170
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(MARITIME.)
Correspondence archive of mariner Simpson Hart, who
spent two years in Tahiti.
145 items, the large majority of them letters to Hart from his
mother, siblings, and friends, also including his 1820 seaman’s protection certificate; various
sizes and conditions.
Vp, 1820-36
[2,000/3,000]
Simpson Hart Jr. (1804-1876) of New Bedford, MA went to sea as a young man, and was
serving as a ship captain by the age of 22, but left his ship in 1827 and spent more than two
years in Hawaii and Tahiti.
Hart’s Tahitian years are perhaps the most interesting aspect of the archive. His family were all
quite distressed by his decision and begged for his return, with his mother writing: “You are
altogether destitute of civilized society; I don’t see how you can bring your mind to live so” (20
April 1828). A friend named James Young wrote from Oahu, passing on the rumor that “you
were going to one of the Leeward Island fore a wife, but I hope you will not engage yourself
with any of the vahinis of the Society Islands” (22 April 1828).
Hart did take a wife in Tahiti, and left for America in 1829, apparently without saying good-
bye. This collection includes an undated letter from the wife, apparently dictated to a missionary
in Tahitian and then translated in the same hand into English. It is one of the saddest letters
you will ever read. In part: “It pained my heart exceedingly that you said to Hota, ‘If my wife
wishes to take another husband, let her take one, and do not interfere with her.’ I shall not take
a husband, but shall live by myself. My thoughts are only of you. I shall not leave our home,
but shall remain here by myself until you return, and if you should not return, do write to me,
that I may know what you would say.”
Hart returned to New Bedford, became a successful sail manufacturer, and married Ruth Briggs
in 1835. The collection includes 4 retained draft letters to Ruth from that year. Other letters
are from his brothers and friends at sea, describing conditions in Hawaii, Tahiti, and elsewhere.
WITH
—a small group of related Hart family papers, 1802-1902, and a packet of extensive
typed notes on the correspondence, compiled by a family member.
I...,71,72,73,74,75,76,77,78,79,80 82,83,84,85,86,87,88,89,90,91,...194