Willis, Amy. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Title

Willis, Amy. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Creator

Willis, Amy

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Date

1823-08-30

Description

Handwritten letter from Amy Willis to Amy Kirby Post, August 30, 1823.

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

403

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

My ever dear friend    Jericho 4^th day the 30^th of the 8^th month 1823
                                     Well Amy gladn am I to receive once more a few lines
from thee they really inspir’d [sic] my feelings with hope and joy that I am once again rememb[obliterated]
by my absent Friend which I had almost began to think had forgoten [sic] to notice A – [obliterated]
has felt lonely and dejected this summer without one female friend to whome [sic] I could
unbosome [sic] my feelings too – Altho [sic] their [sic] are girls in Jericho that I dearly love-yet
perhaps would feel no interest in affairs concerning Amy – which thou heretofore has
listen’d with an attentive ear and been the jolly companion in some wild schemes of
mine – which do not cease yet, - the imagination is still building Castles which a little
intreped [sic] gust may yet rend all assunder [sic] – I hope a few more fleeting weeks will announce
the welcom [sic] return of thee – for I often think I want to see thee more than thee does me
especially when my heart is full then would it abundantly releive [sic] - - - I am now agoing [sic]
to give thee a brief history of Jericho folks – in the first place our own houshold [sic] continues
the same without much alteration of better or worse – but poor me has a lame toe
- Cousin Thomas’s [sic] family are well cousin P has lost much flesh this
summer wether [sic] it is through quit of her own conduct toward a certain friend
or starving herself for fear they may think her appetite is good – aunt
Anne by appearances still retains the same unabating predgeidices [sic] – aunt
Jane is busily employ’d [sic] in subduing the weeds and removing the pebbles
which may prevent the growth of her trancient [sic] yet beautiful flowers her
garden looks eligant [sic] – and new to cousin William who is walking too [sic] and
fro in making great arraignments [sic] yet in the end amounts to not much
more than contuinance [sic] and a disturbed mind – whilst cousin Anna gives
her viewes [sic] and sentinents [sic] that his schemes are well calculated to promote
their enjoyment through life – and thus they move along – but I fear
heavy laden with a smitten concsince [sic] – yet try to cen ceal [sic] it from thus –
I was A thy Grandfathers 5^th day last he was much better than he had been
call’d [sic] himself well now so that he walk’d [sic] to meeting that day – the rest
all in usual health – I told thy Mother I thought I should write to thee she
said I must tell about them but did not say what only she thought of not
writing at this time - - thy grandmother was nitting [sic] – aunt P making
a night gown and Mother and Elizabeth and a shirt – and I darn’d a hankerc^heif^ [sic]
thus our hands were employ’s whilst our tongues were busy’d [sic] about thee
and Hannah – it realy [sic] seem’d [sic] strange to be there without seeing either of you
which led me to view how uncertain it was where our lets ^might^ may be cast even on
reflecting a few years past as such a thing as Hannah is residing at Scipio never
once enterd [sic] the thought – I took a walk into the garden accompanied by thy
dear Mother – which look’d [sic] better than I expected to see altho’ [sic] the deficiency
of Amys hand was very apparent – thy Gerranium [sic] had grown very
thrifty and partly broken down I took a nife [sic] and severd [sic] some of the branches
which I think will make it hansomer [sic] – they rose bush is also very pretty
has grown exceedinglly – but what attracted my attention the most was the
flourishing state in which thy Honey Suckle is in it has grown beautiful
the east side if filled – but the other is quite on the decay – all other things
in the yard was in a very thriving state – and I have been Thinking if the
laddy [sic] could pass with as great a rapidity as the thoughts thou would soon ta[obliterated]
task of reciting vacious [sic] particulars respecting home friends &c –&c - - [obliterated]
          I have nothing in particular to say about Uncle W Robbins’s [sic] family [obliterated]
They appear to be well I have seen very little of Mary - - I have not se[obliterated]
Ketcham yet to tell him of thy [fine?] girl – and even if I had I doubt selfish
motives would have prevented – for I mean to call him my beau for he was very

(Page 2)

