Paul Stevens correspondence, 1854-1860
39 items
This collection is made up of 39 letters that Paul Stevens wrote to his cousin, Hannah F. Stevens, about his life in Haverhill, Massachusetts, and his trips to Buenos Aires, Calcutta, and London while working as a ship's carpenter.
Stevens composed 14 letters from Haverhill, Massachusetts, between December 24, 1854, and March 29, 1857. He commented on his social life, which included frequent attendance at religious gatherings, and his separation from Hannah and other family members in Maine. In 1856, he commented on the upcoming presidential election. From May 31, 1857, to June 7, 1860, Stevens wrote from Buenos Aires, Argentina; Calcutta, India; London, England; and "Saint Johns" about his experiences as a member of a ship's crew. He described his quarters, discussed aspects of sea life, and provided information about the cities where he stayed for lengthy periods of time, often noting the arrivals and departures of other vessels. Occasionally, particularly while in India, he mentioned recent news or political developments, and one of his letters contains a complaint about two recent passengers.