**These are written by Jane Hawksby Potts, the mother of our Martha Potts Burrows, or refer to her and her family.**
Jane is my great-great-great grandmother, born about 1783 in County Sligo, Ireland.
Letter #1.
(transcription by Jade's Gramma, December 2003)
Addressed to Jackson HAWKSBY, Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland. From his sister, Jane Hawksby POTTS, in New York City, USA
January 1832
My dear brother,
I take advantage of an opportunity that presents itself to write to you As you and I parted upon the subject of going to Philadelphia, I spent three weeks in Quebec with my son, John, as I informed you that I saw him, in my letter that I sent by Captain Johnston. (her son John is with the British Army)
It was very much impressed upon my mind, day and night, to go to Phila. but my son John was very anxious for me to stay with him for two or three months. I took it in my head on Monday morning to take the steamboat for Montreal which reached there in two days and cost me 7s-6d beside 4s for my child (Jane), bed and chest. 2s-6d to LaPrairie—5s to St. Johns for myself, child, bed and chest—from St. Johns to Whitehall I think 12s—from Whitehall to Troy 5s—from Troy to New York 12s—from New York to Phila. for myself 16s—for the child 2s—the bed and chest 6d by Sloop. (the route she is describing is via the new Richelieu Canal via Lake Champlain.)
The evening before I came to New York I slept at Brother Edwards (husband of her late sister, Mary) but Brother Edwards and his daughter (Jane Edwards) had gone that morning to Phila. to see Sister Cook (Ann Armstrong Cook, her half sister. See earlier letters written by her) and when I arrived in Phila. I did not go in as you desired me till I had sent a letter in by a boy. Immediately Mr. Cook sent the servant for myself and the child but knowing that my sister had been confined to her bed so long and so delerious (sic) it grieved me very much, but I was afraid to see her immediately for fear that I should surprise her so much as to cause her death; I therefore waited till Dr. Cook, her son, informed her.
There was every attention to make me comfortable—Mrs. Page (Susan Ray formerly Mrs. Munn) came there, and spent the evening with me to talk about home. Mr. Cook was very good natured to me, the next morning he gave me a $5 note. I told him I had money plenty but he said it was nothing to him.
I could have been very comfortable had it not been for my sister’s illness. Mr. Cook received me very kindly while I was there and I spent a short time with my cousin Ferguson. I was six weeks in Phila.
When I saw my sister Cook she did not know me—when I kissed her twice she pulled me to her and kissed me twice more, said she "Who are you that knows me so well?" "I am your sister Jane from Ireland" said I. "Oh" said she "My sister Jane was a far prettier girl than you are, she is gone to the back countries and a great company with her. When they come home to-night they will be thirsty. Put three pitchers of drink aside for them." I think the reason for this was her daughter Frances, Margaret, and her daughter Fanny’s husband were gone to the back country and she daily expected them home and was very anxious about them and often said she wished to see them. She talked very strange things when Jane Edwards (her niece) was there. She was in the greatest fear and thought there was a man coming in the window to kill her but was quiet when they said they would throw a pail of water on him.
She continually talked to the spirits and talked to her sister Mary and Barbara as if they were there present. (both deceased) So dear brother if she had known me she would have inquired for her dear mother. (Frances Armstrong Hawksby) She knew only the members of the family that were always about her. She often said she wished the Lord to take her to himself and said frequently "O my Jesus". The noon of the day on which she died she breathed easily and expired that night without a struggle or a groan, so easily that it was hardly known when she died—at ½ past 8 o’clock 23rd of August. (1831)
Mr. Cook said that if she had been in her senses she would have rejoiced to see me and that in her death I would lose a friend but my dear brother this may be a loud call for us both, we have neither brother nor sister by father nor mother but our selves. (she and Jackson are full siblings). As for my part I am not sorry for coming to America for it is my determination through grace to meet all my dear brothers and sisters where parting is no more, as I know they are all happy—sister Mary (half sister Mary Armstrong Edwards) on her death-bed expressed with tears her thankfulness to God for all her afflictions which she bore with patience to her end—that she was full of love, love, love to all and that love fulfilled the law and that she saw a glimpse of the crown that awaited her. She died in full possession of her senses.
