From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (March 30, 1824)

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

Addressed to Mrs. Lieut. Waters R.Marines, Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, Kent.

H.M.S.Maidstone Spithead

30th March 1824

My Dearest Love

I have received a letter from my Sister, she says if she can be of any service you may always command her, she wishes you to write to her occasionally respecting ourselves and family- Myself and three messmates dined last Wednesday at the George Hotell invited by Aubrey Hunt Bart. cousin to Mr. Hunt one of the Lieuts., he came passenger with us from the Thames for his pleasure and found himself so comfortable that on going ashore he wished all those to dine with him who could make it convenient, myself and messmates got on board again about ten oClock at night- 26th I was ashore and waited on the Commandant to pay my respects, he seems very stiff and formal but is, I believe, very well liked, Government I understand has bought Mr. Turner the Wine-merchant’s house for him, next the Admiral’s office, the Barracks look dismal, the addition that is made to it is not yet completed, therefore, it looks a little rubbishy, afterwards probably it will look pretty well — I feel very great pleasure in receiving your letter, you need not pay the post while I am in England nor afterwards unless you find at the Post it is absolutely necessary, I am sorry your Sister has been ill, I hope you will yet have the pleasure of seeing her healthy and happy – Hindle is quite happy to find himself a parent, he wishes himself with his wife again- With respect to Miss Silly I think you had better write to her Uncle, she will not reform, she is not capable of being guided by reason, therefore, if she has taken a fancy to this man, all your arguments with her and her promises to you will be lost, she will never give him up, if he does not give her up, I am afraid she will give you some trouble- I put her letter in the Office- My pretty little Innocents, I am glad they are well, and that you are in good health, my sweet dears, bid them to be good children, Thomas and John, kiss them for me, and Joseph and Mary- Your letter is a very good one, there are a few faults in the spelling but I am not very worried on that score myself, you need not be at all ashamed of your writing, and besides you will improve. 27th was at the Dock Yard for men’s clothing but I could not get it, there not being any trousers and gaters in store and on going to the Commandant, at our Barracks, he could not supply them without a Navy-Office order consequently we must go without the clothing untill we come home again, which we believe will be in November. I have let the Caterer have the 15£ which I drew the other day and as he thinks it will not be quite enough I have drawn £5 more- I should think Hindles wife would not do for you, I think she must have a great many acquaintance she having been a milk-carrier and having spent time in a public-house must have made her rough for your retired way of life, notwithstanding, if you think she will do, take her by all means, you must be the best judge. I hope you get on comfortable. I have received a kind letter from Mr. Sillifant, he says “I hope this Letter will reach you before you sail from Spithead, as it is to assure you that your request respecting the remittance to Mrs. Waters shall be regularly attended to and that you have my sincerest good wishes for your health and happiness” 28th I have been out with Hindle to Cecil Place for my linen, collars a penny each for washing I have just given a bum boat man my table-cloths and some other linen to wash for I understand we sail on tuesday.
My table-cloths were on last week.

29th the Ship’s company have been paid two month’s wages to-day. Parker that took us round from Marchwood to Woolwich has been along side of this Ship in his Vessel with the Captains stock but we did not speak to each other- 30th Adieu My Dearest Love I suppose we shall be off tomorrow, I shall write to you as opportunitys occur, I dare say you will have an opportunity of sending me a letter now and then, you have only to have a letter ready, written a little one time and a little another as my letters are and send it when you can, Make my Love to your Family. I remain My Dearest Love

Your Affectionate Husband Tho^s. Waters