Letter from Henry Jones to his brother and sister, 20 January 1851 [image 1 of 4]

Description

A letter from Henry Jones, a native of Llanfihangel-y-Pennant who has emigrated to Holland Patent, New York State, to his brother and sister, dated 20 January 1851.

Henry writes that he is living in the same place as he was during the summer. He has attended only one fair, and that was held on 4 July. His old clothes have lasted him well. It has started snowing and the snow is a yard deep in many parts. He carries wood to Utica and earns 16s. to 20s. per 'cord' which he considers a good wage.

He observes that weddings are not regarded as important events in America. People tend to marry in the evenings or before going to bed. Couples are wed by a minister in two or three minutes for between 4s. and 6s., with neither licence nor gloves.

Once more, Henry asks his family to join him in America. He says that a man can live on his own money in America, whereas back home men struggle only to give their money to the gentry. He considers it a pity that a man like Hugh Jones works so hard for so little; he is as fine a craftsman as any in America.