SD1262. Wisdom Barrett to Edward Moulton-Barrett (father)
Published in The Brownings’ Correspondence, 13, 391 (in part).
Duncan
July 17th 1846
My Dear Master
I have taken the Liberty of writing you these few lines and hope when it comes to hand it may find you and family in perfect health your letter dated 1st of May I have received and has every reason to thank you for the Kindness & regard you had for your |old| Servant and trusting that you will never have to complain of any of his children whatever you had stated to Mr Robert in the letter you Sent he never mention a word to me about it but has Spread it to other person knowing Dear Master that I am still depending on you for my livelyhood you will please to consider my letter and know that I am not writing against Mr Robert but he has brought charges against me which I am innocent we all know full well that you not only acted as a master but as a Father to the old man the charge that Mr Robert has against me is this an old man named Milbourne had a Heifer given him by Mrs Phillpots and during his Sickness he brought the paper to my Father to <…> and before he died he came for it and when my father died Mr R. Sent the Superintendance for the Bill of parcel I told him that I was desired of my father to look for it before he died and could not find it I then Said to him I believe that old Milbourne came for it himself and Mr Robert has taken that as a pique against me before the old man died he desired me to write you knowing that through your kindness you will do Something for me that I may be able to Support his widow ever Since the death of the old man I have applied to Mr R for work but he will not give me any and ordered me off the property Saying I have a house. the Salary my father was getting he took it to build the House and I am not able to finish it of myself every body on the property feels surprised that he has treated me So for when I asked him a few days after my Fathers death he told me that the vacancies was already fill and has nothing for me to do but to leave the place I beg off you as a Master to have Some compassion on his widow I feel that I am not applying in vain I feel that by Sending this to you you will Say or do Something for your old Servant Sake when my father was very Sick all the family was at work and never left till the day he died and we send and ask Mr Robert for a little Sugar he would not Send it until Mrs R– finding it was not Right She Send a quart wich was thankfully received by the bereaved family if he Mr Robert think that I am not competent I dont know what Say for I was four crops with my father in the Still House which those on the property can say in writing I shed tears because I know if you was here you would not act So it is not the Still House I wanted but if I can get work on the place I do Sympathize with you of the loss on the estate it is through the badness of some of the people that was on the estate carrying stories to Mr Jump that has cause Some of your people to left the place and those very person that has taken who they like & where they go for the Job they only work out Side of the canefield and left the middle that is the cause of you losing so much
the Family feels greatful to you and will always
Remain Your Obedt
Humble Servant
Wisdom Barrett
Docket: Wisdom Barrett / July 17. 1846 / Recd August 20th / Jamaica.
Publication: None traced.
Manuscript: Eton College Library.
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