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

Falmouth Police investigate traffic crash at Route 151 & Currier Rd.

FALMOUTH – Falmouth Police are investigating a traffic crash in Nathan Ellis Highway (Route 151)…

Poem: Stronger Than We Know.

Stronger Than We Know   Trees cling to the bluff. A storm is comingThere are no leaves left. Stripped…

Two people seriously injured in rollover crash on Scenic Highway

BOURNE – Three people were injured, two seriously in a rollover crash on the Scenic Highway (Route…

Hyannis Overnight Photos: “Women Fighting in the Bushes”

          ABOVE: Moments after last call, several Barnstable Police squad cars…

Chatham firefighters douse laundry room fire

CHATHAM – Firefighters were called to a Taylor’s Pond Road residence around 3 PM Saturday.…

Exterior fire damages house in Falmouth

FALMOUTH – A fire on the exterior of a house in Falmouth caused damage before being brought under…

Bicyclist MedFlighted to trauma center after collision with car in Chatham

CHATHAM – A car and bicyclist collided in Chatham shortly before 8 AM Saturday at Main Street (Route…

Fatal Fire Claims Life of Man in His 70s at Falmouth Home

FALMOUTH, MASSACHUSETTS — An early-morning house fire on Red Brook Road claimed the life of a man in…

» Today's News Headlines 07/26/2026