A magnificent reward awaits me

The following letter was written by Ebenezer Treat Alling of Orange, Connecticut, who had just completed his freshman year at Wesleyan University. His letter was addressed to Seth A. B. Keney of Burlington, Connecticut. Ebenezer Alling entered Wesleyan University a year behind James Griffing and attended two years, after which he transferred to Brown University. Ebenezer and James had rooms in the college dormitory relatively close to each other during the two years they attended Wesleyan University together.

Ebenezer had attended the Wesleyan preparatory academy at Wilbraham, Massachusetts prior to matriculating at Wesleyan University. It is interesting to note that Ebenezer mentions Isaac T. Goodnow as part of the "Wilbraham team" taking recent appointments on the faculty of Providence Seminary at East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Isaac Goodnow resigned his position at Providence Seminary in 1855 to relocate to Kansas Territory, taking up residence in what would become Manhattan, Kansas. Goodnow and his brother-in-law Joseph Denison were good friends of James Griffing.

This letter is in a private collection.

Orange [Connecticut]
August 5, 1848

Friend Keney,

I well remember my promise [to write you] and if this apology for a letter will answer the contract, please show your magnanimity and kindly feelings by sending a letter to Middletown some of these times.

Once more I feel myself free and instead of taking lessons from tutors & professors, I am learning from nature herself. These old hills of Orange – bleak and barren as they are – teach a lesson to me. The babbling rivulet too tells me of time past & it fills my mind with pleasing recollections. I climb these rugged cliffs and look upon the plain extended far below. My mind finds a pleasing employment in calling back the memories of those who formerly were with me. The aspects of apple pear & peach orchards, mellon garden, and ever and anon played truant for the intellectual employment of fishing &c. frog pelting. What has been their fate? Have they been happy or unfortunate, virtuous or vicious, respected or detested, or has their pestilential breath polluted others who but for them had been pure and holy? Are they at home or wandering? Living or dead? Where and how are they? And “echo only answers where?” There is much pleasure in being at home once in a while though outside of the family circle all is changed and my former associates gone – all gone.

College commencement [at Wesleyan University] went off in good shape. The orations, poems &c. were good. Among the visitors at the commencement of the Wesleyan were many very distinguished individuals. The Governor of Connecticut & of Rhode Island were present with Revs. D.D.’s, L.L.D.’s in any quantity. The graduating class numbered 25. The majority of them have engaged in teaching – some of them at the meager salary of 350.00 per year & find themselves. The valedictorian has no more than this. Rev. Robert was on hand at examination and I suppose you have heard goes to East Greenwich as Chief Justice associated with Goodnow, Blair, Easton, Miss Warren & Sparks – a Wilbraham team throughout. The immortal George Washington Rodgers has at last concluded to enter at the Wesleyan [University] & that will be glory enough for one day.

I have just received a letter from N. H. Hill telling me that he intends to enter Union [College] this fall as a university student. Sam Hartwell goes with him. If nothing untoward happens to me, I expect by next term to increase greatly in corpulency & dignity as a true sophomore should be.

I am now doing up the chore at home in the most scientific manner, indulging freely in the carnal propensity of sleeping, smoking, eating, drinking, hunting, fishing, &c. &c. and now and then perpetrating a bore upon some worthy friend in shape of a letter. Thus you see I am spending and being spent in the service of my country & it must be that a magnificent reward awaits me. Remember Keney and at the first available opportunity give us a call and whether you find us preaching, pleading or physicing, you shall always find us a friend, true and faithful. Write us as soon as you have anchored your “ship of state.” With kindest regards to the Madam & little ones, I have the honor to subscribe myself,

Yours truly, -- E. T. Alling, sophomore

P.S. Do thy duty manfully (i.e.) in the way of a man and future generations shall call you blessed.

Seth A. B. Keney, D.D.D.

Burlington, CT.