Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2013.106.828 |
Title |
Letter from Andrew Leonard Emerson and Frances (Fannie) Phillips Emerson to his brother Frank. |
Object Name |
Letter |
Dates of Creation |
February 11, 1869 |
Scope & Content |
Handwritten letter dated February 11, 1869 from Andrew Leonard Emerson and his wife Frances "Fannie" (Phillips) Emerson on the Gaspee in the Guañape Islands, Peru to his brother Francis "Frank" Phillips Emerson in York. Letter has an envelope. Leonard wrote about how he was glad Frank arrived safely after being overdue and hearing that his ship was in poor condition during a bad season. Leonard also wrote about a business disagreement between Capt. J and Frank and that he had cleared things up. Fannie wrote about her relief that Frank had returned safely and that the ship she was on was a dreary place with nothing interesting happening but ships and Guano. Transcription: [From Leonard] My dear brother Frank, I was very glad to recvd a few lines from you the other day & to know that you were again at home safe & well. My dear brother, I assure you that I sympathise with you in your misfortune. I feel grateful to our heavenly Father for preserving your life to us. What would our darling mother have done if you had been lost. I had been feeling very anxious about you knowing that you were approaching the coast at a bad season, & that the bark[?] was getting old. I had intimated my fears to Fannie so when they wrote me you were overdue I feared for the worst. Then I got Salter & Livermores letter saying you had arrived safe, my feelings can better be imagined than described. We hope to get a longer letter from you by next mail. I have met several Captains who were with you in Montevideo. Capt. Tapley who is now at Chincha, Capt. Johnson of the "Swampsett" & a "Lemon Crusher" by the name of Kerwin or Curwin in the "Lupone"[?]. Capt J. feels a little sore about the money you advanced his ship & it is quite natural too, but when I first saw him we were speaking about the matter, I thot he didn't represent the "negotiao" exactly correct. I informed him that in our family we were particularly susceptible to any remarks being made that might cast reflections upon any individual member of it, and particularly so from a Canary like him. We are now first rate friends, & he says he don't blame you at all. My impression is his ship will be arrested on loans[?] bond before he gets away. I suppose there is no prospect of my getting away for the next three months. Every ship here will be on demurrage [a charge payable to the owner of a chartered ship in respect of failure to load or discharge the ship within the time agreed]. I have done my best & offered to put up my own chute by all the guano tc[etc] but they wont let me. Love to mother & Abby, Rand, Peggy & all the family Your affec. brother, Lent. [From Fannie, difficult to read] Dear Frank I have only time to write a line as Lent is in haste for the letter to be sealed. How very very thankful we were to receive intelligence of your safe arrival. Lent has already expressed. I never realized till we thought we had last you how much I loved you. This the way with us all we are [?] appreciate any blessing till we think we have well [?] last it. This is a dreary [?] place to be at nothing but ships and guano to look at and I am too homesick to write letters or do anything. Give love to Rand and all the fanily and beieve me very sincerely. Your aff. sister, Fannie. |
Collection |
Emerson Family Collection |
People |
Emerson Family Emerson, Andrew Leonard, Capt., 1837-1909 Emerson, Frances "Fanny" Louisa (née Phillips) Emerson, Francis "Frank" Phillips, Capt., 1831-1887 |
Search Terms |
19th century Gaspee (ship) Guañape Islands, Peru York |
Subjects |
Brothers Cargo Family letters Maritime history Ports Sailors Ship accidents Shipping Ships Travel Women |