Mr. Cook and his son Ezekiel (Dr. Ezekiel Cook) both invited me to stay in Phila. but there were three different women’s children in the house as my sister Cook was a third wife and besides this there were grandchildren. I was determined to come to New York on sister Cook’s death. I did not know whether to stop or go on to Quebec when I left Phila. I met with a very warm reception from brother Edwards and his daughter Jane and I am determined to stop here. (with them, in New York) I want for neither meat nor drink, clothes nor money, I want the one thing needful to be a Christian in deed and in truth.
The Lord was very merciful to me saving me by sea and by land—I took the Lord for my protection on the first night I set out upon the sea as I told you in my last letter. (that letter was not saved)
Dear Mother, my sister Cook’s hair was as white as a streak of flax, I have got some of my sister Cook’s clothes a satin frock and a muslin frock, a dimity petticoat and a flannel petticoat, her pockets and a pocketbook, a silk handkerchief, and a thin muslin one, stockings as well as some clothes for the child her daughter Jane). My nephew Ezekiel gave me $30 the day I left Phila. The green dress that is made up (I got it made up for myself, but as I am now wearing mourning for my sister I do not want it) and therefore send it to Martha (her daughter, our Martha). I hope I will see her here very shortly with the help of God, I intend to send for Martha and James (her children) but as they are the two eldest I do not know how to take them from the two youngest. (the youngest are Jackson and Ann) I don’t know what to do about the County Monaghan land—I’m afraid we can’t get it sold till James comes of age (this must be the land at Drumgrole, Ballybay, the Potts’ farm) for this is the best country in the world for getting children trades and I am resolved to bring James and Martha by the first ship that comes from Sligo as I am unwilling to send them to Belfast or Derry or Liverpool as they will be under such great expenses. (the cheapest route was from Sligo to Montreal, then the Richelieu Canal to New York)
I have the money waiting to pay for them. Brother Edwards says that he will have them out and he will pay for them himself with God’s help. Brother Edwards has been lying very ill confined to his bed this winter with the rheumatism and a cough but I hope he will get better. He wishes his love given in the kindest manner to his aged mother and sends sovereign to her for pocket money as a token of his love. (this must refer to his mother in law, Frances Armstrong Hawksby)
Dear brother let me know how mother enjoys her health. Don’t fret about sister Cook’s death the change from mortality to life was her gain though our loss for we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ and we don’t know how soon.
I have good health but I fret about the children when I take serious thought about them though I know I left them with good uncle, I may say father and above all a Heavenly Father who is able to take care of them but I am now determined with the aid of our Heavenly Father to send for them as soon a possible. I have a good many friends and well wishers in New York and I like the place well and have good health. There’s not one in the world would sooner see you here than I would but while you are in the situation you are now in ‘Let well enough alone".
But I forgot to tell you that Mrs. Tucker, Jane’s sister Ann, wrote to me that she would be very glad to see me in Baltimore, but brother Edwards and my niece Jane would not let me leave them and she informed us in another letter that she thought it is a providential circumstance that I came to live here as her mother was dead and that I might supply her place so be not the least uneasy about me as I am very happy and contented. (we don’t know who Ann Tucker is)
Receive my best love for yourself and sister Ann (Jackson’s wife Ann). Give my love to my dear aged mother, to Mr. George and my dear Ann Jane, to Dr. James and Miss Mary, John and my dear little Eliza, (these are her nieces and nephews, Jackson’s children) my daughter Martha (our Martha Potts Burrows)and my son James, to my poor Ann and little Jackson. (her children, left with Jackson when she went to America)
Tell them all to be good children and I will not forget them with the Lord’s help. Give my love to John Jackson and his family, to George Jackson, to Robin Frizzel and his family, to Aunt Polly Henry, to my dear Nancy West and her son—tell her her husband and son arrived safely in New York and spent a peasant evening with myself and brother Edwards, to John West’s wife and family, Wm. Ross and his family, to my nephew JOHN HAWKSBY and all the county Leitrim friends—to George Holmes and his wife, to Dr. Lockhead and his wife and family. You may let Betty Ferguson know that her brother George Ferguson was on his death-bed when I was in Phila. All the family were well except him. Tell my mother that Mrs. Litle of Ballincar sends her love particularly to her mother. Mr. Joseph Keeler desires to be remembered to yourself and family. Give my love particularly to Mrs. Wilson and her husband. John West would not carry one piece of silk with him or I would have sent something to my mother. It would not have been worth while to have sent anything else. If the children come from Sligo let them bring a herring barrel full of Irish potatoes to Mr. Edwards and you should be rewarded.
