Letters from Sea
My second great grandfather, Knud Andreas Thorstensen, was born on 9 September 1832 in Dypvåg, Aust-Agder, Norway. As a merchant ship's captain, he was away from his family many months at a time and we have letters to his eldest daughter, Anne Pederine, dating between 1873 and 1883.
We know that Knud's wife, Thalette Thorstensen, sailed with him at least in 1874 and the first two letters below are from their daughter. Anne Pederine would have been 16 at the time and had to care for her younger siblings - Theodor,14, Birte Marie, 11, and Anton, 8 - while her parents were on the sea. Anne was not alone in caring for the children however as there are aunts, uncles and even her grandparents there with them.
Karen Thallete Thorstensen, Knud and Thalette's last child and my 1st great grandmother, was born on 10 Feb 1875 and her mother died 12 days after the birth at 41 years of age. It's tough to say what exactly caused Thalette's death but Knud does express relief at the news that "it is all over" from his daughter. Karen was most likely conceived during the voyage or in Liverpool in May.
The ships were usually owned by a wealthy merchant and then manned by a hired crew. The captains were responsible for acquiring their own crews and Knud recounts a story of some difficulties that arose doing just that on a stop in England. A ship would arrive in port and be unloaded, and sometimes the entire ship's crew would change with a new captain coming on board with his own men. It's probably safe to say that Thalette would have had some type of job on the ship as well, perhaps the ship's cook, we just don't know as nothing is mentioned about it in the letters.
Knud was in a dying business however. During the 19th century, merchant sailing ships were being phased out in favor of the steam freight ships. The steam freighters didn't require so many men to run it and the sailing ships couldn't sail into the wind. Competition was fierce and speed of delivery was important. Some time around 1880, Knud was no longer in the position of captaining these ships but rather worked as a crew member. We can't be certain, but one letter suggests that he fell out of favor with a ship's owner. His letters recount the difficulties and the monotony he endured at sea, the disappointment he felt when arriving at his next port of call with no letter waiting for him, the downturn of the trade, his love of God, and the incredible loneliness he felt being away from his family.
The letters were translated by Leif Olaussen in 1975. Since they were written in "Old Norwegian," Leif's father translated them into modern Norwegian and Leif, in turn, translated them into English. He says he had some difficulty with many of the Biblical references but he did the best he could. Items in brackets have been added by Leif (or myself) for clarification. There were two additional letters from 1948 between Anne and Karen however they were not translated because they "only contained gossip and chatting between women." What a shame! I would love to know that gossip!
The letters were shared with me by Lynn Erickson O'Neill, the daughter of Walter Erickson (Karen's son) and his wife, Veronica Hungridge. Lynn is my first cousin, once removed. Her daughter Erin contacted me first and I will be forever grateful! Many thanks to them for sharing this story of the incredible sacrifices made by these parents to make a living to support their family.
I've added the letters as a zipped PDF that you can download below as well.
(Read the letters from left to right.)
We know that Knud's wife, Thalette Thorstensen, sailed with him at least in 1874 and the first two letters below are from their daughter. Anne Pederine would have been 16 at the time and had to care for her younger siblings - Theodor,14, Birte Marie, 11, and Anton, 8 - while her parents were on the sea. Anne was not alone in caring for the children however as there are aunts, uncles and even her grandparents there with them.
Karen Thallete Thorstensen, Knud and Thalette's last child and my 1st great grandmother, was born on 10 Feb 1875 and her mother died 12 days after the birth at 41 years of age. It's tough to say what exactly caused Thalette's death but Knud does express relief at the news that "it is all over" from his daughter. Karen was most likely conceived during the voyage or in Liverpool in May.
The ships were usually owned by a wealthy merchant and then manned by a hired crew. The captains were responsible for acquiring their own crews and Knud recounts a story of some difficulties that arose doing just that on a stop in England. A ship would arrive in port and be unloaded, and sometimes the entire ship's crew would change with a new captain coming on board with his own men. It's probably safe to say that Thalette would have had some type of job on the ship as well, perhaps the ship's cook, we just don't know as nothing is mentioned about it in the letters.
Knud was in a dying business however. During the 19th century, merchant sailing ships were being phased out in favor of the steam freight ships. The steam freighters didn't require so many men to run it and the sailing ships couldn't sail into the wind. Competition was fierce and speed of delivery was important. Some time around 1880, Knud was no longer in the position of captaining these ships but rather worked as a crew member. We can't be certain, but one letter suggests that he fell out of favor with a ship's owner. His letters recount the difficulties and the monotony he endured at sea, the disappointment he felt when arriving at his next port of call with no letter waiting for him, the downturn of the trade, his love of God, and the incredible loneliness he felt being away from his family.
