Kirby, Mary R. Letter to Hannah Kirby Post.

Title

Kirby, Mary R. Letter to Hannah Kirby Post.

Creator

Kirby, Mary R

Contributor

Hannah Kirby Post

Date

1825-09-29

Description

Handwritten letter from Mary R Kirby to Hannah Kirby Post, September 29, 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

433

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)
                   29^th of 9 Month 1825
My beloved Hanah
                   After I parted with you my beloved children
I sat a few hours with my sister, then took my seat in the stage
beside a stranger; which I fet [sic] to be a favour and did not feel like
much conversation, for my mind seeamd [sic] so to dwell with
you, and very sorry that we let thee take so long a walk, when
thy head a^c^ked [sic] [so?] I think we ought to got a cariage [sic] we feel
desirus [sic] to hear how you got along & particularly from ^the^ dear little
Edmund.
                   I got to Jericho a bought [sic] sun set where I
met my IK waiting for me, and was informed of the [clos]
close of Aunt Jane Parsons that morning, which was 3 day, a
bought [sic] 5 o clock, my Mother was called a bought [sic] 3, when she went
in Aunt asked who it was, they answered it was Molly, she reply
its very well for her to com [sic] and see the last.     having previously
desired to have but few in, ^at the time of her close^ and to admit air in the room,
soon after my Mother went in she wisht [sic] to ^be^ helpt [sic] on her chair
which was done, altho [sic] they thought her to [sic] weak, and while sitting
their [sic] her eyes seamed [sic] to fix and mouth fell open, then they laid her
on the bed thought the conflict was throught.. but she revived again
spoke and desired them to pull the window down for she was coldd [sic]
and mentiond [sic] a number things that she wisht [sic] disposed off [sic], a dolor [sic] to
Harriatt --- and to Juda each, all of them Sarah Wearing informed her
should be attended too [sic]. then she seamed [sic] to be wearing fast away, but
requested them to sit her in her chair. Aunt Ana replied we think
thou art too weak. her reply was I know it but I must be got up
they sat her in, and she expired almost immeadiately [sic].          she had
previously mentioned to Sh Wearing, when siting [sic] up. so she should like
to be fixt [sic] at last.       some days before her departure she said to S Wearing
whats that, up their, [sic] pointing up to the [illegible], where Sarah sais [sic]
I dont see any thing. Aunt pointing up sais [sic] it looks like a Crown.
and I seamed [sic] to here [sic] a voice say it is for me,      which we trust
she has received.    her corps [sic] look’d as natural [and] as is common
to see, and was intered [sic] on 5 day after, a large meeting. Samuel
Parsons had a perty [sic] lengthy comunication [sic] said a great deal in commemora
-tion off [sic] the decesed [sic], of her self diniing [denying?] life, and ^her^ many exclent [sic] virtus [sic]
Cousin Tony also joind [sic] in praising the dead, how many time she had been
instructive to him, often in the twilight of the evening she would turn ^as it were^ her
face to the wall, and her backe [sic] to the world, which had been as a spur, to
him many times, he compared her to a Martha Carefull but he believes
she had chosen the good part that could not be taken from her T^h^omas H
-awxhurst also attend silent       The marriage was accomplishe on that day, those
that went to the house did not sign their names at meeting house, not a word from the gallery to
them, spoke prety [sic] well

(Page 2)

