From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (February 17, 1842)

[Thomas Waters, R.M., to his wife, Elizabeth]

Addressed to Mrs Capt.Waters R.M., King Street, Woolwich

H.M.S.Revenge 17 Feb.1842

My dear Wife,

Your note of Sunday with the 2 stamps I received on tuesday, at the Nore where we were at anchor, we were the same day towed into Sheerness harbour by a steamer, we left Spithead thursday, the day I mentioned, but having to encounter contrary winds, and a narrow channel, between the shoals, to beat through, we had to anchor every night, for day light, deeper water, and tide in our favour, but we have had no accident, we were inspected by the Admiral yesterday, we are getting the stores out as fast as we can and we expect to be paid of by the end of the month.  I think you will do quite right to engage some rooms on Plumstead common or any other place that will suit you for health, but I think 2 room for sleeping will not be sufficient for family health.  If you find a house that will answer our purpose for shifting into, engage it by all means. I am very glad John is taking private lessons, it never occured to me, or I would have recommended it from the first, for those who are not paid expressly for the purpose will not give themselves much trouble, we know at Woolwich academy, it is found advisable for young gents to have private instruction, although the public tutors are well paid for the sole purpose of instructing them.  I am very sorry my dear John has to encounter unkindness but it is to much the way of the world, those that are without money and have but few friends must rough it through, but these are the very people who if they have patience and perseverance, rise in the world and overcome all difficulties, not having been spoiled by flattery and indulgence, I feel confident that my son’s good qualities will not suffer him to be led from the path of rectitude and that the Almighty will support him in difficulties.  I am sorry that some of the young folks are not well, but a favourable season is coming on when I hope all will be right again. My dear daughter Mary deserves every good thing I can do for her.  You do right to hire some one to wash for you-  My servants name is Lloyd, he has attended me about three months, he appears steady, is married, has one child about four years, his wife came aboard with her child last night, I have not seen them, she has been living a servant in an Artillery Officer’s family, at Woolwich, I have not seen the Wife or child.  There has been some little promotion in our Corps, Col.Connolly is retired.

My best love to my good children and believe me to be affectionately yours

Tho^s. Waters

My dear Thomas, I hope, will do well where ever he is, he has my best wishes and I trust to the Almighty for his safety. 

I do not expect any thing, for the married, their own good sense and best exertions, under Providence, is the best hope to trust to. You must not be surprised at the principle Draftsman’s endeavouring to dishearten John, from my dear child’s steadiness and good conduct, he may be afraid of meeting with a rival, in John in the way of his profession, the draftsman may also be bad tempered but I hope John will not lose his even temper, but strive to give satisfaction in what is right.  Notwithstanding +  +