This letter was written by Charles Stubbs Curtis (1808-1890), the son of William Benson Curtis (1777-1851) and Olive Stubbs (1780-1849) of Leeds, Androscoggin county, Maine. Charles was married to Amanda (“Mandy”) Hamm (1808-1864) and went to California in 1851. Charles’ son Henry S. Curtis came to California in 1856; his wife and another son named Frank Curtis in 1859. They located on the Nelson Bar.
Charles wrote the letter to his brother, Capt. Joseph Russell Curtis (1810-1880)—a sea captain of Yarmouth, Maine. Charles’ son, Joseph Gould Curtis (1840-1928) went to sea with his uncle, Capt. Curtis, when he was only 17 and circumnavigated the globe twice. Joseph was with his Uncle aboard the ship Starr when they were chased by the Confederate Alabama but they made their escape.
Other siblings mentioned include Mary Jane (Curtis) Berry (1804-1884), Sophia (Curtis) Sumner (1816-1889) and Harriet L. (Curtis) Foster (1818-1882). Charles also mentions all of his children by name.
TRANSCRIPTION
Nelson Bar [Butte county, California]
February 7, 1865
Capt. J. R. Curtis, Respected Brother,
I received a letter from my son Joseph (Cardiff, [Wales]) informing me that you had left the Ship Starr and had returned to your home. He still aboard the Starr, Capt. York in command bound to Callao. By a letter from your daughter, I learnt you were daily looked-for home. I am looking for a letter from you. None came, therefore, I will write to you. First I will say we are in good health that is what there remains of my family with me. There is but one with me—my youngest son Frank [1848-1923]. The rest are scattered in different directions and wide apart. Charles [Albert Curtis, (1835-1907)] is now stationed at Fort Whipple, Arizona Territory, New Mexico. Henry [Sewell Curtis, (1838-1910)] is about 25 miles from here in company with a man a tanning. Fred is somewhere in Nevada Territory in the mines. Albertine’s [“Cisse” Curtis (1846-1932)] whereabouts you are already informed of so you may well suppose I feel quite lonely. I have had my mind taken up for the most of the time since my daughter left me. I had a call to go to the Sacramento River and build a ferry boat. I went and built the boat. Was about ten weeks. The boat I built was 60 feet long, decked over and pronounced the best boat on the Sacramento River by all good judges.
A word in regard to my old home at Louden [London?] Hill. You informed me that it was in your hands. By Charles I was informed of the same fact. Further Charles wrote me that he would redeem it on your return home from this your last voyage. He viewed himself in my debt and felt him all under obligation to pay you. If he has not already done so, I presume he will soon. You can write him at his present station.
I will now ask you if you do not think it about time for you to haul up for good and quit the seas. Had you not been more prosperous that I have been, I should not expect you would be able to. You have prospered in your undertaking while it has been to the reverse with me. I have done enough to of been independent now. I have been as prudent as any man living, spent nothing that not actually necessary, been strictly temperate, enjoyed good health, but still I have been on the wrong side.
I will now enquire a little after my son Joseph. He has been a long time with you. He writes me that he was a going 2nd Mate with Capt. York. That appears like either slow advance. I thought he went your first mate. If so, he has stepped back. Will you inform me.
I am told that ship building is brisk in the East notwithstanding the war. I was told sister Mary was very sick since I have not heard from her.
I should like to go back to Maine. There are but two objections in the way. The first is the long cold winter. The next I could not go back independent. I should be under the necessity of calling on business men for employ and then to have them cast a side look as if to doubt my capability and ask me what I would work for and what I would want for pay would be a little too much. I should then wish myself back in California. Could I be sure of falling back into as good employ as I left men that would offer me their work, I might be induced to make another move. I do not know as it makes much difference where I spend the remnant of my days. According to the course of nature, I have but a few years to stay at the longest. I have spent better than 13 years in California. To look back, it looks but a day. To go back to Maine and see the changes that have taken place during that period would seem like the work of an age. I should find myself a stranger among strangers without companion or offspring. Would not my situation be a lonely one? I think it would.
[Your daughter] Oce [Oceana H. Curtis (1845-1909)] wrote see that [our] sister Sophia Sumner is now Mrs. Brown. I expected it. Sophia wrote me asking my advice in the matter. I did not favor it. I received a second letter informing me of her decided determination to marry the violent man. It may be for the best. It’s not for me to say. I might marry again if I could find a woman with a full purse without family.
Will you make my daughter a visit? You can hardly imagine how much I miss her. She has been with me the most of the time since her Mother died and to have her go away was a little more than I would like to undergo again.
Give my respects to your family, relatives and fiends. I remain as ever your absent brother and well wisher, — C. S. Curtis
To Capt. J. R. Curtis
P. S. Write me on receipt of this.
Oce, I received your letter and was delighted to see the promptness in replying to me. You may not be surprised if you receive another letter from your Uncle C. You must visit my daughter, you’re Cuz. You can hardly imagine how much I miss her at my house. There are none here now but Frank and myself. Write me again and Frank. From your Uncle C. S. C.
To Oce Curtis
Spared & Shared 21 