c 1864: Letter from Robert Hogbin to Joseph H Cree

No. 276 South 5th Street Williamsburgh Long Island

Mr Joseph H Cree

Sir

Your Freind [sic] William Cargill on calling on him lately informed me that you would like to have a Letter from me. I will now endeavour to inform you of the events that has happened as it relates to myself.

In the Fall of 1849 I removed from the house in Madison Street near Grant Street, New York, the house in which I saw you last, to Southampton, Long Island, NY, 98 Miles [61 km] East, and occupied A small House and Ground about 3 fourths of an Acre at the Yearly Rent of 28 Dollars. On the 27th of January 1854 my Wife died. Soon after, I removed my things to a Neighbour's House (Stored them) and went to Board with my Wife's Sister about half a Mile Distant. In the fall of the same Year I removed to New York from which Place I soon left (2 Months) for Williamsburg first across the East River on Long Island. I have lived in 4 different Places beside the one I now Reside in, No 276 South fifth Street, Williamsburg.

For about 8 years to May 1863 I was occupied in doing a little at my Trade Repairing and selling a few Articles outside of Williamsburg when I became Lame with Rheumatism in my Right Leg which Swelled badly and put a stop to my Travelling. But I succeeded last Summer in reducing the Swelling by wrapping a Wet Towel, 3 double and a dry Flannell on top Day and Night for about a week rewetting every 2 or 3 hours. This is called the Water Cure, after which I took one Tea spoon full of Sulphur in a Table Spoon full of White Sugar three times (for 3 Days). Whenever I feel any symptoms of the Malady I take one Dose of Sulphur which removes it.

The Rent I now pay is six Dollars per Month, Front Room, Back Room & Bed Room. I do but very little Work now and then a little Job (repairing). I have no Family - we never had any Children. So I keep Widower's Hall, are my own Cook and Chamber Maid and get my Washing and Mending done out.

I am well at present and hope you are the same and wish you and yours all a happy New Year. When you answer this which I hope you will soon, you can send any message to your Freind [sic] Mr Cargill and I will call on him and deliver it. I shall be 67 Years Old the first Day of April next. Please to send me your age.

I hope in answering this you will do as I have done, give the principal Events that have transpired in the same time with you. I now conclude with wishing you and yours Health & Prosperity from your Freind Robert Hogbin

Directions
Robert Hogbin
No 276, South 5th Street
Williamsburgh
Long Island
New York

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This letter is undated but we may deduce from the third paragraph that it was written in 1864 or 1865. South Fifth Street runs parallel to and very close to Williamsburg Bridge which in turn connects New York to Long Island across the East River.

I have not been able to find any further information about Robert Hogbin or William Cargill.

Since Robert's news starts with his move in the Fall (Autumn) of 1849 we may deduce they have not met since them. This suggests a date of 1849 for the Cree family's move from New York City to Upper New York State, a distance of some 320 km (200 miles).