RARE Suffrage Signed Letter by Sarah Fish & Book 1853 Spiritualist & Abolitionist - ALS Start Price USD 1,402.50 Current Price USD 1,402.50 Time Left 6 days 3 hours 19 minutes Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, September 17, 2008 End Time Thursday, January 15, 2009 Location Rochester, NY See more about 'RARE Suffrage Signed Letter by Sarah Fish & Book 1853' Description VERY Rare Letter & Book     Autograph Signed Letter by Suffragette, Abolitionist, & Spiritualist    Sarah D. Fish   &   book (referenced in letter) signed by her husband to their son     Book is the Life of Isaac T. Hopper (abolitionist)     1853     For offer, a very rare letter and book with exceptional provenance! Fresh from a prominent estate. Vintage, Old, Original - NOT a Reproduction - Guaranteed !! A very interesting autograph manuscript letter signed, completely in the hand of suffrage leader and abolitionist, Sarah D. Fish, written to her son, George Fish, referencing the book, which was to be a gift to him. The book is inscribed to George, from his father (Benjamin Fish - known abolitionist, husband of Sarah), Christmas, 1853. The book is entitled Isaac T. Hopper: A True Life, by L. Maria Child. Boston : 1853. 1st edition. An interesting book on the life of this known Quaker and abolitionist. I believe Sarah Fish was a Spiritualist (she knew the Fox sisters ), given the way she wrote the letter. She probably knew Hopper. Born in 1798 and living until 1868, Sarah Fish was an Abolitionist and Civil Rights leader. Along with her husband Benjamin and their daughters Catherine (Stebbins) and Mary (Curtis), her family was one of the most prominent early anti-slavery advocate groups. Her home was one of the first established stops on the Underground Railroad. She was also one of the earliest activists for women's rights; she was a participant in the very first Seneca Falls convention in 1848, was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Sentiments written by Susan B. Anthony and was instrumental in the organisation of the second women's rights rally which took place in Rochester two weeks after the original Seneca Falls meeting. She knew Frederick Douglass, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Lucretia Mott  as well. She is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, in Rochester, NY ( Monroe County). Letters by Fish are exceptionally rare, and it is quite interesting to have the book and letter, that belonged to her son, George. A unique little archive. The ALS is postmarked Rochester, was sent to George in New York City. The book is stamped "Friends Library, Rochester Monthly Meeting." There is a small library pocket in the back of the book, but there are no other markings. The value is in the letter and the provenance of the book. The letter has been folded, with a couple tiny rips to edge - nothing major at all. The book is in good to very good condition. Please see photos below. NOTE: Looks better than shown in photos below! If you collect 18th / 19th century Suffrage related, Quaker religion, Upstate Western NY, Women's Rights, Americana, etc., this is a treasure and one you will not see again! Add this to your bibliophile library or paper / ephemera collection. Important genealogy research importance too. Combine shipping on multiple bid wins! Insurance is extra, international s/h is more.  No reserve. Good luck bidding.  Click the button to see my other items->->       Isaac Hopper Isaac Tatem Hopper (b. Deptford, New Jersey, December 3, 1771, d. New York City, May 7, 1852) was an American abolitionist who is known as the father of the underground railroad. Contents[hide] 1 Contributions to African-Americans 2 Other community involvement 3 Prison reform advocacy 4 References 5 External links [edit] Contributions to African-Americans Isaac T. Hopper was a Hicksite Quaker (a follower of Elias Hicks). When he was young, Philadelphia was infested by slave kidnappers. The Pennsylvania Abolition Society, of which Hopper became an active and leading member, was frequently called upon to protect the rights of African-Americans, and in time he became known to everyone in Philadelphia as the friend and adviser of the oppressed race in all emergencies. Hopper was also an overseer of the Benezet school for African-American children, and a volunteer teacher in a free school for African-American adults. [edit] Other community involvement He was one of the founders and the secretary of a society for the employment of the poor; volunteer prison inspector; member of a fire company, and guardian of abused apprentices. When pestilence was raging he was devoted to the sick, and the poor called on him to plead with importunate landlords and creditors. He would sometimes exert his influence over the insane, for which he had a peculiar tact. Although he was a poor man with a large family, his house was for many years a home for impoverished Quakers, and he transacted much business for the Society of Friends. In 1829 he went to New York to run a bookstore established by the Hicksite Quakers. In the autumn of 1830, being called to Ireland on business connected with his wife’s estate, he visited England. In both countries he was at first treated somewhat cavalierly by the orthodox Quakers, and was pointed out as the one “who has given Friends so much trouble in America.” His candor and amiability soon removed these unfavorable impressions, and he had no occasion ultimately to complain of his reception. In the spring of 1841, the demand for Hicksite books having greatly diminished, Hopper became treasurer and book agent for the Anti-slavery society. [edit] Prison reform advocacy In 1845 he relinquished these offices, and devoted the rest of his life entirely to the work of the Prison Association of New York. In this he was assisted by his daughter, Abby H. Gibbons, who was as vigilant and active in behalf of women discharged from prison as was her father in behalf of men. Through her exertions, an asylum was founded for these unfortunates, which was called the “Isaac T. Hopper Home.” The aged philanthropist frequently visited Albany, New York, to represent the association and to address the legislature. Judge Edmonds says of one of these occasions: “His eloquence was simple and direct, but most effective. If he was humorous, his audience were full of laughter; if solemn, a death-like stillness reigned; if pathetic, tears flowed all around him.” He often pled for the pardon of prisoners, and Governor John Young, of New York, once told him: “Friend Hopper, I will pardon any convict whom you say you conscientiously believe I ought to pardon.” Place a Bid!