Thayer, Sarah E. Letter to Amy Kirby Post. (1843-02-05)

Title

Thayer, Sarah E. Letter to Amy Kirby Post. (1843-02-05)

Creator

Thayer, Sarah E

Contributor

Post, Amy Kirby, 1802-1889

Date

1843-02-05

Description

Handwritten letter from Sarah E Thayer to Amy Kirby Post, February 5, 1843.

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

595

Location

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

Transcription

(Page 1)

My dear Friend Ledyard 2^d mo^th 5^th 1843
I have often wished for a few leisure moments to address
thee since your short but memorable visit – I certainly was not aware of
our Mothers extreem [sic] weak state on that day – as I had been unusually occu
pied for, some time – in the kitchen previous to your arrival and
the rest of the day was so taken up as to give me no chance of deciding
till [sic] we were left alone and then I percievd [sic] she had faild [sic] thro’ the day
and that night was pass’d less comfortably than former ones the next morn
I told sister A that I belev’d [sic] we should find that no medcine [sic] would
restore her – nature was sinking tho’ so gradually as to ^be^ only perciptible [sic] to
us she only remarked that she belev’d [sic] she was stiff and could not rise
as usual “I told her it was weakness – we sent for the doctir [sic] to decide and he
assured us he could not raise her –” the disease had used up her nature
and her advanced age precluded all possibility of aiding her – this was
1^st day morning – and she continued untill [sic] 2^d day about 8 oclock in
the morn when she quietly breathed out her life – Father seems very queit [sic]
and comfortable he fails in the use of his limbs – Sister [Anna?] is as
comfortable as we can expect for a few days she seem’d like losing
ground but I am in hopes she will gain as warm weather approaches
or if we might have good roads so as to admit of her exercising in
the open air she might be much benefitted by the change we keep
up the emetics occasionally – and within one week she has been taking
“bitter tonic” with good effect and now the bitters prepaid by “Gates” for dyspepsia
we should be glad of a supply of medcine [sic] – nerve powder bayberry – bitters
&c &c – if any chance send say 1lb each ^also^ ¼ cayenne – [paper?] of bitters –
and by the [the] heart ^we^ will send cash I am ashamd [sic] of causing the pos
tege [sic] of my last letter I shall endeavour to make amends for such
neglect when we meet if we don’t have to listen to A.S.C. and L. Burty
I was intended too but somehow I wanted thee and Isaac to ourselves more
that I dard [sic] to show my mind was particularly solemnised [sic] especially at
the table there was such a miss and my impression we so peculiar too
I knew not why – We had expected Dorcas too with her precious husband
and are still disappointed on account of the roads they will come yet
if they can before spring 2M. we have heard from N.Y. and Cannandaiga [sic]
but not a word from Joseph – Elihu has sent word to his friends here
that he had informd [sic] J and also that it was the first intelligence he had
recieved [sic] – I hope he will try to write soon – some of our friends suggested
whether he would not come out to the funeral which did not take place

(Page 2)

untill [sic] 5 day at the usual hour – cousin Samuel Millians came out but
we did not expect Joseph could leave [the n]or he would have come on
account of seeing Mother – I wrote pressing as I dare’d to and could not help hoping
he would answer my letter – he knows my reasons for sending it by private
instead of public conveyance – – I have not paid much attention to the sub-
ject of slavery except to read the standard nor do I calculate on doing
much – the great change which had pass’d over our family will entirely confine
me to the care of our remaining parent and our feeble sister – I am not
discouraged however believing as I do that others will be raised up as willing
advocates – they have had one meeting at M. Huchinsons P.P. & Sarah [Hanger?]
attended alone in a one horse vehicle ^there were only 5 present^ J.S. objects to any movement of the
kind – and as M.S. did not go the first time E Thayer staid [sic] with her
but this week it is to be held at Isaac Jacobs and I hear some intimation
that the school will be vacated and 4 or 5 will go – it is slow work
here – I find J.N.T. lectur’d at NVille last night – but we have no
interested ones here away – Elias Doty has sold is moving out to Farm
ington – he has been the most efficent [sic] one in this P.M. except M.H. who
with his sweet wife came and dined with us 5^th day ^2.M.^ and we have not seen
them since. Our friends have been kind in calling we find Simeon Loins
a good neibour [sic] – likes to come and sit with Father is easy open and frank –
in manner his wife too has been once with him and spent an evening
I wish to be particularly remembered to Tarry Frost and sisters I have thot [sic]
much of them of late with nearness of affection – it is a comfort to me
that I can think of my ^absent^ friends – I want to hear from you ans [sic] fearful
that my friend Amy can ill share time again to favour me with a
letter since her last excellent one which has cost her so much time and
labour – I fear will not recive [sic] an adequate ratio of good returnd [sic]
thee will not expect much from me except family detail as I dont
enjoy much binds of a sociale [sic] kind we have recivd [sic] some good
letters and have some interesting books are now reading the “Glory
and Shame of Englands – Slevers [sic]” “3 years in America” father enjoys such
things much reads all day while he has a new books his company is
a solace to us he is so entirely happy our mother was excellent company
too and we miss her much – yet she was one who was so sensitive
as to suffer from every trial and she is now releasd [sic] from all
those corroding or exiting things which to the aged and infirm
are peculiarly trying it was a comfort to me that I was able to be
her attendant in the last trying hour of her devoted life sis too Ann
was able to do much for her which was a mutual consolation I beleve [sic]
for she had long felt a deep concern for her on account of her deli
cate health – my health is good which favour I hope to prise [sic] as I ought

