The Huyck Bain Crandell Collection, Document BH033

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1811-09-08 Letter, James Huyck to His Father Burger J. Huyck

"I have begun to work at Currying A little now and I get along with it very well the first day that I worked at it I did twenty sides and he never had A boy do more than fiffteen the first day and it pleases the old man mightily..."

Image: BH033 pg 1.jpg

Image: BH033 pg 2.jpg

Image: BH033 rev.jpg

Transcription

Obverse

Gt. Barrington Sept 8th 1811

Dear sir

I now have and opportunity to write to you to inform you of my good state of health and hoping that these few lines will enjoy you in the same I have expected some of you this long time but I give up all hopes, in part I believe you are afraid of the yankies or else you would come and see me you have got through haying before now and work is not so hurrying at Present but what you could come to see me it appears to me if that you dont care about me not you alone my friend but one and all I have begun to work at Currying A little now and I get along with it very well the first day that I worked at it I did twenty sides and he never had A boy do more than fiffteen the first day and it pleases the old man mightily we have had A man that has worked at it about six months and the other day he worked at it all forenoon and he did six sides and so the old man he grumbled considerable and sat me to work at it after dinner and I did eighteen in the afternoon and so at night when we come to the house, Mr. Ro'ss{?} come out with

Reverse

Well how many have you did James I have only did eighteen Well I swear says he you beat all the boys that I ever had in my life. We have had very sick times in Barrington lately with the dysentery. There was one died A few days ago and there is several sick yet but as for myself I am in good health. I should like to write A good deal more but I must find{?} for Meeting but I shall certainly expect some of you in short yous must write me an answer the first opportunity Remember my love to my Mother and sisters and all the rest and so I remain yours

James Huyck — — — — — Burgar J Huyck

My mistress oftimes; to her cupboard doth go And when she comes back, her head it doth flow It is once it is twice it is three times in a day And before it is night on the bed she will lay Oftentimes in her Chair she will set Do nothing but scold and fret And when she gets up oh I am weak in my knees And then for the bed she very quick needs

Spine

Mr. Burgar J Huyck Kinderhook

Commentary

Notes:

Addressed to Burger J. Huyck — confirming this is James writing to his father, now 12 years old and working as a currier in Great Barrington — dressing and finishing leather after tanning. Entirely consistent with the hide and leather trade running through the entire archive.

“I did twenty sides the first day” — a side being one half of a hide split along the spine. Twenty sides on his first day, beating the previous record of fifteen — James was clearly a capable and strong young worker despite being only 12.

“The old man” — his employer/master, impressed by James’s productivity. The comparison with a man who did only six sides all morning while James did eighteen in the afternoon is told with obvious pride.

“I have begun to work at Currying” — currying being the process of treating tanned leather with oil and grease to make it supple and waterproof. A skilled trade requiring physical strength and technique.

“I give up all hopes… I believe you are afraid of the yankies” — a charming complaint that his family hasn’t visited, teasing them about being afraid of New Englanders. James has a lively personality and easy humor.

“We have had very sick times in Barrington lately with the dysentery” — a reminder of the constant threat of epidemic disease in early 19th century rural communities. One person dead, several still sick, James thankfully healthy.

“I must find for Meeting” — rushing to finish the letter before going to church, suggesting James was attending religious services in Great Barrington, consistent with the Dutch Reformed tradition of the Huyck family.

“one and all” not coming to visit — suggesting the family group is reasonably close-knit and a visit from Columbia County to Great Barrington would be feasible.

“Remember my love to my Mother and sisters and all the rest” — again mentioning multiple sisters, confirming Burger had several daughters alongside James.

Burger J. Huyck — the father’s name now confirmed as Burger Jacobus Huyck, the “J.” standing for Jacobus his father, consistent with Dutch patronymic naming conventions throughout the archive.

The writing quality in context:

1811 literacy standards and letter-writing conventions were different from today.

A boy apprenticed at 12 to learn a skilled trade would likely have had reasonable schooling first.

The letter’s grammar is actually quite colloquial — “yous must write,” “how many have you did” — suggesting natural speech patterns rather than formal education.

The humor, confidence and personality may simply reflect his character rather than unusual intellectual development.

The apprenticeship itself:

Being sent to Great Barrington at 12 to learn currying suggests a family with connections across the Massachusetts border.

The fact that he’s already skilled enough to outperform experienced workers on day one suggests prior exposure to leather working — consistent with growing up in a Huyck household with the family’s tanning tradition.

The letter being written September 1811 with James now 12 — apprenticed or employed in a leather trade in Massachusetts — suggests Burger J. Huyck may have arranged the placement, possibly through commercial connections in the hide and leather trade visible in the archive going back to Marke Elbers and the tanning accounts of the early 1770s.

— Notes by Claude.ai 4.6 2026-05-09 & 2026-06-15 - jhc

Metadata

Document: BH033

Date: 1811-09-08

Language: English

Type: Letter

Subject: Social

Principals: Burgar J. Huyck, James Huyck

Other Persons Mentioned: Mr. Rosseter

Places Mentioned: Gt Barrington, Kinderhook

— page revised 2026-06-15 - jhc

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