Nell, William Cooper. Letter to Amy Kirby and Isaac Post.

Title

Nell, William Cooper. Letter to Amy Kirby and Isaac Post.

Creator

Nell, William Cooper

Contributor

Amy Kirby and Isaac Post

Date

1849-06-30

Description

Handwritten letter from William Cooper Nell to Amy Kirby and Isaac Post. Nell writes to the Posts about recent events in Boston.

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

741

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

Boston June 30^th 1849

At antislavery [sic] office

Saturday P.M.

Dear Friends Amy and Isaac
                                                           Disappointed in two expected chances of
forwarding a letter by private conveyance I at length avail myself of this moment
to pen a few lines for my good friends at 36 Sophia Street Rochester-
Although I have commenced this to Isaac and Amy yet perhaps it will prove as
easy for me to write as if addressing the latter-
I had expected [ere?] this to be located with some attorney but this has not yet
been secured though probably will be within a few days. I have obtained my
certificate for 2 ½ Years from Mr Bowditch and have been Kindly tendered by
Him and others various facilities,: but - the ends are not yet all tied
together = I suppose you have not yet finished the narration of your
adventures in the City of Nations = I exceedingly regret that the
unpleasant weather placed such an embargo upon the enjoyment
that you should have made your own departing you of visits to many
places of interest and also Individuals whose acquaintance I am sure
would have been duly appreciated.            My Sister Louisa longed for
a chance of being seen by you under more favorable circumstances
as it were with her best foot foremost = but it is now too late =
She is in good health and tolerable spirits now and sends her grateful
regards to you. She like myself always feel to thank those who will
appropriate a visit to Harriet =    Her little boy Ira too often
speaks of you as the “Good Lady who called with his Uncle William”
Since you left I have enjoyed a very agreeable visit to
Mrs. Putman and their girls all with Joseph and his wife contributed
every method to make me happy = I only wished you had been
present that you might have seen all the beauties within
and without the house have heard Joe play and witnessed
the Circle as they appear when free from cares and disposed to
enjoy the hour as it flies = during my visit the weather was most
lovely the Lake (if I may so term it) covered with Family pleasure
boats floating gracefully by and schools of white Ducks (and these
happy = in their diverse domains = the Houses and Terraces on

(Page 2)

the opposite bank appearing to fine advantage-
Helen Putnam is a good Tailoress. I as Knight of the needle
assisted Her in making a pair of Pantaloons = as to who the
favored one is. I have no Knowledge of or interest in the enquiry
thereof = I never was made more at home than on this
visit =        at Mr. Remonds too = I had pleasant
interviews I could have wished You seen had seen
more of the family. -
                                 Boston never looked more lovely than
now to detail its present beauties would occupy too
much room= The Fountain on the Common on every
pleasant day attracts its crowds of admirers = a variety
of streams are ejected blending power with beauty
imparting that coolness to the atmosphere so peculiarly
refreshing at this warm season = indeed this Cochituate
Long Pond water is a Heavenly blessing to the good City
it being a most efficient agent in warding off the Cholera
Families and stores are provided with Hose and Pipe
enabling them to, extinguish Fires clean windows even of the third
story = purify streets and sidewalks ad libitum
I have made no Proselytes to the Rochester talking spirit
Theory = at salem and elsewhere I am booked up as a Traveller [sic]
who having seen the “Elephant” wants to convince the world of
the astounding fact. but the other evening at Mrs. Putmans
the Girls requested my invoking a spirit to Judge thier [sic]
fears in hearing immediately a distinct Knocking as
if at the opposite end of their room = it finally proved
to be an apprentice who had Just returned from the
shop = the spirits have not redeemed thier [sic] promise
to manifest to me in Boston. Query; Will they?
I visited with Joe the famed Gallows Hill the
spot where the Salem Witches were hung = it
overlooks the entire Town = and brought to my mind

