Letter from Samuel Willard, Groton, Massachusetts, to William Willard and Katherine Willard, Petersham, Massachusetts, January 19, 1803

Willard discusses his potential future professional plans in either divinity or law. He asks his parents for their advice, compares and contrasts the benefits and disadvantages of each potential profession, and seems to be leaning towards law: “On the other hand my nearsightedness pleads against the profession of divinity. That a clergyman may be useful, he should possess a high degree of sociability, the most winning manners, and an accommodating disposition. In these every one knows me deficient.”