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April 27, 2008
The Dead Letters
[Letter to Mr. Henry Gifford on board the Bark Theophilus Chase, courtesy NBWM - click for larger image/]
In addition to being a prominent ship owner and whaling merchant, Alexander H. Cory also served as postmaster for Westport Point 1840 – 1897. Among the Cory Family Papers at the New Bedford Whaling Museum is a fascinating collection of letters sent from Westport to crew members aboard vessels from their friends and family, but which were never delivered. These dead letters offer a personal insight into the nature of communication between whalemen and their families. Filled with local gossip, the letters convey both good and bad news, with widely varying literacy levels.
[link to dead letters text]
Posted April 27, 2008 9:36 PM