George Abbot to his son George William Abbot, 18 January 1843

[From George Abbot in Beverly, Massachusetts, to his son George William Abbot at sea. He talks about his son's future, and whether or not he chooses to be a seaman; encourages good conduct and character; talks about a letter to George (his son) from Ann Abbot, that she had first sent to him and his wife Nancy for perusal; and mentions a trial for mutany on the "Brig of War Somers," and the ensuing execution of three of its leaders.]

Beverly Jany 18th 1843

My Dear Son,

You can hardly expect, on receipt of the accompanying heavy package of letters from your Mother,1 Sisters, & brothers, and so many of your young friends (equalling in number a whole weeks receipts of the Beverly Mails) to receive from my pen any local news, as no doubt you will have all that can in any manner be interesting. I shall therefore avail myself in my next communication, via Batavia, and confine myself now to a subject nearer my heart, vis. your present and future welfare.

You will, George, ere this is received, be well acquainted with the agreeable & disagreeable (mixed) life of a sailor, and doubtless have made up your mind upon the subject, and which I presume is not favourable to the calling, and have come to the resolution, should you ever return, to abandon it altogether. If so, well. If not so, well. But whatever your feelings and determinations are on the subject, you should not permit it to have any ill effect upon your present conduct, or future character. A young man, whatever his choice of profession in life are, should always keep as a leading star morality & virtue in view, and never for a moment loose sight of it, and as much as in them lies, use their best endeavours to conduct in such a manner as will meet the entire confidence and approbation of their employers & masters, and all that have them in charge (particularly young Seaman).

You know my opinion and wishes on that head, as I have often expressed them to you, and I hope and trust, to an attentive ear. It is therefore unnecessary to repeat them here, but would refer you to the very valuable letter from your excellent and amiable friend and former teacher, Ann Abbot,2 who was kind enough to send it to us unsealed, for your Mother & my perusal. It is replete with the most affectionate feelings and valuable advise. I trust you will appreciate her kindness, value it highly, keep its religious & moral aspirations in view, and exert yourself to continue worthy the affectionate regard of so valuable & kind a friend, and should it be within the limits of possibility, answer it at some convenient period of your voyage.

I send you by this conveyance also a package of newspapers, collected and put up by Israel W. Lamson.3 Also a "Weekly Herald," which contains the most of a Trial, or proceedings of a court of enquiry, of the unhappy "mutany" and execution of three of the leaders on board the "United States Brig of War Somers" on the coast of Ap[__?__], a most horrible case indeed. Young Spencer4 there named was son to the Honer. Secretary of War John C. Spencer.5 I presume your Capt., Supercargo, & officers will have abundanace of Newspapers by this conveyance, but should it so happen that they should not, you must loose no time in in offering yours for their perusal. But find out privately, and be assured that they will take it kindly before you offer them.

You can say if you chuse to the captain & Mr. Wilkinson that I wished you to offer by respects to them. My respects to Elisha.6 With the best of wishes for your happiness & welfare remain your affectionate Father

George Abbot

  1. Nancy Stickney (1796-1851)
  2. Anna Wales Abbot (1808-1908)
  3. Israel Whitney Lamson (1824-1885)
  4. Philip Spencer (1823-1842). He was hanged without a court martial on 1 December 1842 on the USS Somers in the mid-Atlantic for planning a mutiny. See Philip Spencer and USS Somers (1842).
  5. John Canfield Spencer (1788-1855), U. S. Secretary of War, 1841-1843. See John C. Spencer.
  6. Elisha Whitney (1824-1888)