Willis, Anna W. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Title

Willis, Anna W. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Creator

Willis, Anna W

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Date

1829-01-27

Description

Handwritten letter from Anna W Willis to Amy Kirby Post, January 27, 1829.

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

455

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

Dear Amey [sic]                        Jericho 1^st mo. 27^th. 1829
                                      Altho [sic] we are seperated [sic] by hill and dale, by
the rivers and fountains of water, yet the mind, that noble and most
dignified part of our compound nature, can exert its freedom in
mentally visiting those who are absent – in this way I often salute
my relatives and friends who are located in the fertile regions of the
West – – I have been thinking for some time past of writing a few
lines to thee, not ^doubting^ but thou and thy aunt Phebe also, would be glad
to find that I had so far recovered as to be again my own Scribe;
but as no private oppertunity [sic] offered, I have omitted it untill [sic] this
time – As to my health, I can state that I have continued feeble
most of the fall; but now, within a few weeks, I have been gaining
and am quite comfortable, so that I go out to meeting frequently, tho [sic]
but seldom any where else, as I cannot bear but little exposure –
It is often marvellous[sic] in my eyes when I consider how low I was,
that I should now be able to go about house, commune in this way
with my friends, and mingle again with society. When I look
at my husband, and my son, and consider that I may yet be ^of^ some
service to them, and feel the strong ties of nature and affection
binding me to my friends; my heart glows with gratitude to
Him in whose had are the issues of life, and of death, that I
have been spared a little longer – but I wish to commemorate it
as a peculiar favour, that at the solemn period, when I considered
my stay in mutability very uncertain, I was, at seasons, sustained
with a comfortable hope, that if the summer was over, if the
harvest was ended, I should be gathered –-- not for any works
of righteousness that I had done, but through the mercy of Him
who hath opened a fountain for the house of Judah and Jerusalem

(Page 2)

to wash and to bathe in” – – While speaking in allusion to
my sickness, I can feelingly acknowledge the kindness shown me
in that time of trial, by thyself, and my dear friend Phebe Kirby –
your assiduous endeavours to comfort me, and soothe the weakness
of my enervated body and mind, will, I trust be gratefully remem-
-bered through the vicissitudes that may yet attend me, in this vale
of tears – –            I often remember thee, my dear Amey [sic], and
also thy husband, with desires for your welfare every way – and
permit me to address to you the language of our Divine Master, “Seek
ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” remembering the
gracious promise is annexed, “and all things shall be added”
I believe [sic] there is no better inheritance for young people to commence
the world with, than a strict attention to this important injunction
For even, amid the most prosperous circumstances that we can reasonably
expect to attend us, true religion will constitute the brightest
crown to our temporal enjoyments – And as the earth has always
been known to have her clouds, as well as sunshine, it is highly
needful for us to endeavour to be gifted with that sublime feeling
of pious resignation, which has enabled the christain [sic] in all
ages, to meet with fortitude, the dispensations of Infinite Wisdom
This sentiment is finely illustrated in the writings of a celebrated
author – “His hand, the good man fastens on the Skies,”
          “Then bids earth roll, nor heeds her idle whirl”

                             Edmund has been at Westchester, at
Lindley Moore’s boarding school nearly two months, his father
went to see him last week, had the satisfaction of finding
him in health; well suited with his school, and progressing

(Page 3)

in his studies – I do not know how long he will stay, but per
-haps a year – we miss him very much, and as William’s
business frequently calls him out, I do, as thou wilt naturally
suppose, pass many lonely hours, particularly as the delicate
state of my health confines me much at home – but I wish
not to repine at favours denied, but rather to accept with a
grateful heart the many blessings dispensed.
I do not recollect any thing very important that has transpired
in the circle of thy acquaintance since thou left us –--
Henry Titus is deceased, and was buried last first day – at
Westbury – he spent several of the last weeks of his life with
his sister Hannah Underhill – It is probable thy [obliterated] family
will write to thee by the present opportunity [sic] and give thee
more information concerning thy relatives than I am possessed of
and I know from experience, how pleasent [sic] and desirable it is
to the absent, to be informed of many little items that occur in
the home circle – for this comfort we are indebted to the inventors
of the art of writing – which is an invention to be hailed as a great
blessing; it does, in great measure releive [sic] abscence [sic], and opens a happy
medium of communication between the distant branches of a family.
I conclude the ancients were very imperfectly acquainted with it, or
else the Patriarch would hardly have sent a servant to woo the
fair Rebecca – I believe [sic] I must close, as I calculate to write
to my Nephew Charles D Lawrence to day – – I am aware that thou
has a number of near connections who necessarily engage thy writing
hours, but a few lines to me would be very acceptable.
I wish to be affectionately remembered to Isaac, and thy aunt Phebe, and subscribe
myself thy affectionate friend and cousin Anna W Willis
My William has gone to Jericho, but I believe [sic] I might safely insert his love.

(page 4)

[Text in center of page, written upward]

                   Isaac Post

For                       Scipio
Amy Post

Tags

Personal

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Willis, Anna W, “Willis, Anna W. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 22, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2753.

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