Seven letters exchanged by members of the Goodrich family primarily concern news from New Haven, Connecticut, in the early 19th century. Andrew T. Goodrich, a publisher in New York City, received 3letters and 1 fragment from his mother Eunice and sister Sarah, and wrote 1 letter each to Sarah and his mother. Eunice Goodrich also wrote 1 letter to Andrew's sister Frances.
Andrew's incoming correspondence includes a 3-page letter from his sister Sarah M. Goodrich, in which she presented her opinions on an unidentified mutual acquaintance (August 4, 1810). She wrote of her high regard for the man, influenced by his mannerisms and religious views, and expressed her pleasure upon hearing that her brother felt the same way. She also included a brief poem. In a second letter, (September 21-25, 1816), Sarah described activities on board the the sloop Franklin as she traveled from a New York harbor up the Hudson River. Andrew's mother Eunice (2 pages) shared social news from New Haven, Connecticut, where his family continued to live after he moved to New York City. Eunice Goodrich addressed an additional letter (1 page, written in 1802) to her daughter Frances ("Fanny"), and lamented the death of her son Charles. Andrew also received a copied fragment of a letter regarding his brother's death.
Andrew T. Goodrich's letter to his mother concerned a recent business opportunity, and the effects of their separation (November 16, 1811). In a letter dated October 24, 1813, Andrew discussed a recent sermon by John Brodhead Romeyn; a potential substitute preacher, Alexander McLeod, who would only preach if they permitted him to use a Scottish psalter (Goodrich noted he would rather sell his pew and quit the church); and celebrations of recent War of 1812 victories.
Andrew Thompson Goodrich was born on March 19, 1789, the son of Yale graduate John Goodrich (1753-1800) and Eunice Thompson, the widow of David Atwater. He had six siblings: Frances (1780-1859), Laura Talcott (1783-1800), John Talcott (1785-1802), Sarah Maria (1786-1863), Charles Wright (1792-1794), and Charles Thompson (1795-1802). He moved to New York City before 1810, and worked as a book publisher. On August 2, 1815, he married Sarah Tuttle, and they had 7 children: Maria E. (b. 1816), Jane L. (1817-1853), Russell O. (b. 1819), Frances Ann (b. 1821), Emmeline (1826-1827), Jennie (b. 1828), and Andrew (1831-1833). Andrew Goodrich died on March 9, 1845.
