Between the 1850s and 1870s, Joseph Russell Curtis (d. 1873) of Yarmouth, Maine, was a ship's captain, enduring the long absences imposed by life on the deep seas. His wife, Louisa J. Curtis (b. August 17, 1821) and children Oceana H. (b. 1845) and William (b. December 16, 1856), remained at home in Yarmouth, providing Joseph with a vital, if sporadic link to news of home. During her husband's absences, Louisa busied herself in various ways, firstly, in taking care of her children, but also joining a sewing society and keeping tabs on local news occupied her time as well.

Scope and contents:

This Curtis Family Papers are comprised of 58 letters written between Maine ship's captain, Joseph Russell Curtis and his wife, Louisa. The letters map out the confines of a close relationship, maintained despite the lengthy periods of great separation. Though Louisa's writing is labored, her letters reveal the hardships she encountered through separation. Joseph's letters are more concerned with matters in Maine than they are with describing the many ports of call he visited. His polished, literary style stands in stark contrast with the phonetic spelling and poor grammar of his wife.

M-2025
Recat. 7/96 rsc

Subject index to the Curtis Family Papers

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