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

Date

1850-07-15

Description

Handwritten letter from William Cooper Nell to Amy Kirby Post, July 15, 1850. Nell writes to Post about recent abolitionist events.

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

849

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

           Boston July 15^th1850

           Monday 11.oclock AM

Esteemed Friend Amy
                              On Friday Last John
Dick and Lady left Boston and in a few
days will probably reach Rochester =I
sent by him some Letters for Yourself and other
friends.                Saturday while at Mrs Russells
with my Sister Harriet sitting for her miniature
Mr White the Artist was introduced on
learning of his intention to leave for Rochester
to day [sic] I obtained consent to forward this
by him –
               Will You be Kind enough to mention
to Mr Douglass that at the earliest moment
I intend preparing a Boston Letter for the
Star.. please tender my regards to himself
and family –
                           Robert Banks of Michigan
is now on a Business visit here = Yesterday
Lewis Hayden and My Sister Mrs Gray with Little
Ira accompanied us to hear Theodore Parkers
discourse on the Death of General Taylor
it was a characteristic one and therefore
a treat = presuming a publication will
soon be obtained I will not commit any
injustice of now comment -
              only to urge Isaac Post to read it

(Page 2)

after dining at Mr Haydens we repaired
to the residence of Robert Morri, Esq at
Chelsea. we were most agreeably entertained
by the family and after a fine walk
to Mount Bellingham, we crossed the
Ferry reaching the City about 9. o'clock

Wilson Armistead of Leeds England
has been I. believe is now here and I hope
to see him-
                            I. hear that Mr. Grimes
has published an Exposition of the
Rochester Knockings – the matter has
certainly made much noise in the
World—
                      John Dick and his wife
appear well together = Phebe Thayer
and Mrs Van Loon have both been superseded
but Cupid oft times acts capriciously =
I presume however that all parties are
now perfectly resigned -- I. think

Phebe would be most happy I think
with another half to spend her days
with = indeed I wish that both
Phebe and Abby were happily mated
and more I cannot wish any body
myself      included-

(Page 3)

I am anticipating an Amy Post Letter
before many weeks = but how my
heart desires to be once more
sitting down conversing with her
and Sarah L. Hallowell = and the
relatives, friends - and visitors who
together have so oft times rendered
36 Sophia St = such a charmed spot to
me = in my dull moments =I
look back to those happy hours
and draw thence an inspiration that
chases the dark away and illumines
my memory with the satisfaction that
despite the complicated disadvantages of
of my leaving Boston = there was
indeed an Oasis in the Desert
and that = which my circle of
friends there = which to the latest
hour of my life I shall reflect
upon = and pride myself on so
much good acquired -

I wonder if Miss Julia Griffiths will
follow the footsteps of her illustrious
predecessor = and take to herself a
Husband == I regard John Dick, as
a Lucky Fellow = I almost envy
him =

(Page 4)

You Know what I mean =I
do not want other peoples
good luck = but I certainly
would reap a portion into my
own Crib if possible-

Please remember me Kindly to
Isaac Post and all the other Posts
and believe Me as Ever
        Your Faithful and Obliged
               Friend
                         William C. Nell

Is Mary Johnson well?

remember me to her and
Husband?

Annotations

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

John Dick worked for former slave and abolitionist, Frederick Douglass and his newspaper the North Star. Harriet, likely refers to former slave, Harriet Brent Jacobs.

Robert Banks was an African American clothing merchant from Detroit. Lewis Hayden was a former slave and an abolitionist leader. Theodore Parker was an American Transcendentalist and a reform minister of the Unitarian Church. Nell refers to the death General Taylor, then President of the United States.

Robert Morris, Esq was one of the first black lawyers in the United States. He was active in the abolitionist movement.

Wilson Armistead was a Quaker businessman, and dedicated to abolitionist movement in England. Nell refers to the "Rochester Knockings" or the beginnings of the Spiritualist movement that started in Rochester. Spiritualists believed that through mediums they could communicate with the dead.

Phebe and Abby Thayer were fellow abolitionists. Abby worked for a time as Douglass's governess. Sarah L. Hallowell was Post’s sister. Nell refers to the Post's home at 36 Sophia Street in Rochester.

Julia Griffiths helped Douglass finance the North Star.

Tags

Abolitionism; Personal

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/3139.

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