Sold – Twain Writes to Becky “Thatcher” and She Writes Back

When 4-year old Samuel Clemens arrived with his family in Hannibal, Missouri, they lived at the Pavey Hotel on Hill Street. The Mississippi River quickly lured the boy, and he nearly drowned twice as a youth, the last time being saved by the Pavey’s slave, Neal. The Paveys had a son Napoleon, and a daughter Becky. The Clemens were close enough with the Paveys that Sam called Mrs. Pavey “Aunt P.”

Twain used figures from his childhood in Hannibal as characters in his books, notably “Tom Sawyer” and “Huckleberry Finn”, which are set there. His “Villagers” sketch is the key relied on to help identify the origins of the characters. The character of Pole in Huck Finn is identified with Napoleon Pavey. And what of Becky?? In the “Villagers” Twain writes, “The Paveys.”  Aunt P. protects a daughter. Pigtail Done! BECKY. Came up from St. Louis a sweet and pretty young thing—caused many heartbreaks. Twain’s crush on her is obvious. We also know that during his 1855 stay in St. Louis, Clemens boarded with a Pavey family, undoubtedly the same one or a close relation.

Twain’s characters were often composites drawn from several different friends, and so it was with Becky Thatcher. Laura Hawkins, another neighbor in Hannibal, is considered to be part of the composite that went into her character. But the name, physical description, and his clear infatuation have led many scholars to conclude that Becky Pavey played a defining role.

“The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was officially published in England and America in December 1884, but the book was not in the canvassers’ hands for delivery until February 1885. In the interim Twain was traveling, and at the time he wrote this letter anxiously awaiting the public verdict on what was to become his greatest and most famous book. 

Autograph Letter Signed, January 9, 1885, to “My dear Becky.” Twain writes “I shall certainly not fail to come if I get the time, but the chances are many against me, for I?am not often able to do as I would but as I must. Still, I shall hope. I was very glad indeed to hear from you. Sincerely, your old friend, S.L. Clemens.”  Fine, in clear pencil, and extremely unusual with Twain signing himself as Your old friend. On the verso is a note written and signed by Becky Pavey Boas, April 14, 1919. It was with sincere regret that my childhood friend Samuel Clemens did not dine with us.Thus, this sheet has the autographs of both Twain and Becky.