From Thomas Waters Sr. to his wife Elizabeth Waters (May 19, 1840)

By Hand

Addressed to Mrs Capt.Waters at Woolwich

[Thomas Waters to his wife, from Birmingham (cont.)]

I think the Corporal’s account of Wolverhampton will be satisfactory to Capt. Heriot and the Captain has only to write to Mr. Diggery now for any further information he may require- 

I am truly happy to find Thomas so delighted, his letter is quite cheering and a very lively one indeed, he is in such high spirits if he will but keep sober he will do, nothing but a sailor’s life suits him, he is decidedly now in his own element all alive and full of gaiety you would hardly have conceived such a difference, at home so discontented as if he cared but little what became of him and now he seems as if he wants for nothing he is so happy, if he had been brought up to a trade on shore what would have been the good of it, his time thrown away and his spirits lost, besides probably he would have gained worse habits from bad company, in his dissatisfied state, that he would have associated with, what a pity it is that Ann should have withdrawn her Son from the Sea, she will rue it as long as she lives in not taking her husband’s advice, it is of the first consequence in the married state to be of one mind, and if the wife cannot convince the husband it is better for her to submit to her husband for the general good of the family and for their mutual happiness, I did not want our Son to go to sea but if it was his wish it was better I think to let him take his course, I return you his Letter, it is quite animating, I dare say you must be desirous of having it again and may the Almighty bless his endeavours and lead him in the right way-  I think it is great nonsense Benjamin’s keeping the rabbits if he takes no pleasure in them, he had much better let his brother John have them who no doubt will take care of them and the rabbets will thrive under his keeping. The Woman that the Nurse attended must be in a bad way if she has a wet nurse, a woman servant and a boy in the house besides, you may rely upon it she is in the road to ruin whatever her income may be for she is a very bad manager- I send you some comfort to assist Patience you may rely upon the purity of it, I bought it at a very respectable Druggist’s shop the Proprietors of which are Quakers, I must say I feel greater confidence in dealing with Quakers, (although 1 am not acquainted with a single individual of them,) than I do with any other people who may be alike strangers to me.

I send 1/2 lb No.16 darning cotton 11d and l/2lb No.12 10 l/2d conceiving it may be rather cheaper than at Woolwich, I bought it at a large wholesale shop that sells nothing but haberdashery, three tin things 2 l/2d and the young Man’s own book 1/6 and there is the Mother’s own book and the Daughters own book to be got at 1/3 each, but I thought them rather too gloomy for you both under
present circumstances but should you wish to have them I can get them another time and send them, I am not acquainted with their merits only I just looked into them at the Booksellers and I thought some of the matter very serious. I hope to send 2 recruits to HQ.^rs under the charge of Corp.¹ Flavell, otherwise I would have sent you a letter last friday when I had the Account from Wolver- hampton but I thought this way would be more satisfactory to you as it is probable you will get this Monday evening
I remain My Dear Wife  Yours affectionately

  Tho^s. Waters