Wincobank Hall

Mr. Sheffield

August 5th/75

My dear Friend

When I am staying at this dear old house I never can resist the desire I naturaly feel of sending you a few lines—which I endeavor to persuade myself will not be quite unwelcome to you. The lapse of long years seems to vanish away when I am sitting here in the room you used to occupy. And memory usually brings back all the happy incidents and friendly intercourse of those happy days!

Those days can never be forgotten by me. And I never shall cease to thank God that I have had at least a glimpse of the joy which will be the portion of the loving and pure spirits in the eternal world! One such glimpse is worth years of gloom and sadness! I had not seen dear Mrs RawsonRawson, Mary Anne

for nearly two years. When I came here a fortnight ago I did not find her much altered physically—Her mind is as strong and clear as ever—She is still laboring for the schools in Italy in which her dear daughter took so lively an interest and she is ever ready to help all good and noble causes—but she never leaves Wincobank since dear Elizabeth's deathRawson, Elizabeth "Lizzie"

Elizabeth (Lizzie) Rawson (ca. 1829-1862) was the only child and daughter of Mary Anne Rawson and her husband William Bacon Rawson. She has only been once or twice out of her own grounds—She lives here with her only remaining near relative her sister Emily—whom you no doubt remember—It is very painful to see the changes that have taken place—in her home and all around it—The house is so empty! And the neighborhood. So lovely even 16 years ago is a wilderness. Smoke rises in dark columns where splendid oaks & elms once stood—The woods are cut down to make room for miles. When I walk out I find it difficult to find my way the once familiar

paths, endeared by sweet remembrances of the beloved. Who once trod them with me. Are hardly to be traced now—among the general devastation—Such is this poor world ever changing! Thank God the World within us need not thus change—And it is indeed a great consolation to be able to withdraw at will into the sacred chambers of the heart. Which we have consecrated to our loved ones—And, there to commune with them!—I know you will be glad to hear of our dear mutual friends the Carpenters—I came here from them—so I [illegible] you quite fresh tidings—

Since I have been obliged to rest I think I have spent more time with them—than with any other friends in England—and certainly my visits to them are always the most enjoyable being in thorough sympathy with them—on all subjects—was nearly seven weeks at Bridport—part of this time with their friends—the Colfaxes—but I saw Mr & Mrs Carpenter daily - even before I went to their house. Mr CarpenterCarpenter, Russell Lant

The Reverend Russell Lant Carpenter (1816-92), a Unitarian minister, spent his childhood in Bristol, England. He attended Bristol College in preparation for a life of ministry, continued his studies at Manchester and York Colleges and was one of the first to graduate from London University in 1840. Carpenter became intensely involved in the temperance movement and subsequently quit his pastorate at Bridgwater, England, since part of the church's endowment came from taverns selling liquors. In August 18-19 he journeyed to the United States, where he spent a full year preaching from Montreal to St. Louis to Boston. His father, Dr. Lant Carpenter, was a well-known teacher whose Unitarian writings were already known to the antislavery men of the day. Thus, Carpenter became acquainted with Garrison, Douglass, and others. Having returned to England, he married in 1853 and continued his ministerial work there until his death. His works include Memoirs of Lant Carpenter (1842), Discourses and Devotional Services (1849), A Monotessaron (1851), and a biography about his brother, Philip, Memoirs of the Life and Work of Philip Pearsall Carpenter (1880). Carpenter also contributed frequently to the Inquirer and to other periodicals. London Inquirer, 30 January 1892. is not strong he is very subject to bronchitis afflictions of the throat—and is obliged to be very careful. Last winter he had a long serious illness which confined him to his room for weeks—but now he seems much better and

he preaches once on the Sunday always—and he writes a great deal for the newspapers. There are just now one or two subjects which especially interest him as well as dear Mrs CarpenterCarpenter, Mary Browne

Mary Browne Carpenter (c. 1824–98) was the wife of the prominent Unitarian minister Russell Lant Carpenter (1819–92). They were married in Bridgwater, Somersetshire, in 1853. She was one of four daughters born to William Browne, a wealthy Unitarian merchant, and his wife, Mary. William Browne served as mayor of Bridgwater in 1854. In addition to her support of the antislavery effort, Mary Browne Carpenter was also deeply involved in the woman suffrage movement, belonging to one of the more radical suffrage societies in Bridport. She also supported the animal rights and temperance movements. 1841 England Census, Gloucestershire, Bristol, 22; “England and Wales, Christening Records, 1530–1906,” FamilySearch.org; “England and Wales, Death Index, 1837–1915,” FamilySearch.org; “England and Wales, Marriage Index, 1837–1915,” FamilySearch. org; “England and Wales, Non-Conformist Records Indexes, 1588–1977,” FamilySearch.org; Elizabeth Crawford, The Women’s Suffrage Movement in Britain and Ireland: A Regional Survey (New York, 2006), 161, 169.She has not been identified by name. and which occupy much of their time. They are both very bright and happy—though they say they want me to stir them up and enliven them! Of course this is said to cheer me up, for I fear I have lost much of my former enthusiasm, though—thank God—my sympathy for those who suffer had not & I trust will never be extinguished in my heart. Why should the heart grow cold? It is our power to keep

the fire burning there and it is our fault if we let it die out; On my way here I spent a little time with my valued friend Miss Mary CarpenterCarpenter, Mary

