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Archiver > TUCKNESS > 2008-06 > 1214492969


From: "Jerry Rogers" <>
Subject: [TUCKNESS] FW: 1790 letter from Abraham Tuckniss
Date: Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:09:29 +0200


Cousins,



Here is an email I recently received from Erika Hoffman who is descended
from the Philadelphia Tuckness line with a 1790 letter from Abraham Tuckness
b. ca 1765. The letter was written to his sister Mary and written while he
was in Demerara. As you see, some of it is not readable. If you can fill
in some of the blanks, let us know.



Thanks,

Jerry



***************email from Erika****************



Jerry: My brother transcribed this letter long ago an dthere were some holes
in it and so some of the words indecipherable. One thing that bothers me is
that he refers to his sister as Mary. This makes me wonder if I am right in
thinking him the son of Robert Tuckniss and Mary Dawes as their child named
Mary died in infancy. Could there have been another? Or is Abraham the son
of Henry the cordwainer? I figure though he is named after Mary Dawes's
father-- Abraham Dawes.



Erika Hoffman

***********************************

Letter from Abraham Tuckness to his sister Mary written in Demarary
(Demerara, West Indies, now Guiana in South America):



Demarary 7th March 1790

My Dear Mary



Your lively & agreeable Epistle of the 6th January has reached me for which
thanks to my Charming Sister another (letter ?) four times the length would
afford me pleasure in a four fold properly.



I was (truly horrified) to hear of your friends disappointments for I am
Convinced she must feel it very Sensibly, however am of opinion she ought to
think herself fortunate in escaping a Union with a Man capable of behaving
in the manner you mention after an engagement had taken place.



It would afford me the highest pleasure to see you, my Dear Girl, but I fear
my Wishes in that respect will not be gratified for Notwithstanding all your
threats I am bound (to this?) Country for (alXX) the time Not by Cupid tho I
assure (but by) necessity - hard necessity which prevents my enjoying your
(??? XXX gentle?) Society. We have no dinners here or I would (possess ?
XXX) I will your request & send you the pictures of some of our (XXX) but
they are by no means like the Ideas you have for the equally ludicrous. I
imagine to your (XXXXXX?) squat dutchman with Belly's that would do honor to
Sir John Falstaff & Wigs as Stiff & formal as if they had been Chissel'd out
of Wood with long old fashioned Coats, tight orange colour'd breeches &
black stockings, & then you will come pretty near the mark we have also
another species, which periodically take their flight hither from (Berbice
??) but they are so Vastly Insiginficant that I have not patience
(XXXXXXrife) them. Their view is in coming here is generally to (XXX) hunt
fortunes. They are so very Squeamish XXXXXXXX will digest XXXX a plantation
of negroes so (out?) you would stand (XXX?) a poor Chance. And believe me
when I assure you I do not XXX you a Single Man in the Country who thinks
Worthy to possess (you?) - present my respectful compliments to our friend
Mrs. Carson - you say you have no news to tell me is it possible that
(nothing has transpired in the Congress of recent. For spXXX that you will
think not be new to me, when the most triffling Circumstances respecting my
family (you well know very Interesting -



You would be highly diverted to take a peep at me in my Habitation for
indeed I make but a very awkward hand at Housekeeping. I live by myself in a
Hut not so large as your kitchen which serves for dwelling house stable &
hog pen. My Boy is my only Companion who often entertains me in an Evening
(XXX XXX) account of (his ?) own Country & who indeed endeard (XXXX XXXne)
so much by his many attentions, that I shall be both so XXXX XXXth things.
Should I ever find a woman who would only (XXX XXX) half as well as this Boy
perhaps I might be tempted to xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx

my absence from you will permit.



Adieu My Dear Sister & God Bless you

I am your affectionate

Mr. Tuckniss

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