From Thomas Water Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (June 9, 1831)

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

Addressed to Mrs Waters, 21 Mulgrave Place, Woolwich, Kent.

H.M.S.Barham Spithead 9th June 1831

My Dearest Love

Your note came to hand on Sunday and happy I was to receive such a token of your affection. My sweet little Benjamin kiss him for me ten times over, I thought on my journey down I had forgotten to bid him good bye but I am sure you knew my feelings, my dear children, if they will but be good I will never, in reality, forget one of them as long as I live. I had a tolerable pleasant walk to Greenhithe, rather tired, and got on board a little after four, it is reported we are to go to South America but we do not generally credit it. for two or three days we were without potatoes, we could not get any at Greenhithe or Gravesend, we were obliged to send to Woolwich for some. Mrs. Willson has let her house to Lieut. Glassgow R.A. who lives just above Miss Walker’s, Mrs.W quits by the end of this Quarter which I suppose you know is the 24th of this month- We left Greenhithe about 5 oClock on monday morning, towed by three steamers, one on each side and one a head of us- I had written so much intending to send my note to you by one of the steamers when we got to the Downs but a strong breeze springing up they were sent away unexpectedly before we got there, and as you may have been expecting an answer I have taken the earliest opportunity of sending a few lines. We arrived at Spithead this morning

Adieu my dearest Love

I remain ever your
most affectionate husband
        Tho^s. Waters