(Page 3)

a visit with the Misses Griffith and Mr. Douglass to High Rock
in Lynn = I shall never forget clambering up the Rock that
moonlight eve or strolling on the Beach gathering shells for Amy.
that was a pleasant day in my Cloudy Calender [sic] = I wish Sarah
had been present -she would had enjoyed it with the enthusiasm
of when she returns tender my very best regard to Her
I am oft times seated in imagination with the Executive Committee
and Free meetings = the recollection of each familiar face and kind
greeting are very refreshing - My good friends William & Mary Hallowell
are especially remembered = Please remember me to Mrs. Bush the Murrays
all- Burtis Fish Anthony and the entire Circle to Joe Bridget
                    Collins
Joanna and last though of course not least Dear Little Willie
when shall I respond in Properae Personae to him Gill Farm
Remember me to Edmund P. Willis = John Dick = and all in the Alexander St
I never expect to find a second Jacob Post = I regard him as a
Brother beloved I hope he recieves [sic] the Paper mailed from
Boston; the 25 cents I retain of His I will transfer to Jerry

   The favor that I want to ask is that my largest Box
Of Books may be safely secured directed and forwarded
[post?] cheapest and earliest conveyance [“If Leah or?]
others [obliterated] My Shakespeare and parcels left may be
enclosed = the other Box of Literature can be reserved until
I write again    =I know what a [illegible] I am asking but I
believe it [illegible] that will be cheerfully granted –
I. hope before my last days to redeem every obligation—

May I look for a Line by Mail or otherwise soon
informing me of the Box and also the News –
I will most cheerfully reciprocate in due time –
I learn that my good friend Jacob has relinquished the
anti-slavery office = Do let me know of the whereabouts of
himself and Sister = my choice regards to them both

(Page 4)

I had been expecting to forward this by Charles
Remond but presume He has now left = on returning a
few days since from New Bedford. He informed me
that efforts there for the North Star were not
successful.-

I. presume Frances will be preparing for marriage
Soon = I have done my best for Her and cannot
but hope She may do well =Be Kind enough
Amy (though I know you will) to aid Her by your
Counsel Vc I wish we could all be together
but    something forbids –

To my true and Choice friends Amy I am not
careful as to what may be told them. but my
indifferentfriends. Let silence riegn towards
them and I am content. –
Henry Bibb is in the City The Young men have
redeemed thier [sic] Excelsior Banner and will soon have
thier [sic] Books

Be kind enough to dedicate a few spare moments
in talking to me on Rochester = for though I am in
Boston my Days are not as happy as I could
wish = I. sometimes sigh for the associations
of 36 Sophia Street= Whatever I lost by leaving
Boston for Rochester I gained the acquaintances
and friends of a circle of choice spirits whose
influence was Sunlight over much of
my uneven path = God bless you all.
I remain Faithfully yours William C. Nell

Annotations

William Cooper Nell, a former slave and abolitionist, is writing from Boston, Massachusetts to fellow abolitionists, Amy and Isaac Post. Nell refers to their home at 36 Sophia Street.

William Ingersoll Bowditch served as Treasurer of the Anti-Slavery Society, and opened his home as a stop on the Underground Railroad. The City of Nations could refer to Washington D.C. Harriet could refer to former slave and writer, Harriet Brent Jacobs. Helen Putnam was an African American abolitionist. Charles Lenox Remond was an abolitionist leader.

Nell refers to Spiritualism, whose followers believed that through mediums they could communicate with the dead.

Julia and Eliza Griffiths were abolitionists, who supported Frederick Douglass’s newspaper, the North Star. During this period, Nell worked with Douglass on the paper. Sarah was Amy Post's sister. Mary was Isaac Post's daughter, and William Hallowell was her husband. Abigail Bush was a woman's rights leader, as were Sarah Burtis and Susan B. Anthony. Jacob and Willie were two of the Posts' sons. Edmund Willis was one of the Posts' cousins. John Dick worked as Douglass's printer.

Jerry may refer to Jeremiah Sanderson, a free black man, who worked to end segregation in public schools. Frances was one of Nell's sisters. Henry Bibb was a former slave and author. Nell may be referring to Longfellow's poem "Excelsior".

Tags

Abolitionism; Personal; Spiritualism

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Nell, William Cooper, “Nell, William Cooper. Letter to Amy Kirby and Isaac Post.,” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 23, 2024, https://rbscpexhibits.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/3032.

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