(Page 3)

Sister Anna is now writing on the slate (I perceive) It is pleasant to
anticipate her restoration to such enjoyments – she has always delighted
in – reading writing and society matters – it seems to me as if I
can never feel in such respects as I have done tho’ like good old
IT Hopper I still feel bound to the principles of the society but my
feelings are much enlarged and viewing the broad field of
humanity I can feel no bounds set to an enlarged sympathy
and a free acknowlement [sic] of all who simply obey the Truth I am
continully [sic] surprisd [sic] by new indications of the boundless goodness
of the omnicients [sic] power whose opperations [sic] are so evidenly [sic]
bringing into oneness the different families of the earth
I must not begin to blame some of my neibours [sic] for their want
of liberality since I should not be likely to benefit the cause by
such complaints and might – perhaps do more harm than good
so I must not pass censure on those who are affraid [sic] of losing
their standing – evidently caring more for such elevation than
for the precious enjoyment which follows from a strict devotion
to the simple intimation of duty I wish I could do justice to a
subject which I have heard discussed – that of a distinction
is to be Drawn between the calls of duty and the strict observance
of moral obligations or rather such acts as are considerd [sic] merely
moral and are acknoweldged [sic] as such – it seems such are
afraid of starting a new thing because it will be like the preaching
of Jesus to the hypocrites of old calculated to raise a disturbance
I realy [sic] admire thy description of Garrison how delightful it would
be if I could mingle in such society – perhaps I may some time if I am
patient I read all I can I wish I could take the Liberator I think
I shall I wish you could come out again next quarter [Daseas?] writes
a good letter I should like for you to meet at Y.M. if we are permitted
to meet at that time my love affectionately to Mary and the little
ones Jacob &c Isaac and thyself will always I hope feel like
a brother and sister to us Edmund too is not forgotten he may like
to put up some medcine [sic] for us and send a bill I should like to
see PPWs letters – my respects to the grammanean I wish him
suvvess – farewell I know not when this will reach thee I see
the snow coms [sic] down fast and E Coleman may come for his
cutter I shall send this by private conveyance
Sarah E Thayer
anna sends her love and wishes thee
write us soon

(Page 4)

[Text upside-down on bottom of page]
I believe E Coleman did not leave till [sic] the morn of Mothers decease
but he did not give us a second call it does seem strange that
he could not feel like coming in when he was here 2 weeks neither
has one of A Willets family been here at all since the funeral – tho’ we
never were intimate – thine Sarah E Thayer

[Text upside-down on top of page]
P.S. I have open’d my letter to read it to anna after all the rest
had retir’d for the night – thy letter was returnd [sic] by HH and
I sent it to Anna Searing who had said to me she did not
understand the intention of HH and others well enough to feel an
interest therein so I have done what I could to help her but
it is hard work to be eyes and ears and to give understanding too
her fathers consented for MS to go if she would not take an active
part in the society to which M would not consent so she staid [sic] at
home then but I beleive [sic] she will go now she is young and diffident
and she will improve I doubt not my love to S Hallowell and
her spouse whose good will I often realize but I wish he would
come here some of the times when he [sic] comes out

[Text sideways]
Isaac Post
for Amy Post
Rochester
Monroe Co N York

Tags

Abolitionism; Family

Collection

D.93 Isaac and Amy Post Family Papers

Citation

Thayer, Sarah E, “Thayer, Sarah E. Letter to Amy Kirby Post. (1843-02-05),” RBSCP Exhibits, accessed November 25, 2024, https://rclomeka2.lib.rochester.edu/items/show/2887.

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