The letters were translated by Leif Olaussen in 1975. Since they were written in "Old Norwegian," Leif's father translated them into modern Norwegian and Leif, in turn, translated them into English. He says he had some difficulty with many of the Biblical references but he did the best he could. Items in brackets have been added by Leif (or myself) for clarification. There were two additional letters from 1948 between Anne and Karen however they were not translated because they "only contained gossip and chatting between women." What a shame! I would love to know that gossip!
The letters were shared with me by Lynn Erickson O'Neill, the daughter of Walter Erickson (Karen's son) and his wife, Veronica Hungridge. Lynn is my first cousin, once removed. Her daughter Erin contacted me first and I will be forever grateful! Many thanks to them for sharing this story of the incredible sacrifices made by these parents to make a living to support their family.
I've added the letters as a zipped PDF that you can download below as well.
(Read the letters from left to right.)
The first two letters are from Knud's wife and my second great grandmother, Thallete, who was on board the ship with him.
St. Point (City Point, Virginia)
7 July 1874 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I am now taking the pen in my hand to let you know that we have safely arrived here. Father and I are in good health and I wish you the same. We arrived this morning at 7 o'clock and father went ashore to take the railway to Rugmon (probably Richmond) to get clearance. He will not be back until tomorrow morning and it is strange for me to be alone in a new country with many strange people. But I will have to make the most out of it. Now I will tell you a little about the voyage. We left Liverpool May 11 and the day after I became ill and it lasted for two weeks, since we had a storm from the east and a heavy sea. Yes, you can believe I was sick and scared so I could neither eat nor drink. Father did all he could to make me eat , but it did not help, since I could not keep it down. Then we got calm weather again, and I felt better. We came to Hampton Road. It was the American day of liberty and in the evening there were fireworks on shore. It was fun watching it. We stayed there until Monday morning and the steam tug pulled us up here. There were many nice farms on the way up. New Romerset is not much to look at. There are only a few houses and I have not been ashore yet. Maybe it is prettier when we get further up. It seems to be a nice country, but for my part, I think best of good old Norway. Dear children, thank God in heaven for he has taken care of your dear parents. Yes, children, I have sent many prayers up to God both for us and you that we will be together again. [The letter ends here] [This letter is from the coast of the United States and mentions "Romerset" but I believe it's Somerset, in Virginia. Also, I believe "St. Point" is actually City Point on the St. James River in Hopewell, Virginia, south of Richmond. ] |
Liverpool
2nd September 1874 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I'll take my pen into my hand to inform you that we have reached Liverpool safe and sound, and that I am in good health. We must thank God for all this, my dear daughter. Thank you so much for the letters which I have received with great joy. From them I can see that you live well both young and old. Yes, my dear children, I am looking forward so much to be with you again, but I cannot, unfortunately, predict the time and I am afraid I have to stay until we have finished unloading and are ready to leave again. But I don't know exactly when it will be. We have no new freight yet, but I guess it will be to America again. Dear Daughter, you ask for the date when I will arrive in Arendal. It is not possible to say because I don't know if there will be a steamer from Kristiansand to Arendal the same day as I arrive in Kristiansand. I don't know when there will be a boat from Arendal either, so I'll go straight to Boroya [an island near Kalvesund]. But you'll get further notice when I know some more. As I said before, I cannot predict the date. You must not expect so many presents when I come home because everything is so expensive. Many things are cheaper to buy at home, but I'll bring some presents. I hear that "Terna" has got a calf and that you have got some hay in the barn. You must remember to cut the potato grass. When you see some black spots on the leaves, cut it as quickly as you can. If you harvest the potatoes before I come home, you must clean the storage box well. If you have the wooden floor ready now, then spread the small potatoes there so they won't rot too much. I see in your letter that you haven't been so well this summer, but when I get home I'll bring you some good medicine, and I'll try to make you well again. Morten Nilsen is lying next to us, but he is ready to leave. We have visited each other and he is well and sends his regards. I haven't more to write about this time. I could tell you a few things, but I'll leave it until I get home. Give my regards to father and mother and aunty, and the whole family, from your father. Finally, the warmest greetings to all my children from your father and mother. Thalette Thorstensen Goodbye and live well, and God take care of you all, old and young. |
Liverpool
