I
would bet money that few Victorian letters addressed to Globe Fields survive. I
read that it was in the 1850s that Globe Fields in Bethnal Green was built over
to create another East End of London slum with high density and, as normal,
unsanitary housing for poorly paid artisans and labourers. James Street to
which this letter is addressed was at the centre of the development and was where
the addressee “William Ward Iron
Merchant” carried on his business, alternatively described as an “Iron Dealer” in the
Census.
His
son, who signs the letter “H” and is presumably a Henry, is literate and writes
from the Palmerston Wesleyan Methodist Mission Station in the Eastern Cape’s
Mpondaland / Pondoland, located in what was known as the Eastern Cape of southern
Africa, where he has sought sanctuary following business losses occasioned by
the Eighth Xhosa War (1850-53; Mlanjeni's War) and from illness. Destitute, he
wishes to return to England though he has been out of contact with his London
Bethnal Green family for some years.
The
Mission Station was large and significant: founded by the missionary Reverend
Thomas Jenkins in 1845 the station was protected by the Mpondo King Faku and effectively
performed a liaison role with British and other authorities.
Transcription
Addressed
to: Mr William Ward Iron
Merchant No 5 James Street Globe
Fields Bethnal Green London
England
Datelined:
Palmerston Mission Station Amaponda [Mponda]
Country S E Africa 18 May 1853
London
receiver postmark: 30 July 1853
Mr
Wm Ward James Street Bethnal
Green London
My
dear Parent
Having
since my stay out here written to you and received no answer I cannot but feel
somewhat surprised and as the mail for England will shortly close I have taken
the opportunity of addressing a few lines to you trusting it will find you
sisters & Brothers enjoying good health. Since writing the last letter
(about 2 Years ago) I have not been so well off occasioned by the outbreak of
the Kaffir-War. I was trading in Kaffirland then, where I lost all my Goods,
Cattle &c and escaped only with my life and that with a hard matter to this
Mission Station where I have been ever since terribly bad with the dysentery
unable to work. Previous to the war breaking out I intended to trade with the
Kaffirs for a short time or until I had money enough to pay my passage home but
being now left destitute I should be obliged if you would send me a few pounds
out in order that I may go home. I am living (as I have already stated) on a
Wesleyan Mission Station distant about 225 miles from Natal & Grahamstown
(the two nearest towns) It is among a friendly tribe who have not been at war
under the chief called Faku.
Throughout
the Colony my trade is bad there being so many Black Coopers who will work for
a mere nothing; and I am convinced that I can never do any good at all out here
if I stopped ever so long – on account of my sickness I cannot reach home
unless I get some assistance from you to enable me to do so. The best manner in
which you can send money out to this place is to get from any respectable
merchant in England a draft payable by his agent in Natal. Messrs Baines &
Co in Fenchurch Street have an Agent in Natal his name is R W Dickinson if you
get me a draft from Baines & send it to me I think there is no doubt but
what it will be all right or there is Messrs Stainbank & Sons out here.
Their office is directly opposite the Black Boy and Camel in Leadenhall Street
Mr Snell is their agent in Natal or by any Captain of a vessel coming to Natal.
I fell in with Prime the Cheese monger in Algoa bay who is since dead and
likewise with Clanham, his father is an Auctioneer in Oxford Street Mile End,
who is now living with me – I hear that Matilda Jones is married and Jones of
the Fountain is dead – let me know if Ann Page is married. News sometimes
travel a great way in looking over an old Newspaper I found what I have
enclose. Let me know if my brother Bill is married to Bridget
[he was, in 1846] and what is Edwin doing now. I would strongly recommend my
brother not to come to Natal for if ever I am landed on England’s soil again I
will never leave it. Give my best respects to John Jones & his wife and Mr
Styles, and the Pages all kind enquiries including Brothers & Sisters &
accept the same yourselves from
Dear
Parent
Your
affectionate Son
H
Ward
P.S.
When you write please send word what day I left London.
My
direction is
H
Ward
Palmerston
Mission Station
Amaponda
Land [Mponda Land or Pondoland]
S.
E. Africa
Kindly
forwarded by Revd H Pearce Pietermaritzburg Port Natal via Cape Mail
References
Wikipedia:
Eighth Xhosa War