worn over a striped linen shirt, showing the collar & sleeves. She is stout, but also very tall–a good deal taller then myself I believe. Her hair, gray & inclined to wave a little, she wore drawn back from the sides of her face, but rolled foward– a black silk net at the back. On any other face than hers, hair so drawn back, at her age, would be very unbecoming, but her temples still retain a fulness akin to that of youth. She has a massive brow, over hanging expressive eyes of blue or gray, a small peculiar & somewhat retrousse nose, lips firm but not prominent, a chin prominent & full both of energy & firmness. If I did not know her age, Between 50 & 60 At times her face is girlish, from color & animation–again it is so full of grandeur that it cannot fail to be impressive. At all times it is full of soul–ant it will always seem to me, what ever others may call it, beautiful, far more beautiful than youth or regularity of features alone could be. Her face is one in which expression plays so large a part that I do not well know how to say what is its first characteristic–it possesses sublimity from intellect, it glows with benevolence, it sparkles with humor, it wins with earnest tenderness, it is cheerful, frank, natural, grand, thrilling, awful–I love the face as that of a great, true woman, so much that each peculiarity is treasured, & each irregularity a rarity. Few at sixteen possess the wonderful vivacity which animates Miss Cushman–it is a lesson to young people, to see in one who has had, however successful she may have become, her share of troubles–that there is no lassitude, no discontent-or fatigue apparent she seems to live as God intended life–filling each moment and ever “a cheerful giver.” Oct 9, 1863 “Whatever Miss Cushman says she gives an uncommon interest. There, there is such a delightful feeling to me in walking with her. She is so great and good, so wise, so strong. I could put my hadn in hers or take that strong arm, and feel so confident in her–If I am young, or smart or weak I am myself, she is strong! If I am foolish or ignorant, she is sensible and wise. If I am timid she is brave–and yet I never need fear that she will not understand the least of my love for her. That great heart of hers is full of warm affection and tenderness.” Oct 12, 1863 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/edwin-booth daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/aff46e69-ba6f-4e6e-a300-919be1671dcf/NPG-NPG_77_136Booth-000001.jpg Edwin Booth Edwin Booth Edwin Booth was a famous American actor, most notable for his performance of Hamlet. He was also the romantically tragic older brother of John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Abraham Lincoln. In one of Fanny’s final diary entries before the assassination attempt, she described a dinner where her family hosted Edwin. Fanny was quite enthralled and seemed to have a bit of a crush on the moody artist. However, similar to her trip to Ford’s Theatre, this meeting can be looked back upon as an ominous foreshadowing of the 1865 conspiracy. Just a year after meeting Edwin, Fanny’s life was turned upside down by his younger brother’s plot to change history. “As I entered the parlor I saw across the room a small slight gentleman, with the face we had seen before on the stage. .. “Mr. Booth looks full thirty two” (that is said to be his age) “a melancholy face betraying an intensely sensitive nature, and such a quick apprehension! He has dark, long, silky hair and magnificent dark eyes–wears neither beard nor moustache. His face is very thin and handsome more from its intellect than features–He has a fine arched nose…”...Those wonderful eyes–how can they be the same they are black points in Shylock, in Richelieu they read the characters of all about & they command–in Richard they hate–in Don Caesar they flash & dance, & sparkle & smile, & kill with there brilliant beauty. In Hamlet they are so full of tenderness & sadness, that ones heart aches at the sight and Booth’s eyes are Hamlet’s eyes in their sad expression…An hour after we saw him again, not changed to another character, as on previous play nights, but, though wearing stage dress, & though fully realizing, explaining, adorning the character of Hamlet the same sad, sensitive, dignified gentleman who had just been our guest.” Mar 11, 1864 Edwin Thomas Booth, Napoleon Sarony, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution c. 1875 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/travelling-slippers daily 0.75 2022-03-17 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/mothers-wisdom daily 0.75 2022-03-17 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/writing daily 0.75 2022-03-17 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/letter-to-father daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/d423af92-6ee9-4afc-b9f6-e699e642cb44/Aug+27+1866+letter.png Letter to Father Fanny remembered fun childhood memories of playing with her father in this last letter written to him on August 27, 1866. “My dearest Father Your letter of the 25th comes this afternoon. How charming to think of you playing croquet. I wish I might have been a looker on. I’ve not seen you playing a game to the best of my recollection, (whist excepted) since the days that seem so long ago, when I was a very little girl, and thought it the most delightful thing imaginable to play Blind Man’s Bluff, and Puss in the Corner, with my father. How we little ones scampered from corner to corner of the old South room – and what peals of laughter we uttered when you made feints of catching us! …. Most affectionately your daughter