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Creator: | Campbell, John. |
Title: | John Campbell Letter |
Inclusive Dates: | 1775 |
Quantity: | 1 folder (SC) |
Abstract: | Letter written by a British man living in the Caribbean during the beginning of the American Revolution. |
Language: | English |
Repository: |
Special Collections Research Center, Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Avenue Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center |
John Campbell was a British man, possibly a settler or merchant, who was living in St. Croix at the beginning of the American Revolution.
The John Campbell Letter contains a handwritten letter dated 11 October 1775. The letter is badly damaged with most of the top right corner missing, but a typewritten transcript is included that transcribes some of the ruined portions. According to the transcript, the header of the letter once read "Bafo Ends, Santa Croia, 11th October 1775." Santa Croia is presumably the island of St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, then under Danish control but home to many British settlers. Campbell also mentions the Caribbean islands of Tobago and Tortola in the letter.
The letter is addressed to "Mamma" and contains news about John Campbell's life and acquaintances in St. Croix. He is concerned that "the American Affairs" may interrupt his correspondence as ports have been closed since 10 September 1775. Campbell mentions that he has been attending many weddings and is also planning for his own, although he is waiting until he is better off financially "as I shall want some furniture and can't afford to give such exorbitant prices as they ask here." He also discusses a bad lightning storm that occurred on the island.
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Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
John Campbell Letter,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
Gift of Audrey Olesh, 1985.
Created by: LMD
Date: 25 January 2010
Revision history: