Maggs Bros.

Hailing from Norwich, Connecticut, Jonathan Boardman (1751-1791) moved to North Carolina sometime in the 1780s and stayed there until his death. In this heartfelt letter to his brother-in-law, he relays the news of the death of Priscilla, his wife and the recipient’s sister.

Boardman writes that she “was taken with the fever & ague which distemper is so common here that people mind but little about it.” Boardman adds that he himself has “been unwell this two years I cannot say I have had a well day I have … what you call the disyntery [sic] for this two years and people think it strange that I have stood it so long but it seems that I am preserved purpose to take care of these poor little children.”

He next writes about the financial difficulties he has faced since moving south, making money investing in the West Indies trade and then losing it all investing in a schooner: “till on the 17 of July lost the above schooner was going out of this harbour and run on the bar and los the vesell and cargo which was at least one thousand hard dollars loss to me me as she was most 100 tons and loaded and I owned half of her …” Towards the end of the letter, Boardman writes “This is a plenty country for corn meat fish fowls so I hope there is no danger of ever suffering and the small trade of I carry on supplies us with necessaries for our use …”

Swansborough (today Swansboro) was only incorporated in 1783, this letter sheds light onto an obscure early resident of the area.