Fanny” Letter from Fanny to Seward, Aug 27, 1866, (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) https://www.fannysewardstory.org/baby-nellie daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/57d5893e-af1c-4a91-bb0f-e61f71a76fc9/Nellie+and+Dog.jpg Baby Nellie Although Fanny was born into a large family, only one of her siblings had children themselves: Will Jr. After marrying Jenny Watson in 1860, little baby Cornelia (called Nellie), was born in 1862. Will left town to fight in the Civil War shortly after her birth, and Jenny and Nellie soon followed him to live at Camp Nellie Seward. Will and Jenny had a son, William Henry III, in 1864, and a second daughter, Frances (Fan), in 1880. Fanny would have only lived long enough to meet Nellie and Will III, and she wrote about Nellie’s development in her diary many times. She clearly enjoyed being an aunt and loved her little niece very much. “Everybody agreed, what we of course thought, that she was remarkably large & pretty. She began to smile, & notice after a while–earlier than most children do.” September 22, 1862 “Remember me kindly to all your family. It does me a world of good to know dear Will is better — Give my best love to him & kiss the children for "Aunt Fanny" Letter from Fanny to Janet, Jan 8, 1866 (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) Left: Nellie and dog c. 1870. This image evokes a similar one taken of young Fanny and her dog, Bell, from around 20 years earlier. Bottom left: Nellie and Fan c. 1883 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/504a9578-1583-4452-98b4-2a63212431e9/Fan+and+Cornelia+c+1883.jpg Baby Nellie https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/07a0159a-11a7-4f57-9f01-0c75fdf961d1/Family+in+Auburn+Garden+1869.jpg Baby Nellie Family picture in Seward House garden c. 1869 (3 years after Fanny’s death). Will Jr., Jenny, and a 6-year-old Will III can be seen on the far right. https://www.fannysewardstory.org/brother-gus daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/72d5e7de-35fd-418c-95e7-3629992e805e/IMG_20220118_104528075.jpg Brother Gus Fanny loved her oldest brother, Gus. In her diary, she makes notes about his quiet personality and controversial career. Gus chose a career in the military and fought in the Mexican American War and the Frontier Wars. The Sewards, especially Frances, disapproved of this choice. Gus did not write very much when he was out west, and he later came to Washington to be a paymaster in the Civil War. He never married and never had children. If Fanny had remained unmarried and lived longer, she may have become closer with her bachelor brother. “she asked me to come and spend the evening with her daughter “Sarah,” there were to be a few friends there. Invited me to “bring a beau”...I asked Augustus, he said he would take me there, leave me, and call for me again–he is very averse to society, and never goes out.” Jan 20, 1863 Gus’ signature in Fanny’s autograph book c. 1855 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/e112941b-4f52-4a90-b848-3166d374e740/August+Seward1.jpg Brother Gus Dear Gusy, I have a beautiful little, live, white, kitten and a pretty little China Dog — the name of my kitten is Franky Burke — Pa and I take a walk every day sometimes before breakfast — To day we waited dinner until 6 o clock for Father, he has not come yet and it is now 7 — Mother is reading some Danish stories to me — I like them very much & wish you could hear them — I read every day to Mother & have read 28 pages in my Lesson book — I spell too — I love to read This is one of my lessons— “I can see a cat— I can see a kit — The kit is not as big as the cat is — The cat can run — the kit can run — Can the kit see? Yes and the cat can see the kit — & the cat & the kit can see us — Is the kit as old as the cat is? No — The kit is not as old as the cat is” — Mother read your letter for me to day — I wanted to know whether you had seen the Queen — I should like to see her myself — Give my love to Clarence I have a pretty wax doll here — I wish you could write me a little letter — Your affectionate sister Fanny — Sept 23, 1850 Letter from Fanny to Augustus, Sept 23, 1850, (University of Rochester, Seward Family Project Archives) Augustus c. 1862 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/brother-will daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/e6f03ce1-fb63-406e-b0ba-fcfaa7e61d06/William+H.+Seward+Jr.1.jpg Brother Will Fanny loved her brother Will very much. She had a more relaxed and playful relationship with him than her older brothers, and even joked about how he was the handsomest fellow in town! “It was lovely out…Jenny asked me to go skating to the lake this afternoon—but I have never been & said I believed not. At dinner Will repeated the invitation & Mother said she would excuse my lessons—After dinner Will went to get me a pair of skates, but could find none to fit So I borrowed Mary Titus’ & half past two we started our party consisted of Mr & Mrs John Bostwick & Will & myself in the democrat wagon—Jenny driving with Mr McDougall in the buggy—Arrived at the lake we found much more wind than we expected—there was a large number of people there…Mrs Bostwick said she could not skate—so I had company in that respect—Jennie can strike out with one foot. We went down on the ice the lake was frozen over—buffalo skins were thrown on the ice for seats and several were seated where we went…I found considerable difficulty in keeping on my feet…Will came for me to try—he drew me along and then told me to strike out—I could not make my feet go far enough to the sides—It was quite amusing