the care of John Dillingham 3^{d} he being the only one willing to
undertake, … you may _posibly_ git this letter first, it is therefore
necessary to repeat that Esq. Clark has paid the dept of nature, it
was my task to close his Eyes the 11^{th} Ins^{t} after a sickness of 8
days--Young Kimbal died 4 days before, Cap^{t} Nickerson was very sick
_on board this ship_, but his fever having turned, it was the advice
of Every One to send him to sea, that a change of air would have a
good effect; I accordingly did, but fear he never will reach America;
we must _however_ commit him & ourselves to a mercifull just God, who
always acts for the good of his Creaturs & happy would it be for us;
if we could always bow with humble submission to his righteous
dispensations.
Cap^{t} Mayo has been _very_ sick; his fever turned two days since, &
the people here _who are no doupt better judges than strangers_ say he
is out of danger, he _also_ has great currage, but he is very weak. &
it will be a long time before he gits [his][12] strength, he is on
shore, I am something unwell, & [takin]g[12] Medicine that I cannot
see him to day--
Feb^{y} 20^{th} _Alas Alas_, Cap^{t} Mayo is gone; an unfavourable turn in
his disorder was his passport to (I trust) realms of blessedness--I
have ordered the ship amediately to sea; shall work up to the windward
of these islands & pass away 3 or 4 weeks, untill the sickly season
passes of.--I must then return & git pay for 3 or 4000 Dollars of
goods trusted out to A. B. C. &c &c, in orders for coffee--and had I
have foreseen the consequence; I would not have put it out of my power
to have left altogether at pleasure altho we should have bro^{t} home
half our cargo, but circomstancd as I am, we must take all reasonable
precaution, and trust our lives & healths, to an alwise, aljust, &
mercifull God, _who cannot err_.
The scenes of distress, together with anciety of mind, which I have
had to encounter within the last 15 days, have nearly unmaned me, I
wou’d write to Mrs Mayo but am not able, do afford her all the
consolation in your power, & oh, may God of his infinite mercy pour
the balm of consolation into her afflicted Bosom--
The crew will all write; they are well as yit, but quite alamed, which
induces me to put to sea, where we shall git good air, & _I hope_,
fresh sperits
I had, (previous to this last shock) written a few lines to Mrs Clark,
I do not feel able to put in order by copying, I inclose it, you’l
deliver it, or not, as you think proper.
My love to our little ones & all freinds--dont give yourself too much
anciety, put your whole trust in God, he can releive in the greatest
distress or most [imm]inent[12] danger.
Your affectionate friend
Elijah Cobb
[Sidenote: Puts to Sea]
21. Feb^{y} We meant to have got out yesterday, but we had our ship to
rig _almost_ as well as sails to bend & Ballast to git--the Vessell
which brings this, will sail amediately, we shall go in the course of
the day--I feel nicely this morn” _as to health_. M^{r} Thatcher & M^{r}
Crosby are both hearty, thank God. Myrick & Bates, complained
yesterday, we gave them both a smart purge, they are nicely this
morning & no appearance of a fever, the sea air will make them harty
again; as I before observ^{d} Amigination in this country works wonders;
As to myself I feel a sort of pleasing confidence that I am again, _to
be permited_ to visit my beloved family--to offer a word of
consolation, to the afflicted freind of those entoomb’d in this
foreign land, but in every instance, I trust I shall be anable to say
in sincerety thy will be done.
Your
E. C
_Elijah Cobb to his Son, Elijah Cobb, 2nd_
Prince’s Island 24^{th} April 1819
My dear Son
This will accompay a letter directed to you _or_ M^{r} Haven (should you
be absent) containing a Bill of exchange for 300 Dollars, with
perticular instructions relative therto. should you receive it before
I return, you may send it to y^{r} Mar, _or_ keep it in your hands (as
you like).
We are all well, shall tarry here a few days longer & the[n] proceed
for S^{t} Thomases, where I hope to procure a considerable quantity of
coffee. & then proceed as bifore mentioned, hope yet to reach Boston
in all the month of July.
[Illustration: Ivory, Coffee and Palm Oil: a Typical Bill of Lading.]