9th March 1875 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I have today received the tragic message that my dear wife and your dear mother has left this world. God knows that it is a large sorrow we have. I was, in a way, relieved yesterday when I got your letter where you say it is all over. And now, today, a telegram from Pedersen [probably the shipowner] that she is dead. Oh yes, my dear Pederine, I have lost the dearest to me in this world. May God give us strength to carry the burdens he put on our shoulders. I only wish I was at home so I could say goodbye to her. But I had not been able to help and comfort her. I have a good hope that God has taken her home to heaven. Yes, thank God that we once will come together in a better world; down here it is only sorrow and misery as long as we live. The Lord gave, The Lord took, The name of the Lord be blessed. You write that you have got a little sister, and if she lives you must do all you can to look after her. Take advice from my old mother and Hanna. Yes, my dear small children, the Lord will help you and me in this trying time, let us stay with him because he knows what is best for us. I can surprise you that I am soon coming home. I have got everything ready. I shall leave if God wills. I think it will be in 14 days time. Peder Thomassen shall take over the brig. I telegraphed the day I arrived, and I hope you have received the telegram. Yes, dear Pederine, it is the first time I write with such a sorrow on my mind, and I hope with God it will be the last. I have wandered back and forth since I started to write this letter. I have wondered why I have not gotten any letter since, but I guess you have not had time to write. God be with you all. I cannot write more today, but will soon write again. The Lord be with you. Your dear father, K. A. Thorstensen |
Brig Fram
Wisbeach [England] 12 September 1875 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will now let you know that I have happily arrived here. I left Kristiansand Saturday morning and arrived at Hull at dinner time Monday. Got on the railroad straight away and arrived in Wisbeach at nine o'clock in the evening, and got accommodations for the night. Tuesday morning I went to Sutton where the vessel was about 20 miles from Wisbeach. Tuesday, I traveled to Hull again to hire some seamen. I got hold of three men and they were Norwegians. Now I have a full crew. There is no cook onboard, so I am sorry I did not get Nils with me from Norway. But I think, as a whole, I have a good crew. I came back from Hull late last night and am now sitting here writing these lines to you. I am living ashore since the captain has not left yet. The ship is now unloaded and I think we will be reloaded at the end of the week to go to Wilmington. I hope God will give me happiness and strength. It looks dirty onboard, but I will soon get that straightened out. Apart from that, the ship looks good, and I think everything shall be all right when I get onboard and get things squared up. I have nothing more to say at this time. Regards to family and friends, and thank them for all the kindness they showed me when I was home. And you, my dear daughter, I will ask you to look after your younger brothers and sisters. Ask them for me to be good and obedient. God will help you all. Take special care of little Karen Thalette. She needs love and care. Live together in agreement and help each other as brothers and sisters, and I pray that God will be with you in the place of your parents. I hope you will get some good support and advice from Lisa when she gets to Lonvig. Regards in the end from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen I have 3 daler I am sending home. |
Brigg Fram
24 September 1875 Sutton Bridge or Wisbeach [England] Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will hereby let you know that I am well to date, and wish the same to you. We are leaving today and the pilot is onboard, so it looks like I am finally getting out of here after many incidents. I have had many problems getting a crew, and shall now fill you in on what happened. There were only three men when I came onboard, so I had to travel to Hull twice to get four men. Then I had a full crew and had decided to leave Saturday but, unfortunately, four men went ashore and got so drunk they started to fight. An Englishman was mixed up in it and he got pretty rough treatment from my men. They were arrested and are in jail. They will probably get two years for what they did, in addition to all the trouble they have caused me. I had to go to London to get a new crew, and it looks quite hopeful. It is a mixed bag of people I have got though. I am sorry you have not written to me so I could have heard how you are getting on, and especially how young Thalette is. God be with you all, live together in peace, and do not let disagreement split you up. You, dear Pederine, warn the younger ones about all the problems in the world. Pray to God and he will help you. You must try to make the most out of it. I hope you will find pleasure in Aunt Lisa, and that you will get on well together. Look well after all of our property as you remember your dear mother did. I have written a letter and put inside it 3 spesiedaler I had saved. In addition, I have sent with the captain who traveled home, a couple of rings for you. You will get them from Peder Olsen, together with a pair of shoes for Karen Thalette. Live well with the Lord. Regards to Hanna, mother, and all in the family. Time is short and I have to stop now. Finally, all the best wishes to you all from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen |
Brig Fram
