Miscellaneous
GURNEY
(Joseph John, 1788-1847, Banker in Norwich, Evangelical Minister of the Religious Society of Friends, the Quakers, Abolitionist)
Fine Autograph Letter Signed with initials to Sarah & Anna GURNEY
(1795-1857, Scholar, Philanthropist, Geologist and member of the Gurney family of Norfolk) saying that as he was riding home from Keswick I discovered, as I think, the meaning of the text in the 30th Ch. of Isaiah - & only think of this being right. The literal translation of the words is 'It is Egypt for them to sit still'. The Jews were fondly looking to Egypt for defence, instead of quietly submitting to the yoke of Babylonia. Well says the prophet - It is Egypt for them, that is - it is their best defence, their true auxiliary - to sit still. Had the Jews adhered to their seats like good friends, they might have continued peaceably at Jerusalem! The Classical journal has not yet reached Norwich. I desired Annie to write for it... I advise thee Anna to get Wm Taylor's Synonyms... I. have had a letter from Catherine but without any particulars of John..., 1 side 4to., with address leaf addressing the letter to Anna Gurney, Keswick, no place, 8th May
Item Date: 1814
£225
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Background
He was always called Joseph John. He was the brother of Samuel Gurney and Elizabeth Fry (née Gurney), a prison and social reformer, and also of Louisa Hoare (née Gurney), a writer on education. He was also the brother-in-law of the campaigner Hannah Buxton who was also an anti-slavery campaigner. William Taylor's English Synonyms Discriminated was published in 1813. The Gurneys were an influential family of English Quakers, who had a major part in the development of Norwich. They established Gurney's Bank in 1770, which merged into Barclays Bank in 1896. They also established successful breweries. A number of family members were abolitionists.
Stock No. 43759
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