Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2013.106.835 |
Title |
Letter from Andrew Leonard Emerson and Frances "Fannie" (Phillips) Emerson to his family |
Object Name |
Letter |
Dates of Creation |
June 26, 1870 July 21, 1870 |
Scope & Content |
Handwritten letter dated June 26,1870 and July 21, 1860 from Frances "Fannie" (Phillips) Emerson and Andrew Leonard Emerson at sea to friends and family in York. The letter is largely just from Fannie but there is a small portion written by Leonard. Part of the letter is written out at sea (long 117 degree W, Lat 14 degree S) on June 26th by Fannie where she writes about how they are 25 days from shore and how the gales have been so strong she didn't think the ship would make it through them. She also talks about how she's been keeping herself busy sewing and reading and how she wishes should could have fresh water to bath in as she hates bathing in sea water. The second part written by her is done on the 21st of June and she writes about how they are near the Phoenix Islands and that she suspects they'll be there for a while as there is only one buoy and another ship is being unloaded currently. She mentions that they are there as it is one of the Guano islands and that the birds and their eggs are very tasty. She also writes about how the ship wears on her feet and shoes and that she wants to hear about the fashion changes happening while she's away. Leonard's small portion writes about how they will be there about a month unloading and that despite not writing many letters he loves his mother and thinks about her often. Transcription: [From Fannie] My dear dear friends, It is so long since I have taken a pen in my hand that I hardly know how to use it. We have been out seventy five days and hope that twenty five more will find us at our destination. The voyage has been very tedious the winds forced us to the eastward of the Falkland Islands. We experienced a constant succession of gales and such gales as one reads of. I never heard anything like it. It did not seem as if the ship could live through them. But thanks to a kind Providence she has weathered them all so far and we are now enjoying most beautiful sailing. The weather is perfectly delightful. The sea is smooth yet we are getting on our way and if everything goes our way we shall soon be homeward. [?] oh what joy it will be to be at home and [collapse?] in your dear arms, and look at our dear face once more, only we who have been so long wonders can truly appreciate it. It's astonishing how fast time flies. I am so busy with my sewing and boosk that Sunday comes round before I know it. I enjoy taking care of my cabins and state room and wish I had something more to keep me active. My mind and body get so lazy. Everything is looking beautifully at home as it always does in this month and you are all looking fresh in your summer "fixings'. There is never any Sunday to me excepting in the old Church on the Common days are all alike excepting that there is no. Unnecessary work done on Sunday. You'll be soon going in bathing if you have all the fresh water I wanted, I'd never go into salt water for a bath 'ugh', the nasty sticky stuff! I'd like to take a ride with yo udown to the beach. Swill[?] be rather cold for beach riding when we get home. You must not expect me as soon as Lent said for I dare say we shall not arrive until February. The idea that we should be at home by Christmas was absurd. Tis a long way to the Phoenix Islands. I am very sorry that I wrote what I did for you will only be disappointed and perhaps be anxious about us for nothing. I hope we shall be able to send this letter and that you will read it before you continued to worry. Somewhere near the Phoenix Islands We arrived at Enderby Island [island of New Zealand] five days (July 21st, 1870) ago, making the Island just the time that the Captain exepcted but were much disappointed to find that we must beat back some forty six miles to the Phoenix Island which we supposed was identical with Enderby. At this Island (Phoenix) there is one ship loading and as there is only one buoy we are obliged to lay off and on until this ship is loaded. She is a large ship and has only ten tons in now. There has been so much wind and surf since we have been here, that she has not been up to the buoy. So you see my dear ones there is very little prospect of our getting loaded for many a long day. This Island is right in the middle of the ocean, in the heart of the S.E.Irades[?] just where one gets the best winds. Tis only about eight feet above the sea, and if it was not for the masts of the ship, a ship might run onto it. Tis a mile long by one, broad, a coral reef extends all around it. Tis covered with Guano two feet deep, the deposit of birds with which the air is thick. The birds are very good to eat, especially to carry[?] and their eggs are also very nice. All supplies are brought from Honolulu [Hawaii], by a brig, by which we send this letter. I am as glad to be able to send a line to you and you must not look for us until we arrive, which may be in February. Being here is much worse than being at sea, for then we are making some progress, either one way or [?]other but we are only wearing out shoes & eating [?] provisions, and wearing out the ropes and sails for naught. All my shoes are too short, excepting one pair and those won't last me home. We can't wear the same shoes at sea that we do on shore. The motion of the ship pushes ones feet into ones boots that one toes get very sore and ones toe joints are apt to suffer in consequence. We have some May[?] papers I saw the arrival of the vessel by which we sent the Hose, if they sent you dear sister you are welcome to them, also the laces. If you will have the skirt of my purple silk made over and trimmed prettily[?] not expensively, I should be much obliged. It should be short I think, but as I can't know the right length there had better be more cut off. I have no idea about the trimming but will trust to your [?]. Write me to [?] what shape to have my felt hat pressed please. I shall have an Alpacca to make and my blk silk fixed over. I bought the Alpacca in England but the styles change so [?] enviously[?] I thought I wouldn't try to make it and I have a travelling suit I got in Antwerp. How are the weeks[?] of dresses made and what kind of bows are worn. I shall have been away form home so long I shant know anything. Tell me if the hair is worn high or low, but that won't make much difference to me, I don't believe for my hair has come out so [?] I had the fever, I shan't have any by that time. Leonard sends his kind love and kisses to you all. We [?] the upset of the wreck of the "Kremlin" hence to write to [?] so must close this with [?] love and find remain[?] [?] to each and all, I am lovingly and affectionately your neice daughter cousin, tc tc Fannie [From Leonard] We shall be here at least a month longer before we even commence to load during all of which time we are underway standing off & on there being no anchor. SP[?] is a nasty little coral island surrounded by reefs. Frank Thayer will be sick of this charter yet. Now my darling mother don't think because I don't write more that I don't think often and lovingly of you and all our dear friends at home. I hope to see you all sometime next winter. I hope Franks bark was well insured. Love to Abby & Aunt M., Aunt Alden, tc. Yours Affec'tly 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 Pacific Phoenix Islands York |
Subjects |
Cabins, Ship Cargo Family letters Guano Maritime history Ports Sailors Sewing Shipping Ships Shoes Travel Weather Women |