for he was very highly recommended to me a few days since I did not know that he
[was?] so extraordinary before and if I cant make out I am amind [sic] thee should
[obliterated] him for thyself and not recommend him to Scupio [sic] - - - cousin Jane
[obliterated]ham has been poorly some time pretty much lost the use of her limbs [blune?] [sic]
[obliterated]d a very sore foot occasiond [sic] from a scald she recevd [sic] last spring - -
[and?] now I have got to the school house shall I pass by silently the mansion
in which thy [prenial?] [sic] days hath been spent in pouring over volums [sic] of instruction
which has reard [sic] the youthful mind to extensive knowledge – Benjamin is
still engagd [sic] in the occupation but left a few weeks on account of his mothers
illness – who has in part recoverd [sic] – John Ketcham occupied his place during
his absence – Valentine Hicks has been sick almost ever since he returnd [sic]
with the Disentary [sic] since of the time been very ill together with that and his
former complaints – he now is on the mending hand – the girls returnd [sic]
only three or four days before he did they were gone 2 months – Old cousin
Thomas Titus told them he feard [sic] they would make their friends [tween?] glad
they say they had a very pleasant visit – Valentine Seaman was at Jericho
twice before Mary got home and Percival once how the girls like it I do
out know but I think they are too free in talking about them to ever gain
either of their hearts – some young men are of opinion the girls would like to
exchange their names – but how it is I do not know and am sorry they entertain
such a belief for it may prove a disadvantage to them – I suppose it to be awry
to the levity and freedom they take that occasion their animadversions - -
       Lydia Seaman is teaching school in part of their house I do not know how
many schollars [sic] she has – and previous to this thou hast heard W’s occupation
- thus thou [sees?] there are some changes and things unlockd [sic] for have appeard [sic]
       the beaus in Jericho keep very clene [sic] – W Seaman has been here once this
summer and S Underhill spent last evening here beside them there has none
enterd [sic] this house to my knowledge – I spoke of being brief but I think it amounts to a long
stay - - - Mary Nelson has spent near 3 weeks with me – she is a lonely girl
    full of life and merriment she returnd [sic] sooner than she expected in consequenc [sic]
of their ^having^ company from Phyladelphia [sic] Augustus came up after her and
he was here a week – his health is quite poor this summer – he has been
getting a beautiful horse and gig – and thee may think he sits a prety [sic]
great dash – indeed I beleive [sic] he feels my large rattem [sic] more so than he
really is – but how ever I hope he will be ennabled [sic] to carry it all through
tho’ [sic] he is nothing of a Lady’s Man and I beleive [sic] not very generly [sic] admird [sic] by that
sex - - I receivd [sic] a letter from Mary Nelson a few days sinc [sic] stating the
arrival of the English friends – she says she has not seen the man tho’ they
say he is not lengthy in his communicasions [sic] nor very beautiful in her person
or featurs [sic] – but the woman is very magestir [sic] in her appearance and
excuding [sic] by hansom [sic] in her face dresses somthing [sic] like an American only
rather more tasty – but she says “ the may depend she cuts no small
figure in the Gallery – she is very lengthy in her communications and very
much admird [sic] I never before saw a woman speak with so much dignity and
[obliterated]torieal grace she makes use of excelent [sic] language and altogether in
[obliterated]adim style” - - - - - - - Cousin Anna Willis had information last
[obliterated]ay of the death of Leonard [Lawson’s?] child – it is a very great trial
[obliterated]n – it was sick only a few days with the bowel complaint and sufferd [sic]
extremly [sic] cousin A was sent fer [sic] and it laid in fits great part of the time
she was their – it liv’d one day after she came home she thought it better
                            when she left - - - - Since meeting the above we have

(Page 3)

had information of the death of cousin Sam ^l^ Titus which has long been
look’d [sic] for yet when the awful [pericd?] arives [sic] depression of spirits inevetal [sic]
follows – thou recently has witness’d [sic] a scene like unto this – which undoo[obliterated]
bd thee into a train of reflection – the uncertainty of life – and that [obliterated]
was ^is^ the lot of all mortals ^we see^ no age or condition of life is exempt – and [obliterated]
the pious aged person resigns his breath with the full assurence [sic] of peace and
resignation to close his mortal career what consolation does it give to survives [sic]
notwithstanding the seperation [sic] is touching to evry [sic] tender feeling - - - But when
the youth receive this summons an awful solemnity pervades our minds – for in
the beauty of their days even before we had look for perfection they are cut down
a long [courses?] of usefulness antisipated [sic] by the fond heart is now at opend [sic] and
however desirable as pleasing to human perceptions in wisdom is now at an end
yet they however youthful who have an approving conceince [sic] and safe part in
prospect may be counted wise and with such their removal is a blessing
enderd [sic] for then they have escaped the tails and dangers attendant on a protract^ted^
life - - But when on the contrary the smiles /at the world have been the
pleasing aim and the beauty and pleasures theref [sic] regarded as suffecent [sic] for
the day sorrowful is the prospect on a sick bed - - - - - - - poor cousin Mary
how does she feel, now severd [sic] from the friend to whome [sic] her heart was most dear
the seperation [sic] of His hand and wife must without doubt be the keenest of any
yet she has this consolation that his close was like unto the Lamb – and whilst
living he felt his love abundantly to flow to all mankind frequently did
did I receive the message of Love – but now the spirit has taken its flight
and all that we can do is to cover the remains with a few sods – Oh Amy
this subject leads me into a vast train of reflections which perhaps thou would
rather I should not dwell upon – I’ll therefore leave it fer [sic] the present [obliterated]
remember to endeavour to benefit myself thereby – and try to answer [obliterated]
questions in thy lettr [sic] Edwin Post is at Westbury been their [sic] summer – [obliterated]
him not long since he enquered [sic] particular after thee – and I think descrid [sic]
to be rememberd [sic] – he wishes to go to Scipio this fall he has told E Powell
if he would accompany him he would bear all his expences [sic] – [there?] has
several young men talkd [sic] of going Joseph Townsend George Doughty Robert
Willits [sic] and William Hicks – Robert I believe has entirely given out
and W Hicks expects to set out the latter part of next week or [pore?] part of
week after on horse back the other young ^gentlemen^ chose to wait a few weeks
longer but I think it is their intention to go – dont thee remember
I told thee Joseph wishd [sic] to see thee – and I think the [obliterated] it to[obliterated] the
pains to go quite to Scipio – well Amy I can tell thee what it is he is a [nice?]
young man one of the first rate – and I do not know where disposition excels
but yet I do not know as he would pleas [sic] thee for a = notwithstanding his
excellence – and whilst on this subject I can tell thee Leonard Mott and
Hannah Willis is engaged but cousin H Mott told me a short time sinc [sic]
he did not know that the time was fix’d [sic] to accomplish their marraige [sic] but it
is most probable it will be this fall Joseph Laurene will also I expect me [married?]
this fall to Rosetta Townsend – and that is all I know off - - - and ^now as [regard?]^ a subject
relative to myself in the latter part of thy letter I do not feel prepared to say much
therefore excuse me and let me remain silent – must just say I had heard of [wispers?] [sic]
reaching Sceepia it must have been a loved one indeed - - - - Oh [obliterated]st
tell thee we have a beau residing at Jericho at Royals I suspect [obliterated]uc
young man it is Sydney Bown he has liv’d [sic] at New Rochell [sic] some men [obliterated]
was quite a beau for Uncle Sam^l^ girls – I do not know what Margaret will think
whether he will do or not - - - I suppose thee has heard the loss S & A.

