(Gay Studies) Letter datelined Wilkinsonville, July 17, 1850, from an unidentified mother to her son

octavo, four pages, old folds, inscribed neatly in ink, lacking original mailing envelope, very good. Letter from an unidentified, but concerned mother to her son, warning him to use caution around a young man with whom her son is friendly, the nature of her worries are not mentioned but can be discerned from the context of her letter: “My dear Son, - We rec’d your & your Aunt Hannah’s letter Sat P.M. – It was written the 11th, & appeared to be intended for that day’s mail, but the post mark was of the following day. … We were glad to hear of your pleasant excursion to Newport, and that you had arrived safe at Norton… If Marcus Delano comes to Norton to attend the Examination, as he told me he intended to, & comes to your grand mother’s to stay all night, or indeed to spend much time, I do not know what you will do – But if you see no other way to avoid sleeping with him, I wish you to take the cars & go into Prov., & then go out again. I cannot on any account – to avoid expense or unpleasant enquiries – allowing of your being with him or any such boys, or in the most cursory manner, or in company of some of the family – I would not for all the world have you acquainted with wickedness as I suppose he is. I wish you to treat him kindly & respectfully but never to be with him but as I have spoken of - …”