Child of Misfortunes - Part Seven Letters Ten and Eleven

By TRB

Reading Rebecca's letters from St. Croix it is easy to wonder how she knows so much about the details of life in New York City, i.e. when a new building is erected, when someone dies or is arrested, etc. She hears all of these New York City events from the sea captains she uses to deliver food and clothes to her children in New York City and to a few ladies who sell Rebecca's goods and probably receive a cut. So her world is not limited to the small island. From St. Croix, using people who travel to New York, she is able to look in on the lives of her children and to imagine what those lives might be like. New York City and her talents for making salable items is also a source of income, a source of trade. Rebecca is always busy on the island of St. Croix making sure things go more smoothly for her children so far away. Her sense of responsibility to them is immense and her sense of guilt, of not having the funds to care for them in her own house on St. Croix is extreme. Included here is an oil portrait of her husband JamesCodwise. The portrait was probably paid for with Rebecca's money because the skills of the portrait artist were top notch. Looking every bit the wealthy man from New York City, he is in fact the same man who, dressed in rags, begged bankers to allow his family another night's sleep at one of the family houses he lost by gambling and drinking. He was not a pleasant man. When he was running low on money he would often sell slaves.

James Codwise, Rebecca's Husband

Doctor George W. Codwise

Care of David Codwise Esq

Politeness of Mr. James VanBrakle New York

St. Croix April 3rd 1831

My Dear Son

This will be handed to you by our Friends Mr and Mrs James VanBrakle; we have been

near neighbors for the last two years and have always lived on the most intimate footing.

They leave here by this opportunity for New York and it would be highly gratifying to hear you

esteemed them as highly as we do.

They will reside in Troy, but it is their intention to remain in the City ten days or a fortnight for the

purpose of seeing their Daughter who is at school in New York. They are to stay at Mr. Henry Suydmam's

at or near the corner of Broadway and Warren Street in the row of Houses lately erected there, and from

them you will learn everything respecting our Family. I should have written you a long letter by them, but

your Sisters who are obliged to write for me owing to my bad eyesight, were yesterday engaged in assisting them.

I shall however write you again very shortly.

Your Sister wrote you by the Carlo and mentioned my having received your letters. Dear David

[the 17-year-old, who had returned from school in New York]has already got employment

as Overseer at the next Estate to your Fathers where he receives 300 pounds [a year]and is

being fed and has a physician to attend him when he is sick.

As it was so near your Father he thought it was advisable to let your Brother

accept the offer. Dear Boy he appears quite happy and is extremely industrious.

It rejoices my heart to hear such pleasing intelligence respecting dear John

[the 14-year-old still in New York]and yourself. Continue my dear Children to walk in this unerring

path through life and you will be able to secure the happiness which no one shall ever be able to

deprive you of. And my earnest wish is that we might all meet with a similar changed heart and hear

the Gospel preached as faithfully as you do. But I fear so great a blessing is not in store for Us.

If it is convenient I wish you would endeavor to send me one bottle of the common Magnesia to put

in bread. I believe it is quite reasonable.

All of our family are quite well and unite with me in kind love to dear John and yourself.

And believe me I am your Affectionate Mother

Doctor George W. Codwise

Care of David Codwise Esquire Counselor at Law

Politeness of the Reverend Dr. Charming

on the Carlo

Mount Victory 12 May 1831

My Dear Son

I wrote you last by our friend Mr James VanBrakle. Previous to this your Father and

Sister Agnes wrote by the Carlo, and by the Jupiter your Father and Sister Caroline

wrote -since time neither your Sister Agnes or myself have received any letters from you. By

the return of the Carlo however you acknowledge receipt of your Father's (letter) but remain

silent respecting your Sister Agnes's sent by the same opportunity. Cornelia also received an

answer to hers by the Jupiter some time since.

I perused the letter my Son you wrote to

her and regret you should have censured her so severely for having written respecting the boys

[Cornelia and other family members wrote to George in New York complaining of their Uncle

David's neglect towards the young sons. George wasn't happy about this, perhaps because he

was staying with David and his wife when the letters were received.]

I assure you however, it was by the request of your Father and myself that both your Sister Cornelia and Agnes

wrote on that subject and I think it is no more than right that the blame should be taken from them.

It was not however done with any intention to wound your feelings, but to let you know we entirely disapproved

of your plan respecting John [his "plan," of which they disapproved, was to send John back to a boarding school]

.And also to represent the condition in which David [the son who had returned]came out to us, as we thought you

could not have examined his wardrobe when he came to the City, but had merely depended upon what Mr. Crane

[the superintendent of the boarding school]had said respecting it.

You must be well aware my Son how much you are Beloved by every member of your family and also

that not one of us would cause you a moment's pang, but on the contrary have all endeavored to contribute to your happiness.

I would not have touched upon this subject but Cornelia's feelings have been so wounded by your letter

that I thought every thing ought to be explained to you. I hope however nothing more may be said on this subject,

and trust that all unpleasant feeling may subside in your bosom - for believe my Son, we all love you as tenderly as ever.

I hope you were pleased by the one-half piece of Linen I sent you by Mr James VanBrakle.

The Children have sent you some sandboxes [these were seeds from the Sandbox tree. About the size of an orange,

they were cut into slices and used as ink blotters]and Anna [her eight-year-old]has sent you some Silk Cotton

and hope you will prize them as she has taken great pleasure in collecting them.

Let me know if you would like a barrel of Yams and a keg of Tamarends

[a fruit]and I will send them as soon as I hear from you. All the family unite with me in love

to yourself and John, and also to your Uncles and Aunts - and believe me my dear Son,

ever your Affectionate Mother

Rebecca Codwise

PS Whenever you write to James [the oldest son]you must remember all the Family

to him, and his success in business.

This letter will be handed you by the Reverend Dr. Channing who has been staying with us

for some time. There are 18 sandboxes sent for you.