I send a sovereign to buy a suit of clothes for little Jackson and a pound of green tea for my dear mother. Jane Edwards is sending some things for Jackson and James as well as a handkerchief for Martha (ours). Jane (the daughter she brought with her) is growing quite big and sends her love to Miss Ann Jane and little Eliza and I am sending $25 to pay James’ passage by the first ship that comes out.
No more at present but I remain your affectionate sister,
Jane Potts
Letter #2
(transcription by Jade's Gramma, December 2003)
Addressed to Mr. Jackson Hawksby, Ballymote, (Connaught), Ireland. From his brother-in-law, John Edwards, in New York City, USA. (John is the husband of the late Mary Armstrong Edwards, half sister to our Jane Hawksby Potts)
Feb. 14th, 1832
My very dear Brother;
I rec’d your kind letter on Dec. 12th, 1831 3 days ago and hasten to answer it by my daughter Jane. Respecting your emigration to America, you say you would be glad of my advice to which part it would be most advantageous for you to come.
As for the Canadas, Dear Brother, they are so intensely cold. I think you, nor your dear family could not live in them. The natives of the country complain very much of the severity of these northern regions and many of the emigrants leave them as quickly as possible and come to the United States where the climate is more congenial. Now my dear Brother, if you are resolved to come to this country, (a thing I would not advise you to do, if you are not afraid of your life) I must say that I do not think you can ever do so well in this country as you are now doing in Ireland, if you can live there in peace and safety. This country is principly (sic) an asylum for poor hard working men. My advice is, of you come, that you land in New York, as there are always many farms for sale in the vicinity of New York, with or without houses, and for sale cheap, too, although the price of land varies. Landing here, you can take your choice of town or country, remaining a while to look about you. With proper management you can do well on a farm or in a store in the city, but it requires close attention to business. (Jackson did not emigrate)I suppose John West, by the Mercy of Jehovah, will have reached his family before you receive this. He has a good deal of news for you. Thomas West is still in New York, he comes to see us very often, he is half crazy about his Nanny. I believe he will return home to her by the first opportunity. I suppose his son will remain here. You have been truly informed about dear Sister Cook’s death, she died on the 23rd of August, 1831, at 1/2 past 8 o’clock evening.
Sister Potts (our Jane Hawksby Potts, mother of Martha) has been with us since Aug’t and I am very glad she is here, she says she is very happy and content. She sent ___for her son James’ passage in the spring by the first opportunity, and she also sent $5 for little Jackson to buy a suit of clothes, it was her desire that it should be mentioned. (James did not come when he was told!)I’ve been sick about 6 months, confined to my bed, but I am better and able to walk about the room and to sit up. I’ve been much gratified, as well as all the family, to hear that my dear Mother-in-law is so well and able to walk about. (Frances Armstrong Jackson)
Sister Potts, John and James(the author’s children), unite with myself, dear Brother, in love to yourself, Mother, your dear Wife & all your children individually, as well as to Sister Potts’ children respectively, and to John West and his family. With my best wishes for your welfare,I am, dear Brother, yours affectionately,
John Edwards
In the same letter:
From Jane Edwards, daughter of John:
My dear Uncle;
I was quite disappointed to find by your letter, that you had not received the answer to yours of June last. I rec’d yours of June in Aug’t and answered it, informing you of dear Aunt Cook’s death. I also rec’d the one you wrote to me by Mr. John West and was highly gratified that you were so kind as to remember me. I also forwarded the 2 letters to Cousin Ezekiel Cook and to Cousin Thomas Armstrong. I am very glad indeed to hear that my dear Grandmother is so well (Frances Armstrong Hawksby). Please give her our best love as well as my Sister Ann’s (Ann is her half sister, from her mother’s first marriage). I heard from Phila. lately, our friends are all well. My dear Uncle will no doubt be glad to hear that we have had a great revival among the Methodists, the glorious work of redemption is still going on. We have three sermons every Sabbath and 3 prayer meetings and what we call __ days meetings through the week. The alters are sometimes filled with mourning penitents enquiring the way to Zion, numbers are adding to the Church daily. It seems to me when I attend the Methodist Meetings, that Heaven has, (as it were) come down to us. There seems to be such a spirit of prayer, such a zeal to "turn many to righteousness."
