ABSTRACT
Looking at family correspondence of the early modern period, we can find examples of the full range of sibling relations, from deep love and affection to violent hatred and antagonism. The surviving letters of Anne Cottrell Dormer (1648–95) to her sister Elizabeth Cottrell Trumbull (1653?–1704), 1 written from 1685 to 1691 while the latter was married to the envoy to France and ambassador to Constantinople, offer a striking illustration of the positive end of the spectrum. Every letter Anne wrote to her sister provides evidence of the two siblings’ fervent love for each other. The language of the letters is that of passionate mutual affection, the verbal outpourings of a staunch lifelong friendship. What might be dismissed as formulaic epistolary expressions of devotion turn out to be, in this case, indicative of an active and empathetic love. Moreover, this close sibling relationship was in fact highly functional for both sisters, especially for Anne Dormer. As Anne repeatedly affirmed in her letters, her sister’s loving care and concern literally saved her life while she suffered the torments of an abusive marriage. 2
