Ketcham, John. Letter to Isaac Post.

Title

Ketcham, John. Letter to Isaac Post.

Creator

Ketcham, John

Contributor

Post, Isaac, 1798-1872

Date

1825-01-20

Description

Handwritten letter from John Ketcham to Isaac Post, January 20, 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

454

Location

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

Text

(Page 1)

Jericho 1mo 20th 1829

Esteemed Friend
Was it as easy a matter for me to write a
letter as to ruminate upon it, I think it more than likely
thou would have before now had the reading of an epistle of
some length; but the thing has hitherto been put off for reasons
which I think too trifling to mention - The train of occurrences
which have transpired since thou left the Island have often
(independant [sic] of other causes) brought to my mental view some of
my Scipio friends and that with a degree of interest which I think
thou wilt in some measure know how to appreciate. And here
let me mention that thro' the kindness of some of our friends here
I have had the pleasure of seeing on or two letters from that
quarter; and the particular satisfaction to learn from them that
the stream of Connubial happiness glides smoothly along its verdant
banks, bearing to its votarys [sic] the choice treasures of domestic
felicity; surely thought I this is quite as good as can be
expected, seeing it is the fruits of disobedience - But leaving
for the present all flowers and figures and fanciful things to those
who better understand them I will now give thee a few matter
of fact particulars of my own history as I think they may
perhaps be somewhat interesing [sic] to thee - Well, to begin pretty
near the beginning, at our Mo Mg in 10 mo the great subject of was
introduced of a number of our members having attended a marriage
which was accomplished out of the order of Society and much concern
(doubtless sincere) manifested on the account, which resulted in the
nomination of 4 friends in order to put things to rights, that is if they
could, accordingly some of us were visited on the account - I will give
the particulars of their interview with me as nearly as my recollection
will permit, that is the substance of them - the opportunity was rather
short but the time pretty well filled up and considerable friendly freedom
was used on both sides and I thought we all felt better at parting than
when we began - they seemed to insist strongly on the great importance,
especially at the present time, of keeping strictly to the dicipline [sic] and
that the whole Law should be kept entire but observed they understood
that I did not admit that I had transgressed it. I told them I consid=
=ered the words of the dicipline [sic], according to the most natural and
litteral [sic] construction of them would not embrace such a case but did
not think we need dispute that point as I did not wish to build my
defence on that at all, for had I viewed the dicipline [sic] just as they did I
thought it would have made no difference with my conduct in the case
as it appear'd to me there would even then been good and sufficient
reasons for doing what I did: namely, that on considering the matter
as seriously as I well could under all attending circumstances I
thought I should feel better satisfied to go than to omit it - That I thought
we were all bound to endeavour on all occations [sic] to do what appear'd to us
to be right; and that by a law which I considered superior to the dicipline [sic]
tho' I would not by any means be understood to dispise [sic] the latter for

(Page 2)

I had a very high respect for it and the source whence it emanated and
thought it probably the best written code in existence; yet if we were to
look upon it as infalibly [sic] right and consider ourselves bound to implicit
and unconditional obediance [sic] to all its requirements I believe'd it would
prove a snare to us rather than a preservation In order to illustrate
this view I mentioned that under the Jewish Law they were forbidden to do
any manner of labour on the sabbath day; tho' it appear’d if an ox or an ass
fell into a ditch on that day they would forthwith go to helping them
out, but by the way this was with no intention of likening my friends
I and A to those kinds of animals; or ^to convey the idea^ that they had fallen
into a ditch either
literally or figuratively, but merely to show that there might be cases
where the letter of the law tho' of high authority might with more propriety
be deviated from than kept to; and I had never heard that any bad con=
=sequences resulted to the jewish nation from these transgressions or that
their reputation suffered at all thereby in the eyes of their Gentile neigh=
=bours - And as to the present case I thought if the act was in itself a good
one (which seemed not to be disputed, setting law aside) I thought there was
no cause to be allarmed [sic] about the consequences as I could not think
the society or its reputation would ever by hurt much by the good
acts of its members; yet I further told them if I had transgressed the
dicipline [sic] I felt bound to be willing to suffer the penalty annexed to the
offence - I informed them that I had felt much for the exercise that had
prevailed in many friends minds on my account and had been trying
to see some way to satisfy them that would be satisfactory to myself, but
to condemn an act which appeared to me to be, under all circumstances
a right and a proper one would I thought, be very improper - - well
when next mo. Mg. came, tho ^it^ was thought by some that sd [said?] committee
were under no necessity of reporting, (and I fully believe if they had not the
thing would have settled away more satisfactorily) yet one of them informed
the mg. in substance I think about as follows that three of their num=
=ber had visited some of those who attended the marriage and with a good degree
of satisfaction in all the cases except one - there was one friend who did not
see that he had transgressed the dicipline [sic] perhaps thou will think this
rather a queer report, at least the latter part of it) but it did really seem
that if we would only confess that we had transgressed the law that this
would have been deemed sufficient and in this it seems the rest had the
advantage of me for they could all creep out at this loop hole while
poor me had to remain behind merely because this crooked notion had
somehow got possession of my noddle - but to go on with the story, after
the friend had made this report he proposed that the sense of the Mg.
should be taken whether the attendance of such marriages was a violati=
=on of the dicipline [sic] or not; which was decided with great unanimity
in the affirmative - this was followed by sundry very pointed remarks
tho no names had yet been used - In short I felt I thought very
much like one whiped [sic] in a bag and was strongly inclined to come out
that I might defend myself a little - therefore told them that tho' there
had been no names used yet allusions had been so full and pointed
that I believed all present understood that I was one that was meant
and was free to tell them that I was very sorry that what I had done
had given my friends so much uneasiness but as to the act itself I
had often reflected upon it and that seriously and had felt satisfied

