This interesting letter was written by Sidney K. Howard (1803-1849)—a grocer, auctioneer, and ship captain of Portland, Cumberland county, Maine. He was married on 6 August 1827, to Chloe Dimock Donaldson (1809-18xx), the daughter of Hugh George Donaldson (1757-1812) and Hannah Doane Hatch (1771-1820) of Falmouth, Cumberland county, Maine. Sidney wrote the letter to his wife’s half-brother, Francis (“Frank”) Donaldson (b. 1795) who was then the captain of merchant vessel named the “Exchange.” Frank had long been a seaman, having been a Nantucket whale man in the early 1820s. Chloe’s sister, Phebe Butler Donaldson (1812-1848) is also mention in the letter; she must have been residing with the Howards in Portland. And finally, another half-brother of Chloe’s, William Snow Donaldson (1805-1854) is mentioned.
Sidney appears to have been a businessman in Portland, offering a commercial retail outlet for bulk goods returned from distant southern and West India ports. His advertisements indicate he sold wine, rum, sugar and molasses to name a few items. He seems to have had his hand in more than one business at a time. In 1827, notices were posted in Portland papers announcing the dissolving of two separate partnerships—one with Ezra Kingman, Jr. in the firm of Howard & Kingman, and another with Marshall French in firm of French & Howard. Sidney continued his grocery store under his own name after that. In 1833, Sidney became the captain of a steamer named the “McDonough” that ran regularly between Portland and Boston, with an occasional trip to Bangor.
TRANSCRIPTION
Addressed to Capt. Francis Donaldson of Brig. Exchange of Portland, New Orleans
Portland, [Maine]
March 28, 1829
My Friend & Brother,
Sister Phebe has just handed me a letter to carry to the Post Office for you which reminds me of the duty of writing to you also. The task is pleasant and would have been performed while you was in New York but I really did not find time; and I now almost fear that our letters will not reach you, it is so long since you left New York.
The enjoyment of friends is seldom realized until we are absented from them and although our acquaintance is somewhat limited, yet I cannot but join in the anxieties of Chloe & Phebe about you while absent.
We hear of frequent disasters at sea, and read numerous accounts of piracies committed near the island of Cuba and in the vicinity of the Gulf of Mexico; and sometimes feel apprehensive that you may either be overtaken by the one, or fall into the unmerciful hands of the other. Still, while we imagine the terrors of a tempest and shudder at the cruelties of the pirate, we hope you may have escaped them both.
Article appearing in the Boston Statesman, 16 May 1829
There are two vessels missing from this place, supposed to have been destroyed by pirates near the Havana. One of them was spoken very near Havana, bound in. The Statira is one, and a brig belonging to George Willis commanded by Capt. Weeks. One brig from Boston was taken & one from New York, and all hands murdered. As soon as [President] Jackson heard of it, he ordered the U.S. Ship Natchez [an 18 gun sloop of war] to sail for Cuba in 24 hours notice at farthest. I think this will be a feather in his cap.
Business has been extremely dull in this place the past winter. We have had three successive snow storms—have had six feet of snow—good measure. Nearly fifty failures have taken place since you left. I hold on yet & hope to. Have lost by them this winter over $1,000 but this cannot be helped. The old woman says, “you must not cry for spilled milk,” and so say I.
I received your letter enclosing $50 which I paid to Mr. Gold’s brother & took his receipt therefor. He wanted the money to pay a man he owed, I believe. Money is plenty in our Banks, but very little in circulation. Little business doing in anything new except West India business & that is hardly worth pursuing. Molasses is selling here for 25½ to 26 cents. They get $26-28 for lumber & give 2 bits for molasses. Sugar is also low—good for $8 & some left. I should not advise you to purchase any on your own account.
Case’s brig Drom, Capt. Rice, was capsized in one of those great snow storms within 30 miles of Nantucket and Capt. Rice was the first man who perished, & that too within thirty miles of his wife. She was at Nantucket. Two of the crew were carried into Boston. Hanson & Jewett’s brig Niagara was also lost—crew saved.
We had a fire a few days since which consumed Quincy’s boarding house & one man from New Orleans. No important news to write.
Ad in Portland Advertiser, 14 April 1829
Yours with esteem, — S. K. Howard
I forgot to say that Hugh McLellan is elected Colonel of the Gorham Regiment in consequence of being a Jackson man. He is almost crazy about it.
Mr. M. Sellars’ family are well excepting Josiah, he having fell & broken his leg! Elizabeth & Hugh were in town today. I hope you will write us when you arrive at New York. Your brother William is at Washington. We do not hear from New Bedford but our Falmouth friends were all well by our latest advices from there. — S. K. Howard
Will the Post Master in New Orleans be kind enough to return this to New York if the Exchange shall have sailed?
Spared & Shared 12 