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
On a Cape Cod summer evening, on many a high school baseball field, you can enjoy our national pastime…
SEEKONK, MA – From Seekonk Police: On Thursday, August 13, 2026, at approximately 12:26 PM, multiple…
DENNIS – A driver allegedly failed to stop for Mass State Police around 8 PM Friday. Police…
CHATHAM – Three people including a child were rescued by a Good Samaritan and the Chatham Harbormaster…
PROVINCETOWN – The Barnstable County Dive Team was activated to Provincetown. Several people reportedly…
DENNIS – From Yarmouth Police: Yarmouth Police Detectives, through a collaborative effort with…
CHATHAM – A small plane reportedly “landed hard” at the Chatham Municipal Airport shortly…
WELLFLEET – A person reportedly accidental cut themselves with a knife at the Audubon Society in…