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.
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
You are viewing: The Cape Cod Daily Blog
Sponsored Content
Advertise with us
Support this website
HARWICH – A driver was injured in a single vehicle crash in Harwich about 5 AM. The collision happened…
HARWICH, MASSACHUSETTS — A young woman was transported to Cape Cod Hospital early this morning…
FALMOUTH – A driver was seriously injured in a rollover crash in Falmouth about 10 PM Friday. According…
COTUIT – A two vehicle crash left one car on its side in Cotuit. Firefighters had to extricate…
Firefighter nearly falls through roof at 2-alarm house fire in Onset (Wareham), MA (03-20-26).
SANDWICH – A child was injured in an equestrian incident in Sandwich shortly before 4 PM Friday.…
HARWICH – No injuries were reported after a car and school bus collided in Harwich. The crash happened…
ONSET – Bourne firefighters responded mutual aid to assist Onset at a house fire on Dusty Lane…
