By TRB
This is a series of letters written by Rebecca Codwise who was the wife of a sugar plantation owner in St. Croix in the early 1800s. Rebecca's letters, which came down through the family, represent one of the larger collections of historically significant letters by a woman in early American history. In the letters she describes what it is like to be an abolitionist married to a slave owner - her husband James Codwise. She documents the slave rebellion and other historic events on St. Croix in these letters written to her son, a ship's surgeon stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. She includes her book of recipes as well as her directions for caring for medical problems. She lived on a sugar plantation named Bethlehem, the ruins of which are still visible today.


security patrol property check service


This is a photo of an oil painting by Henry Inman of Rebecca Codwise's eldest daughter, Agnes Marie. She sat for this painting in New York City in 1820.

A Child of Misfortunes

  1. Part One
  2. Part Two - Letter One
  3. Part Three - Letters Two and Three
  4. Part Four - Leters Four and Five
  5. Part Five - Letters Six and Seven
  6. Part Six - Letters Eight and Nine
  7. Part Seven - Letters Ten and Eleven
  8. Part Eight - Letters Twelve and Thirteen
  9. Part Nine - Letter Fourteen and Epilogue
  10. Part Ten - Letters and other odds and ends


You are viewing: The Cape Cod Daily Blog

Sponsored Content

[Advertise Here]

security patrol property check service

Tell All Your Friends

Subscribe & Stay Informed

Cape Cod Daily News FREE Home Delivery!


Advertise with us
Support this website



Latest Headlines

Select Board Meeting | 4.30.2026

Select Board Meeting | 4.30.2026

May 2 is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day-wildland fires can extend to homes, fire service…

STOW, MA – From Mass Department of Fire Services: Wildfire Community Preparedness Day is this weekend,…

Yarmouth Fire to hold ceremony to mark International Firefighter’s Day

YARMOUTH – Yarmouth Fire invites you to join them on May 1st, 2026 at the town’s Firefighter…

Sandwich Road in Bourne closed for hours after car vs pole crash

BOURNE – Due to a motor vehicle crash into a utility pole about 3:25 PM Thursday, Sandwich Road,…

Town Council 04-30-2026

Town Council 04-30-2026

Bikeways & Pedestrian Committee Meeting | 4.27.2026

Bikeways & Pedestrian Committee Meeting | 4.27.2026

Traffic crash causes major power outage in Mashpee

MASHPEE – A vehicle struck a utility pole and overturned in Mashpee shortly before 10 AM Thursday.…

Traffic crash causes delays on Route 6 eastbound in Yarmouth

YARMOUTH – A multi-vehicle crash was reported on Route 6 eastbound at mile marker 74 between Willow…

» Today's News Headlines 05/01/2026