[Sidenote: The Rainy Season]
I expect before this, my letters (by the two schooners) filled with
heart rending tidings to our Brewster freind have been received, my
mental, as well as bodily distress, has been such, that I hardly know
what I wrote in those letters (probably much incoherency) as they were
dictated by the feelings of the moment, but I trust those scenes are
not to return upon us this voyage, the place is healthy, frequent
turnardoes, with thunder lightning & copeous showers purifies the air,
all nature smiles, & the human form wears a cheerfull countenance in
place of the gastly visage, which so recently presented itself at all
points.--What abundant cause of greatfull praise to the supreem
controler of every event both of time & eternity, more especially to
us the living monuments of His mercy who for wise purposes (tho”
hidden from our veiw) have been spared while so many have fallen
around us, May we express our gratitude by keeping his commands.
I have written to your mar by this conveyance hope it will not be long
(after you receive this) before I shall be permitted to see my little
flock in health.
Your Affectionate Father
Elijah Cobb
_Samuel Swan, Jr., to Mrs. Elijah Cobb_
[Ship] Belvidere--Quarantine--
June 27th 1819
Mrs. Cobb--
Madam--
I arrived here last evening 84 Days from Africa--I left the Ten
Brothers at Princes Island April 4^{th}--After the loss of Cap^{t} Mayo,
the ship proceeded to sea in a very sickly state--The change of air
soon produced a favourable effect; and on the Ships return to Princes
in March they were all quite recovered, though still m[uc]h[13]
debilitated--One man only was any ways ill during my stay, & he was
again on duty when we sail’d--The ship had been on her return to port
thoroughly clensed by washing with vinegar, & limejuice, and twenty
four hour’s fumigation with strong charcoal fires in the hold, &
between decks--During this time I was honoured with Cap^{t} Cobb’s
company on board the Belvidere--
I believe, Madam, you may rest perfectly free from any apprehensions
of the sickness again appearing on board the Ten Brothers--Every
precaution has been taken to purify the ship--& the more immediate
cause of their sickness was also removed--It is during the few weeks
interval between the closing of the Dry, & setting in of the Rainy
season, that the Islands are most unhealthy--The atmosphere is then
heavy, & the Harbor is so situated that the little air that is in
motion during the day is intirely secluded from the shipping, while a
vertical sun produces an intensity of heat that operates powerfully to
render the place unhealthy--After the rains commence, the frequent
tornadoes which accompany that season, & always blow from the
eastward, directly into the harbor, so purify the air that there is
little danger of sickness with the usual precautions which all
strangers should observe for preservation of health in warm climates--
[Sidenote: Good News]
As I was in daily communication with Cap^{t} Cobb, I can assure you of
his intire restoration to health, except the debility incident to a
severe attack of fever--
It was Cap^{t} Cobb’s intention to close all business with the utmost
dispatch, & he thought to be able to sail in all April to a
certainty--He will touch at Martinique on his passage to America--
I am fully aware, Madam, that the charge of presumption may be
alledged against me--Indeed (reasoning from analogy) I offer no other
apology for writting, than the satisfaction I believe my own family
would recieve by any communication from a person who had seen me
abroad, at a time when a variety of reports respecting my safety would
render any news highly gratifying--
I cannot close without most respectfully offering, thro’ your family,
the tribute of my consolation to the family of the late Henry Clarke
Esq^{r} of your t[ow]n[14]--On my first arrival at Princes, in Dec^{r}, I
found him there; & our constant intercourse, during the short stay I
there made, gave me abundant cause to honour & admire him--on my
leaving the place he accompanied me out of the harbor, & our last
resolve, when he quited me, was, to visit each others families when
both should be at home--Nothing could exceed the shock on my feelings,
on again visiting the Island, to learn his lamented death--If the
respect of a stranger can be acceptable to his family, I beg, Madam,
you will mention my name, as one who feels proud to acknowledge an
acquaintance, & friendship, with him abroad--
With regard, I remain,
Madam, respectfully your
Most Humble servant--
Sam^{l} Swan Jr--
M^{rs} ELIJAH COBB--Brewster--
NB. Letters from Cap^{t} Cobb, have been sent to his Son in
Boston--others from people on board, will be forwarded by post office
on my arrival to town.
