The celebration of Christmas had become an established American tradition by the 1890s. Children began to play a larger role in the holiday celebration. Before that time, the celebrations were mainly for adults. If we go way back to the early settlement of America, Christmas was not a holiday. From 1659 to 1681, the celebration of Christmas was actually outlawed in Boston. Anyone exhibiting the Christmas spirit was fined five shillings. By contrast, in the Jamestown settlement, Captain John Smith reported that Christmas was enjoyed by all and passed without incident. After the American Revolution, English customs fell out of favor, including Christmas. In fact, Congress was in session on December 25, 1789, the first Christmas under America's new constitution. Christmas wasn't declared a federal holiday until June 26, 1870.
Delord Family Christmas Letters
We can “see” how Christmas was celebrated in Plattsburgh through the letters written by members of the Delord, Swetland, and Hall family members.
The following are some letters in the Kent-Delord House Museum collection located in
Special Collections, Feinberg Library, SUNY Plattsburgh.
From Lucy Ann Swetland to Frances H. Delord (Step sisters)
Plattsburgh, Friday morning (December) 1829
Dear Sister,
I have arrived here safe on Tuesday. I have spent my time very pleasantly since I have been home. I have been up to Aunt Marias. I suppose you want to know what I had in my stocking, or outside of it. I had a basket, something like the one ma sent to Henrietta (Lucy Ann’s sister), only it was a little larger and prettier. Ma and me thought that a work basket would be more useful, so I am going to change it at uncle Myer’s [store] for another of the same price, one like Ma’s work basket. I also had a scarlet handkerchief, cost a dollar, very large, and some raisins and a stick of candy. Rebecca sends this little sugar toy to Abram, which she got in her stocking. She also got two yards of check for aprons and raisins. Goodbye, dear sister.
Your aff sister, Lucy Ann Swetland
(France is 9 years old and living in Hartford, CT with her father’s sister Eliza Webb. Aunt Eliza writes to Betsey)
Dec. 18, 1843
My dear Mrs. Swetland,
…Last Friday evening Mrs. Bunce made a little party for children. Mothers and friends were invited to come with their young folks. Tho we are not fond of Frances visiting, this was an occasion we felt she should be indulged in. At ½ past 6 I accompanied her to the scene of enjoyment. About twenty fathers and mothers with a host of girls and boys were assembled. There was a little music & much amusing frolic until 8. We were then invited out to a table beautifully spread with delicacies proper for young folks, two long forms of ice cream, rich and plain cake, fruit, sweet meats, lemonade. You would have been gratified to have seen Frances at the table where I could notice her without appearing to. She ate what she liked but took nothing improper for a child & enjoyed it like a lady. A little before nine her uncle came for us & at one hour later than usual she was in her bead.
Your true friend, E.B.W.
Betsey to Fannie
Plattsburgh Jan. 3, 1848
My beloved Child
At the commencement of another year your grand mother wishes you every happiness both for the time and eternity. I was glad to hear you was well and happy as well as all your aunt’s family. We have had the strangest winter I ever knew. It does seem just like May weather, the lake all open with a mild south wind and bright sun. We have had a great deal of mud. The streets are deep with mud. On Christmas eve we had [church] service. Our church never looked so handsome. The evergreens were beautifully arrainged, a crowded house. The Presbyterian ladies had a Fair the same eve at the Court house. After service we went in and took some ice cream. It was too crowded to stay long. Christmas day we had service and communion. Some friends from Keeseville took dinner with us. On New Year’s eve we had our visit at Mr Mallaby’s [Episcopal rector], everything very nice and pleasant. On New Year’s day your grand father had invited some gentlemen to dine here who had six months before formed an engagement to quit Tobacco in any shape and to meet on the first of January to inquire into the good effects of abstaining and to renew another engagement for a year. After enjoying a good Dinner they all agreed to continue in abstaining. Mr. Foote who is still in our [law] office and has boarded with us since last fall is one of the number and Dr. Samuel Beaumont.
They all concluded they felt the better for leaving off tobacco. Aunt Hetty enjoys her piano. It is a splendid instrument. It has seven octaves. I am gratified Mrs. Matson treats you with so much attention. She is well educated and a superior woman.
