Abby Hopper Gibbons letter to Sarah Hopper Palmer and Jonathan Palmer

New York 11 mo 3rd 1820 -

My dear Brother & Sister - The return of our dear brother
Josiah was quite a relief, as we have been looking daily
for him for some time, had various conjectures concerning
him, and at length concluded some of you were sick,
that at the [underlined] time [/underlined] of his arrival did not much look for
him - it was quite dark, I had been of an errand, and
near our door he seized me - it alarmed me to that [design?],
it was some time before I was myself again, he appears
very well, and returned to the Drug Store full of spirits,
the [underlined] same evening [/underlined], I used my [?] to keep him at home
that night, but he was better satisfied to release [Geage?]
so conclusive to let him preserve his own course - I was
to see the lady, with whom he boards some time since - a
Mrs Lewis - lives next door to the store, and seems disposed
to add all in her power to Josiah’s comfort - was in his
chamber, every thing very [underlined] comfortable [/underlined], he has a [underlined] room mate [/underlined]
that I think he could not be more advantageously situated
to my brother Jonathan I can say with much love - that his “affection
for [underlined] me [/underlined]”, cannot exceed [underlined] mine [/underlined] for [underlined] him [/underlined] - not a day passes
but we either think or speak of you all - his kind attentions
and many services are appreciated and will [underlined] ever [/underlined] be held
in grateful remembrance - at School I miss him astonishingly -
when my knife is dull [underlined] always [/underlined] think of him -
in fact can hardly keep school without him -

And now dont you want to hear something [underlined] funny [/underlined], a few
days
since the worthy personage Anne Smith came
round to the School - since she had a little matter to say
to Edward and wanted [underlined] us two [/underlined] to take tea with them
the next day - but as I have agreed to accompany mother to
S C [H?]’s could not accept the invitation, but [promised]
the visit should be performed early - she then said she
would mention the subject to [underlined] me [/underlined] - “That as she had passed
our store, she observed a likeness of Elias Hicks in the window

[left margin]
To [?] ever he wanted to add a line - So will be generous enough to
leave the ends for him - love to “my brothers” your affectionate sister Abby

and next to it the picture of a [underlined] cat [/underlined] - that she had an idea, that
Ned had [underlined] got it up [/underlined] in invitation of the orthodox cat that [underlined] bit [/underlined]
Elias Hicks - and it would be likely to occasion unpleasant remarks
The very idea made me [underlined] laugh [/underlined] - told her I guessed it had never
entered the boys heads - that John had purchased the cat
with other engravings for sale - and I suppose [underlined] accidentally [/underlined]
placed it next to Elias - we had a long talk about the propriety
of such things in “Isaac Hoppers Store” I let her know the
[underlined] pictures [/underlined] were no concern of [underlined] fathers [/underlined], that the boys were alone
responsible - and told her Ned would be willing to hear
what she had to say on the subject, and would probably
[underlined] call [/underlined] - in a few days we propose passing on home with her -
She was in a great way about Phebe Johnson - had heard
an exaggerated account of the disorder at Chevy St, that
40 persons had spoken at once, and all in [?] of Phebe
but when I informed her that those who were disorderly were
[underlined] opposed [/underlined] to Phebe - she thought it all well enough, she
thinks it [underlined] dreadful [/underlined] if Lucretia Mott tolerates her or
[?] her in any way - that she might by all means
to be kept [underlined] out [/underlined] - for my own part I don’t know enough of
the business to satisfy her - we are a [underlined] dark set [/underlined] at best
to day was [monthly meeting] - five persons disowned for out
going in marriage, and [underlined] one [/underlined] for having joined the
Presbyterians - I prophesy that in a few years there will
[scarcely] be a sufficient number of friends in New York to
hold a meeting - Thomas Saggett asked me the other
day, how I liked the School - told him I felt too independent
to be under in the direction of [underlined] 12 men [/underlined] - he wanted
to know “how I would manage if I have a [underlined] husband [/underlined]”
since I wouldn't be [underlined] ruled [/underlined] by him - he replied, "if
[underlined] I [/underlined] was [underlined] only [/underlined] a [underlined] young [/underlined] man, [underlined] I’d [/underlined] fix that girl” - that he
should give his young friends monoticether, and desired [Richard Field]
to take the same care - we had a very queer talk -
I can tell thee - shouldn’t like much to put it all on paper