27 December 1875 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will now send you a few words so you can see that I am alive. I have not been well this trip and the night of the second day I was more ill than I can ever remember. But thanks to God, today I am better and I hope it all will pass, with God's help. I have now loaded and am ready to leave here. I think we shall leave tomorrow if God wills. It will take a day or two until we get to sea. I am, as you know, loaded with cotton, and have a nice and light cargo for Liverpool. I hope God will give me health for the trip. I have written letters to you, Hanna, and Lisa, which I hope you have all gotten. Dear Pederine, Christmas has passed. I have had a bad Christmas this year. I hope that God has given you a better Christmas. But we must accept what God asks from us. It doesn't help to complain. I have the whole crew onboard still. It is the first trip that none of the crew has escaped ashore in America. I have been together with Knud Gundersen from Staubo and here are many Norwegian ships, but the freights are bad. Would you please send Terjes [somebody's name] When you write to Liverpool, and you must write early enough for the letter to be there when I arrive. I haven't anymore to write about this time; you must look as best as you can after little Thalette. Give my regards to my mother and brothers and sisters and, at last, best wishes from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen |
Brig Fram
Kabinda [Angola, on the west coast of Africa] 5 June 1876 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will briefly inform you that I live well up to this date, but have had a long and troublesome voyage. I left Liverpool February 29th and had stormy weather for 14 days, and when we got further south it was calm and there was little wind for two full months. The voyage was long, but thank you for your letters. I am ready to leave this place tomorrow, if God wills, to continue the journey to Eloby [several hundred miles north of Kabinda]. It should take about a week. Here is quite a pleasant place, just like lying outside Tromoya [a town not far from Kalvesund, his home]. There is nice weather here every day. I wish I could send you some fruit, since I have just been given a lot of bananas, oranges and pineapples. I have also bought a parrot to have some fun with on the trip. Here is a beautiful country with many kinds of trees and fruit. Now I will be waiting for your letters in Elobyo With God's help, I hope you live well. I must stop now with the warmest regards to you all from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen I will write to you from Eloby, but I don't know whether the letter will reach you because the postal services are bad. Look well after little Karen Thalette. I came to this place June 2nd. Kabinda is in Angola on the west coast of Africa. |
Brig Fram
Eloby [West Coast of Africa] 18 June 1876 My Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will hereby inform you that I live well up to this date. Thank God for my good health. Since here is a steamboat that goes directly to Liverpool, I have a chance to get this letter sent directly. I wrote from Kabinda, but I think this letter will get to you just as quickly. I came to Kabinda June 2nd, and left again June 6th, and arrived here June 11th. We have now unloaded and have started reloading again. It is some colored wood we are loading. It looks more like what you are using in the fireplace back home in Lonvik. I expect we'll be ready in 10 days. I have not received any letter since I arrived here, neither from family or ship owner, so that proves that I have come to another part of the world. I do not expect any letter now, since it had not gotten here when I arrived. I am going from here to Falmouth for orders, if the wind permits it. I hope to get some lines from you in Falmouth, so I can hear if you are alive and well, all of you. I haven't anymore to write about this time, and I ask you to say hello to all your brothers and sisters from their dear father. Send my regards to Aunt Lisa and, at last, the best wishes from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen |
Liverpool
6 September 1876
Dear Daughter Anne Pederine,
I have received your letter which I appreciated very much. It was sent after me from America. I am pleased to hear that all is well and I thank you so much for the pictures you sent me. They were perfect, both of them, and I have them now in my picture book.
We are busy unloading and we will probably finish Saturday. I have no directions where to go from here yet. Times are bad. I can tell you that Terje [his brother] sailed yesterday. I was down where he lives yesterday but met only his wife. He has a very nice and charming wife but, as I have understood, he does not treat her all that nicely. He is still the same fellow as he was when he left home. I have asked him many times to go home and take it easier when he has finished this trip, as long as he can get his wife with him. I do not think she feels like going, but I shall speak to her as best I can. It would be much better for both of them. God grant that he would soon turn back to his fatherhome, the lost son. That is what I should wish.
Now, my dear daughter, it will soon be time for you as well to leave home. May God be your partner through life and save you from all sin and temptation. I think you will miss your home, and you will always be welcome there. I can say to you in advance: Give all your thoughts to your Lord and he will look after you. Yes, dear Pederine, you must promise me not to wander away from God. Do not forget your promise when you were christened. I shall pray to God for you and he will save you from all sins for the sake of Jesus Christ. It was difficult for me to realize you wanted to leave. I thought I should get you some place where you could learn something. I do not like very much the place you are going to, so take good care of yourself. Give my regards to mother and sister Marie, Anton and Karen, Aunt Lisa and Albert.
