SD149. Richard Barrett (1789–1839) to Elizabeth Barrett Williams

Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 312 (in part).

Barrett Hall

Augst 8th 1811

My dear Mother

I trust you have been for some time in England at the date of this letter, & that you found every thing there in good condition & all friends well–

I am concerned to state that all my exertions to dispose of your Phaeton have been unavailing, I have not had even an offer for it, & I begin to fear that it will rot in the coach house, unless sold by Auction, or sent up to Kingston– Mr Ewart will not make any payment for the articles you sent to his store, indeed I do not think him able– I must be answerable to you for the amount of the sales, & will pay myself by dealing with him– Mr Watson rents your land near Mo. Bay at 15£ strg per ann. I have to state the painful occurrence of the loss of a wharf negro named Sam—who was blown up by gunpowder on the 4th of July last– I must say that Mr Bellinger appears to have been thro’ carelessness, the cause of this death– The loss falls upon Mr Watson, as the negroes were valued seperately—not in bulk–

It was my intention to have had my marriage communicated to you, by any pen but mine, however, conceiving my motive might be mistaken, I think it right to say, that on Monday last at Falmouth I was married to my cousin Betsey Morris– Your unqualified disapprobation of this match was so often declared, that it wd have been a disgusting adherence to form to have asked your consent; but however displeased you may be, I trust your displeasure will not continue long– I have for some time lived at this place & am making it as comfortable as possible under the expectation of remaining very many years in Jamaica

Dearest Mother

Very affy Yr’s

Rich Barrett

Mrs Barrett Williams–

Address, on integral page: Mrs Barrett Williams / Messrs Plummers & Barham / Philpot Lane / London.

Publication: None traced.

Manuscript: Eton College Library.

___________________