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No original letter

15 November 1828?

[This a letter from Reuben, Nantucket, is marked No.3, has no date except the endorsement “Recd. 15th Nov” in the Captain’s shaky hand. The Capt. Died in 1840, was ill for about a year. There is a note on the back which states, “The date of this part is not given but supposed to be 1836 as it speaks as though Alex were in Ohio and mentions the professions of Thomas and William. However, it has been redated to 1828, since the letter marked #2, referred to here, is from that year; also, the travels of Reuben, Moses, and Christopher are mentioned in that year.]

I have left No. 2 with Lydia, to write a few lines, and have been today writing a few words to Deborah.

Reuben, Moses and Christopher will hear in a say or two, and have promised to go to Fathers and have some chat about Nantucket -.

It is seldom that I walk up town, higher than Eliza Glovers, and when I do, it seems to me, too dreary to stay long. Wm. North (?) from his appearance and that of his premises of his house, seems to be very poor.-.  Uncle Bill’s chin is attaining to a dangerous elevation with regard to the safety of his nose. He might possibly weigh 60 pounds, being more like a humpbacked scrap than anything I can compare his scrivelled form to, while the earth trembles, at the tread of Aunt Mary.-. George Myrick holds me by the button every opportunity; he keeps a store and does some business yet, although his appearance bespeaks him in the mans -.  He does considerable work at his farm near the Shearpen, and the steps of his store are generally ornamented by some of the products of the Season, for sale. - . Mrs. Myrick is quite fat and handsome, and talks, as usual, with a  nasal twang. - .  The Vegetables produced here are certainly very good.  A pumpkin I tasted the other day was excellent, and shall send some seeds, and shall wish to know if they produce the same hard shell’d pumpkin --. I was very vigilant in looking for those lost children – But my anxiety for their fate prevented my enjoying the scenery presented to my view in my rambles westward. – The first day of the alarm the supposition was they were Wd as a boy who lived in Cambridge, told a story (in which was no truth) of having seen them in that direction -.   I went on foot traversing the lots between Charles Folgers Elipha Paddocks, thence coasting along Maxies pond, struck across the hills, and to Capam pond, round the pond over the hills, and about ½ a mile W N W of the Shearpen I found a Peat swamp which I never knew existed before; and then shaped a course for the Cambrige house -.  Passed to the East d of it and stood upon the cliff of the hummock pond, and pointed out to myself the very spot where Father, Thomas and myself were fishing once and one of us caught an eel – Some of those feelings I then experienced came over me, for I well remember that after his head was cut half off, and he deposited with the bunch of fish, I could only watch my buoy about half the time, the other half occupied in watching  the eel, for fear he might squirm off ! – After examining the swamps adjoining the pond, I headed to the S and W and passed round the head of the Pond. I stopped here a moment to contemplate the spot where Thomas and  I caught the fish which R. L. Coleman brought down for us - . Zeb Guinns, mustard bottles full of sand fleas, appeared to me, and never shall I forget how beautiful that bait looked, but they were “ne e e e z z nine pence a buttle”.  After leaving the head of the pond, I observed the ground I just traveled over, in fact the west end of the Island covered with hunters;  Seeing also a number headed towards “---- -----“, I took a straight course for the mills, and got home quite fatigued and disappointed. – The next day I got a horse, and the ringing of the bells roused the male inhabitants enmasse.  I went to the S.E., passing the Wee Weeder and Nobadeer ponds, over Tom Nevers head round the western edge of the great cranberry swamps, most into Sconset; when I learned the object of our search had been found. - . The appearance of the farms added very materially to my anxious feelings, and the appearance of the corn, made the chills creep o’er me. Notwithstanding I was aware of the high price of food and fining, yet, it is to Lydia as though she had never seen or known anything but Ohio. People say we have more money in circulation than an Ohio community – granted, but there must be a constant income, to counterbalance the necessary expenditure. It is only those who have a large capital in the Fishery, that can be said to have otherwise than from hand to mouth. But why do I write as though I was attempting to give a Gent--? An idea of living upon Nantucket!  Pardon me, dear Mother, I have often thought I could see the last flickering effort of the stubbed root, which gleamed upon the walls, a signal -  for bed ! I have tried to imagine the pot of potatoes, which were put on to boil, about the time that Grandfather should be ready to sledge his load of roots from Polpis harbour, Coatue, or Shimmo points -. But if I should go on and tell all that imagination has painted to me; after all Mother might say, “la! Child, what do you know about living on Nantucket?”   Nothing, I answer, neither does my Parents wish me to.

As nothing has been said to the contrary, I take it for granted, that Thomas and Wm. are yet satisfied with their professions, and I hope they are aware that Reuben and Lydia entertain for them sincere affection.  I might write to each, but presuming they will peruse this, I have nothing to communicate but an assurance to them, and Father, Mother, Alex, & Deborah, that we wish to be considered as “members of the family”, to which we shall be none other than Son and Daughter, Brother & Sister, Father & Mother,

Reuben & Lydia

Note finely written on reverse “Harriet weighs 27 lb. & has grown 2 inches – “
(watermarked R. HUBBARD)

Addressed Andrew Pinkham Esqr,  Bethel,  Clermont County, Ohio
Endorsed   Reuben   Nant.      No.3  Recd  15th Novr