Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2013.106.825 |
Title |
Letter from Andrew Leonard Emerson to his mother |
Object Name |
Letter |
Dates of Creation |
July 1867 |
Scope & Content |
Handwritten letter dated July 1867 from Andrew Leonard Emerson on the ship Gaspee in Derry[?], Northern Ireland to his mother Harriet (Phillips) Emerson in York. He apologizes to her for being "a passionate, troublesome boy and man". He is sailing to Shanghai from Cardiff with a load of coal saying it will take 150 days. He hopes his wife Fannie can join him and sent her $750. He also enclosed Power of Attorney with the letter. Transcription: My Dear Mother, Your letters have all been received. I have nothing to complain of this time, in that way. I was very glad to hear that your health was better. I hope that when I get home again you will be the same darling, handsome, old mother you always was. I hate to start on another long voyage without seeing you all again. I always was a passionate, troublesome, boy & man & I don't know as I have altered much since, but mother dear, I always loved you, & it is a sorrow to me now to reflect that I did not always dote toward you as I ought to have done in my younger days. I think more about such things than I formerly did. The Ship is now all discharged & I sail for Cardiff on Thursday 18th to load coals for China at 56 shillings per ton. I am going to Shanghai about as far from home as one can really get, expect to leave Cardiff almost the 10th August. It is the worst possible time of year to go for making a decent passage as I shall meet the NE monsoons dead ahead, if I make the passage in 150 days I shall be satisfied, in a deep loaded ship. I turn out about 70 tons of cargo more than the ship ever carried before. About writing to me Capt. Putnam can tell you more about it than I can. I am now anxiously expecting to hear whether Fannie is coming or not. I have written for her to come if possible to & ought to hear in a few days. I sent her 100 pounds equal to almost $750. I told her to remit you what she did not require. I will also send you more from Cardiff. I herewith enclose Power of Aattorney this time properly attested. I wrote Frank & Abby some time since. Recv'd a letter from A yesterday. Will write Aunt M.before long. Love to all. Your affec. son, Leonard. |
Collection |
Emerson Family Collection |
People |
Emerson Family Emerson, Andrew Leonard, Capt., 1837-1909 Emerson, Frances "Fanny" Louisa (née Phillips) Emerson, Harriet Jane (née Philips), 1808-1890 |
Search Terms |
19th century Cardiff, UK Gaspee (ship) Shanghai, China York Derry, Northern Ireland |
Subjects |
Cargo Coal Family letters Maritime history Ports Sailors Shipping Ships Travel |