A Child of Misfortunes - Part Five Letters Six and Seven

The letters appearing here are significant and represent a turning point in Rebecca's whole existence. She has finally come out strongly against her husband's laziness and demands that he find employment. She does not do this directly to his face although they are living under the same roof in St. Croix. Instead, she writes to her son in Brooklyn, NY and asks him to write to his father with her in St. Croix and relay the message. Rebecca's dream is that James {her Husband} will leave for the States and find a job. Then she too will sail to the States, where most of her children are living so she can live among them. But that is proving to be just a dream. Lately it is difficult for her to have her letters answered. Her children, or most of them, are simply ignoring her. She continues to send them clothes she has made for them, canned fruits and vegetables, soap, and sundry other homemade items. By one letter we learn that she has sent a gift to her brother, a Rogers. This might mean that the Rogers family is still sending some money to their daughter. Many today, would ask, under the circumstances, why didn't her father John Rogers, one of the wealthiest men in New York City take her from the island and back to their home in New York City where she could receive better care and be among her children? The answer is depressing. Through her marriage to the colonial deadbeat James Codwise, Rebecca had become his property "by law." Her father could not simply leave the island with his daughter, because she literally "belonged" to someone else. And so, for the time being she is trapped on St. Croix. She develops a strong fever and almost dies. She recovers and her hopes return. Rebecca believed strongly in the Bible. She has decided to forgive James and some of his sisters who have stolen her money. She is ready to move on - by TRB

An old St. Croix home. The mortar was made from lime, ground coral and molasses, and the stone was mostly from ship ballast.

George W. Codwise

of United States Navy Naval Hospital

Brooklyn New York (on the Carlo)

St. Croix September 6th 1827

Can it be possible my Dear George that you could have the cruelty to let the Carlo and a brig of Mr, Grant's come direct to Westend [another name for Frederiksted]

and not write either of us, knowing the anxiety that we all feel about you. More particularly, your poor Mother who is in such a state of mind.The Packet also arrived and not a line from you.

We did not know what to make of your silence. At some moments I began to think that you had forgotten us, and at another moment I would give up that idea, knowing the affection that you showed and the last look that you cast on your leaving us. But I am happy to say that we have at last got your letter dated July 27th by the schooner Mary Ann, who arrived here on the 30th of August after 30 days passage, which in a great measure relieved our minds.But you say nothing about the two boys. I am anxious to know how they are - and James what is he doing?

The Packet I learn is not fit for sea again. We all felt miserable for poor George supposing he was in her but Agnes got a letter from him saying he gave all the things to the mail there the box of Colone and the two files, the comb is not come nor the dresses or medicine. There was a bundle for Agnes containing the silk that I left to be dyed.

I wish you would send my dresses for I am very much in want of them. My health still continues delicate, my health is at times as bad as when you was here. The only relief I get is by taking an opium pill when the pain commences. Our poor friend Mr. Mackbean has suffered very much by the hurricane, he seems very low spirited. I don't wonder at it for the distress is very great in the Island at present, but it is not to be wondered at for the community is so depraved and such wickedness carried on. Would to Heavens that me and mine was out of it, for I am afraid that my health will not be better as long as I stay here - for I see nothing but misery before my eyes daily. It is truly a scene of distress around us. There is no less than 9 cane pieces totally destroyed - your Father says that the loss that he has met with is no less than 12 thousand Pounds of light [a bulk measurement for sugar cane]

All our hopes are now blasted - but God's will be done and we must be satisfied.

Most willingly would I leave this world, but you all call me back to it. But I trust when my Heavenly Father sees fitting, I shall then leave it without regret. Oh my dear children what does your too fond mother suffer on your account - more particularly those who are absent from me, those who want the care of a mother to mend and do for them, as I did for you last winter and perhaps for the last time.

Let me know how my poor little boys are, and if there are any prospects of your Father doing any thing, as I am very anxious for him to do something for the support of the Family while he has health and strength. I wish when ever you write to him you would urge it and tell him the necessity of his trying to exert himself, as he seems not to be inclined to leave this miserable place. Perhaps he may have to quit it when he is not able to work, and what then is to become of his family?

