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Title: Hester Habersham, Savannah, to Hellen Lawrence, Coleraine
ID1292
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileHabersham, Hester/30
Year1799
SenderHabersham, Hester
Sender Genderfemale
Sender Occupationmiddle-class housewife
Sender Religionunknown
OriginSavannah, Georgia, USA
DestinationColeraine, Co. Derry, N.Ireland
RecipientLawrence, Helen
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipsisters
SourceD955/15: Deposited by Messrs Martin, King, French & Ingram
ArchiveThe Public Record Office, N.Ireland
Doc. No.9905202
Date21/01/1799
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 01:06:99.
Word Count860
Genre
Note
TranscriptMy Dear Sister Savannah Jany 21 1799

The uncertainty of your getting my
letters while our poor, devoted country - is in such a state
of confusion - has been the cause of my long silence, but as I
have had the pleasure of receiving two letters from my dear
Niece Mrs Sampson - and one from Nephew William - I flatter myself
that mine may get safe to hand, and as my Son Aleck [Alex?] sails
tomorrow for Philadelphia to complete his studies in the medical
line - I take the opportunity of sending my letter by him to the
care of my Brother Habersham who is post master general of that
place, and, will if possible send them safe. He inclosed
[enclosed?] me the letter from my Niece which she sent by her
Brother and mentioned his haveing [having?] dined with him.
I long much to see Thomas and hope he will make it convenient
to come this way.
I should have wrote to my Niece and Nephew
by this conveyance acknowledging the receipt of their
affectionate favours, but as it is probable you may all be
together at this time, tell them I hope they will look on this
as an answer to theirs, and when matters are in a more settled
state both in this country and yours - they may be assured - it
will afford me the highest satisfaction to carry on a regular
correspondence with them and any other of my relations which
will do me that favour. I assure you we are not without our
fears of a war on this side of the water, but are prepareing
[preparing?] to defend ourselves from all internal and external
enemies. We have suffered so much by the last war that we can
never get over it, and all that we can do for our Sons, is to
give them such an education as to enable them to push themselves
forward. My two Daughters are happily married to gentlemen of good
fortunes each of them have two Daughters. My eldest Daughter
Polly Maxwell has had three sons but has lost them. My Daughter
Hetty who married a Mr Elliott three years ago, has had only
these two girls who are still liveing [living?]. My eldest
Son James is Deputy Collector of this part under his uncle
Major John Habersham. Aleck [Alex?] is going to finish his
studies, and John my third son now seventeen is at
school in Philadelphia, and Richard Wylly Habersham,
who is rightly named being as like my Brother as possible
- is at home he is twelve years old and promises fair
to turn out well. My dear Brother dined with me today.
He read Mrs Sampsons letters which afforded him the
greatest pleasure you are happy in such an amiable
Daughter he says he will write you soon. his Daughter
by his first wife is happily married to Mr Adams
and has two children. his son married to the Northward
lately. My Brother has three children by his present
wife, Hellen [Helen?], Richard and William, all at school.
it is impossible my dear sister for us to get either our
pictures or profils [profiles?] over to you at this time
- but will as soon as we can with safety.
We neither of us enjoy very good health but
our spirits are in general good - which enables us to
view things on the most favourable side, and as the
americans in this part of the [south?] are brought up
rather in an extravegant [extravagant?] manner - it
requires all my fortitude to try to support Mr Habersham
under his reverse of fortune. while I am blessed with the
comfortable necessaries of life - I am thankful and resigned.
how happy should I be to have a sight of you all - but as
that is impossible now, I submit.
Hetty in her last dont mention anything
of Mrs Fitsimons or her sister - nor of my Nephew Mackey,
nor of the Irwins. I must depend on her for a full account
in her next, and my daughters will write for me in answer.
They both intended writeing [writing?] to her as they were on
a visit to me when I received her letter - but were
obliged to leave me sooner than they expected. James Lawrence
and his Family are now well. They have all been very sick this
last fall and were so unfortunate as to lose their eldest child
Nancey rather sudenly [suddenly?] a Lovely girl, he has one
Son and two Daughters left. he is an industrious man and I hope
will do well. his losses were great in the fire. our house
in Savannah being brick - was miracleously [miraculously?]
saved. remember me in the most affectionate manner to William
and his Wife - and all my Nephews and Nieces. Mrs Alen [Allen?]
and Mrs Samuel Lawrence, and your Daughter Nancy. Mr Irwin if
Liveing [Living?]. My dear Mr Habersham joins me in love to you,
and in wishing you a long continuence [continuance?] of health
and happiness. Which is the sincere wish of yours affcly
[affectionately?]

Hester Habersham

*Envelope Address:-

Mrs Hellen [Helen?] Lawrence
to the care of
Mr William Lawrence Mert [Merchant?]
Coleraine
Ireland