Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2013.106.806 |
Title |
Letter from Andrew Leonard Emerson to his parents |
Object Name |
Letter |
Dates of Creation |
April 30, 1851 |
Scope & Content |
Handwritten letter dated April 30, 1851 from Andrew Leonard Emerson in New Orleans to his parents Charles O. Emerson and Harriet (Phillips) Emerson in York. He writes about his voyage down to New Orleans and how the crew of the ship treated him. He also writes about his dislike for the people of the city saying they are heathens who don't respect the Sabbath. He wishes to hear from his parents about notable positions that are being filled back home and who has gotten assigned to them. Transcription: Dear Parents, We arrived here a week ago last Tuesday after a pleasant passage of 19 days. I would have written you before but have been waiting to here from you, which I did last Tuesday. I feel very grateful to Capt. Lord for the interest he takes in me and for his kind advice, and will try not to disappoint him in his expectations, he certainly has been very kind and I feel that I owe him a great deal. The Capt. is a fine man and I like him very much. He has given me good advice and I shall try to profit by it. His wife is with him. She treated me very kindly I am in the second mate's watch and I like him very much. He talks of leaving I shall, I shall be very sorry if he does for he has always treated me with great kindness. The crew have all left but a Scotch [?] boy and me. We shall probably lay here 2 months. I shall stay by the ship if it does not grow too sickly. If sailors life is a hard one to make the best of it but I like it very well. I was sea sick the first four or five days and when I got over it, it seemed as tho [?] I never should get enough to eat. I do not like this place at all, they are as bad as heathens. They have no regard for the Sabbath at all, but make a holiday of it. I shall expect at least 2 letters form you while here. Write all the news [?] who has got Boon Island Light the Custom House & who the Town Officers are etc. Give my love to all and tell Abbie if I had time I would write her but we have to work very hard and when it comes [?] I don't feel like writting. Give my best ove to Aunt M. when you write, also to Ed. Fro your Affec. Son A. L. Emerson |
Collection |
Emerson Family Collection |
People |
Emerson Family Emerson, Andrew Leonard, Capt., 1837-1909 Emerson, Harriet Jane (née Philips), 1808-1890 Emerson, Charles Octavius, 1799-1863 |
Search Terms |
19th century New Orleans, LA York |
Subjects |
Family letters Maritime history Sailors Shipping Ships Travel |