Letter from Julia S. Webb and H.C. Arnold, Westfield, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, [18]49 Nov[ember] 3d

Item Information

Title:
Letter from Julia S. Webb and H.C. Arnold, Westfield, [Massachusetts], to Samuel May, [18]49 Nov[ember] 3d
Description:
Julia S. Webb writes to Samuel May stating that she "cannot reply to your requests as I wish, & as I otherwise should do." She tells May that she does not know "an individual throughout the entire town that would smile upon a Garrisonian abolitionist enough to extend to him the slightest hospitality." Webb reports that "One lecture would be useless" in Westfield as the people there are uninterested in abolition and they wouldn't take an interest in the cause "without a steady course of labor that would drive the truth into their minds by inches." She warns May that the people of Westfield have the impression "that Mr. [William Lloyd] Garrison is an infidel, & that all who endorse his sentiments are anarchists, whose sole aim is to overthrow, with one general sweep, all existing institutions, particularly the Sabbath." Webb then describes the "revival of religion" taking place in the town and some of the local religious leaders and slaveholders. In the postscript, she tells May "that a Unitarian clergyman is a rare spectacle here" and that his presence in Westfield "might create some interest in the cause you advocate & perhaps be a means of influencing others."
Author:
Webb, Julia S.
Author:
Arnold, H. C,
Addressee:
May, Samuel, Jr., 1810-1899
Date:
[November 3, 1849]
Format:
Letters/Correspondence
Manuscripts
Location:
Boston Public Library
Rare Books Department
Collection (local):
Anti-Slavery Collection
Subjects:
Abolitionists--United States--19th century--Correspondence
Antislavery movements--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--Lectures and lecturing--United States--History--19th century
Christianity--United States--19th century
Social reformers--United States--History--19th century
Abolitionists--United States--History--19th century
Antislavery movements--United States
Lectures and lecturing
Christianity--United States
Slavery and the church--United States
Social reformers--United States
May, Samuel, Jr., 1810-1899
Webb, Julia S.
Arnold, H. C,
Stone, Lucy, 1818-1893
Garrison, William Lloyd, 1805-1879
Extent:
1 leaf (4 p.) ; 26 cm. + 1 envelope (8 x 14 cm.)
Permalink:
https://ark.digitalcommonwealth.org/ark:/50959/2z110f016
Terms of Use:
No known copyright restrictions.
No known restrictions on use.
Place of origin:
Westfield, [Massachusetts]
Language:
English
Notes:
Holograph, signed.
Title devised by cataloger.
The folder contains an envelope addressed to "Rev. Samuel May Springfield Mass. Care of E.D. Hudson." It is postmarked with a red, circular stamp, reading, "Westfield Ms. Nov 3."
After the letter from Webb to May, H.C. Arnold writes another letter to Samuel May, also dated November 3, 1849. Arnold says he would welcome May to his home but he is "deprived of health" and "unable to do any thing at all." He agrees with Webb, stating that "the apathy and indifference prevalent here is as Miss Webb has represented, but that is no reason why nothing should be attempted." He tells May that "the Hall can be obtained without any expense" and a notice for the lecture must be delivered to the local newspapers by Monday. Arnold also invites Lucy Stone "to stop with us."
Notes (date):
This date is inferred.
Identifier:
5907135
Call #:
MS A.1.2 v.18, p.82
Barcode:
39999085840922