My Dear Wife:--Thou will perceive by the heading of my letter that I have arrived at the destined place.
I am comfortably accommodated at the house of Joseph Ingram, whose wife was a Heacock, and came from our neighborhood. Elizabeth Haviland, from Poughkeepsie, is lodging here, also a friend named Atkinson, with some of his family, also several others. The house is full. The strangers in attendance at the Yearly Meeting are Samuel and Elizabeth Comfort, Joseph Horner, Sarah Brown, from Goose Creek, Va., and a Friend from Indiana.
We left Pittsburg on Fifth-day, and proceeded to New Brighton, where we tarried over night with a Friend named John Pugh, and then came on to Columbiana, and stopped at the house of William Nicholas. On Seventh day morning we came to Salem.
Our Select Meeting was small, reports being received from only three out of the five Quarters. Those of us who are strangers here were dipped into exercise and sorrow of spirit. It appears that they have not appointed any elders for some time past. The meeting was harmonious, and it closed comfortably. Yesterday being First-day, was the time for .public meeting. It was held in the new house, which was crowded to excess, and very many had to remain outside. It pleased the Lord to open the mouths of his children to the declaring of the Ever-blessed Word. In the forenoon the labor seemed to devolve chiefly on one who felt himself unfitted for the task. But--to the praise of Him who is ever worthy--ability was furnished for the work. The afternoon session was as large as that in the morning, and the labor was more divided, several of the Lord's devoted servants taking part. There was no manifestation of unruly spirits, but all was quiet, and Truth rose into dominion.
The weather is fine. On Seventh-day there was a slight shower, which laid the dust and cooled the air, but they had not had any rain of consequence since the early part of spring. Except a small section of country among the mountains, we found it very dry all the way from Chambersburg to Salem.
Stephen Foster and Abby Kelly(2) are in the neighborhood, and it is expected that an effort will be made by some of the members here to get permission for them to hold meetings in Friends' meeting-house, between the sessions of the Yearly Meeting. There is a warm feeling here of a "reform" character, but those of us who are strangers all speak the same language in relation to it, though very little has been said publicly on the subject. An earnest desire pervades my spirit that we may be preserved from all strife, and the hope that we may seems to be strengthened by the number of Friends who appear to be rightly concerned and who feel the necessity of being forbearing.
Friends are very kind to us, and my way seems open. I have met with some who formerly lived in our neighborhood, and they made many inquiries. Yesterday I met an old acquaintance of father's and mine, who lives in Allegheny City, and who invited me to stop at his house on my return. I accepted the invitation, and expect to be there next First-day. His name is John Denning. Thee may direct thy letter to Pittsburg, as that and Allegheny are as one, being joined by bridges.
I have met cousin Richard Roberts and his sons, who inquired concerning all of you.
Divine strength and consolation have been meted out to me and have enabled me to feel myself
comfortable in a land of strangers. Desiring the same for thee and for all of you, as well as the
preservation of your health, with the salutation of dear love to thee and our precious child, and to
all my brothers, sisters, relatives and friends (for they all feel very near), I am thy husband,
Samuel J. Levick.
1. 1.. Pages 191-193.
2. 2.. Stephen Foster, an anti-slavery lecturer, not the author of popular songs, and Abby Kelley, a former Quaker from New England and disciple of William Lloyd Garrison, (later married to Foster) another anti-slavery lecturer, radical feminist, with anti-clerical and anti-government tendencies.