From Thomas Water Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (June 14, 1831)

[Thomas Waters. R.M.. to his wife, Elizabeth]
Addressed to Mrs. Waters, 21 Mulgrave Place, Woolwich.

H.M.S.Barham Spithead 14th June 1831

My Dearest Love

I have been ashore at Portsmouth, the place seemed gay and business rather brisk, perhaps in consequence of the number of ships at Spithead and the improvements carrying on in the neighbourhood but one object was wanting which to me is almost every thing and that was your company without which every place seems dismal. I hope our children will behave well and be a comfort to your mind, for my part I think I am more dull now than I was when I left you, to go the coast of Africa, although I have some consolation in the hope that if I remain embarked for three years I shall then have done with the sea service and never never more to part from you my love, but I am far from being free from anxiety on account of your tender state of health, may the Almighty preserve your health for me and for our children’s happiness, for without you the world will be to me but a wilderness and with you every place will be a Heaven. We never know what misery is but when we are at a distance from happiness and yet I am not altogether unhappy as long as I can hope that you are well. I called on my Agent and told him you would draw ten pounds a month. My Agent looked well up, he said he had taken a new lease of his life, he has been married upwards of half a century, his wife is alive and his children thriving. We do not know when we shall sail or where but it is supposed we shall go to South America, after we have taken a short cruise with the squadron. I told Hindle I should allow him a shilling a week untill our return to Woolwich, he did not seem well pleased, but with him, to be dissatisfied is natural. Mr. Stockwell is returned, I suppose by this time he has been at Woolwich. We received twenty-five marines yesterday from H.M.S.Alfred. I saw Mr. Dash the basket maker, his wife has been dead three or four years, his daughter carries on the housekeeping, Mr. & Mrs. Chambers still live in the same house at Cecil place and Mr. and Mrs. Nash in the white cottage opposite, Snook and his wife, Mary who lived with you at Southampton, reside over in the Island and just make out a livelihood, they have three children- I doubt if we leave Spithead these ten days or a fortnight, I have written to my Sister and to Mr. Sillifant. My love to my children. I remain my dearest Wife your truly Affectionate Husband Tho^s. Waters