some days before Aunts decase [sic] my Cousin Tony Jackson was
some disorderd [sic] in his mind at times, ^&^ then better, but the night after her
interment he was intirely [sic] deprived of scence [sic] talked all the time, nig^ht^
and day, got very little or no sleep some nights, we did not here [sic] of it
so as to go over till [sic] 7 day afternoon my Mother and I went, he then
lay on the bed did not offer to get up, but used great exitions [sic] with his
hands talked almost encesantly [sic] and such language that it was
truly distressing to be a witness to it, they tryed [sic] to give him some
thing to eat and drink but he did not seam [sic] to know how to swallow
put it right out, they went for Doctoy [sic] Garry but he was unwell
Dtr Rodgers was also poorly, so they had Doctor Townsend, but he soon told
Keziah he should approve of his being taken to NY to the hospittil [sic]
as the most likely way ^to cure^ but Keziah felt best satisfied to keep him
home at least a few days, when we first saw him he reminded me very
much of Silas Willis such continual motion and great exertions, that
it was not very likely he could continue long, which indeed proved to be the
event, yesterday to appearence [sic] he had some scence [sic] at times would ^look^ around on
[t]his sisters, and wife as though[t] he knew them, but could not speak, when they
asked him to take d^rin^k he did knod [sic] his head, that is the day befor [sic] he died, this
morning I stept [sic] over, and found them dear girles [sic] siting [sic] around the bed
waiting to see the last breath drawn O how was my feelings touched with
compassion, and a mingling with them in their greif [sic]. Keziah looks
as though she had ^had^ a fit of Sickness, anxiety of mind and body blended together
perhaps thou may wonder that I should say his Wife it is reported that he was
married to Jinne Rock she came last 7 day with out sending for, but
Keziah was glad to see her, come, she was much affected at his close
he is to be intered to morrow afternoon ^29 of 9 month^ meet at 3 o clock, poor man, he made
use of very profane language indeed, in his last illness, but if his
past life had been such, as could be approved, I should count it as nothi
-ng, as he new [sic] not what he said, but alas what have we to comfort
us, it was we suppose such language as he had been wont to use
but we must leave it all, we can do nothing but endeavour to avoid
spliting [sic] on the same rock
                                                Cousin Jemima is they say better so that
she or they are gone to Roberts and shut up at home for the present, the weding [sic]
was small at Royals and 930 the next day at Obediah Joseph with Mar
garett his Wife, & Mary & Caroline Hicks, expect to set off for Phidelphia [sic]
to morrow [sic], M & Caroline intends to spend about 3 weeks their [sic] J & Mar-garett a shorter time, then up to Milton                       Daniel Titus attended
the funeral to day and informed us that Edmund Post [jr?] and Robert Willets
were both better. as I don’t know that our Friends to the east know of this
opportunity I may just say, that J & Mary with all their children attend
-ed the funeral. H & P P Willis with ^litle [sic]^ Catherine ^at Meeting^ all well or nearly so
Mary Fry had a boil on her eye lid.

(Page 3)

                             3 of 10 Month 1825
This was intended to go by our friend Charls [sic] Willets last week
but got left – Now I may say that we have agreeably, had the
company of Alonzo Frost and Caroline his sister. they with Amy are
now gone to Edmund Posts & John Titus’es to spend the day, and to morr
-ow on to N York a very short visit,             Joseph Post, Henry & Lydia Titus
also here yesterday    an unpleasant scircumstance [sic] occured [sic] with them
at the M. house after Meeting as henery [sic] was untying the horses, having
only a neck rope on them, one a dark grey the other a bay one I took that
to be Henery’s [sic] [thy is] its said both ^had^ ran away before, took a start down by
the swamp soon the wagon hit a tree ^?^ and is flew asunder in a moment
we were out of the road but herd [sic] the crash and saw the boards fly
expecting the wagon was ruiend [sic] but so behind the trees as not see how
the boys or horses faird [sic], we stopt [sic] and Jacob & Ed went back to se [sic] the
event but what a favour how we do escape unhurt when in such
great danger the horses cleared themselves from the wagon when it
hit the tree without breaking the harness at all, then they ran up before
the meeting house doors and a gainst Valentine’s fence and broak [sic] it
down, one horse one side of the railing that is fixt [sic] for tinging [tying?] horses
low, and the other the other side the bay one appeared hurt some moved
off perty [sic] stiff & slow when they left us, but appeared gentle.
altho [sic] at first they seamd [sic] much afrightned [sic],   Joseph went direct
to the wagon makers to get it mended to our great astonishment only
the tongue and [sword?] was broken.           Lydia got in with Alonzo and
Caroline Frost, up to our house, the boys dined at W Rob and come
in his wagon to our house after dine, but whether their wagon was to be done
to go home I did not enquire, I believe you will think I am very paticlor [sic]
Now I give you something els [sic] new only one week ago I was informd [sic]
tha [sic]
Mary Townsend at Norwich was like to be married out of scoiety [sic] and that
it was [to take] likely to take place soon, well the next 5 day, at Mg we
met with her father just before meet, and I judged it right ^to^ know the truth
of the report, he replyd [sic] I expect its true. dost thou think its likely
to take place soon,    he says they are making preperations [sic] to day for it
I [queried?] a litle [sic] further [& further] & how it was to be accomplisht [sic], he
thought most likely by a magistrate, Obediah Titus from [Nineporter?]
is the Person Sone [sic] of Samuel it is said he is well settled and a steady Man
of abought [sic] 40 years, as report says, she has spent several months ^up^ their [sic]
this sumer [sic], he has taken her off aready [sic], some say its [sic] is very pleasing
George said they had given her advice ^&^ said enuff [sic] to her, its[sic] a very hard
family to have to deal with, so much [illegible] for them, but in this cace [sic]
I dont apprehed [sic] much difficulty, but apprehend friends are freed from ^a^ [problem?]
of labour [sic], that truth would indeed call for as inconsistances [sic] were so obvi
-ous and increasing,                  My Mother is gone on a visit to[ Conneck?] with
Samy & Rachel they expect to go to [N-obliterated] carried Jane Mott away with
a prospect of spending the winter [obliterated] but suppose she hardly knows
what to do with herself.   Elizabeth [obliterated] ool. Joshua is engaged only
for one month, what then we dont know, [obliterated] respects me and mine I am wil
=ling longer,   when Jack & Amy returned home from Westbury they found brother
David & Sarah their [sic], which I calculate they would, I have made one visit scence [sic]
you left us, been to see our oldest Man Friend James [Carrehart?], he lent us Cousin E &
Edward Hicks Sermons and as far as I have read I like well.       Ana W W gone to
NY to day perhaps she may meet Anna Braithwait as she is dayly [sic] expect
=ed in, it is also M Meeting their [sic] I understand the men had some sharp [shout-
-ing?] their [sic] in the preparition [sic] M. William Hartshorn thought the [annswer] [sic] respec^t^[obliterated]

