Samuel R. Fisher letter to Thomas Rotch, Philadelphia, 9 mo 11th, 1819

              B-59-30
 
 Dear Brother              Philadelphia 9 mo 24. 1819
             
          The affecting tidings of my bereaved state, by the unexpected removal of my dear Companion on the morning of 12 Inst after the begining of her indisposition about 8 days - has been to thee & Sister Charity, announced by our Nephew Joseph Rotch, because neither either of our Daughters, could find a Qualification on this trying & solemn event, to begin an Address to any of our distant relatives, the Shoke to me feels at my advanced Age, when often contemplating before, the probability of my Leaving her to remain in a state of probation, behind me seems heavy & would be more than my nature could abide & remain under; but that looking to her remarkably prepared State for the separation from all the ties of Nature & her many attached friends & these Ideas being almost always by day & by Night the Subject of my Contemplations, it seems to be forbidden as it were to us, who feel daily & hourly, the desire of the presence of the Spirit departed, to take up our Stay or dwelling in the house of mourning on her account, or indeed any other Mourning, but that, which creates an earnest & Sincere desire, to listen to the voice of Instruction, secretly in our own minds, whereby we also so may be Journeying on, in preparation, without wavering, towards the enjoyment, of a measure of that Serenity, while here conversant in these tabernacles, which being undisturbed by any outward Objects, gives a foretaste of that never Ending Serenity which is attained & thro faith & patience is evidently attained by some with whom we are conversant, while such remain to be our Companions on this side of the Grave.  To keep therefore steadily looking for a right preparation if in the midst of the objects, which tis my duty, not to throw off inconsiderately, or hastily, but rather to acquit myself in all things - I hope may be my unshaken engagement. 
  I have thought much of you & of your coming here during most of the present Year & before, And tho One dear Object of your Journey is not longer here - It seemed impressed on my mind for many days past to say that to myself & our daughter Sarah, who it was her Mother's desire should be the head in her Stead & in which I was & am united - I say to Me & to her, it will be pleasant & is desireable, that you should come & remain with us, to your own convenience in point of time, to partake together of the Cup of our mutual allotment & privation & that both of us, together with William & Deborah, will unitedly endeavor to do all we may be able to rendor your visit comfortable, on your way to your near Relatives at New Bedford & on your return also. 
           I have delayed, to write, thinking at same time to hand some particulars collected of the Illness of my truly worthy & amiable wife, but tho tis almost ready with sundry her own Expressions, tis yet to be copied, therefore it may be delayed a few days. Sarah & Thomas, William & Deborah desire Each of their Love to be united with Mine to you both.

                        Your Brother  Samuel R. Fisher
 Thomas and Charity Rotch My Neice Hannah Fisher, coming in desires her Love to you both, She would like to know if you have heard of Catherine Dappen a German, who left their house about 5 weeks past.