| Title: | Hester Habersham, Savannah, to Hellen Lawrence, [?] Coleraine |
|---|---|
| ID | 1293 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Habersham, Hester/32 |
| Year | 1799 |
| Sender | Habersham, Hester |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | middle-class housewife |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Savannah, Georgia, USA |
| Destination | Coleraine, Co. Derry, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Lawrence, Helen |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | D955/16: Deposited by Messrs Martin, King, French & Ingram |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N.Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9905203 |
| Date | 28/07/1799 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 01:06:99. |
| Word Count | 555 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Savannah July 28, 1799 I should have wrote my dear sister long ere this - but ever since the arrival of my dear Nephew I have been in so bad a state of health that I have not been able - and I now must undertake the melancholy task of informing you that it pleased the Almighty about three weeks ago - to deprive me of the most affectionate and best of Husbands - the great losses he met with dureing [during?] the american war, and the little probability their [there?] was of ever extricating himself from his difficulties - preyed so much on his spirits that it shortened his days - I was so ill at the time that I did not expect long to survive him - but haveing [having?] six children - four of them sons who seemed to look up to me for protection and were quite unprovided for - it seemed necessary for me to summon all the Fortitude I was mistress of, and I thank god I am better and tolerably resighned [resigned?] at this time the company of my amiable Nephew has been very agreeable - and I should regret parting with him very much, tho only for the summer months was it not that their [there?] will be a greater probability of his keeping his health - and my second Son is now at the Northward finishing his studies which will make it agreeable to them both - he leaves his cousin to take of the business untill [until?] his return - and he tells me they are likely to do very well - he is every thing that is good and I seem as much attached to him as any of my children - why should I not - did not his Father and Mother act the part of parents when I had none - which I can never forget - you are anxious my Dear Sister for my picture - as soon as it can be sent home with safety I have one which is thought a good likeness - at your service - My Brother and his children are well Mrs. Wylly was dangerously ill a few days ago - but is now thank god much better - Tom is beloved by all his relations in this part of the world and be assured nothing in my power shall be wanting to contribute to his happiness present my love to my dear Niece tell her I should have wrote her by this opportunity but am not realy [really?] equal to the task as I have writen [written?] to my Brother Habersham and son Aleck by Tom - but the receipt of a letter from her affords me so much pleasure that I hope she will not stand on ceremony - my Sons James and John are with me and begs to be affectionately remembed [remembered?] to all their cousins my love to my Nephews and Nieces Mrs. Allen - and all Friends in your part of the world god grant you may be in a more tranquil state than you have been for some time past. is the sincere wish of your distressed Sister Hester Habersham My Daughters Elliott and Maxwell were well when I heard from them last. they live on the south for the summer season *Envelope Address:- Mrs Hellen [Helen?] Lawrence Coleraine Ireland **Note on envelope in another hand:- Hellen [Helen?] Wylly married Mr Mackey first finely Mr Lawrence last [NJHS?] |