(Page 4)

[Text in left-hand margin, written upwards]

Love & Unity was too full said he had no Unity with any friend that believed in the doctrine [sic] that Elias Hicks preached
and it lead on to more than I shal [sic] have time to relate.                   I cant [sic] give any particulars respecting dear Aunt Janes
effects. only My Mother & ^Cousin^ Phebe Powel [sic] is to have her clothing
she said they would were [sic] them much as she did, which was
her desire. Aunt Ana [sic] and the rest at Meet yesterday all in usual helth [sic] as far as I know, which is the case with our other
neighbours. I understand that Samuel Casmon has lost one daughter scince [sic] his death & his wife now lays very ill., also a
sone [sic] of [Gideon?] Nichols is also intered after his father --- Mary frost [travels?] so that she has been out to meeting        I dont [sic] know but
Amy’s health is abought [sic] as when you were here. her appetite is but poor yet, Joseph Post said Lydia was at their house yesterday and
rather better & Edmund ^is^ so that he walked out some, gaind [sic] faster than Robert Willis but he is gaining too.
                                                                   10 Month 3 Mary Kirby [illegible]
                             I believe if we had not love we should
their [sic] is several said give my love to you, feel but little inclination to rite [sic]
my love to your whole household

[Text in center of page, written upwards]

                                                Isaac Post
                                                       Ledyard
                                                          Ca^yuga County
          Attention of
          Alonzo Frost

[Text in right-hand margin, written upwards]

Jacob and the boys are now engage [sic] at south geting [sic] out hay they now talk of not mowing any more     my love to Isaac &c
tell him I felt obliged to him for his proposed alteration around the barn, it met so cordial an approbation, its calculated to be attend’d [sic]
to shortly, Jac^o^b sowed his wheat a week ago it is now coming up   as I have said we feel desirus [sic] to here [sic] from you soon
as is convent [sic] I want such a particular letter as poor me rites[sic] wether [sic] little Mary knew you & [some?] what she said.    what is
cause I think so much of dear little Edmund –       We have heard Cousin E and company had reacht [sic] Skeneatless [sic]. and one
evening I immagind [sic] to my self I saw him siting [sic] with you pleasantly conversing,   our Mgs are considerably lesend [sic] scince [sic]
his absence, by those who fill the back seets [sic], in a perticilar [sic] maner [sic].

Tags

Family; Quakers

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Kirby, Mary R, “Kirby, Mary R. Letter to Hannah Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2731.

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