S. S.
[Sidenote: A Birthday Letter]
_Elijah and Mary Cobb to their Son,
Elijah Cobb, 2nd_
Brewster, _27^{th} June 1820_
Dear Son
Your affectionate parents fondly recolect that This Day, compleats the
full time of 21 years, since the _Supreem_ doner of every thing, was
pleased to gladen the parential heart in the birth of a Son; Who has
since continued his existance thro” Infancy; thro” Youth, & bro^{t} him
to the commincment of manhood, without suffering any action (of their
childs) to wound their hearts; What abundant cause of greatfull Praise
for those inestimable favours,--May He enable them to suplicate with
fervency & _effect_, to continue His Mercies to them & their children,
& may it laden all their hearts with a greatfull song of Thankgiving &
Praise,--We recieved your letter by M^{r} Copeland & noted your
observations upon M^{r} H’s enquiries, we think it wou’d be as well, to
continue where you are a while, (at least) untill the Fall,--But
altho” I wou’d not inculcate the Idea of taking the advantage of any
ones necesity; I think as M^{r} H. has contributed so _very_ sparringly
to y^{r} support during the long time you have remained with him, He
ought now to give you a full support _at least_ untill you see your
way clear to commince business for yourself, which time we look
forward to with pleasure, mixed with a degree of anciety, naturel to
parential feelings always antious for the wellfare of their ospring.
prehaps the old edage will apply, _that effection is blind_, but we
feel confident (from your former & present deportment) that propriety,
entigrity, virtue & piety will govern all your actions,--Those virtues
exercised by a finite being will receive an _infinite_ approbation &
blessing--
Every advice, & every assistanc from your Parents, will at all times
be cheerfully bestowed, & it is (we presume) unnecesary to ask, who is
so suitable to advise a child as its fond doating parents--We will
close for the present, by supplicating Our Heavenly Father, to take
you into His holy keeping; to direct each gardian Angel to watch over
you, that no improper action may ever sully a good name or wound y^{r}
parents feelings
Affectionately Yours
E. & M. COBB
NB. Debby is favourably convalessent. wish you to inform me, if you
hear any thing from Cap^{t} Tycross, or M^{r} Hathaway--
We hope Mrs Haven will come with Lincoln (expect him the next tide) we
shall be highly pleased with a visit from her, & think it can be made
pleasant to her.
[Sidenote: To His Son]
_Elijah Cobb to his Son, Elijah Cobb, 2nd_
Brewster 2^{d} Jan^{y} 1836
Dear Son
As our representitive will leave in the morn” I avial myself of the
oppertunity to forward by him the small paper Package, which I found
snugly laceed up, in the branch part, of your last package of trees. I
found the mice had made a hole thro” the paper, among some small seed,
when, or where it was done I cannot say, I found no other traces of
them either about the package or ground where they were--I put the
inverlope around them again, but shall have an eye to them frequently.
The Lyceum appear to be in successfull opperation, M^{r} Williams gave
the introductory address, his remarks were bassed upon the word
_curiosity_, it was good; the best production ever I heard _from him_,
the follow^{g} officers were chosen--George Copeland esq^{r}, President,
Joseph Sampson Esq. Vice P.--John P. Washburn, Secretary, _my humble
self_, Treasurer, and Franklin Hopkins Libra^{n}--24 became members, by
signing the constitution, & paying from 50^{cs} to 2.00--the members
were then, formed into 6 Sections of 4 each, for discussions, by the
board of managers, (the 5 officers as above) and the follow^{g} subject
assigned, for the next wednesday eve” viz, which exarts the greatest
influance, in a country Town, _wealth or knowledge_--the discussion
was assigned to the 1^{st} & 2^{d} Sections, under the managements of
the Rev^{d} mess^{rs} Conant, & Williams, the former advocating wealth,
& the latter knowledge--the subject was ably & ingenously managed on
both sides, but the decision was in favour of wealth. an addition of
17 became member, making now 41.
The next Wednesday Eve” we are to have an address by the Rev^{d} M^{r}
Simpkins--the subject for discussion is, _which injoys the greatest
satisfaction, the Rich man, or poor man_--assigned to Sections 3^{d} &
5^{th} Rev^{d} M^{r} Pratt, & Father--I expect a powerfull opponent, but
cannot feel any fear upon the subject. He cannot expect much
assistance from his Section, except what he gits from our bro^{r} Jo. &
I have M^{r} Washburn in my Section, which I think will match
Docter.--There appears an interest in the cause, among our young men,
the older ones must begin, but they will soon come forward.
