Deborah Darby letter to Thomas and Charity Rotch, Peckham near London 6th mo 17th, 1803

This letter was forwarded to the Rotches in Hartford by Abraham Barker, a cousin by marriage who visited with Deborah Darby at her home in England sometime in 1803. Deborah Darby offers religious advice to Thomas and Charity Rotch and describes her religious mission in England. She writes of 'the momentous step you have taken in conformity to apprehended Duty which has separated you from many of those to whom you were nearly bound what no doubt has been a sacrifice that has cost you much when in hours of weakness you might be left to doubt of the clearness of the call.' Darby seems to suggest that the Rotches believed that they had a religious calling to carry Quakerism to Connecticut, a state with few Quaker meetings in 1800. 7.6" x 9.25" (19.5 by 23.5 cm