My dear Uncle, we shall be very glad to hear from your frequently, if we are spared. Will not my dear Cousin Ann Jane write to me? (daughter of Jackson) Aunt Potts wishes to be affectionately remembered to her children. She unites with myself, my Brother & Sister Ann, in love to dear Grandmother, yourself and Wife, to all my dear Cousins individually & to our Cousins "the Jacksons". Remember us to Mr. John West & Wife. I forgot to tell you that Aunt Potts intends to stay with us, we have no uneasiness on her acc’t, dear Uncle, we are glad to have her with us. Now my dear Uncle, may "him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy", save us all thro’ Christ Jesus, our Lord.
Your affectionate niece,
Jane Edwards
Letter #3.
(transcription by Jade's Gramma, December 2003)
Addressed to Mr. Jackson Hawksby, Ballymote, Connaught, Ireland. From his sister, Jane Hawksby Potts, in New York City, USA. (Favored by Mr. Thos. West—sent with him)
30 July 1832
My very dear Brother;
I take advantage of the present opportunity of writing to you _____ West. I ought to be thankful to Almighty God that I am yet spared in _____ the living. There has been the most wonderful time here that I ever saw by _________. Since the 27th of June
Cholera has prevailed in our city. There have been as many as 100 deaths in the day & at the climax of the disorder 300 persons _______. Many thousand of the citizens left the city & went into the country parts. Even our neighbors opposite the door died with the Cholera, but glory for ever be ascribed to our Redeemer that in the midst of deserved wrath, he has remembered mercy to all our family who are still alive. How thankful we ought to be that the Lord has in mercy checked the violence of this pestilence greatly, it is quite on the decrease, blessed be God. Many of my acquaintances that I have seen alive in New York are now dead. I thank God that I am pretty well in health though I am not so well as I used to be, with a pain in my stomach. There are excellent Physicians in this city, but 3 of the Doctors died by the Cholera. The cause of Temperance has been greatly benefited by this awful visitation. To use the expression of one of our ministers, "Men have plead the cause of Temperance from the Pulpit but now God is pleading it." We have a beautiful new Methodist Church in our street, a very little way from us. I strive to attend it regularly as I can.By this day’s _____ find that the Cholera has decreased. Let not the news about the Cholera hinder ___ (my) children from coming, as they did not come this spring. Let them (by God’s permission) ____ early next fall if they have disposed of their place, don’t let them come in the winter. (four children: Martha, James, Ann and Jackson were to come) Let
Martha (our Martha Potts Burrows) know that ______ pay her passage, if I thought she would come, but I am afraid that she has no ____ of coming. I would send home some money to my Mother and the children but for fear of sickness or death. But if I am spared until the fall I will send ____ Mother some pocket money (not that I would be afraid of ___ wanting anything_____.) As for all the money I got in Phila., I sent it home. The last letters we had from Phila. and Baltimore our friends were all well, the Cholera has not reached to Baltimore. Sister Cook’s son-in-law, her daughter Frances’ husband, preaches in the Church in our street.Let me know how my Mother enjoys her health, give my love to Sister Ann (sister-in-law, Jackson’s wife), to all my dear children individually. Brother Edwards’ Jane and James write with me in love to yourself and every member of the family, as well as to John West, wife and family; John Jackson, wife and family; George Jackson; Thos. West, wife and family, Aunt Polly Henry; Dr. Lougheed, wife and family; Wm Rose and family; James Wilson and wife; Michael Burns. I should be glad to hear from my Mother. With God’s help I hope you will write soon to me and not keep me in suspense. I forgot to tell you that I got a letter from John Potts lately, himself and family were all well but confined to the barracks for fear of the Cholera, he has a little daughter named Jane. (her son, with whom she stayed in Quebec when she first arrived.) Little Jane is getting very tall. (the daughter she brought with her) Give my love to my dear Ann Jane in the kindest manner. Tell
Martha (ours) I think she ought to write to me and let me know her situation and the childrens’, I will release the letter whatever it may cost. Let me know when she hears from Leslie or the child, (see note at the bottom*) I want to know how my little Jackson is, whether his leg is well. How does Ann come on? (her children) Has she gone to her Grandmother? If she is kind to her I will send her something _____. As for James (her son) he has no excuse, because he had his passage paid______ for them to come by way of Quebec because it is cheaper _____easy to come to New York from there.Once more I say that I write with all the family in love to you all, I remain,
Your sincerely affectionate Sister,
Jane Potts
*The Leslie family owned the Ballybay Estate in Ballybay, County Monaghan. The Potts farm was on this estate and called Drumgrole. We don’t understand the reference to ‘the child’. Did Martha have a child?