[Sidenote: Local Affairs]
Our high School goes on well, it is as full, as they can accommodate
46--there appears perfect satisfaction with M^{r} Washburn, the
instructor--he appears to be _wide awake_, & master of his business.
We are looking hourly for the Fayette, think she will be here in the
morn”--she no doubt came unexpectedly to you, but she must have had a
fine time, and our shore is now clear of Ice for her return.
My eyes are somthing better, but very weak, I am obliged to deny
myself the pleasure of reading, altogether, and I am in agony with
writing thus much, altho” I have had 5 or 6 spells at it.
Grandfather wishes the children all, _a happy new year_, not as the
compliment of the season, which is in the mouths of the multitude, but
in sencerity of heart.
FATHER
_Elijah Cobb to his Son, Elijah Cobb, 2nd_
Brewster April 3^{d} 1837
Dear Son
Your last p^{r} Patriot, gave general directions about placeing manure
&c &c, all which, Father thinks, manifests agriculturel judiciousness.
Freeman commenced work March 27^{th}, but anticipating your injuntion,
relative to sea-weed, & a fine oppertunity presenting last week, he
did very little else--we shall have, by night, anough up by my salt
works, to replenish your Barn Yard--a noble lot, of excell^{t} seaweed
came on shore, directly below my landing, while the other parts of the
shore was quite distitute--I hireed an extra team, & extra man to
pitch one day & we have secured, a fine lot of it. F. & Joshua are at
it to day, I have tried to git another team, but have not succeeded,
there is still abundanc on the shore, & I shall keep the boys at it,
as such a fine chance, sildom offers, of so good a quality.
I expect you intend to lay down, the peice of land you planted, back
of the barn, if so, you’l want grass seed for it,--I shou’d put on it,
½ bush^{l} herds grass, ½ bush^{l} red top, & 8 lbs of red
clover--Oats, we shall have anough, between us--you have not many, but
I have a plenty.
[Sidenote: Townsman and Farmer]
The Patriot will go Wednesday Eve”--I hope you’l be able to return
with her, ab^{t} Saturday night--I am writing now, (morn”) as I shall be
engaged thro” the remainder of the day--the Towns committee are coming
to settle the accounts of the Treasury for last year; & in the
afternoon a Town meeting of importance--a Poor house in agitation,
herring fishery to be new moddleed, _suplus revenue_, &c &c.
in haste
FATHER.
_Elijah Cobb to his Son, Elijah Cobb, 2nd_
Brewster Sept^{r} 12^{th} 1838
Dear Son
The packet did not git to her moorings, to enable us to git the roller
& seed out, untill monday eve”, anticipating it wou’d come, M^{r} F. had
prepared the upland for the seed, Viz. the peice where y^{r} wheat was,
& the strip, quite down to the ditch, where my oats was; for the swamp
part of that; plouged, equal to any of the upland, having been well
mixed with upland soil, & frequently ploughed, before--calculation was
made, to commence opperations with the seed & roller, on tuesday
morn”, but when the morning came, a storm had commenced, which still
continues, without intermission, consequently, they were compelled to
suspend those oppera^{ns} for the time being. They have got in, nearly
all the Indian wheat, that is worth harvesting; that article, turns
out slim; Gen^{l} Mayo, M^{r} Crocker, & Cap^{t} Freeman, have abandoned the
Idea of harvesting any, except, for their hogs, in the straw--I have
givin mine, (the little strip) to my pigs, as they required it--they
love it dearly, & thrive finely upon it.--We think there is somthing
uncongenial in our atmospere to that plant.
Since the storm commenced, they have been attending to threshing wheat
&c &c. M^{r} Freeman had got all the creek stuff, home, & all the salt
hay secured in _stack_, before the storm commenced, so that you have
nothing exposed to injury, except the peat, & that is so far made,
that the injury to it, will be little, or nothing. In regard to seed,
for the swampy part of your land, we think _a bushel_ will be
sufficient, for what you will be able to seed this fall--I wish you to
understand, that we included, in the 4 Acres of upland, the strip,
east of my orchard, & the whole of the south strip (next Mrs Snows)
down to the main ditch--that strip, has been raised & tilled so much,
that it is susceptable of the same seed, as upland, for this, you have
sent seed already. If you cannot procure _foul meadow seed_, I should
recommend that you git 3 pecks of red top, & one peck of herds grass,
& mix them, in the same bag--if you can git _foul meadow_, ½ bush^{l}
of each, that, & red top, & no herds grass.