he told me to hold tight & he would not let me fall when presently I made one of my awkward plunges which laid us both on our backs—We sat laughing quite a while and then he got up & skated for my benefit—then we came back to the robes and I sat down a little while—then we went again and after that I did not try any further. We came home at about five…I had enjoyed the afternoon very much indeed.” Feb 25, 1861 “I was with that handsome fellow, the handsomest in town–if he is my brother–no not “if” but much the more so.” May 6, 1862 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/27657b9c-5ff2-4d93-b555-5a3f6b30a119/will2+family+pic+1878.jpeg Brother Will Will Jr. was the longest living Seward child, eventually passing in 1920. After enjoying a happy and mischievous childhood, the youngest son tried his hand at managing his family’s money. He found success and decided to begin a banking career. He married Janet, or Jenny Watson, and had three children over the span of 18 years. Will was the only Seward son to fight in the Civil War, and he was an officer in the Battles of Monocacy and Cold Harbor. After barely escaping capture and showing bravery at Monocacy, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. After the war, he continued a long banking career, and managed a firm that later merged to become American Express. He inherited the family home in Auburn and oversaw many of the modern renovations into the 20th century. He named both of his daughters after his sisters that passed away before him. Nellie, Will Jr., Will III, Janet Seward, c. 1878 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/mother daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/63129f8f-77c8-41d3-a3d2-d474b241e195/BCF91B9.png Mother Frances Miller Seward was the matriarch of her family. She was a quiet yet strong-minded woman who was extremely intelligent. She loved her father and sister and tried to run a tidy household. Her relationship with William Henry was perhaps not passionate, but it was loyal and full of respect. They had five children together, and Frances raised them in her Auburn home. Although Frances was unsure of the more radical ideas of the women’s rights movement, she did take some issues into her own hands. To secure her inheritance and money, Frances gathered signatures and support for the 1848 Married Women’s Property Rights Act. Luckily, it passed! This allowed her to own her own Auburn house and surrounding land even though she was married to a man. She managed a team of servants throughout the years, took pride in her place in the community, and kept thoughtful company. Her best friends included her sister, Lazette, and her neighbor Martha Coffin Wright. Frances was more forward-thinking than her husband, and often encouraged him to be more radical in his politics. Since they wrote to each other nearly every day, Frances would offer advice and criticism to her husband. Sometimes, she would help with speech and paper editing. She was an abolitionist and took matters into her own hands in the 1850s. Although the risk was great, she established her home as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Frances developed a close relationship with Harriet Tubman because of this. She used her new property ownership rights to sell land to Tubman down the street from her own house. She and her sister also took care of Tubman’s niece, Margaret Stewart, for many years. Even though Frances was incredibly capable and active in various ways, she suffered from mental setbacks. She was often sick from neuralgia and other illnesses that kept her within the walls of her own home. It is likely that she struggled with hypochondria and anxiety. She preferred to keep company that was at her level of intelligence, and she did not like to deal with large groups of visitors. Because of this, she refused to continue hosting dinner parties in Washington D.C. for Seward. Frances' daughter-in-law Anna stepped in, and she excelled in this role. Frances preferred quiet Auburn to hectic Washington and acted boldly behind her own walls. Everyone in the Seward family loved and respected her as a leader of the family. She passed away in 1865 after suffering a series of strokes or heart attacks. This occurred weeks after the traumatic assassination attempt on her husband and son. Frances Seward c. 1862 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/brother-fred daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/00a6f9df-c94b-43ec-8de7-d24c55621b63/Anna+and+Fred+Chess.jpg Brother Fred Fred was Fanny’s second oldest brother, and he was often gone in Washington with her father. Fred followed in his father’s footsteps, attended Union College, and received a degree in law at age 19. Seward offered his son a position as his secretary in Washington when he was elected into the Senate. Fred agreed, much to his mother’s chagrin. He married a sociable woman from Albany named Anna Wharton, and they all moved into a home next to the White House. Anna became Seward’s official hostess in Washington and did a splendid job throughout the 1850s and 60s. Society thought highly of her and she received international gifts for her hospitality. As a professional hostess, Anna was quite fashionable and a fun sister-in-law to Fanny. Fanny once spoke of the lovely accessories and gifts that Anna purchased for her, which were always exactly what she wanted. Anna took Fanny dress shopping and helped prepare her to enter society in Washington. Fanny was a bit shy and awkward at times, so she relied heavily on Anna in social situations. She learned how to start and continue difficult conversations from her. If Fanny had lived longer, she may have become her father's official hostess. Fred and Anna playing chess. