Nothing would ever come easily in Rebecca's life. Knowing that both she and her husband came from New York City's finest families makes it even more mysterious. That is until you realize that the poverty experienced by Rebecca is the result of societal mores at that time and of the behavior of James Codwise and John Rogers, Rebecca's father. Back then when John Rogers "gave his daughter away." he literally gave her away. That is where the saying comes from. Her condition in life was now the resonsibility of her husband James Codwise. John Rodgers could forget about her. And, for the most part, he did. After all, Rebecca was the property of James Codwise. So, why did the Codwise family not help them? First of all, they did - in thousands of pounds and dollars in loans to James that were never paid back, raising almost every child to whom Rebecca gave birth. It is quite possible that Rebecca was suffering a kind of abused woman's syndrome, where she had convinced herself that she needed James, when in fact, leaving him would have improved her life greatly.
There will be others letters to folllow the first letter contained here, which is Rebecca's last letter to her son, Dr. George Codwise. Also you will find a photograph of Dr. George Codwise (the son Rebecca worried about so much in her letters.) as an old man with his family. His house was located in Wellesley, Mass. Rebecca's son George had settled there. He was the coroner for Newton and was also a local surgeon at a state hospital. The picture is from the 1870s. The other photgraph is of Rebecca's oldest daughter Agnes, the one who looks so beautiful in her oil portrait painted when she was only 18-years old in New York City during the week of her wedding. This photo was taken of her not long before she died in the 1890s. She was nearly 93 years old.
There will be several more chapters of A Child of Misfortunes which will include letters to Rebecca, Rebecca's, cookbook and other subjects.
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Doctor George CodwiseUnited StatesNorfolk VirginiaSeptember 24th 1849My Dear GeorgeIt is many a year since I have written a letter, but my feelings for your severe losscompels me to write. I regret that I had never the happiness of knowing your beloved wife,as I have heard so much about her from everyone who knew her. I sincerely regret thatElizabeth [Rebecca's youngest daughter still living at home]did not see her. I know that shehas lost a sincere friend and one that would have been a Mother to her. I loved her as yourWife and the dear Children that she has left.I only wish that I was near them so that I may assist in caring for them. Although I am very weeksince my late illness, it would be a great comfort to me to be near you all. I have but one child withme now and her health is very bad. I am afraid that we will soon lose her [Elizabeth, the child in question,lived for many more years]We lost Dear Caroline for the want of money to send her away in thecommencement of her sickness.I hope you are pleased with Rebecca [his sister, who was taking care of him followingthe loss of his wife]Tell her that she must not forget that she has parents that love hertenderly and hope that she will not fail to write.I wish you had Cornelia with you as she is fond of children and they get very much attached to her.She has been spending the three last weeks with Anna for the change of air. Tell Rebecca herniece grows finely and is as handsome as ever. Poor John is still Overseer and he has a wife andchild to support. He raffled his few pieces of furniture to pay some debts. We are so poor ourselveswe are not able to assist him.I can assure you my dear child that our situation is a melancholy one aswe have not the means of supporting our house. God only knows what is to become of us.I am now sick and the burden is on Cornelia [a daughter who lived on the island but not withher] I never knew the want of a dollar until now, for I have always had a little money to purchaseany thing that I stood in need of. It is truly hurting to my feelings that in my latter days that I shouldbe in want - which is the truth.Do see that Rebecca is properly clad in the Winter as she is very much adverse towearing flannel and very careless about herself.I have sent a box of preserves and a keg of tamarens by this opportunity.The Captain is named Clark - he promised to deliver them safe.Perhaps this may be the last letter that I shall ever write you - you must excusethis scrawlas I am in such a nervous state that I can hardly grip my pen. I wish you would sendme some pickled oysters by Capt Clark.Tell Rebecca that we have received but two letters from her and Anna got hers.I can't imagine what has become of the others. Kiss my grand children for me. Ilong very much to see them - and if I had it in my power I would come on in the Spring,as it would be beneficial to my health, for a few weeks. I must now bid you adieu and my dear RebeccaI remain your Affectionate MotherR Codwise[This is possibly her last letter to sonGeorge. Rebecca died less than a year later.]
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A Child of Misfortunes
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