Warmest greetings from your dear father,
K. A. Thorstensen
I have written to Lisa a couple of days ago.
6 September 1876
Dear Daughter Anne Pederine,
I have received your letter which I appreciated very much. It was sent after me from America. I am pleased to hear that all is well and I thank you so much for the pictures you sent me. They were perfect, both of them, and I have them now in my picture book.
We are busy unloading and we will probably finish Saturday. I have no directions where to go from here yet. Times are bad. I can tell you that Terje [his brother] sailed yesterday. I was down where he lives yesterday but met only his wife. He has a very nice and charming wife but, as I have understood, he does not treat her all that nicely. He is still the same fellow as he was when he left home. I have asked him many times to go home and take it easier when he has finished this trip, as long as he can get his wife with him. I do not think she feels like going, but I shall speak to her as best I can. It would be much better for both of them. God grant that he would soon turn back to his fatherhome, the lost son. That is what I should wish.
Now, my dear daughter, it will soon be time for you as well to leave home. May God be your partner through life and save you from all sin and temptation. I think you will miss your home, and you will always be welcome there. I can say to you in advance: Give all your thoughts to your Lord and he will look after you. Yes, dear Pederine, you must promise me not to wander away from God. Do not forget your promise when you were christened. I shall pray to God for you and he will save you from all sins for the sake of Jesus Christ. It was difficult for me to realize you wanted to leave. I thought I should get you some place where you could learn something. I do not like very much the place you are going to, so take good care of yourself. Give my regards to mother and sister Marie, Anton and Karen, Aunt Lisa and Albert.
Warmest greetings from your dear father,
K. A. Thorstensen
I have written to Lisa a couple of days ago.
Liverpool
21 September 1876 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I thank you so much for the letter I received yesterday. I am glad you are well. I guess you will soon leave home. I pray to God that you will do well. It would give me great pleasure, my dear daughter. Today is your 18th birthday. I hope God will give you many birthdays. I am pleased to think back that you never were hungry when you were at home; but I am sorry you are leaving your small brothers and sisters because of Lisa. I prayed to God that it should be to your best, but now I see otherwise. You must believe how much it hurts me that you find it unbearable to live at home. God alone knows how it will go with me. There is nothing other than sorrow and despair in this sinful world. We ought to know that God directs everything to our best, but I am personally now very weak in my faith, and I find it difficult to say with Job: "The Lord gave, The Lord took, the name of the Lord be blessed." Now, my dear Pederine, I will thank you for every day and hour we have been together. Thank you for last summer at home, and for the pleasure that you have given me in many of my lonesome hours. If I live and come home once again, I'll find that at home there is sorrow and problems as well. But in the high heaven I hope to meet Jesus. I hope God will guide us so we all can meet in heaven, forget all that this world gave, and move to our grave. I must not forget that I am at Hauth's place (his sister-in-law) and I am writing this letter from here to you. Under the circumstances, I must also say I am living quite well. I have had a good time here and I have been up here nearly every night, but now it will soon be time to leave. This is the way it is, and I am used to moving around. I have suggested to Hauth to move to Norway, but he won't promise. It is difficult for her to leave England even if she says she could live wherever it should be. I think Terje would like to go back to Norway if she would come along. I loaded today and I think we'll finish tomorrow, but the wind is not very suitable. You know I am going to Richmond in Virginia and I hope to come home on the way back. This letter is badly written, but it is difficult to concentrate. You must greet all your young brothers and sisters. Ask Marie for me to look well after Karen. Regards to my mother and my brothers and sisters, from their unhappy brother. I must soon finish; the gas is burning badly. Hauth went for a walk and I haven't much further to write. But before I end I must wish you all the best both materially and spiritually. Take God along with you and don't forget to pray and be on guard for the devil, the world, and sins which will pull you away from the saviour. A fatherly farewell from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen Many thanks for the portraits of you and the children. Write to Richmond, address: Captain K. A. Thorstensen Brig Fram Norwegian & Swedish Consulate Richmond, Virginia |
Citi Point
