Supporting Documents

SD1552.05.  Henry Roberts to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)

Addendum to The Brownings’ Correspondence, vol. 18.

My dear Sir,

A few days sojourn at Cinnamon Hill has given me the opportunity of forwarding you the enclosed rough outlines of particular spots on your Estate which we have thought would be most interesting to you; without any drawing materials at hand Mrs Roberts has done the best she could with such substitutes as the writing case affords and these little slips have no other pretension than to give you some slight idea of the places they represent. [1] If there were not many discomforts in walking to a distance along rugged paths, and in making sketches, then Cinnamon Hill would afford materials to fill a portfolio. The ground plan of the Cemet[e]ry I have sketched out with care, through the assistance of Mr Jump—and should have been glad if I could have gleaned from the old people there, some information as to those tombs which are without names, but those which will be regarded with most Interest by you are fortunately in a good state of preservation.

I grieve to see the ruinous effect produced by the dry weather on the Canes throughout this part of the coast. On the 15th and two following days we had smart rains but I fear too late to benefit your Estates for this crop.

Small pox, hitherto chiefly confined to the neighbourhood of Duncan’s and the windward part of Trelawny, is now greatly upon the increase in St James. Early vaccination give an exemption from attacks of the disease, and I fear, from the want of means systematically to vaccinate the children, that there is a great deal of spurious vaccination carried on unheeded—and what is worse that a great many “negro” doctors practice their calling to the detriment of the people. My own child has had a very mild attack of the small pox and I thank God is now quite well again. Our servants were scattered by deaths or sickness from the same complaint and we were glad to take refuge at C.-Hill and recruit there before our departure for the Havanna and America. We hope to sail by next R.M. Steamer; and should my life be spared to reach England once more I hope to have the pleasure of renewing my acquaintance with you in London. With best respects I remain

My dear Sir

Your very faithfully

Henry Roberts

Publication: None traced.

Source: Transcript in editors’ file.

1. Preserved with this letter is a pencil sketch and a ground plan of Cinnamon Hill cemetery.

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