From Thomas Waters Jr. to his parents, Elizabeth Waters and Thomas Waters Sr. (December 31, 1851)

[Thomas Waters to his parents]

[from transcripts]

31 December 1851

Digby.    Nova Scotia

Dear Father and Mother

After a middling successful Summer’s cruising I have come to an anchor for a few stormy months as I cannot get a freight that will pay the extra risk of a winter voyage.  We received the parcel per Scotia and were much pleased and return thanks to the kind givers.  The winter has been very boistrous so far and very disastrous to some of our vessels, more have been lost this year than for a many year previous.  You must not mind the mill without you can send it to St John’s direct.  I should have liked to have seen the Exhibition.  Capt. Dakin was married a few days after arriving here to Miss Jane Bent, a daughter of Dr Bent of this place, and left with his bride two days after for sea.  I was away at the time and have not seen him.  Amy and I mostly every week take a sleigh ride out to my Father in Law’s a few miles back in the country, it is the most pleasant mode of riding that I know of. We intend spending new year’s day there.  Xmas we made a plum pudding English fashion, we had the company of an Uncle and Aunt of my wife, they have a large farm of several hundred acres, we spent a day and night with them a few days previous on their farm, People live very different here to what they do in the old country, the cold is very intense here, our breath freezes on the bed clothes, and our bread, meat etc have to be thawed before we can eat.  I employ myself carpentering, I have made a kitchen table, plate rack, stools, knife box, cupboard, wooden ladle and a shoe horn with several other things and I find plenty of amusement with my tools, I wish I had a complete set, they are very expensive here.  Nova Scotia is a poor country for a lazy and shiftless person.  Work is the watchword to be independant.  Little Lizzie is doing very well and so is her mother, she has just taken off caps from the baby, she wished me to inform you.  I am very fond of my baby, it is a new incentive to toil.  I sometimes wish you were all out here.  Living is so cheap and the country to my eyes so beautiful.  I am much obliged for the books especially Cottage Comforts, I have not had to pay for the last letters which I received from you, the newspapers are very acceptable, but I get no Illustrated now.  We are all well at home and with the best respects to all

I remain Your affectionate son Thomas Waters

P.S. Excuse this scribble, my arm aches, I have been hard at work all day with my axe cutting fire wood. Amy sends her love with mine.