I have no friend that will stretch out their hand to assist the family, nor do I expect to find any.

Let me once more entreat of you my beloved son if there is a possibility you must try to establish your self either in the city or some country place as I have a great dislike to your going to sea - for then I am deprived of a great happiness that is in hearing from you and writing. For your image is always before

my eyes and would to Heaven that I could once more press you to my throbbing heart.

When you write let me know by what opportunity you have written by, that we may see if we can get your letter, as I think they have been held back. If so, I hope their curiosity is satisfied. This is the 5th letter I have written you; the last was by the Jupiter. I wrote Mrs. Atterbury by the same

I have been abused by the girls. They say I never wrote them when I was away from them, but I am always writing to you. But I assure you it is a great exertion for me to write, as you know how bad my eyes are - therefore you must excuse all mistakes that I make.

In your next let me know what sort of a passage you had, keep nothing from me concerning your self or the boys. Poor children, how much I wish I could be with them and you my Dearest George.

But I am afraid such happiness is not for me, as I have late been the child of misfortunes, and expect to be at the end of the chapter.

Tell my dear Mary that I received her letter and was very much gratified to see that she had not forgotten me.

I am happy that I anticipated her wish in sending her more soap cakes, and shall write her by this opportunity.

I hope you have received the things I sent you by the Chase. It was swell that I made the preserves as soon as all the fruit was destroyed and it shall be some time before we get any more. I have sent you and Mr. Atterbury a pot of pickles. Tell him that I made them hot to suit his taste and I hope they will please him. As soon as I am able to get fruit I shall remember the rest of my kind friends, but regret it extremely that I could not fulfill my promises. I shall give the pickles in the Captain's care. I have sent Mary a box of shells; he has them also. I shall be glad to receive a letter from Mr. Atterbury as I have always felt a regard for him.

I must conclude this scrawl. I suppose you will say, Is my Mother not tired of writing?

But you must have patience as it seems the more I write you, the more I have to say.

Remember me affectionately to the family at New York, and the rest of my friends, I mean those who seem to possess a friendship for me, as there are very few sincere friends in the present day.

Cornelia continues to get a pain in her side, and cried at not receiving a letter from you and appeared quite disappointed. Your dear little Rebecca is always speaking about you and Miss Mary Atterbury. She picks up all the old shells and begs me to send them to her.

I shall write Sister Betsy [her sister-in-law, Elizabeth Codwise]by this opportunity. Remember me to Brother David and Sister Patty [Her brother-in-law David Codwise, and his wife Martha Patty Livingston-Codwise.] and the rest of the family. This is our Dear Agnes birth day and on Sunday next is yours. My dear son, may it be a much happier one to you both than the last was.

May God bless you and prosper you is the sincere prayer of your doting Mother. The family all unites in love to you - and the same from your Loving Mother R. Codwise

In looking over this I perceive a great many words spelt wrong, but I cannot alter them and I know you will excuse It. I have received your letter of August 10th and perceive by it that Mrs. Remson has not got the preserves that went by the same opportunity, the Chase. They were directed to the care of her brother Mr. George Brinkney. I sent a box for Mrs. Atterbury and for Mrs. Remson and a keg for the son and a box for you. Yours was the larger and in Mrs. Remsons there was a few pots for Mrs. Blair. I have sent a box of shells for Mary.

I have also wrote her and Sister Betsy by this opportunity. Inclosed you will find a list of the letters I have wrote.

I am glad that you did not alter Mr. Rogers [Her brother in New York]box but regret that you gave yours up.

I think your letter was a melancholy one as well as mine. Once more adieu my Dear Son and may the Almighty prosper you is the sincere wish of Your Mother.

R. Codwise

St. Croix

Febry 5th 1828

My Beloved Son

I have now to acknowledge the receipt of your last letter dated 1st December.

It was a severe blow to me as I was then confined to my bed. I have been extremely ill since I last wrote you on the 26th of December. My family thought I would not survive through the day, but it has again pleased my Heavenly Father to restore me once more to health.

I have had a severe attack of the broken bone fever [probably "rickets;" vitamin deficiencies were common] as they term it, which has been very prevalent throughout our Island. It renewed all my former complaints of which I was getting much better. I think I am now quite as well if not better than previous to this severe attack.