[City Point, Virginia, near Richmond] 24 December 1876 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will hereby inform you that I am living well up to this date and arrived 3 days ago after a long and difficult journey. Much stormy and rough weather. But thank God all lives and the ship are safe. It was the longest trip I ever had to America. Thank you for the letter you sent me. I can see that you are well where you are. I am pleased to hear that you are satisfied; not many people are. Often things are missing and many people complain without any reason, always thinking that other people are living better than they. Every job has its problems, but it is a good thing to be satisfied. I hear from your letters that all of you at home are well; thank God for that. Poor Lisa, she has got herself into a bad position. God help her to bring up my small ones, so that she can defend it when we sooner or later shall meet in heaven. My dear daughter, when you have been brought into this world, pray to God that he will help and save you from all problems. It is so easy to get a taste of the pleasures of the world and if one does, one loses the pleasure in God. Always seek to have a clean conscience. Salome says: "Enjoy yourself, you young ones in your youth ••••••[some biblical stuff I can't translate, but it is some good advice to a young girl]. I shall unload some of the cargo here at Citi Point and the remainder in Richmond. We will not start unloading for 3 days, since Christmas is just before us. I don't know where I am going after this trip. Times are bad, not much freight. It is very cold here, just like a Norwegian winter, and I am afraid we might freeze in. It is now Christmas Eve, and I should have been happy to be at home with you, so I could have fun with my small children. Although I do not miss anything, it is not the same as being home. I think you will realize that some day when you are away from home. No place on earth is like home. I'll wish you a happy and joyful New Year, and I pray God will be with you always. Live well, and all the best wishes from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen Don't forget to write to me when you get to know where I am going from here. It could possibly be Brazil. I had a letter from Theodor from Lisbon. He is well and sends his regards. When you write, let me know how much Lisa has drawn per month. It seems to be used up, all that I am earning. K. A. Thorstensen |
[This letter has no real beginning]
[Date is probably in 1877] It puzzles me that I have received no letter from you or sister Hanna in Borda (possibly Bordeaux, France). I guess it is possible that you can forget your promises so quickly, or that the letter simply has not arrived yet. Instead, I have received two letters from Tante (Aunt) Lisa, and you must give her my thanks. They were very much welcome. I have written to Hanna, Lisa and Marie before, so they will not get a letter now. You are 19 now, and I wish you all happiness and blessing. Say a prayer every morning and evening with your brothers and sisters. Go to church as often as you can and bring your smaller brothers and sisters with you to the house of God. The rest I will leave in the hands of God. He will bless you and take care of you all of his kindness for the sake of Jesus Christ. Amen. Now I must tell you that I sent Lisa 70 spesidaler [older Norwegian money unit] which she will tell you about. I sent Hanna 30 spesidaler which I told her to keep for the time being. If you don't need them, put them in the bank. I sent Lyder 40 spesidaler and Teresie Boras 10. Aunt Lisa has been paid what I owed her. (You must try to get the houses insured in "Brandhassen" [first insurance company] but I guess you have to fix up the outside a little first. Don't forget to insure my clothing for 150 spesidaler if Lisa hasn't already done it. I asked Lyder if he would repair the loft if he stayed at home. Ask him to ensure that the roof is tight and that he divides the barn in two halves so "Terna" [their cow] doesn't freeze. If you get too many potatoes, give some to mother as you think you can afford. Buy food for the winter and ask people to help you when necessary. Work hard, but don't overdo it and keep your brothers and sisters busy with work as well. There is nothing better to prevent temptation than to pray and work. I asked Olaves Skoddet of when he had time to come to Lonvik (the farm where they lived) to paint the living rooms and he promised to do so. If you have time to write, then write to New York. If God wills, I'll try to get to sea again tomorrow. I leave it all in his good care and if he will, we'll all meet again in joy. At last, all the best wishes from your father, K.A. Thorstensen |
New York
1 September 1880 Dear Daughter Pederine, I will hereby let you know that I am in good health to date. We arrived here on the 26th of August, after a 50 day's journey from Rotterdam (The Netherlands). The weather was not too bad, and the trip was reasonable. I do not like it much onboard here, and I do not expect to stay long onboard "Thor." There is not much to stay for. I got enough the first night I got onboard, and now I am even more sick of it. It has to go as well as it can. The captain is so scared of Thorvaldsen [the ship owner] that he can kill himself. He is scared he can be sent ashore from the ship. We have started to unload and will probably be ready to leave here in 3 weeks. We shall go to Antwerp. I am pleased to hear that you got the hay in the barn, and that you all have done such a good job . I am sure you have been busy. Anton must have been clever, cubbing the hay. You do not write anything about the potatoes and the rest of the garden. It would be good if we could get a good harvest in these times of shortage. I can send you all regards from Uncle Per and his family. They are all well, but Uncle has become a widower again. His wife died on April 4 on the way home from church, of a stroke. It would be good if we could be prepared when