| Title: | Hester Habersham, Savannah, to Hellen Lawrence, Coleraine |
|---|---|
| ID | 1292 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Habersham, Hester/30 |
| 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 | D955/15: Deposited by Messrs Martin, King, French & Ingram |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N.Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9905202 |
| Date | 21/01/1799 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 01:06:99. |
| Word Count | 860 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | My 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 |
