Post, Hannah Kirby. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Title

Post, Hannah Kirby. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Creator

Post, Hannah Kirby

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Date

1825-07-24

Description

Handwritten letter from Hannah Kirby Post to Amy Kirby Post, July 24, 1825.

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

429

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)
                             first day evening 24^th of 7^mo
My very dear sister
                             As I was sitting all alone my thoughts
were turned toards[sic] you I believe every individual of your household
with a flow of love and tender feelings for all, I take my
pen to write a little since that is the only way that we
can converse Altho [sic] I did not know that I should before
I saw you Oh if I had but the wings of a dove how soon
would I visit [you] ^you and^ that dear native Isle of mine but when
I shall I know not yet I cherish a hope that I shall ere
long (for never did I want to visit you more since I have
resided in this western country) than I do at this time, yes
my thoughts are most constantly with you, and how often have
I strewed my tears in secret for thee my precious sister my bosom is
not yet void of feeling, there seems to be such a damp shade oversp=
read ore [sic] all our prospects that I seem not to take much delight
in any worldly enjoyment, altho [sic] I have made a few visits, home
is the moste [sic] desirable place for me to be, I often think what
is there here worth living for, let us dear sister [close?] in with the
visitations of divine love, then our time will pass pleasantly
^and^ swe^e^atly [sic] away, and be ready to lay dow [sic] our heads in peace, Oh let
us improve by the past trials that hath been meeted [sic] out to us
but don’t let it pray [sic] upon nature no it will not be wright [sic]
for us to give way to [sic] much, but let us take the example ^of one who has gone before us^ and
follow on with cheerfulness –-- Mary Frost has spent two days
with us very pleasantly she seems so pleasant cheerfull [sic] and
sweet that one who did not know would not think of her
being so unwell as she is, her comfort depends very much
on what she partakes of such if she is carefull [sic] to take such as
suits her weake [sic] stomach she is pretty comfortable –----

7^th of 8^th mo
                   several days has [sic] elapsed since the above was
written and now I resume my pen to give you a little
further information respecting ourselves my IP has
spent one week on Humphryes [sic] Island assisting him in
stacking his wheat, which has been a laborious and expensive
job to H. I suppose there is 200 or more stacks to be seen
in one field – at present we are in usual health for
my own part I have gained very much appetite good

(Page 2)

and increased in strengh [sic] and flesh, our babe (which
we call Edmund), has had somthing [sic] of the summer com=
plaint a few days but is better, am in hopes it will
not return R Searing arrived here 6^th day last with your
kind letters which was very pleasant to peruse as I had been
almost impatient to here [sic] from you tho [sic] I knew that I
was in depted [sic] to you, but you must know my time is
much taken up with the cares of a family wich [sic] has laid
pretty heavily on me some of the time this summer
at present I have a good girl considering she was
brought up in this country very fond and good to
the children which I care more about than any one
thing else I consider it a blessing to go to meeting and
feel easy, the babe has got to be verry [sic] quiet sits in the
cradle most of the time I often take him up out of com
=passion thinking he must be tired, this morning when
I got out of bed he awoke I left him, he laid some time
and then went asleep without making any noise to cry
R S gave us some account of the quartily [sic] Meeting &c.
which was truly affecting what are we cuming [sic] two [sic] I do
not see but it must certainly end in division which is
painfull [sic] to think off [sic] that we who have so long dwelled
together in love and harmony must now split assunder [sic]
---- well I think you will be surprized [sic] when I tell
thee that we think of paying you a visit ere long but
as yet rather uncertain onaccount [sic] of business crouding [sic]
on my IP if we do we shall probably set out in one
week or two, taking all things into consideration I do not
see when I can leave home better than now though
it feels like a great undertaking to go with a child I
think you can^n^ot think strange that I want to see you
we think to take the canal for conveyance Mary
we shall leave behind with Abigal [sic] Fin who has lived
with us a number of weeks I think I shall feel pretty
easy about her – she went with her this morning
on a visit to Isaac [Heights?], the babe and I are alone
wilst [sic] the rest of our family are at meeting and I am
to have this ready for Lazarus to take on his return
from meeting to put in the office Abigal [sic] Green
has been very feeble for some weeks past not able
to sit up much the Brothertons have both [had?]

(Page 3)

the feaver [sic] and ague very severly [sic] John has miss
-ed his fits a few times but continues with Enoc
yet they are afflicted indeed I do not look for their
continuing long. Jethro Wood has also been very
sick with the same complaint but the fits have
left him Jordan Wrights wife 5 children and 2
neices [sic] are boarding their [sic] they often ride past here
I do not like to send blank paper but time will
fail me to fill it – a fine shower this morning
has not been so dry with us as you, pleas [sic] to excuse
bad writing as I write with the babe in my lap
our love to brother and sister Willis tell them by
cuming [sic] (if we do) we dont expect to prevent any
of our friends visiting this country and us – them
we have calculated upon – my love to [Elacum?]
and Lew I feel much for them in this state we have
trials and hard things to meet with
in love to all of your                  I subscribe myself thy
family                                       attatched [sic] sister
                                                          H Post

(Page 4)

[Text in center of page, written upwards]

                             18¾
10
Aug
          Amy Kirby
                   Jericho
                             Long Island
                             Queens County

Tags

Domestic Servants; Family; Quakers

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Post, Hannah Kirby, “Post, Hannah Kirby. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2727.

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