Mary Carpenter (1807-77) was the daughter of British reformer and Unitarian minister Lant Carpenter, and with her brother Philip Lant Carpenter, was a social justice activist. She began operating a girls' school in Bristol in 1829 with the help of her mother, Anna Penn Carpenter. Finding the care of poor children her life's calling, in 1835 Mary formed the Working and Visiting Society and in 1852 opened her own reformatory for boys. In the 1850s and 1860s she lobbied for industrial schooling in Britain and opened two schools of her own. In her later years she traveled widely and lectured in Britain and India on education and penal reform. She was inspired to visit India as a result of her father’s friendship with Rammohun Roy, a Bengalese teacher and religious educator who established the Brahmo Samaj, a brotherhood made up of Christians, Muslims, and Hindus. Roy visited Mary’s father, Lant Carpenter, at the Lewis Mead Unitarian Church in Bristol, but died shortly afterward from meningitis in 1833. Mary visited India four times, where she established a school for Hindu girls and became active in social reform. Jo Manton, Mary Carpenter and the Children of the Streets (London, 1976), 18-30; Jennifer S. Uglow, ed., The International Dictionary of Womens Biography (New York, 1982), 94; Mary Carpenter, Six Months in India (London, 1868).ACAB, 1:531-32; DNB, 3:1068-70, 1071-72; DAB, 1:561. . I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed my visit. She has inspired me with new life—and though I cannot accompany her to India—where she is going for the third time in September—I have found out a way of helping her a little in her great work

I shall probably pass part of next winter at Bristol & Clifton. And I am to visit the Reformatories and now & then speak to the girls at Red Lodge—

Miss Carpenter told me all about her visit to Washington. And said how kind you had been to her &ct &ct—I saw your last photograph in her American Album. it was as if you had just come in after the long years of absence. I like the portrait so much—but I dare not ask for one—because I know you do not like to send one—If Miss C. had had two she would have given me one. I am so happy to have seen it. And to find you looking so well & strong—May God long preserve your life is my earnest prayer.

M^rs Rawson had a short pencil note from poor Mr. George ThompsonThompson, George

George Thompson (1804-78), originally from Liverpool, was an early advocate of slave emancipation in the British colonies and was an influential British ally of William Lloyd Garrison. Thompson lectured for the Agency Committee, a group that helped force passage of the West Indian Emancipation Act of 1833. That same year, he was among the founders of the Edinburgh Society for the Abolition of Slavery throughout the World. As a member of Parliament from 1847 to 1852, Thompson was a member of the Parliamentary Reform Association and the Anti-Corn Law League, and promoted the production of East Indian cotton in order to undermine American slavery. Thompson also promoted the antislavery cause during trips to the United States during the 1830s, 1850s, and 1860s. Lib., 29 May 1846; Garrison and Garrison, William Lloyd Garrison, 1:434-522, 2:1-72; Howard Temperley, British Antislavery, 1833-1870 (Columbia, S.C., 1972), 23-29; C. Duncan Rice, "The Anti-Slavery Mission of George Thompson to the United States, 1834-1835," Journal of American Studies, 2:13-41 (April 1968); DNB, 19:691. the other day. She read it to me. It was very touching. He seems to be quite quite worn out. He suffers excruciatingly from some nervous complaint. And he cannot write a word without agonies of pains. We think and indeed we know it is true that he is very poor and not able to have all the little comforts his state of health & age require. He is living in Leeds in a poor little house where Mrs. Rawson's niece found him some weeks ago—but he seems quite contented—and happy in the prospect of the everlasting rest after his noble devotion and labors for the oppressed. Some of his old abolitionist Quaker friends have lately raised a small sum. I think 4 or 500 pounds to help him. What a shame that such a man should be allowed to suffer needs!—This is indeed a most selfish world—and it is difficult at times to believe in a just and kind Providence when the righteous suffer thus and the selfish & wicked prosper everywhere!

I am going to Leeds soon when I hope to see poor Mr. G. Thompson—I wish I could do something for him—but alas alas I am not able—However now I do hope he will not be again lost sight of. I think he has had a very small annuity but not sufficient to make ends meet.

I should so like to hear how dear Rosetta is getting on. Will you give her my affectionate remembrances—where does she live? How many children has she!

I have nearly finished my work with my poor brother's orphans. I have had to work for them

during the last thirteen years—Now the three girls have finished their education—and they have taken a house in Neuchatel Switzerland where they hope to receive young ladies who go to Neuchatel to attend the college there—There are many English & American girls in Neuchatel. The purest French is spoken there—and my nieces are sweet good girls. Who would take great care of those confided to their care—Should you ever hear of parents—perhaps among your colored friends—who would like to send their daughters to Europe for a year or so—how happy I should be if you would

If you should have a few moments to spare. I need not say how very happy it would make me to see your handwriting once more. Any letters addressed here as to the care of Thomas CooteCoote, Thomas

, Esq. St. Ives Huntingdonshire will be forwarded to me—wherever I may be—I think I wrote to you from London on the 1^st day of the year—

Farewell my dear Friend—God bless you and prosper you and yours—

Ever yours most faithfully—and affectionately,

Rosine Amé-Draz

Should you ever be at New haven Conn.—I have dear friends there the Rev. Thomas Pattison Baptist Minister from Rochdale England and his wife who would think it a great privilege to make your acquaintance.

One of M^r Coote's sons with an old friend of mine D^r FaldingFalding, F. J.

of Rotherham College a brother in law of M^r Pleinsall will probably be at Washington this summer. I wonder if you will see them there!—I hope so—for it would be delightful to have direct tidings of you—How much I envy those who can thus easily cross the Ocean which divides me from dear friends!