the "message arrives," (death) since there are so many who die suddenly, and we do not know when the moment will arrive. She died when she was on the way home from church, but think how it would be if we should die when being in the middle of the world's pleasures. How would the end be if we did not get time to turn to God. Yes, my children, it is time to be ready to "get oil in the lamps" (be prepared to meet God) so we can be ready when the time comes. Think how nice it would be if we all could be gathered with Jesus, never more to part. The family lives with the father, but he has lost a good wife. I visited there on Sunday and had quite a pleasant time. I think I will visit them again next Sunday, if God wills. It is probably the only pleasure I will get. Next week I will have so much to do that I would rather be home carrying stones. I will write one more letter before I leave here, and you must not forget to write to Antwerp. It sounds a bit suspicious about Lyder, but I will not be accused of making up bad thoughts. The letter can possibly have disappeared, so I hope he is excused. Regards to my old mother; let me see that you are kind to her. Regards to Johanna, Hanna, Marie, Anton and Karen, and live well in the name of Jesus Christ. If Thorvaldsen asks you how I like it here, tell him I wish I had never put my feet onboard. Many regards from your dear father. K. A. Thorstensen (Knud is no longer in the position of captain but rather one of the crew here.) |
Antwerp [Belgium]
13 November 1880 Dear Daughter Pederine, I have the pleasure of telling you that I have arrived safely here today, and that I am in good health, thank God. I have received your letter and it is good to hear that you are well at home. It is always so nice to hear from home. We arrived here today after a long and troublesome journey, 48 days from New York. The worst of it all was that we lost a man on the crossing. He fell overboard and we could not get back to him and pick him up. It was a Finn we had hired in New York and his grave was the sea. It would be so good if we always could be prepared to leave this world, because death comes when you least expect it. This is not only the case at sea, but also ashore we see many wander when you least expect, and it is good to have a savior to turn to. I pray to God for the sake of Jesus Christ. I can see from your letter that Severin is expected to Loven [another port in Belgium] and I am very worried to find out if he has safely arrived. It has been very stormy in the North Sea. Loven is lying near Antwerp a little further out from here. I can possibly see them on the way out. I can see from your letter that the harvest has been bad. It does not help to weed and water when God does not give growth, then our efforts are in vain. It is a pity you should not get anything for all the work. But God must have a meaning with it; we must be satisfied with what he thinks is right for US. I cannot say anything other than that things look darker for me than ever before. It is a pity that Peder Olsen shall be so hard on me. It will be nearly impossible to pay so much debt of the earning I have now, as long as God does not give me anything better. But I hope that God will give me sufficient so I can make right to everybody. One shall also live. I know what the house takes daily, but God has said he will look after us, so we ought to be satisfied. Believe me, I do not want to stay onboard here much longer; nothing seems to go right here. I just have to manage. I do not think Captain Jensen will stay onboard much longer. *He is not highly valued by the owners, so he might soon be in my position. God will help us. I must finish these lines with greetings to all at home, Marie, Anton and Karen. At last, warmest greetings from your dear father. Ko A. Thorstensen You must look after things as well as you can, and God be with you. Pray that He will give you all His blessings and not forget you. Write as soon as you can when you get this letter, just to tell me this and that, please. I have heard that we are going to Vera Cruz, Mexico. (*This suggests that Knud suffered the similar fate of being demoted by the ship owners.) |
Bark Thor
Antwerp [Belgium] 6 January 1881 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will hereby inform you that I am in good health to date. God be blessed for His kindness to me. We cannot thank God enough for good health. I am looking forward to hearing how everything is back home. It has been a long time since I've heard from Pederine so I do think you could write a few more letters to me. You are so many who can write, but I have to be satisfied with the letters I have got. We loaded up yesterday with railway rails and tomorrow, if God wills, I think we will finish and leave this place. We have a long voyage in front of us and I hope God will be with us. I do not feel good about this voyage. It is a heavy cargo and I do not have much confidence in this ship. She is leaking already and I am concerned that she will leak a lot more when we get out. But the captain will not listen to the truth; he has his own views, right or wrong. Now I am used to it. I do not mind, but it was difficult to get used to. Nothing could be done according to his taste. In a way, he has changed somewhat for the better while we have been lying here, and I can thank Daniel Olsen from Boroya for that. He has been on board "Queen Louise" and has told Captain Jensen how badly he is behaving. Daniel Olsen has been talking to him about the word of God and I