[left margin]
I have something very laughable to tell - shall send it by Caroline - and aid thee

stick it right in the fire the moment you read it - I said Rowland’s adventure
don’t exceed it - love to all my old scholars - that the faces in with - [Florence?]


says he dont know how we [underlined] manage [/underlined] [struck through: dont] without father - that [underlined] he [/underlined]
misses him wonderfully - the 1st of this month Capt Sketchly
was to leave Liverpool I shall “hop” and see him the moment
I hear of his arrival - [William Wright] & daughter arrived
yesterday - am [?] as father anticipated seeing them -
Poor Isaac is sent to bed supperless to night - Tom is in a
panic - and I guess it would be advisable to bring about
a [underlined] “settlement” [/underlined] before I proceed farther - The children all
snugly fixed for the night, once [underlined] now [/underlined] one can settle down, the
patterns thee mentioned did not appear - I think Rachel will
have a sermon from Mrs Tatum - she must make a pretty smart
appearance - Peter has her spending an hour with me - have had
a dish of [underlined] “old Times” [/underlined] says he never [underlined] thought [/underlined] of visiting our house
without first [managing?] a complete cleansing [putting] on a clean
cravat, and a piece of [?] lost in his mouth to destroy the
smell of [underlined] tobacco [/underlined] - I told him [underlined] that [/underlined] was not the order of the day
now, that the gentlemen were [indepera?] - I liked -
[underlined] modern [/underlined] fashions - that the very circumstance would put me
[underlined] out of the nation [/underlined], therefore I hope [underlined] my Edward [/underlined] will have a [underlined] care [/underlined]
haven't known Giles as agreeable in fine years as since he has
taken unto himself a [underlined] wife [/underlined] - he seems determined we shall
be on social terms - and I admit the Society of both
constitute greatly to my pleasure - Elizabeth is very lovely
easy in her manners - and intelligent - I can visit them, and
receive them [underlined] here [/underlined] without the least formality, and that
is what I like mostly - I want thee to say to sister
Rachel that mother was much disappointed that she did not
write to [underlined] her [/underlined] - I think it is her duty - hid her do it, I
really did not enjoy my letters half so much last night
because there was not a line for [underlined] her [/underlined] - she desired [?] onto
take a [start?] and write anything & anyhow - tell her all about
cousin Phebe and everything - Catherine would let her do it at
school I guess - if it will not interfere with her studies -
my dear love to my sisters - a deal to [William] & Deborah Jacob &c [S H Cories] & Lucretia & Anna

[left margin]
what would be more cheering than to hear that old Bell in Spence St ring -
love all the children - I have a Scholar the image of [?] - do tell me that “something strange”

I must [start?] a little piece of the corner to say mother & myself went
the other night to hear Mr Maffiet at the church above us - Mother
was delighted - but [?] keep in the dark, she is some afraid of being
reported as Susan Freedman & sister [underlined] [furted?] us out [/underlined] - says she
wants to go again - Josiah has not appeared - he is much
engaged, but has I know attended to your commission, and if
he has not [underlined] already [/underlined] sent a line - he [underlined] will do it on 7th day by
George English - who is going [underlined] there [/underlined] - I have not yet featured
when Coraline & Co will be with you [underlined] certainly [/underlined], but there is a

[bottom of page]
probability that they will go on 7th day - mention to neighbor Robinson
that they are coming to Brooklyn - 6th day - and think it gentle
likely they will leave next morning - my scholars are all in
one corner of the room in [underlined] rows [/underlined] eating their dinners - Im sure
you would be amused with their conversation - [Dicky Glasin’s?]
[punitive?] daughter says - [underlined] dear [/underlined] Miss Willets let me have the pleasure
of waiting on [underlined] you [/underlined] - I must come round with my letter -

Your affectionate sister Abby
I should [daily?] for the promised long letter - tell me every
think - mother desired me to send her love to you all -

[middle of page - address]
Jonathan Palmer [Jr?]
No 55 Pine St
[Philadelphia]

[middle of page - addendum]
Why dont my sister Elizabeth write - she must
accept her share of my letters - John talks of
her often & of Sue too - the other day, he spied
her old bonnet - and capered about - calling
Susy at [?] rate - he is a little beauty