Letter #4
(transcription by Jade's Gramma, December 2003)
Addressed to Mr. Jackson Hawksby, Ballymote, Connaught, Ireland. From his sister, Jane Hawksby Potts, in New York City, USA
January 1833
My dear Brother and Sister;
I was very glad to hear that you are all well and that my Dear Mother was so well. Dear Brother, I have very poor news to write to you, that of dear Brother Edwards’ death, it is a very great loss to me. I did not take the death of any friend so ill since the death of my dear husband (James Potts died in Ireland earlier)-- I lost a friend indeed-- he always made me welcome to a home for myself and child and every friend that called on me was as welcome as if they were in my own house. He parted me in good friends. I waited on him to the last, his last words were that he committed me to the care of his Heavenly Father, and said, "The Lord be with you, my precious Jenny"—when questioned about where he was going he said "To a kind and Heavenly Father who has been so kind to me these many years and is now going to take me home to himself". He was quite rational, indeed so lively was he to the last that I could not think he was so near death, he took a cup of tea from me on Christmas morning and he departed on the morning after Christmas at 4 o’clock. Many a poor man and woman laments his death, indeed he was a proverb for his hospitality. O how often did he talk of that letter you sent last and how rejoiced he was to hear of Thomas West’s safe arrival home to Nanny as he said, and how glad he was to hear that my Dear Mother was so well. I lost a warm friend and he did not forget me at the hour of his death, he left me $200. He used always to call me ‘my dear Sister Jenny’. Dear Brother, often did Brother Edwards say to me "Jenny I’ll let you kiss your children in New York" meaning that he would have them brought to this country, but Dear Brother I don’t know how to manage about them now, as I don’t know whether Jane and James (Edwards) will stay here or go to Baltimore. It would be best for them to go to Quebec. I shall expect to meet them there perhaps in the (coming) winter—John Potts (her son in the army) will be in Montreal by May. I shall ___ (know?) all by summer, it is only one day’s sail from ____ (Quebec?) to Montreal and it is not far from New York to Montreal—if they live in New York I will live with them—I shall likely go to Montreal but if I do I will apt to come back as I am not willing to part my dear Jane Edwards.
I joined the Methodist Society last Lovefeast and I hope if I part with my friends in time I shall meet them in a blessed Eternity. "Why should I perish when there is bread enough and to spare in my Father’s house. I will arise and go to my Father", like the prodigal son. May the Lord make me what he would have me to be. It is my determination to follow Christ.
Dear Brother, all the Wests went to Orleans and shortly after they went Catherine West died and James West lost his senses that same night, he was carried to the hospital and came out twice and was put in again. I lent him $10 the time Thomas West was here last on account of Catherine’s illness. I intended to send it to my Mother for pocket money but I never got a cent of it as he was out of his senses. Every thing was auctioned for the rent, there was nobody to see to anything, all was given in charge to the landlord. I send my love to my dear aged parent. I am sorry that I ever offended her. Give my love in the kindest manner to my dear Ann, my dear Ann Jane, George and James, Mary, John and Eliza. (Jackson’s wife and children) Little Jane Potts (her child) is getting very tall and is at school every day. She sends her love to little Eliza. Give my love to
my dear daughter Martha, tell her I am glad to see her chi___ before she came out as I will be expecting her, to my dear son James and Ann and Jackson. Tell them all to be good children and be kind to their grandmother or they will not see me with any comfort—give my love to George Jackson, Thomas and Nanny West, and John West and wife. I am sorry to hear of Thomas Weir’s death, John Hawksby’s wife’s death and Mrs. Young’s death. (these are all relatives) Receive an assurance of my best love for yourself, my Dear Brother, and if I should never see you all in this world may I meet you all where parting is no more.Your affectionate sister,
Jane Potts
Letter #5 The voyage from Ireland to Canada
(transcription by Jade's Gramma, December 2003(
Addressed to Mr. Jackson Hawksby, Ballymote, Co. Sligo, Ireland. From Sergeant John Potts in Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada. (John is Jane Hawksby Potts’ son and is a brother to our Martha)
Sept. 1st, 1833
My Dr. Uncle.
