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

1823-12-26

Description

Handwritten letter from Amy Willis to Amy Kirby Post, December 26, 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

411

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

                             Jericho 26^th of 12 Month 1823
My dear girl
Amy Kirby
                    With greatful [sic] feelings have I once more broken
a seal which I imagin [sic] was clos’d [sic] by the hand of my endear’d [sic] Amy
the contents thereof afforded me much satisfaction – altho’ [sic] it appears
thy feelings have not been of the pleasanter nature – which made me suppose
thou had partaken a small share of mine – thou little knows how much
my feelings have been excited by thy long delays in epistolary
communications – and by thy inserting in one letter – “Thou
judg’d [sic] a letter would only be an intrusion” – – No Amy – that was
two [sic] much – thou cannot possible [sic] suppose that my time or attention
was so devoted to other pursuits that the productions from my dear
A would become indifferent dost thou imagin [sic] that I have been so
elivated [sic] with present prospects that I needed not the soothing hand of a
friend to console me when I have been almost as it were sinking in
the earth Oh A my dear A if thou only knew what I have had to
pass through I think thou would not only pity but would
insure thyself a sincere freind [sic] – for I have felt at times
as if they were few – but I feel that I have had one my
dear sister Mary has been one indeed to her have I spoken with
much freedom and divulged the secrets of my heart – and if
thou ever arrives at that period of thy life wherein thou art to be
bound by the ties of the purest affection that marriage ties can link
and submit to relinquish the endearments of home – yes the
best of homes and the strongest ties [of] that parential [sic] affection
can subjoin – it is then oh then thou wilt stand in need of a
friend to afford thee consolation and advice – and who should
I advise thee to apply ^to^ more suitable than My precious sister
M whose virtuis [sic] (I might say as was said by SHL) glow with
a double intensity – and now whilst on this subject of ^my^ marriage
it is what I have long wishd [sic] to acquaint thee ^with^ and the last night
I slept with thee I was several times upon the point of telling
then – but diffidince [sic] forbade me – and knowing how critical it
was putting any such thing on paper – for I thought perhaps
Isaac might see it and if he was like some folks would only make
sport of me – Hannah knows how it feels to be talk’d [sic] about

[Continues on page 2 with line beginning “I used to pity her”]

[Text in left margin of page 1 running upward.]

& do come home if the [sic] possible [sic] can for I cannot make out without
thee as I know aff [sic]

(Page 2)

[Continues from Page 1, “Hannah knows how it feels to be talk’d [sic] about”]

I used to pity her – but now I know she felt what I did not feel
now it has come home to myself and when it is from persons whom
we should suspect would be our best frinds [sic] – makes it double trying
– but I try to comfort myself sometime perhaps more is told me than
is really said by some individuals – – probably e’re this thou hast
heard the proposals of Marriage signed by TR and AW are presented
to the monthly meeting – – I have made full dependence on having the
honour of thy sirvices [sic] as bridesmaid if thou would yie^a^ld [sic] to that but
finding the uncertainty of thy reaching home at that appointed time
I have given the offer to Margarett Sherman which I believe she
is like to accept but do not debar thee from being one of the most
welcom [sic] guests shoud [sic] thee set thy foot on Long Island shores e’re
that period – – yesterday Sarah Pearsall and myself spent the
day at Cousin Elias Hick’s – his Elizabeth is quite complaining with
a cold Elias has gone different parts of the Island appointing Meet
accompanied by Father and D [Ketcham?]. we expect them home
tomorrow [have?] ^been^ gone little more than a week – I must just tell thee
tho perhaps no news that Samuel Underhill has ask’d [sic] for a ^marriage^ Certificate
to be directed to New York as he expects to take thy cousin M Willets
for a wife – – Mary Rushmore has gone out in marriage
with a man by the name of [Crossman?] which is before our Month [sic]
Meeting – also a request from Elias Smith’s wife Mother and
Phebe P Willis are appointed to visit her – and they think they
dread it too – it seems like poor encouragement to have any
more Smith Town members for those that we have got have
made trouble enough – – – I was at Westbury Monthly Meeting
last week and a memorable one it was too E Hick’s [sic] was there
and ^a^ snug time he had with the elders and some think it was
through his means that Townsend [Hawxhurst?] was permitted to
pursue the prospect he has in view – – – – – – We had
a letter from Uncle I Titus few days since stating they still
continue very poorly and M has the third relapse of
the fevour [sic] – – – – Elizabeth Seaman Dr’s wife begins
to [illegible][safer?] – [obliterated] – – – – – – – I have been
at Westbury spending a week, saw considerable of Edwin Post
he is the same clever fellow as ever – he came from New York
whilst I was there – told Elizabeth his brother I was to be married
the 4^th of next month and probably he is to be groomsman said he
had spoken for a new suit Coat small [cloth] clothes and silk [illegible]

(Page 3)

– – William Titus says he feels very happy – it would make thee laugh
to see him look at his wife so much I believe he admires her – –
Phebe Downing has also been on a visit at Westbury, I believe she
admires Robert Willets and W Hicks very much I dont know which
the most William Hicks loves to talk about thee very much – so
thee must not fasten thyself too tight at Scipio – but I hope reports
are not all true for we cannot spare thee and H both – H and John
have just returned from New York – so I must leave and go and talk
with them – – – – – – – Lydia Seaman has returnd [sic] from the City
been spending several weeks with Phebe who has commenced
house keeping in a small way I understan [sic]– I saw Phebe Hicks
yesterday she says Jericho is like to be quite strip’d [sic] of beaus
next summer W Seaman and A I Underhill are both going
to New York in the spring – Phebe loves [illegible] as well
if not better than ever Valentine will have to consent to yet
far as I know – reports says William Jackson has got to be
quite an intemperate young man – I believe he is very
unsteady – – – – Mother was at thy Grand fathers yesterday
they were all well excepting thy Mother and Aunt P were both
a little complaining Elizabeth has not got her coat made yet
she begins to feel in a hurry – – – most of the Jericho girls have
been getting mantles Y Hicks girls had theirs on to meeting
yesterday I have been getting but have not worn it yet
so thee may expect to see us look very plane [sic] when thee returns
which I hope will be very soon tho’ [sic] by what I can learn thee
is not expected by some before spring – I suppose thee has
heard Jacob Jackson was married a few months since he is fortunate
enough to have an [heir?] – – – – – – – – – –
first day evening – – – we ^have^ had the company of V Hicks and
girls who are just gone – – – Mother desires her love
to thee and Hannah also Phebe and H [Louis?] – my love
to Hannah – – – Father has just returnd [sic]– I believe
cousin Elias has met with considerable opposition by some
of the Methadists [sic] particularly at Hempstead by [Gibbens?]
– I know this letter is not worth sending as it is a mixt [sic] medley
of stuff – for there has been such a talking the whole time
almost that I cant [sic] think what I want too [sic]
                   Thy Cousin sincerly [sic] Amy Willis/yet

(page 4)

[Text at center of page, running upward]

Jericho                                               18 ½
Dec. 30^th                             Isaac Post

                  For
                       Amy Kirby
                           Ledyard
                                                Aurora

Tags

Family; Quakers

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/2709.

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