This letter was written by 17 year-old William Hearl Treadwell (1824-1896), the son of Daniel Hearl Treadwell (1799-1864) and Ann Eustis Langdon (1798-1862) of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Their documented children included:
Robert Odiorne Treadwell (1822-1913)
William Hearl Treadwell (b. 15 Oct. 1824, d. 27 September 1896)
Daniel Hearl Treadwell (1828-1847)
George Langdon Treadwell (1830-1906)
Ann Eustis Treadwell (1831-1856)
Emily Treadwell (1836-1890)
John Pearse Treadwell (1839-1906)
William Treadwell married Ellen Pearson (1830-1858), daughter of Rear Admiral George Frederick Pearson (1799-1867) on 11 April 1854. When Ellen died shortly after giving birth to their only child, William took Grace Williams (1830-1892) as his second wife and had two more children. In the 1860 U. S. Census, William H. Treadwell is identified as “Ship Master” in Portsmouth.
An obituary for William Treadwell appeared in the Boston Herald on 28 September 1896. It read:
Portsmouth, N. H., September 27, 1896. Capt. William H. Treadwell, a retired merchant, died this afternoon after a brief illness. He was 70 years of age and is survived by one son, one daughter, and two brothers, George L, treasurer of the Frank Jones Brewing Company, and Dr. Robert O. of this city.
William wrote this letter in late February 1842 from Apalachicola, Florida — a major port in the Gulf of Mexico. From the letter we learn that William was on a ship engaged in commerce. Though he does not give the name of the ship, we learn from the letter that it was captained by [Joseph] Grace (b. 1799) who sailed for the firm of Goodwin & Coues as well as Henry Perkins Salter. That the ship was the Mary & Susan is confirmed by a newspaper notice in the New Hampshire Gazette that the Mary & Susan, captained by Grace, “arrived at Apalachicola on 28 February from Havana” in 1842.
TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Daniel H. Treadwell, Esqr., Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Apalachi[cola, Florida]
February 27, 1842
My Dear Father,
We arrived here last night just before dark after a passage of nine days from Havana. We sailed from Boston on the 27th of January, as I suppose you know by this time.
I will begin my adventure at the time you left me getting into the cars. The company I had going up was Annable, Plaisted, and Capt. [Ichabod] Goodwin. ¹ On our arrival at Boston, we sent our clothes immediately on board in a baggage cart, where we found Tucker & Bright, the second mate.
Capt. Goodwin said we might join when we ship when we saw fit, but as I did not see fit, I went to the Eastern Stage House where I delivered your letter.
Plaisted went to the same house as he was acquainted here. Tucker & Annable were there also. I went to the two theatres and sat in the box.
Wednesday morning, Robinson’s son arrived. We [went] to Roxbury in his chaise. Mrs. Eustis was mighty polite. She asked me to dine and offered to send me in — but she took care not so to do until I had refused twice, and when I did go, she kissed & blessed me. She is a good lady.
I joined the ship that afternoon. I saw Capt. [William F.] Parrott ² & Goodwin. The latter told me that I was to have twelve [dollars] per month as seaman’s wages were 15. Sweetser got 13 when wages were 17. Capt. Goodwin also told me that he had spoke to [Capt. Joseph] Grace, that he was to treat me as his own son, and spare neither money or trouble if I was sick.
We sailed the next day, the 27th of January about noon. We had a rough passage of 17 days to Havana where we lay four days in quarantine during which time no one was permitted to pass or repass from the ship. If a letter came, we had to drop our boat astern to receive it. We had nine days from Havana to this place.
I like the ship very much though she is old. Capt. Goodwin is very well — better than Chase in some respects. He has no presence of mind and not much of a business man from what I have seen. I like Tucker very well — the second mate is very well. He is not going to India in her for which I am very glad though we get along well enough. Plaisted bunks with me. We get along very well. As I know he is a thief I can keep my things all right. I know more about Portsmouth than I ever did before. He is a regular (Blackleg) and this is his last voyage.
March 1st, 1842
The Captain is up town. Mr. Tucker received a letter from his this morning. Cotton is coming down tomorrow and we are bound to Liverpool. As I am going to town with the men this afternoon, I thought I would wind up this yarn. You will hear from me soon. Love to Mother, Grand-Mother, & all.
Your affectionate son, — Wm. H. Treadwell
¹ For a biography of Capt. Ichabod Goodwin, see also — 1831: Sarah Parker Rice Goodwin to Capt. Ichabod Goodwin on Spared & Shared 4 or 1826: Ichabod Goodwin to Samuel E. Coues on Spared & Shared 1.
² William Flagg Parrott (1808-1878) was the son of merchant/ship captain and politician John Fabyan Parrott (1767-1836) and Hannah Skilling Parker (1771-1850) of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. He was the shipmaster of several ships belonging to the firm of Goodwin & Coues. For a biography of John Fabyan Parrott, see also — 1834: John Fabyan Parrott to William Walker Parrott on Spared & Shared 4.
Spared & Shared 8 