The Bergh Family Records

March 25th 1878

My Dear Cousin

Your kind reply to my letter to you reached me in due course for which & the enclosed Photo I am much obliged. I deferred writing to you again until I had seen my Aunt (Mrs Wills) As I remember she visited you sometime ago.

You are quite right in supposing it was I that you read of coming back almost single handed with a vessel but that is several years ago. I do not know when I shall have the chance of being in the North but I am sure I should like very much to see you and your Mother who I suppose must be my Godmother.

And should you be in London & have time you would be very welcome at our home. It may appear strange that although in constant communication with my mother I have never received the slightest intimation as to the whereabouts or well doing of any of my Father's family. I am at present Chief Officer of the N.E.S. Cos Ship "Wainate" and acting as deputy overlooker for the ships. I expect to be appointed to take a Government (small) steamer to New Zealand in about three months or if not successful in obtaining a Command of one of the ships I shall remain as at present and go to sea in the "Wainate" at the beginning of June. I have had a pretty hard fight with the world & its hard lines during the last 12 or 14 years but trust I am in a fair way to do well now in the position I am likely to have in the Company's service. My mother is well but does not know anything of our Correspondence. My Aunt Mills & Cousins are all well but are not informed on this point either & will not be unless at your wish. Aunt Mills is quite blind but is to go through an operation this Spring. Her daughter Annabelle is married to a Mr Hutcheson 28 Belsay Place Newcastle. Sarah is married to my Brother Augustus who is now at sea & Augusta is still single. All my Uncles are dead therefore of the Bergh family none remain* but my Mother & Aunt Mills. Of the Mitcalfe's there are only my Brother his little son & myself. I have not seen in my travels in the West Indies your Brother-in-law but it is several years since I was there. Of the families of my uncles Augustus & Frederick Bergh I have not the least knowledge although I stood Godfather to one of them.

Please give my kind love to your mother & if she would like it a kiss in remembrance of Auld Lang Syne. And hoping to hear from yourself with my best wishes for your health & welfare

I remain

Yours sincerely

Robt. S. Mitcalfe

* He overlooked Fredk Bergh's children in this sentence but refers to him later. F.R.B.

Copyright © Anthony Hickson