This letter was written by Henry Edwin Ingraham (1827-1888), the son of Henry Deacon Ingraham (1797-1882) and Mary Lindsey (1798-1868). The 1850 Census enumerates the Ingraham family among the Rockland, Lincoln Co., Maine residents as gives the occupation of Henry’s father as a farmer. Henry’s occupation is given as mariner. In 1857, Henry married Sylvia R. Getchell (1830-1898) and settled down as a farm hand in Rockland, Maine. In 1870, he was working in a saloon; in 1880, he kept a restaurant.
TRANSCRIPTION
[Addressed to Mr. Henry Ingraham, East Thomaston, Maine]
New Orleans [Louisiana]
February 28, 1849
Dear Father,
It is with plasure I now write to inform you of my safe arival at this port after a pasage of 19 days. To speak of this plase would be no use but it is far difrent from our peasful home. I have bin around to day. All of the shops ar open and all ar ingaged . A part of our crue are at the ball and a part ar at the play, but I thought it would be better to write and go som other time. I am home sick a little. I shal not go any farther in the ship but come home soon. But I shal write be four I do eather. Mr. Howard and H. F. Thomas send there best compliments home. Giv my love to Grandfather and mother.
Dear Mother, you nead not be worid about me as I am as wel used as if I was at home. I hav not got any leters but I shal look tomorrow night and shal write to all do to me. Giv my love to sister and Joseph and the little boys and all friends. Pre haps I may stay here thre or four weeks and so you must write as soon as you git this. I am now writing on my chest seting on the drawbacket. Let no won se this. I remain your wild boy, — H. E. Ingraham
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