Nell, William Cooper. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Title

Nell, William Cooper. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.

Creator

Nell, William Cooper

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Description

Handwritten letter from William Cooper Nell to Amy Kirby Post, n.d. Nell writes to Post and asks her to send him any news from their mutual friends.

Subject

Post, Amy Kirby, b. 1802

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

476

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

                                Thursday Night
                                                11 oclock
In my Bachelors sanctum
my roommate not yet
come up = = and as I want to
mail this Tomorrow I
will steal a few moments
from sleep to finish
by accounts from Northampton we
learn that David Ruggles is not
probably alive == afflicting intelligence
Abby Thayer in particular. highly
esteemed the Doctor and
Justly too = He is now prostrated
having overtaxed his power
                Friday Evening
                                11 oclock
I have been to hear
Sunderland on the
invitation of Charles L Reason
late elect Professor in Central Collge [sic]

(Page 2)

Sunderland alluded to
the Spiritual manifestation
in Western New York as
confirming his theory
illustrating by those facts
disproving any = allusion
by the individuals    –
who were most under
its influence –
He is more finished and
easy than Rogers=
20 were on the Platform
one tooth was extracted
the Patent oblivious of the
fact—

          Joseph Putman was in the City a few
   days ago and for all at Salem
reciprocates Your Kind remembrance
as does also my Sister Louisa ^and Mrs
                                                Revaleon
                                                   Vc

(Page 3)

You will I presume
excuse this apology
for a letter =
I shall endeavor on some
other occasion an
improvement =but in writing
to you I allow myself
the same freedom as if
talking with you and
Sarah and hence
this Pen Ink and
Paper Medley
Please remember me
to my whole circle of
Rochester Friends when
opportunity offers .
Saturday morn= Andrew Jackson Davis meets at
                       Mr spears this Eve= I shall be there

(Page 4)

I want a long talk –
with you about
   Sophia St affairs,
Alexander St and North Star
      Folks Mrs & the Little
Douglass, Charlotte,
John Dick VC

    Collins Circle –
Murray=—
Mrs Bush= Fish Vc Fishes
Burtis, Anthony ! De Garmos.

My Scholars= but this inquiry
bring up a varied character
of    reflections—
         20^th of December I am 33
                years old= Time = Time
It is also your anniversary –
      With enduring regard I am
        Ever   Your Friend    Wm C Nell

Annotations

William Cooper Nell, an abolitionist, is writing from Boston to fellow activist, Amy Post.

David Ruggles was a central figure in the early abolitionist movement. He served as a mentor for Nell and others. Ruggles also founded the New York Committee of Vigilance. Joseph Putnam was Charles Lenox Remond's brother-in-law. Remond was an abolitionist leader. Sarah was Post's sister.

Andrew Jackson Davis was a Spiritualist healer. Spiritualists believed that through mediums they could communicate with the dead. Nell refers to the Post family home as 36 Sophia Street in Rochester. Frederick Douglass published the abolitionist newspaper, the North Star. John Dick was his printer. Nell refers to their mutual friends, abolitionists and women's rights activists: Abigail Bush, Susan B. Anthony and Sarah Fish, at the close of his letter.

Tags

Abolitionism; Personal; Spiritualism

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Nell, William Cooper, “Nell, William Cooper. Letter to Amy Kirby Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2774.

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