Letter from Thomas Jackson 1858 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Richard Sleeman. rsleem@erols.com USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. _________________________________________________________________________ This letter was written on January 30, 1858 by Thomas Jackson, with the purpose of convincing Thomas Sleeman to travel to America. Thomas Jackson was the step-father of Thomas Sleeman’s wife, Catherine Elizabeth Wilton. The Sleeman family left Cornwall for America in early 1858 and arrived in New York on May 31, 1858. I have included typographical errors. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Letter from Thomas Jackson 1858 Freedon, Carrol County, Jan.30/58 Dear Children, It is with pleasure that I sit down for the first time to write you these few lines, hoping it will find you with your dear little children in good health, as thank God it leaves me at present through the mercy of God. And, I have enjoyed my health good ever since I have been here with one or two exceptions. And now I wish to give you some account about the country. It is one large extensive woodland country extending many thousand miles in breath and length. It is very thinly populated, whereas, there is in England 60 inhabitants to a square mile, in North America there is not more than 13 to a square mile. In consequence of which there is a scarcity of people to break up or to cultivate this woodland, and altho for six months in summer there is a landing about 3 every minute, yet it will take many more years to get filled up. There is 32 states in North America, besides British settlements, and many of these states are larger each of them than England. Now Thomas, just fancy what a country it is, you know nearly the size of England and if there is 32 states and (each) of them is larger than England what must it be. I can assure you there, there is all sorts of men wanted here and will be for many years to come. And, as you are decided upon coming to America, don’t take any notice of the accounts coming home. I have been informed there is some little depression in the winter but in the worst of times the wages is double to that in England and I can assure you, you may rely on the truth of this. I nly wish I had come to America ten years ago. I have seen a man and wife and a family of 7 children come here and are now living in part of the same house that I am boarding and they had two sons here before. The mans and his wife is more than 56 years of age and when they landed at New York they could not come any further for want of money, before they sent to their sons to come and take them away. This is not an unusual thing with people coming to America and the man that has kindly offered to employ you and John, when him and his family some to America with 7 children, they were obliged to beg their way more than 200 miles and now he has an estate of land more than 100 acres and many more. I have heard of no friend to apply to when the Lettebs landed but yours is very different, when please God you arrive at New York, if you have not a farthing you will be right. Now Thomas, if you can get a ship to sail from Plymouth, do so by all means, it will make the expense less and the passage shorter. But, if not, go to Southhampton but not to Liverpool and either of those places ship yourselves for Philadelphia and is she stops at New York you will be forced on to Philadelphia. And, when you sail, be sure and write me and give either the name of the ship and where she is bound to. If at New York, here is a card to direct you where to stop to. If it is at Philadelphia, y9ou will be sure to inquire of Mr. Heald at New York for Leonar Holly, Philadelphia, and ask if he please to get you through ticket to Baltimore. And, as soon as I know of you being in passage, my friend that I am boarding with knows Mr. Heald well, and has kindly offered to write to him at New York stating of such a family coming in such a ship, giving the name of the ship, and desire of him to give you every accomodation that you require and send you on to Baltimore and I will meet you in Baltimore. Now Thomas, it is 220 miles from Freedom to New York. For me to get there will cost me (an) average 20 dollars or 4 lbs. English money besides lost time when the way I have proposed will do equal the same and that same money will put many things about the house or help you on from New York. If ou need it now you will consider of it and advise with Jane about it. She wrote on my last letter to desiring me to meet her in New York and if she really wishes me to I will but I have to send all I can in my next letter for my dear wife and dear boy. And, he will want money for his passage, and, I am doing my best for each of your welfare as well as my own. I have the offer of a house and ground enough to keep a cow, for 30 dollars a year or 6 lbs. sterling, and I think I shall engage with it. Now Thomas, be sure to take all your bedding with you and you may pack (glass) if you please. (Glass) is dearer here than in England but you may run a risk of breaking it being tumbled over so many times from the steamboat in to ship and again form ship to steamboat on landing at New York and then in to train. And there is one thing be sure to remember when you land at New York. When your luggage is taken ashore, be sure to be with it, some one to (keep) your eye on it, as there will be more eyes than yours and you will have it taken away unless you are watchful. And, then it is put in the train at New York, you must be sure to have a check from the baggage master. If you do not you cannot make them produce your baggage. Now I beg you to read this attentively and try to stammer out the whole of it. And may the lord bless you with a safe passage to this country with all the little ones, not forgetting my own little dear boy. And, I hope, Thomas, you will do your best with them as I beg for you to be their guardian and when you get a ship you will choose your berth in second cabin altogether and don’t give more than 4 pond 10 shillings a head. Children under 10 years, half price. Please tp give my best respects to your father and mother and all that. Inquiry for me and accept the same to yourself, until we meet in America, please to accept this from your poor (disconsolate) friend and stepfather. Please to answer this by return of post. Be sure to write just as soon as you know when you are going to sail. Thomas Jackson Freedom Carrol County Maryland North America