(Page 3)

with it: yet if I had trespassed upon the order and dicipline [sic] of the society
I considered myself amenable to it, and waas willing the Mg should take
such steps as it judged proper in the case - At this time I also renewed
a request which I had made the month before to be released from the
appointment of overseer as it appeared clear to me that in this state of
things it would be very improper that I should be retained on that service
but however reasonable this request there seemed to be some objections
(probably there would not have been many) but I told them it was very
evident from what had passed that I was looked upon by many as a
disorderly person and for the Mg. to continue one on that appointment
which it viewed in that light would be very improper - so after some
further discussion a committee was named to bring forward another
name to supply the place; which at the end of two months was according=
=ly done and the unruly friend released - But here it will be proper
to observe that in all the conversations I have had on this subject
with our excellent worthies (for worthies they are if they have miss=
=ed it a little in this matter) tho much plainness of speech has been
used on both sides; yet I have thought the mutual flow of good
feelings which existed before has not been impaired; indeed it has
sometimes seemed as if a good hearty face to face conference has
been quite refreshing - when people have different sentiments on any
subject, and especially on those where the feelings are interested, I believe
a free and open discussion, if conducted in a proper disposition
of mind can hardly fail to be beneficial And now, while I
think of it, I want to drop a friendly hint to my cousin A. when
she writes to L. Island, which I hope she may do often, but then besure [sic] and
let the composition abound in sweet and pleasant things to the taste for
some of us have choice palates and I believe there was one or two expressions
in her letters a little too tart to go dowwn [sic] with some quite so well as could be
wished tho it all was wholesome enough for aught I know - dont be frightened
cousin A. I dont mean any great matter but folks who stand in our predica=
=ment thou knows ought to be pretty careful how they demean themselves
I find it indeed nessesary [sic] to endeavour to be clothed with a portion of that
^charity which^ thinketh no evil; and indeed I think there is some allowance to be made for
those who feel themselves bound to execute laws which they are satisfied are
in themselves unjust and improper: this is indeed an embarrasing [sic] business
and not much to be wondered at if they should now and then lay themselves
open to a little criticism - as to our friends conduct in relation to thy case
I am inclined to think they were all endeavouring to do the best they could tho
it is probable if I had had the management of the matter it would not have
been managed just so - It may be I should thought the same principle appli=
=cable to the conduct of meetings that I have lately had to advocate in rela=
=tion to individuals - namely - when Law and Right appear to us not to co=
=incide with each other it becomes our duty to adhere to the latter and risque [sic]
the censure or penalties of the former - This however appears to be a doctrine
which some think a dangerous one and one which would lead directly to anarchy
and confusion - and if so surely it ought to be avoided; but so far am I from
thinking thus, that I believe if this principle were honestly and faithfully acted
upon both by meetings and by members it would have a direct tendency to
promote the very health, strength and unity of the Society and that the old maxim
would be found to be verified "Honesty is the best policy" I readily admit
that this principle, like almost every other good thing is capable of being abused
and such a pretext might be brough [sic] to excuse things in themselves really
improper; but in that case I think the remidy [sic] would lay just where it now
does, that is, in the judgment of the Body which might remit or enforce
the penalties affixed to the violation of its rules as its own wisdom might dictate

(Page 4)

[obliterated] old Patriarch Elias reached home last 7th day is quite indisposed with
a cold so that he was not at meeting first day but I understand this evening he is
a little better and that his old friend Gideon has paid him a vist to day in order to
know when it will suit him to recieve [sic] ^one^ another from their committee and that tomor=
=row is fixed on for that purpose, I do not think he will recieve [sic] them at all in a way
that will acknowlege [sic] the legitimacy of their appointment Some of concerned
friends have now and then intimated the great grief that our out-going would produce
in his mind &c &c &c whether this anticipation will be realized I cannot tell
but if it does I trust we shall know it before a great while when way may
open for some explanations which he might not otherwise get; and for my
own part, if he can be made to understand the whole case I do not feel very
uneasy about it; but if he only has a view of the dark side of the subject and
that dressed in all the sable hues that prejudiced immagination [sic] can array
it in; in that case I think it would be no marvel if he should join the
motely [sic] train of mourners which are now lamenting over us; and chiefly
I believe from a similar cause
Henry Titus is deceased and was buried at Westbury on first day last - he
died at Saml.. Underhill's at the cove when he had been for some time quite

[Continues below with line beginning "unwell but it"]

[Address in center of page, written upwards]

Isaac Post -
Scipio-
N.Y.

Care of Richard Searing

[Text normal]

unwell but it was not apprehended his close was so near - a day or two
previous to his death he was out in the family and had been 'til that time so as
to sit up most of the day
5th day afternoon - - Cousin E H appears to be rather mending was at Mg
today but was silent, whether owing to the approaching interview with the
orthodox committee I cannot say And now I begin to think it time to
draw to a close lest I put thee in mind of the old proverb "too much of one
"thing is worse than nothing". But will add that I should be much pleased
to recieve [sic] a letter from thee or thy A. should either of you feel inclined to
confer such a favour - And now in love to you both, in which my
Rebecca joins farewell
J Ketcham

P.S. I forgot to tell that we have a little daughter 3 weeks old last 7th day
and all are nearly as well as usul [sic] except that Rebecca has a heavy cold

Tags

Personal; Quakers

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Ketcham, John, “Ketcham, John. Letter to Isaac Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2752.

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