The Captain’s Widow of Sandwich: Self-Invention and the Life of Hannah Rebecca Burgess, 1834-1917

Appendix

| 189 Appendix Table 1. Major Occupations in Sandwich, 1820–1850 Data in Raw Numbers Occupation 1820 1840 1850 Agriculture 326 380 191 Commerce 165* 20 65** Maritime No specific data 275 206 Manufacturing 128 256 321 Data in Percentages Occupation 1820 1840 1850 Agriculture 13% 10% 4% Commerce 6% .05% .014% Maritime No specific data 7% 4% Manufacturing 5% 7% 7% *This figure probably includes mariners. **This figure represents merchants in 1850. Note: The 1830 census does not list occupations. These three occupational categories were the largest in Sandwich, which reflects its diversity. Other smaller occupational categories included shoemaker, boatmaker, carpenter, wheelwright/cooper, blacksmith, and tailor. Source: Information from U.S. Census Reports, 1820–1850; see “Works Cited” for complete citations. 190 | Appendix Table 2. Mariners Living in Sandwich/Bourne, 1860–1910 Year Number of Mariners Population Percentage of Mariners 1860 213 4,479 4.7% 1870 158 3,902 4.0% 1880 65 3,543 1.8% 1900* 54 1,657 3% 1910 20 2,474 .08% Mariners Living in West Sandwich, 1860-1880 Year Number of Mariners Population Percentage of Mariners 1860 25 311 8% 1870 9 278 3% 1880 5 234 2% * The statistics from 1900 and 1910 are from the town of Bourne. Source: Figures from U.S. Census Reports, 1860–1910; see “Works Cited” for full citations. Appendix | 191 auguSt 22, 1852 On arriving in Boston, William wanted to wear a white satin vest, his wedding vest. I tried to persuade him otherwise but all to no effect. He wore it and came home at night a complete laughing matter. In company with Captain F. Lincoln, he took his dinner at a Saloon, where were rather green waiters and while William was laughing at their ludicrous appearance with a cup of coffee in his hand, way went the coffee, onto his white vest. What a pretty sight! Did we not laugh at him. But I felt sorry, no mistake. It was too bad, such a handsome white vest entirely spoiled. Well the next thing is to clean it. Mother proposed to send it to the New England Dye House, which we did. In a week it came back, but looking no better. Back we went to have it colored Black! Jet black was the color. It looked now so bad W. would not wear it. So he sold it to Father B. and when his store was broken open, this once white, but now black satin vest, was stolen. This is the end of a Wedding vest.1 1 March 1854 I like it better every day, being on the Sea. It does not seem possible that I could be so far from home, and I have not been homesick even once. I have a first rate companion, Miss Mary Ann Singleton and we get along finely together. We have not quarreled even once. . . . We call her Jane. It seems to be a familiar name, and I tell her she had better adopt it altogether. . . . I love to sit in the gang way of the Ship and watch her motion through the water, but the greatest difficulty is that I am generally in the way. I do not like a calm, for it makes the Capt so cross, if for no other reason. You can quickly perceive the influence it has upon him. Everything acts contrary and wo! to the person who crosses him then. Well it is taxing a Ship Masters patience a great deal, to encounter head winds and calms. I dare not say what when the winds are adverse, and when the wind is fair. I should think he would fret lest it die away. 9 March 1854 Is it possible that we have been so long at sea? Why the days go past so quickly I can with difficulty keep their order. Am I not happy? is a question that often arises in my mind, and I can truly say I am. I have everything that heart can wish, and what is of more value than all other blessings. I enjoy my Husband’s society. Earth would be naught but dreariness bereft of his companionship . O it is hard to be separated from those we love, and I feel that with my Husband I could be happy in any situation.2 192 | Appendix 10 March 1854 William made a mistake in the date of this day as yesterday was...