At about the age of 23, Judith began copying these letters into blank volumes called letter books to save for "affectionate posterity," meaning, she hoped her descendants would enjoy learning about their ancestors and a pivotal period in American history. However, as time went on and the number of letter books increased, she also hoped to publish them for a wider audience.
The letters contained in Judith's letter books span the years from 1765 to 1818, from when she was 14 years old to the age of 67. She was methodical and determined in this multi-year project. Once she decided to do this work, she did not stop until her sight waned and she moved as an elderly woman (for that time) to her final destination of Natchez, Mississippi. If she kept letter books in Natchez, they have not been found.
From time to time, as the Letter
Books Project proceeds, transcriptions from Judith Sargent
Murray's letter books will be added to this site. You may also view
images of the letter books themselves
on this site. Researchers and authors who wish to use excerpts are
requested to credit Bonnie Hurd Smith for the transcription. Thank
you - and enjoy!
THE BODY OF WORK
Letter Book
1
(indexed; statement of purpose; letters dated 3 November 1765; 15
August 1768-November 1770; 10 November 1772-December 1781)
Letter Book 2
(indexed; letters dated 31 January 1782-31 July 1785)
Letter Book
3
(indexed; letters dated 1 August 1785-31 December 1788)
Letter Book
4
(indexed; letters dated 4 January 1789-3 November 1790)
Letter Book 5
(fragmentary, not indexed; letters dated 6 November 1790-16 August
1791)
Letter Book 6
(fragmentary, not indexed; letters dated 6 November 1790-8 August
1791)
Letter Book 7
(fragmentary, not indexed; letters dated 22 December 1790-15 June
1793)
Letter Book 8
(indexed; letters dated 22 September 1791-28 December 1795)
Letter Book 9
(fragmentary, not indexed; letters dated 24 September 1794-28 April
1798)
Letter Book
10
(indexed; letters dated 9 January 1796-March 1799)
Letter Book 11
(indexed; letters dated 13 March 1799-9 October 1802)
Letter Book 12
(not indexed; letters dated 30 September 1802-5 April 1805)
Letter Book 13
(not indexed; letters dated 20 April 1805-19 August 1806)
Letter Book 14
(not indexed; letters dated 22 August 1806-30 January 1808)
Letter Book 15
(not indexed; letters dated 30 Januray 1808-20 November 1809)
Letter Book 16
(not indexed; letters dated 20 November 1809-3 August 1811)
Letter Book 17
(not indexed; letters dated 16 August 1811-17 April 1813)
Letter Book 18
(not indexed; letters dated 3 May 1813-6 August 1814)
Letter Book 19
(not indexed; letters dated 22 August 1814-31 December 1815)
Letter Book 20
(not indexed; letters dated 4 January 1816-14 August 1818)