1866-1878 SYRIAN MISSIONS. Fine group of Letters to / from D. H. Nutting, Early Syrian Missionary.

A very fine little group of letters dating from the 1860's and 1870's largely from Mary E. Nutting, to her husband, Dr. [Medical] D. H. Nutting, both serving as missionaries with the ABCFM in Syria, and among their earliest to be sent to the region. They were based variously in Antioch, Kesab, and Aleppo. 

The majority of the approximately 30 pages of correspondence show a wife who is struggling to keep up spirits during the work. Their household belongings are stuck in another city, they have no access to food goods in Kesab, and the house is literally falling down around them. She complains of his long absences, the length between communications, and wishes him to return immediately. It's difficult not to feel Mary was at her end with the situation. She is supportive, and at times, affectionate . . . but seems to genuinely be struggling to feel at home. Additionally, there are hints of internal struggles with the mission and another missionary seemingly making a bit of a power grab. 

Nice little groups like this are getting increasingly rare. 

The items include:

1. A 3pp ALS addressed to “Dear Husband,” i.e. Dr. D. H. Nutting in Antioch, from Mary E. Nutting. Dated January 14, 1874 from Kessab [i.e. Kesab], Syria.

“As no one seems coming from or going to Antioch this week, I send Panos down to see if he cannot bring you back with him by Saturday. If he does not succeed I shall be sadly disappointed. So many times I have expected you on the train! This is the third letter I have sent to meet you in Antioch . . . This is the 9^th letter I have written you. For the last week I have been very impatient for you to get home. Yo” have an important letter from Dr. Clark here. By the way, I do not like it at all, at all, that preacher Hohannes should open all letters which come to your address. . . but don’t hurry home so fast as to omit buying the things I have written for at various times. . . . etc.”

2. A 4pp ALS addressed to “Dear Mrs. Nutting,” including notice of an earthquake, etc.,

3. A 4pp ALS addressed to “Dear Papa,” i.e. Dr. D. H. Nutting from daughter, Nellie. Dated to December 6, 1873. Nellie inquires whether her father has reached Oorfa safe, updates him on the doings back in Kessab [Kesab], recounts a trip to the market at Suadia, request for her papa to go to Latikia where Dr. Martin was sick and needed his assistance, etc.,

4. A 4pp ALS from Mary E. Nutting to her husband, Dr. Nutting. Dated Kessab, November 17, 1873. “The roofs are every where leaking so badly that we are puzzled to know where to keep ourselves dry at night. I am afraid the house will tumble down before very long if things go on at this ruinous rate. Yesterday when we got up, we found the wall at the end of the water closet had fallen down into Jeryus’ garden for some six feet. It has been so dark and cold down in the dining room that we have taken our meals up here since yesterday noon, and think we shall keep this the custom till you come, etc..” [sent to him in Aleppo]

5. 4pp ALS from Mary E. Nutting to her husband, Dr. Nutting, dated Kessab, January 5^th, 1874, and received by him at Aleppo. “The Reids are going to England for good. They have been recalled. The place is now in charge of the Latakian people. They will be here [the Reids] on their way to the coast before many weeks. B. Stephan wishes me to send you his Selams, and tell you that twelve united with the church last Sabbath and some eighteen children were baptized. I was there to see. Margos, who was cut off from the church some three years ago, caused a mob in the church which was fearful to witness. He declared he was going to partake of the elements whether the church received him or not. Finally, they god Zabtiers and took him out of the house. It was well that Zabtiers were to be had., etc.”

And four more similar.