Letter by a Connecticut Man Who Settled in Coastal North Carolina in the 1780s

Swansborough, North Carolina: 1789. Single leaf measuring 13 x 8", with two pages of ink manuscript, headed "Swansborough in N. Carolina November 20, 1789" and signed by Jonathan Boardman. An 18th century letter by Jonathan Boardman (1751-1791), a Norwich, Connecticut man who moved to North Carolina sometime in the 1780s, residing there until his death in 1791 in Wilmington. The first half of the letter contains an account of the death of his wife, Priscilla, who "was taken with the fever & ague which distemper is so common here that people mind but little about it." Boardman adds that he himself has "been unwell this two years I cannot say I have had a well day I have...what you call the disyntery for this two years and people think it strange that I have stood it so long but it seems that I am preserved purpose to take care of these poor little children."

He next writes about the financial difficulties he has faced since moving south, making money investing in the West Indies trade and then losing it all investing in a schooner: "till on the 17 of July lost the above schooner was going out of this harbour and run on the bar and los the vesell and cargo which was at least one thousand hard dollars loss to me me as she was most 100 tons and loaded and I owned half of her...." Towards the end of the letter, Boardman writes "This is a plenty country for corn meat fish fowls so I hope there is no danger of ever suffering and the small trade of I carry on supplies us with necessaries for our use...." An early Swansborough (today Swansboro) letter, as the town was only incorporated in 1783, shedding light onto an obscure early resident of the area. Toned, with some staining, couple of small holes, minor separations along folds. Item #13758

Price: $750.00