Paine, Thomas (1737-1809) to Anthony Taylor
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04281 Author/Creator: Paine, Thomas (1737-1809) Place Written: New Rochelle, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 November 1803 Pagination: 1 p. : address ; 24.4 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy
Says he just arrived in New Rochelle. Received Taylor's letter with the news of the death of Colonel Joseph Kirkbride. Claims he has lost "my best friend." Paine befriended Kirkbride, a well-known patriot and fellow Quaker, when he lived in Bordentown, New Jersey 1777-1778, 1785-1786, and 1803. When he saw a letter from Bordentown not in Kirkbride's handwriting he suspected he had died. Says he is feels more grief because if Kirkbride had lived he would have rejoiced at "the triumphant success of the last elections" - Democrats had gained a majority in the New Jersey state legislature and Joseph Bloomfield won the governorship. Says he hasn't seen newspapers lately but has been told that the New Jersey Assembly has appointed a committee to enquire into the cause of the riots at Trenton. Wants to be kept informed of the committee's work. Postscript says Taylor's letter took three weeks to arrive because it was addressed to him at New Haven. Kirkbride's support of Paine in 1803 might have hastened his death. Paine had recently published "The Age of Reason," which was highly unpopular in America. When Kirkbride defended Paine, it has been said that the sudden unpopularity hastened an illness that lead to his death.
State of N. York
New Rochelle Novr. 20 1803
Dear Friend
I am just arrived here. I received your friendly but afflicting letter announcing the death of Col. Kirkbride in whom Bordenton has lost its Patron and I my best friend. When I saw a letter from Bordenton not in Col. Kirkbride's handwriting I supposed the cause of it. Had I known that his last moments were approaching I would have come to have paid to him my last respects. I feel the more grief at his death because he died at the moment when, had he lived, he would have rejoiced at the triumphant success of the last elections
I am told, for I have been out of the way of seeing news-papers, that your assembly have appointed a committee to enquire into the cause of the riots at Trenton and report thereon. I will be obliged to you to inform me what is done upon that subject. Remember me in friendship to Mrs. Kirkbride and Mrs. Wharton, and to your Father and family.
Yours in sincerely
Thomas Paine
P.S
Your letter being directed to me at
N. Haven did not come to hand did not come
to hand till 3 weeks after date.
[address leaf]
New Rochelle }
Nov 21st }
Anthony Taylor
Bordenton
N. Jersey
[Pr] Mail
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