Your very affectionate grand mother. E. Swetland
Betsey to Fannie
Plattsburgh Jan. 12 [1849]
I wish you a Happy Newyear, my dearly beloved child. We had a very pleasant Newyear’s visit at Rev. Mallaby’s. I believe they had what is termed a pretty good visit. Newyear’s Day Mr. Lynde and Mr. Nichols came in just as I was showing your likeness to Mr. Sailly. They all thought it very good. I value it very much. All said our church looked very well for Christmas eve and they had fine music. Willie was quite sick with influenza. I remained home to take care of him. We all love him very much. He is the best of boys. Santa Claus fill’d Willie’s stocking on Christmas eve. He was delighted. Grand father gave presents all round the house. Catherine [the cook] and Kitty [the housemaid] are wearing theirs in the shape of a dress which they made themselves. I am sending you a Bracelet made of your mother’s hair as a remembrance of her and myself. My flowers look well and Cherry, my bird, is in fine spirits. He sings so merrily when we are at meals that Hettie throws a cloth over the cage. Julia Bailey is engaged to Buel Palmer. Just now you can imagine me at my little writing desk on the table in the back room, your grandfather reading a newspaper, Hetty reading a book, Willie gone to bed. All as still as can be. Wish you had a seat at the table too. You write so seldom I am afraid you almost forget Plattsburgh, Grand father sends much love. So goodnight, my beloved child. Think of your affectionate grand mother and how much she prays for your happiness.
E. Swetland
Plattsburgh Jan. 6, 1854
My dear Frances,
I was glad to receive your letter last eve. Let me hear something about my intended grandson [future husband, Frank Hall]. From all I hear of his kindly Disposition I am led to hope he will be mindfull of sacred ties. At any rate I feel inclined to like him and so wish you both a very happy New Year. In my last letter I spoke of a Christmas tree to be exhibited at Capt. Bailey’s on Monday after Christmas. I went with Hetty and there was a goodly number of young and old, about fifty children from two years up to twelve. The tree was illuminated with candles and hung full of toys of all descriptions. They were all numbered and the children drew numbers. Miss Ann got up on a chair, held up a toy and call’d out the number and the happy child came forward to claim his number. When a boy as old as Michael Myers drew a tiny doll, there was a great shout I never saw a happier group. Both old & young enjoyed it. Mr. Dobie, wife & children, Mr. Coit and his two youngest and so on. We older ones were led into the supper table with ice creams, whips, blancmange, chicken, celery, cakes, turkey. So we came home well pleased with the Christmas tree. I would like to send you some pretty Christmas present. I can find nothing. Our church ladies are making leather shelves, screens and picture frames which command a good price. Write and tell me how you and Mr. H. get on. How often does he come to see you? How long does he expect to be at Princeton [Theological Seminary]?
Your affect. Grand mother, E. Swetland
Frank, in Luzerne, to Fannie in Plattsburgh
Luzerne, Warren County, N.Y. Dec. 27, 1861
Dear Wifey,
We have had a very happy time, the children enjoying themselves greatly.
When my last letter was sealed Bartlett & myself started for Saratoga and we did have a right fine sleigh ride for twenty miles.
My dear little wifey, I did not before wish you a very Merry Christmas. Have we not much to make us a very happy Christmas? Kiss dear mother [Betsey] for me.
After dinner at the Columbian, Captain Bartlett and I started out on our shopping expedition. I have had to restrain him from spending too much. Well, we gathered all our toys and candies and tucked us all in the sleigh and off we jingled for another merry drive to Luzerne. We arrived safely & spent the next day in preparation for Christmas evening (not Christmas eve).
The tree was all made ready. The tapers went splendidly & it was beautiful. The ladies had made many little bags of different colored transparent stuff – the candies show through – many more filled with pop corn and multitudes of candy figures of different colors, soldiers, animals, & birds, red, yellow, black, white. Finally they festooned all with pop corn strings. Then they put on the presents, all that they could get on. The ladies had the children sing hymns & all seemed to enjoy themselves so much. The ladies gave me a beautiful little watch stand.
It does seem so strange to be at work & so happy. With a dear sweet kiss.
Ever loving hubby, Frank