When I recovered I looked around in hopes to see you and your brothers, but then hopes soon fled.

Can it be possible my Dear George that you are so far from me? I have learnt that you have gone to the Mediterranean from a Doctor Judson of the Navy who is here for the benefit of his health. [St. Croix's tropical climate was thought to have healing qualities, and many wealthy Europeans and Americans went there to recover from various illnesses]

We have a great many this winter visiting our Island. But I am afraid some will never recover.

Among the number is a Mr. Benson nephew of my kind friend Mrs. R, also an old schoolmate of yours Mr. George Clinton Tallmadge. They have spent a few days with us and seemed very much pleased with the little attention that we showed them. Both of them I think will recover.

I have written you this but cannot say when you will receive it. I hope however it will not be long.

I was very much astonished to hear that neither James or yourself received the letters that your Father wrote each of you. They were all enclosed under the same cover directed to your Uncle David. The letters written you by your sisters were in a package by themselves and directed to you by Caroline

with a request that they might be returned in case you had left America previous to their arrival - also a very lengthy one to your Uncle David.

All these as I before mentioned were under the same envelope. Those written by me were sent to your Aunt Betsy this package went by the Ernelia last voyage under date of the 23rd of November. It is evident they must have been opened, and all those directed in your Father's handwriting must have been taken out, as you only acknowledge the receipt of those written by the female branch of your family.

It is truly grevious to your Father to think that he can hold no manner of communication between his absent children and Brother [David Codwise] but what they must be exposed to the eyes of some unknown interceptor of our correspondence. Your Father has written you three times since you left

us and you only acknowledge the receipt of one. Write me as frequently as possible for you know my anxiety respecting you. I have just received a letter from Mrs. Atterbury. It is written in a most affectionate and friendly style. It mentions that all her family are quite well and speaks of your farewell visit to them. In it she mentions the dreadful intelligence of Oliver Kanes having put an end to his own existence at Bedell's Tavern [a popular drinking spot in NYC located at 143 Fly-Market in the vicinity of what is now Greenwich Village]She mentions his having robbed the Insurance office of which he was secretary of the sum of two hundred thousand dollars. What a shock it must have been to his poor unfortunate Wife and Family.

Our affairs continue in the same state they did when we last wrote you. The Manager [an official of a bank that holds the mortgage, monitoring her husband's handling of the plantation's affairs] is still on the Estate and I suppose will remain.

I wish you would try to persuade your Father when you write him to seek some employment in America. I know you have great influence over him, and how happy would it make us feel my Dear George if on your return to America you might have a parent home to welcome you, and how happy would you feel to receive the warm embrace of your parents and the tender sympathy of your affectionate Brothers and Sisters?

On the 25th of January I had a singular dream. I heard your well known voice bidding me farewell and felt that tender embrace which I have frequently felt. Your Image was so plain before my eyes, as if you were there in reality. But what was my disappointment when I awoke and knew it was a dream. Only you my Dear George can tell how I felt, but my prayers are daily offered up for you.

I hope that the Almighty may hear them and that we may both call on him more frequently and resign ourselves to his will and pleasure more than we have hitherto done.

I am happy to tell you since my last illness that I received a message from Mrs. Luke Codwise [her husband's youngest brother's wife, who lived nearby on the Island of St. Thomas.] saying that she wanted to come and see me but I did not know if I would receive her and willingly sent one in return saying I should be happy to see her if she came. Your Father called to see her and she is coming down to see me. I felt it a duty as a Christian, and knowing how my life has been spared, I thought it best all differences should be made up.

I forgive them all they have done me as I expect forgiveness from my Father In Heaven as we cannot say how long we have to live.

Another year has passed over our heads my son. Can we look back and say we have spent it as we ought to have done? No, I am afraid that neither of us can requit our consciences and say we have spent it as we ought. But I hope this year may be a more profitable one to us all.

The family are all well and unite with me in love to you. Your little favorite Rebecca is continually speaking of you, and continues to say there is no one's kiss as sweet as yours. I must now bid you adieu and wish you many happy returns of this season.

Your fond and affectionate Mother

Rebecca Codwise