Amy Otis letter to Charity Rotch, Scituate, 2d 12th mo 1800

News of family to Charity Rotch with mention that her presence would be sorely missed in New Bedford. This letter was written after the Rotches made the hard choice to leave the comforts of Bedford for Connecticut, a state with few Quaker meetings in 1800. Charity was not happy with the move 130 miles to the west and away from her circle of female kin; Thomas Rotch re-engaged in the family shipping business and began buying merino sheep as the demand for fine cloth increased in response to the embargo on cloth imports from Britain during the War of 1812. The writer discusses resignation to the will of God and tells Charity to "write thy sentiments with freedom as to a child, and I will endeavor to deserve thy affections. " How Charity responded is unclear as she left no diary, at least not one that has been found. 7.3" x 12.25 (18.7 by 31 cm