[Sidenote: The Plough]
I surely wrote you how the swamp ploughed east of my orchard; that
after going round; that they had to stop the team, & work with hoes,
hands &c--there were, an abundance of large roots & stumps, which
required prying out, hauling away &c; they have carried, somthing like
a cord, to your wood house. The plough, is A 2½, a larger one, no
doubt, would do better, but no plough would turn it over smooth, while
coming in contact, every few feet, with stumps & roots that required
the team & prys to start out of their beds--however, with hoes, _elbow
greass_, & the plough, it looks as if the rollow & harrow would leave
it pritty smooth; it would add greatly to the benifit of it, if you
can git on a quantity of sand; or soil of some kind before sowing the
seed on the swamp. I hope you will be able to be here, the last of the
week, & see, & act for yourself.
Mr. Freeman says the sheer of the plough, has worn so small, that anew
one is necessary, the present one will not cut a furrow of any weadth,
& under those circomstances, haveing considerable hard plouging to
perform, this fall, & next spring, perhaps it will be advisable to git
a new, & larger one, the present one can be fitted for light
ploughing, and favour the new one.
The print (Nettle)[16] directed to Cap^{t} Freeman & myself, was
received, & I annex a list of 8 subscribers, will you order them sent,
with the back numbers, & pay for them, & I will have the money
collected to refund, when you come.
all well.
FATHER
_Subscribers to the Nettle._
{ They come so
{ cheap, that no
Geo” Copeland--Jo. Sampson. { dou[bt][15] 20 or 30
Enoch Pratt--Freeman Mayo. { wou’d be taken, in the
Benj^{n} Berry--Solo^n Freeman. { Tow[n][15] if it was
Freeman Rogers--E. Cobb. { known--Copeland, &
{ Docter say; they will
{ increase the list.
[Sidenote: A Southerly Blow]
Thursday A. M. 13^{th}
The wind has got round to the south, & blows a hurrycane, I have just
returned from your young orchard, have been assisting M^{r} F. in
resecuring some of the trees, which it seemed as if the wind would
take from the ground, roots, stakes, & all--the fruit is prostrated,
nearly all; I beleive there are 8 of those _delicious_ plums, remain’g
on the tree, but those which blew off, were perfectly ripe--if
practicable, they will be kept untill you, & caro” come; I advised M^{r}
F. to take those from the tree also.
Notwithstanding the weight of your roller, it runs very easy, F. &
Eldridge, after puting it together, could run it about any where, with
ease.
FATHER
the wife of Elisha Bangs, expired at 7 this morn”.
[1] I conclude the old Admiral, was mistaken here, as the
name, Cobb, is not in her list of passengers, but I did not
know it then--they, probably, came in the next vessell, the
Cherub.
[2] Lorient.
[3] La Vendée.
[4] [rowing. _Ed._]
[5] [_cartile._ Probably cartel = an agreement between
enemies for the exchange of prisoners. _Ed._]
[6] [General Cobb seems to have had in mind the frigate
_Congress_. If so, his memory was at fault, for it was
in the _Essex_ that Porter captured the _Alert_,
which was the first British war vessel taken in the War of
1812. _Ed._]
[7] Capt. Isaac Clark, Capt. Joseph Mayo, Capt. David
Nickerson, Godfrey Lincoln (Capt. Warren’s young brother)
died in Africa or on the passage home.
[8] [Elijah Winslow Cobb, a grandson of Elijah Cobb.
_Ed._]
[9] [“A white linen fabric made in Silesia for export to
America.” Simmonds, _Dict. Trade_, 1858. _Ed._]
[10] MS. damaged.
[11] MS. damaged.
[12] MS. damaged.
[13] MS. damaged.
[14] MS. damaged.
[15] MS. torn.
[16] [A Whig Campaign paper published in Boston. Volume I,
Number 1, appeared September 5, 1838. _Ed._]