Captain Benjamin Westcott
Letter to Parents 1809

Following Benjamin's dismissal from the Royal Navy for the loss of the "Diamond Rock", there is a gap in the record. The first verifiable evidence that he was alive and well comes from this letter, written in 1809 from Dublin to his parents in London. Now a ship's captain, he reports that he is busy, and that he has sent them two large money orders.

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Mr. Benjn Westcott No. 10 Great Warner Street Cold Bath Square London Dublin 21st July 1809 My dear Father & Mother I have some hopes of being able to see you soon how great the pleasure will be I have not Words to Express after so long a seperation it would be the greatest Happiness this World could afford. No doupt you have received some of my letters since I have had the Ship Prince of Asturias. I Wrote you from St. Thomas's a few days before I sailed from there with the homeward bound Convoy, and now I have Arrived here and expect to proceed to Liverpool in Eight or Ten days and expect my Employers will be able to dispence with my Services for a short time, Not a line have I from you since last June Twelve Months at Falmouth where I sent my Father a Stamp Order to receive £342..9..6 from Messrs. Ommanney & Druce In May last I sent you a Bill of Exchange for £129..7..6 - Addressed to Messrs. Nelson & Morriss, Merchants payable in London pray let me know in your

next if you have received anything from Ommanney & Druce & if you have received the Bill of Exchange I sent you from St. Thomas - And If you presented it. You must Excuse so short a letter as I Write in great haste hopeing soon to have an Answer from you Informing me of you all being Well & hearty As I am thank God Although driving about from place to place, I believe I have no reason to be dessattisfied with my lott without Relations, without friends, I have always been Enabled to get through the World pretty decently So now I must Conclude with Assuring my beloved parents that they are as dear to me as ever, that my last farthing shall ever be at their Services Sisters & Brothers I remain Yours Affectionately Benjn. Westcott direct to Captn B. Westcott of Ship Prince of Asturias Care of Mrs.Gorman Nelson Tavern Berrisford place Dublin

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Thanks: William Fitzpatrick [XII-2013]