SD154. Richard Barrett (1789–1839) to Mary Barrett Lockhead
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 1, 312 (in part).
Barrett Hall
Little River
Novr 19. 1811–
My dearest Aunt
I have recd no letter from you since you left Jamaica but suppose one must have been lost in the August Pacquet– Your maid Mary Waite, as she calls herself, was a few days since delivered of a fine boy, both are in a fair way– Her accouch[e]ment took place on Barrett Hall—this enceinse has lost you her hire for two months back, and for some time to come– |Idelia| has not appeared to me for some time & Emma has a house & ground within a few yds of this residence, which belonged to an old free Woman, whose death made room for her—she could not be prevailed upon to bring me any money, but now she can have no excuse– Kitty & Scipio are well, the latter is idle but not very much so, indeed his work is very easy—and as he is not very young, the less he does work now the longer he will be on the list of able people– Mr Wigan had agreed to pay 200£ sterg for your two children but finding the expense of their manumission wd amount to forty pounds, more or less, he has declined it unless they can be sold to him as slaves– I shd not have hesitated a moment in complying with this wish of his, but I have no power to sell them– You cannot object to this method of getting rid of them as it is to be supposed a father must have a greater interest in their freedom than you can have & therefore wd take care that they were eventually manumised, particularly after paying so considerable a Sum– You had better send me a power to sell them as soon as possible the expense will be small, unless you chuse to deduct something from the price—you may expect about fifty pounds strg from your negroes hire this year, it will leave this country in May next– Betsey & Rachel and their love
Yrs most affy
Richd Barrett
Mrs M B Lockhead
I am taking steps to get Mrs Waite’s will established—the expense will be great but of your share of it I make a present to you–
Address, on integral page: Mrs M. B. Lockhead / Messrs Plummer & Co / Philpot Lane / London.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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