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/e1bbbdbf-110a-4772-b3d1-a46be1c443a3/Fred+vs+Powell+NG.jpg Brother Fred Fanny’s brother became the Assistant Secretary of State for three presidents: Lincoln, Johnson, and Hayes. He was present for the Deal Done in the Dark, where the purchase of Alaska was settled. He was also present during the assassination attempt on Seward and was badly hurt. Fred initially tried to stop Powell from entering Seward’s bedroom and was beaten unconscious over the head with a pistol. His skull cracked in two places and he had to undergo brain surgery to recover. This worked out remarkably well and he made a full recovery, unlike his father and mother. As his father’s mini-me, Fred helped publish and curate his father’s writings and objects. He was responsible for organizing and preserving a lot of information we have on the family’s history. He and Anna never had any children and lived out their final years in their Montrose mansion on the Hudson River. Fred and Powell fighting c. 1865 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/miller-and-lazette daily 0.75 2022-07-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/924a7105-101b-4558-b07b-fc1da3f9feca/miller.jpg Miller and Lazette Grandpa Miller was the original head of the Miller/Seward home in Auburn. His impact on his family was felt long after his death in 1851. Because Fanny was the youngest Seward child to be born, she was quite young when her grandpa passed. However, she mentioned him a few times in her diary in a very positive light. Whether this opinion of him was based on her 7-year-old memories or her family member’s stories is unclear. In his younger years, Judge Miller was a large force in the community. He helped to establish and fund some of the first businesses and churches in the village of Auburn. He also helped to lay the plans for Auburn Prison. He was a lawyer and a judge and hired Seward to be a junior partner at his law firm. His wife passed away very young, and he raised his daughters and their children well for many decades. Miller established Fort Hill Cemetery and was the first person buried in the now historic site. Fanny thought of her grandpa in a very respectable light, as did everyone else in her family. “after comparing him [Augustus] to my grandfather Miller told her about the latter. He [Seward] spoke of him as the greatest man he ever saw–I wish I could remember his description of him–his sense, his judgement & his remarkable diffidence told some of his characteristics–his never making a speech, etc. Then he said a good deal about Augustus–his excellent judgement–and the retirement in which he always kept himself.” Oct 13, 1863 Judge Elijah Miller https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/eebd33af-c4a2-42bd-878d-91bcccc0de6a/Lazette.JPG Miller and Lazette Aunt Lazette, or “Aunty,” as Fanny refers to her, was Frances Miller’s older sister. She fell into an abusive marriage and moved out of the Miller home before Frances married. Miller then became more protective over his youngest daughter when Frances was ready to marry Seward. Lazette remained in Auburn and was extremely active in the Seward family’s lives. She and Frances were best friends and wrote to each other constantly. Lazette had the same morals and political beliefs as Frances. Fanny alluded to this when she documents her aunt’s meeting with Lincoln. Lazette was also active with women’s rights and charged with the care of Harriet Tubman’s niece in the early 1860s. Fanny loved her Aunty and mentioned her consistently throughout her diary and letters. Aunty would read to her out loud, especially when she wasn’t feeling well. She also had a dog named Trip that Fanny’s pets would play and exchange Christmas gifts with. Lazette outlived her sister Frances and niece Fanny, passing away in 1875. Lazette Miller Warden https://www.fannysewardstory.org/father-and-women daily 0.75 2022-03-17 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/parent-similarities daily 0.75 2022-03-17 https://www.fannysewardstory.org/letters daily 0.75 2023-09-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/391a4f5d-d1c2-48e4-b982-286706fe05d1/Overwritten+Letter.PNG Letters Fanny’s letter to Janet on January 8, 1866, (University of Rochester, Seward Family Digital Archive) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/3572c713-857e-4597-8168-d2ca61dd2ea3/IMG_20230908_133008123.jpg Letters Fanny’s Mignon Paper Theater Set c. 1858 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/be77dbb5-ee8f-4800-b56b-99ae33c3a14a/IMG_20230908_150148589.jpg Letters Frances Seward’s writing laptop, which Fanny may have used https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/42ea2efa-8ed9-4d14-bcb9-834068630035/Letter1.PNG Letters Fanny to Gus, 9/23/1850 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/686d6f4a-b4fd-4fcf-91d7-f2e46729d0f9/Letter6.PNG Letters Fanny to Father, July 1856 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/28e66ddf-0bdd-405c-acb5-6d47a7189ba4/Letter4.PNG Letters Fanny to Father, 4/28/1861 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/622c60e4-3323-4294-a2d1-e3a03e5ab8eb/Letter2.PNG Letters Fanny to Janet, 1/8/1866 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/c57ff204-5a47-46c4-a1ba-8bd8a75760ad/Letter5.PNG Letters Fanny to Father, 8/7/1866 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a6349fd5ff0b5ad9030150/ad08278c-8746-49fc-acd3-a71e6fe0aa4a/Letter3.PNG Letters Fanny to Father, 8/27/1866