Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War
Passionate Abolitionist and
Witness to the American Civil War
indicates the letters with the richest content
WILLIAM SLATER (Caleb Slater's son) spent a few years staying in America and initially lived and worked with Thomas Jackson and his family. Here is a charming account of William Slater first arriving in Reading and meeting the Thomas Jackson’s family for the first time.
William Slater is still finding his way around his new home area. He visited the Watsons and had to navigate both an unfamiliar geographic area and also he had to introduce himself to the different generations of the once-ENglish family that by now had lived in USA for a long period
The estimate of date comes from the post mark on the envelope. This is another letter from William Slater and written mainly to his "Brother John."
Much new information about relatives’ jobs at the time. William Watson was running a business lime making from oyster shells. Amos was a successful chemist in a nearby town.
William Slater witnessed how Aunt Watson was being abused. He saw many incidents of the wife domineering and contradicting Aunt Watson who lives with John Watson. William also saw John Watson’s wife’s maid being disrespectful to Aunt Watson so he spoke up against it.
With a historical envelope from New Jersey Also responding to the incessant requests from both sides of the Atlantic for more letters. Also a sense of the author’s sense of humor.
William Slater appears to have left Thomas Jackson in Reading and reports on Mrs Murfin’s Derbyshire accent.
A delightfully chatty letter home includes nostalgia for folk whom both William and TJ knew back in England. Also includes references to how TJ’s business was going.
A chatty family letter to his brother reporting on life in Reading. making ropes and enjoying some good food.
This family letter addressed to William Slater’s sisters in England is a classic example of crosshatching where the author writes his message on one side of the page and then turns it 90 degrees and continues his message on the same page such that the writing continues by crossing over the original sentences .
Pleasant letter keeping families on both sides of the Atlantic in touch.
Reports receiving anti-slavery books from Thomas Jackson, including works by Frederick Douglass. A social letter reporting on receiving a Christmas turkey as a gift and also getting an oyster supper, paid for (somewhat reluctantly?) by Thomas Jackson
Includes further info on relatives and major explanations of rope making at the time.
Includes info on William Watsons family and news that Mary Jackson has got married “at last”!