think it has influenced him; at least, I am hoping for the best. I have had a very pleasant Christmas here in Antwerp. I have visited the reading room [probably in the seamen's church] nearly every evening since we came into dock. There I have had many good hours reading and listening to the word of God. There was a lottery in the church before Christmas and we had a Christmas tree and a Christmas party on Friday night. We really had a good time. A colleague from another ship and I served tea, and some girls carried around sugar, milk and cake. I really enjoyed it and I think there were, altogether, 150 people there in the church. The church was decorated with flags. I helped to decorate the Christmas tree and we worked well into the night. Three days later there was a lottery on some things given by a girl from Norway. She had made some of them herself and had bought the others. I won a pair of good socks. There should have been several other things sent from somebody else, but they didn't get here in time. Dear Pederine, I will recommend you the hand of God, the same hand that has looked after me to this date. The good Father, who has taken me through sorrow and pleasure, I recommend the same God to all of you. Let him guide you and never let him go as long as you are in this world; then he will never let you go in the next world. Live with each other as brothers and sisters, with love and peace, and do not let sin inside the door. Think always of the all mighty God. Give my warmest regards to my old mother, to Hanna and Severine, Theodor and Marie, Karen and Anton. At last, the warmest greetings to you from your father. K. A. Thorstensen |
Bark Thor
Vera Cruz [Mexico] 20 March 1881 Dear Daughter Anne Pederine, I will hereby inform you that we have happily and safely arrived here on the 17th, after a 69 day voyage from Antwerp. The voyage was quite pleasant, so everything has gone just fine for us so far. We have not started to unload yet. I think it will take a long time to unload, at least 5-6 weeks. We do not know where we are going next. There is no cargo to get here. It is, by the way, a very dry place. There are quite heavy waves here. We are lying and we have a tough job in front of us until we get this cargo unloaded. There will be quite a few drops of sweat before we have finished. But it has to be done. I have, thank God, been in good health all the time. I hope the same is the case with you back home. Sometimes I feel it as such a tremendous burden that I am forced to leave you all there back home, and that you shall be left so much on your own. But I suppose it is God's will, and that is a comfort to me. So I hope he is doing all for our best. I have received a letter from you, written January 3rd and sent here from Antwerp. I have also received a letter from Pauline, my cousin in Nev York. They are all well up there. Now I am waiting for another letter from you so I can hear how you are. I see from this letter that Severine should have a wedding, but I guess it is already over by now. I hope you were invited, and I should have liked to see you happily taking part in the wedding party. I am quite disappointed in Lyder, who does not write home. I never thought he could leave his small children like that, and I do not know what shall happen to Johanne if God does not find a way out of it. It looks very bad. I hope I will run into him someplace; but it is not so easy in this big world where we are so small. I see from your letter that you had much snow at Christmas. We have been walking bare footed for nearly two months. It has been pretty hot onboard, more or less like a nice summer day back home in Norway. There are many Norwegian ships here, even if it is a small place. Have no more to write about today and must finish with dear greetings from your father. K. A. Thorstensen I will write again When I find out where we are going. Live well in the name of God and give my love to little Karen and my old mother. |
Copenhagen [Denmark]
24 June 1883 Dear Daughters, I will today let you know that I arrived here safely yesterday morning, and feel reasonably well under the circumstances. With respect to my illness, I feel about the same, at least not worse, than when I left. I went to a doctor today, and got some medicines to use, and he hopes they will help. With respect to sleeping at night, it has been pretty bad since I left, but the doctor gave me something to sleep on which I will try tonight. I hope that with the help of God it will improve as time goes along. My replacement has arrived today, and I have spoken with the captain and tomorrow, if God wills, I will leave as soon as possible. Be good and show me that you are looking after everything at home. If you have much work to do this summer, try to get somebody to help you get the hay in the house, and likewise to harvest the potatoes, so you will not be too late getting them inside. If mother wishes to come and visit you then let her come, and be good to her in her last days. Let her stay as long as she wishes. Regards to Mother, Hanna, Johan, Marie, Theresie and young Karen. I leave you all in God's care to live together as a good family. Help each other as well as you can. All the warmest greetings from you dear father. K. A. Thorstensen NOTE: This is his last letter that we have. I've recently discovered the Sheriff's Register for Dypvaag and his listed death date is 12 Feb 1884. It is comforting to know that he did make it back home. |
norwegian_letters.zip | |
File Size: | 9988 kb |
File Type: | zip |