I take this opportunity of writing a few lines to you to let you know that the whole of the family have arrived safe in this City on the 8th of last month after a tedious
passage of thirteen weeks and some few days. My dear Uncle you may easily imagine the situation the children must have been in after such a harassing passage, their provisions as you must naturally expect ran out after the space of nine weeks and they tell me that their provisions might have lasted them all the voyage had it not been that they had no conception of being such a length of time on the water. You are aware I suppose of the cash that you gave James on the parting from him on account of his passage from Quebec to New York (to pay for), that money he says was barely enough to buy rations on board when their stock ran out and no one that knows what it is to be on board ship but knows the price they charge for any article that a person may stand in need of in the provision way, the price was double and in some cases treble, what it should have been. But they have reason to be very thankful after their long tossication that they are arrived safely in America.When they landed in Quebec they had just barely what (money) carried them to Montreal and I must candidly tell you that I had none to give them, otherwise they should not have remained in this city a single day after their arrival as I would have sent them all direct to New York. But I got James into a situation (live in job) where he has eight dollars per month and I sent a letter to my mother letting her know of their arrival but as yet I have received no answer. The rest of the family are in lodgings in the town and they frequently visit me in the barracks; Anne had a very severe misfortune on board ship; she had her foot badly scalded, so bad that I was induced to try and get her into the hospital, but she seemed not to be willing to go and I did not wish to press her. I would have settled them all in Montreal to advantage in different situations according to their several capacities but for the misfortune of Anne’s foot and not wishing to bend Jackson to any particular branch of business before seeing my mother as she might be displeased. And so this is the fact of the case as it at present stands with the children.
I am sincerely sorry that I have it not in the compass of my power to forward them without applying to my mother, but I hope that you will not consider that I am so ungrateful (as you once hinted at ingratitude) as to turn my back upon them in a strange country, but some little casualties having lately occurred to me which has left me at this time a little bare, has prevented my having wherewith to assist them now in their necessity. My dear uncle, time or paper will not permit my entering in to a detail of the obstacles that prevented as from communicating with you before, but now the ice is broken you will hear from me again shortly if God spares my life and health and nothing shall deter me from giving you a full and satisfactory reason for not replying to the epithets which you threw out against me in your letters but to quote your own language I will bury all past occurrences in oblivion and continue to hold and venerate you and your family in the bosom of affection as I have heretofore done. I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. John Jackson and family in Montreal. James and his sister Maria spent the night with me and I need not tell you it was a comfortable one. They all looked well and hearty and in good spirits, intending to proceed to the State of Ohio. I have not heard from them since. I expect, God willing, to get my discharge from the service in the course of the next year, and if I do I shall be entitled to a grant of two hundred acres of land in either Upper or Lower Canada. This I conceive with a few years improvement will make a comfortable settlement for the whole family if they wish to avail themselves of the opportunity of enjoying it. The same quality of land that I would receive is sold for from $2 & $2.50 to $3 per acre in the bush, say from 10 to 15 shillings of this country’s currency. I have nothing more particular to say only James informs me that John Dyer is deserted when he came through Quebec as he had a letter from him. The children send their love to you, my Aunt, Grandmother and all the children without exception. I am as ever
Your affectionate nephew to death;
John Potts
The children did get to New York, as our Martha married James Burrows there.
There is a Jackson Hawksby listed on later census returns as a farmer.
In a letter dated 16 January 1843, Martha Potts Burrows' father-in-law writes:
John West told me sometime ago that Mr. Jackson Hawksby was to write for his sister to bring her from New York to himself.
Did Jane return to Ireland? I can't find any record of her there or later in New York.
Jade's Gramma