Greene, Anna. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Title

Greene, Anna. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Creator

Greene, Anna

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Description

Handwritten letter from Anna Greene to Amy Kirby Post, n.d. Greene thanks Amy for the kindness shown during a recent visit and discusses upcoming yearly meeting and the importance of each individual's role.

Is Part Of

Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Rights

The organization that has made the Item available believes that the Item is in the Public Domain under the laws of the United States, but a determination was not made as to its copyright status under the copyright laws of other countries. The Item may not be in the Public Domain under the laws of other countries. Please refer to the organization that has made the Item available for more information. http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NoC-US/1.0/

Identifier

60

Location

Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester

Transcription

(Page 1)

     Dear friends                    first day eve 3^d month
                       While reflecting on you this evening
I felt disposed to take the pen tho’ the thought im
-mediately followed that I could hardly be instru-
mental in effecting any thing either your entertain
-ment or edification so if my friends at any time are
disposed entertain indifferent views of my gratifications
in almost any line they need not hesitate to expose
them as they may conclude I was conscious of the
defect ^long^ before they were_   But recollecting that I held
thou you in affectionate rememb^e^rance [sic] and that thou you had
a strong claim to the attention at least, I was induced to
make the attempt—Especially as when I parted with you
I felt under so A indebted for recent accommodations
and since on recuring [sic] to my pleasant visit to Skeneat-
elis [sic] I considered you were promoters of it but it is
not the first kindness I have recieved [sic] at your hand
but I can only retain a grateful sense of such and
perhaps it is best that some of us should feel thus dependant [sic]
and not have it in our power to return kind attentions
lest we become indifferent _ but if a grateful sense
of kindness ten to humble the mind I beleive [sic] I
shall never need an incitement _ My visit was attended
with much that was pleasant and I believe had a ten -
dency [sic] to promote quite an improvement in my health
as it has been much improved ^better^since my return
We felt much concern about you & your little ones
but you must have been very smart to proform [sic] the
journey in so few hours_ I felt tried not a little when
I found you had been burdthened [sic] with so many commissions
for us and to be sure the blame /if there was any/ was
all attached to me my ambition was a little put
to the test _ but no matter perhaps you will get your
reward and I am accustomed to such trial of my
pride the idea of encroaching especially on those
who are ever ready to oblige is not pleasant My
brother Joseph is so like me he felt concerned but it
was very accommodating to him _ he must return
your kindness by behaving very good _ I have to untie their

(Page 2)

We have just parted with brother W^m and his Hannah they
came soon after meeting we united in the sentiment
that it was a favour invaluable to be always glad
to see each other and to love each other dearly
the poets views were just when he emplatically [sic] said
“Domestick [sic] happiness thou only bliss that has survived the ^fall”^
tho’ I seldom go back in idea as far as he did
yet I do think the sweet endearments of domestick [sic] ties
are very pleasant though we need not stop here _ the
society of dear friends is highly to be prized but you
we consider as adopted relatives _ Dear Amy’s several
letters have afforded us much entertainment _

4^th month 29^th I am cirtain [sic] I cannot tell when I began
writing on this sheet I can only sitting one first day evenig [sic]
reflecting on you & in much confusion concluded I would
take the pen & after progressing thus far had to stop _
and hearing of an opportunity to your City concluded I
would [      illegible    ] try to find it but not feeling
in writing mood must desire thee save me the trouble of
tucking it in the fire _ We are trying to persuade Sister Sarah
to improve so good an opportunity to make a visit to you
& our other friends and relatives but I seems like a great under
taking to her but she is so calculated to enjoy I love to
promote it = as for mee I may as well be by the cooking
stone [on?] in a social circle as to any good I confer
I dislike to be so selfish as to recieve [sic] & never confer
benifits [sic] of a social kind—
                                   Well, Yearly Meeting is has nearly arrived
and I suppose with many it is contemplated on with
much pleasure _ but for my own part it was a long time
when reflecting on its approach that I could recon
-cile myself to attending it _ there seems when assem
assembled such a demand for dedicated labour
& when one feels and knows they cannot supply it
we shrink from ^the^ task that our presince [sic] imposes up
-on [illegible] _ no one would with more ardour
press forward _ and look with more pleasure at the
prospect of thus convening than myself could I ad-
minister to its varied necessities - However,

(Page 3)

we will hope that by each ones moving in their proper
spheres that good will be the ^final^ result – And I hope
desire that if we do feel as if we have implimements [sic]
as insignificant as those used in early days even the
sling & stone, the pitcher and the lamp, these, hower [sic]
trifling in themselfes [sic], we know they then were and
they now can be under divine influence [illegible]
be rendered very effectual –and, notwithstand
-ing we cant do much, I hope that little will be cheer
-fully done. we do not assemble there from our differ
ent homes for the purpose of social greetings though I
very well know that every feeling of the kind is recieves [sic]
strength by ^the^ interview - but we forget that the business ^purpose^ for
which we ^are^ assembled must be done ^attended to^ and done now too
and that we bear to our and that by doing thinks
in their proper season will be the means not only
of present enjoyment but the good results will be felt
at our respective homes _ the business being attended
^too^ [sic] in season will not be limited in its influence why
subordinate meeting will feel the effects the ensuing
year _ That if thou art called on to use thy pen
or exert thy mental energies dont reply "I cant render
thee any assistance I have long wished to visit my
friend __" but consider on who^m^ must such exercises
devolve if we all felt their same inclinations.
          If I was not aware of thy willingness to aid, I
should not have been so communicative but [illegible]
in hopes it would incourage [sic] thee to make some of
ingenious remarks that would cause animation &
diligence on the part of some that otherwise might be
lazy or indifferent _ Still I believe I too often feel my ^own^
incompetency and the very great necessity of so moving
and so acting as to ensure aid superior to any that
can be afforded from ^a^ limited source, to encourage
any to make efforts without feeling the importance, ^of so doing^ but if we
do not improve the one tallent [sic] we incur rebuke, when the
occupancy of that little will I have ^will^ ensured sweet applause
                       I really did not think when I found ^my^ old letter
& that with some difficulty that I should scratch over my paper
but a quiet moment was afforded the children being absent
                  must bid adieu for the present dont forget to burn my [Serif?]

(Page 4)

Thee will recollect I owe thee this yours
                                                            affectionately
I think thou wilt be puzzled to decypher [sic]     Anna Greene
my letter perhaps thou had better obey my
injunction previous to ^the^ attempt—

[Text in center of page, written upward]
                           Amy Post
                                     Rochester
                                       New York

Tags

Personal; Quakers

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Greene, Anna, “Greene, Anna. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 21, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2362.

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