(Page 4)

Underhill have met with in looseng [sic] their barn by lightning they are rebuilding
and to day it is rais’d [sic] S says he thinks much of going to Sciipio [sic] but owing to
the many engagements in business that he sees no way at present - - I like to
forgot to tell thee S Jones enqueres [sic] very partucilar [sic] about thee he seems to think
thee is stationed and will never see much more of Long Island – poor old man
I [expect?] he has lost most all hope of thee – now do when thee writes send some
word to him that may arouse him a little out of his stuper [sic] – and Oliver frequntly [sic]
talks about thee – indeed Amy thee is very consequential – sometimes almost
wholly the topic of conversation – but I always will hold up the idea that
thou wilt return again - - - Uncle Jacob Pearsall came to Westbury last
first day after Minturn Post Henrys Posts youngest Carolina was very ill
with the hooping [sic] cough not like the last long they thought but the last we heard
the child was liveng [sic] they are boarding to Uncle J Pearsalls – I like to forget
to mention [Nioley?] Minturn has been here nearly a week it was whilst Mary
Nelson was here – she never had been to Westbury and Jericho before I expect she
thinks we are a cause awkward people she made no visits excepting Henrys – she wishd [sic]
to go to your house but had not time – I wish thee could hear [live?] talk
Lydia Rushmore has got so smart as to ride out

[Text in center of page, written upward]

         Jericho { Queen County                   18 ½
         2 Septembr [sic] )


                              Isaac   Post
             for Amy Kirby
                                       Leddyard [sic]
             Cayuga County                  Aurora

[Text at bottom of page, normal]

                                                                                 do write by W Hicks to me
now do write soon for I doubt thee knows with what anxietity [sic] we wait for a letter
and if H does not think me too wild to write too I wish she would feel like it
        Uncle E Post and aunt Calhoune were at Henrys yesterday Uncle has
        got pretty smart and aunt C also she has lately had a fit or two I might say
        was very poorly at thee [sic] time and so continued for a day or two – tell H sister
        P Posts little Mary is as fat a child as I ever saw I think and she is quit [sic] pretty
      my black eyes and features otherways [sic] rather small she look considerable like
      Charles only hansomer [sic] than he ever was – Amy do not feel discouraged with the length
of th[obliterated]awl I have not know when to stop but I think I must soon for the
[obliterated]ons – but think there hast recev’d [sic] none in length to equal this
[obliterated] ll desires her love to thee and weshis [sic] thee to write for she has not recevd [sic]
[obliterated] thee since thee has been there – and Amy dont forget me write by mail
any [obliterated] whenever thee feels like writing think Oh think of Amy – for I could fill a
sheet every week if I thought it was best - - P Williams desires her line – and now I must close
with adding much love to thyself and sister and brother if he is willing to accept it but if not
I’ll give it to thee and remain as ever thy sincere friend   Amy Willis

Tags

Family

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Willis, Amy, “Willis, Amy. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 22, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2701.

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