Series 01: John Septimus Roe letters, early childhood 17 June 1807 ??? 21 May 1813

John Septimus Roe letters, 1807-1829

A series of 76 letters, mostly addressed to his parents but including many to his siblings, and other members of his extended family. The letters begin with his very first arrival at Christ’s Hospital, and continue right through until his graduation. The early letters are a charming insight into the young boy, going to the Tower of London to see the cannons fired or wondering how he could possibly partake of any of the chickens being raised at Newbury, “if I am here and the Chickens are at home.” As might be foreseen, in his middle years at school Roe remains a diligent but sometimes casual correspondent, rarely failing to either ask for some money or to express his thanks for a food parcel (and always particularly enthusiastic about geese or cakes). The letters culminate with Roe’s matriculation and the excitement of graduating and settling on his new career.

ITEM 001: 17 June 1807. To Parents, London. Describes his visits. Has been to the Tower to see the cannons fired.

ITEM 002: 20 August 1807. To Parents, London. Letter writing. Making quills.

ITEM 003: 7 September 1807. To Parents, London. Mrs King from Newbury called on him. The hospital has been white-washed.

ITEM 004: 26 October 1807. To Parents, London. Has had visits from several people from Newbury asking why he doesn’t write home. The partridges arrived safely. His brother has written regarding the 52 chickens raised at Newbury, saying that Roe shall eat some when they are big enough. “I cannot eat any of them if I am here and the Chickens are at home.”

ITEM 005: 15 January 1808. To Parents, London. Has not written in a “great while.” Sorry to hear that the “Poney’s knees are broke.” “I like my situation very much.”

ITEM 006: 29 March 1808. To Parents, London. Has not written because he did not like “to put you to the expence of postage.” Has lost his directions for his sword exercises.

ITEM 007: 28 October 1808. To Parents, London. Received the two fowls, but found they were full of eggs. Visited the Hoby family.

ITEM 008: 11 January 1809. To Parents, London. “I am very sorry you are uneasy about my not writing to you.” It has been the holidays, the schools are shut, and he can’t get any ink.

ITEM 009: 6 March 1809. To Parents, London. Ordered to write by Mr. Stephens, who has asked him “what you meant me to be, what school you meant me to go in, and whether you intended me to go in the Mathematical School.” Hasn’t enough Latin for Writing School. Would like to be sent Pilgrim’s Progress, and promises to return it once he has read it.

ITEM 010: 23 March 1809. To Parents, London. Has been accepted into the Mathematical School: “I should be very unhappy to disobey my parents as I know it is my duty to obey them.” “I embrace the kind offer of Admiral Keats with joy, hoping at the same time that in all the actions I undertake I may prosper.” Letter includes a note from Stephens, who comments that “on conversing” with Roe that it was not the service to which he objected, but the idea of going into the “King’s Ward” on account of some stories that have circulated about it.

ITEM 011: 12 April 1809. To Parents, London. Hopes to be allowed to come home for summer at Newbury, as “it is my third summer of being in the Hospital.” Went before the Governors today, and they were asked if he should be admitted “upon Stone’s Foundation, and all of them cried out yes! yes!” Has broken a window at the Hospital which costs 4/4.

ITEM 012: 31 May 1809. To Parents, London. Sick Ward with ulcer and abscess on left foot. Not yet entered new school. Mrs Brookes has visited.

ITEM 013: 5 August 1809. To Father, London. Will come to Newbury on Tuesday. Leg is quite well.

ITEM 014: 28 August 1809. To Parents, London. Arrived at the ‘Belle Savage’. Delivered the ducks to Nurse. Is settling in. Gwynne the Mathematical Master has spoken to Stephens about Roe going into Mathematical School.

ITEM 015: 28 August 1809. To brother Charles, London. Sends his siblings Charles, William and Sophia money as a present. “When you have an opportunity let me know how you get on with the silkworms.”

ITEM 016: 28 August 1809. To brother William, London. Mentions the present of money. Hopes to be able to give more when he hopefully returns in a year. Enquires about the silkworms.

ITEM 017: 4 September 1809. Not written by Roe : short note from P.H to Reverend Roe.

ITEM 018: 4 September 1809. To Parents, London. Hopes not to have to leave his own ward to go into the King’s Ward, “as that was my only objection for going to sea.” Had unpleasant dream last night: “I beg you will not let Sophia go near the water, as I dreamt she was drowned.” Has finished the last of his cake. Hopes that his parents will not think him “extravagant” for giving his siblings money.

ITEM 019: 11 September 1809. To Parents, London. Still doesn’t want to go into the King’s Ward. Mathematical Master Gwynne sent for him this morning. Promises to send some 200 quills that he has made for the family. Hopes that they will not send him to the King’s Ward but take him out of the Hospital at 14 years.

ITEM 020: 12 September 1809. “Dear Sir” [evidently Reverend Roe], from Richard Cork, Christ’s Hospital. Details about the nature of the “Stone’s Foundation”, and the opportunities available to boys. Specifically mentions the question as to whether a boy on the Foundation would be able to become a schoolmaster.

ITEM 021: 15 September 1809. To Parents, London. Steward has given him the badge to enter the Mathematical School.

ITEM 022: 20 November 1809. To Brothers, London. Had a happy Jubilee. Had roast beef and plum pudding with a glass of white wine.

ITEM 023: 15 December 1809. To Parents, London. Writes for something for Christmas at his mother’s request. Has spent the four shillings he brought from Newbury. “I am now in the King’s Ward.”

ITEM 024: 13 April 1810. To Brothers William and Charles, London. Enjoyed his Christmas gifts. On 10 January, Queen’s Birthday, the King’s Ward all went to Court and saw the Queen, “which I liked very much.” “I like my situation pretty well, but not so well as before.” Great riot in London about Sir Francis Burdett. Roe thinks it best if he stays at home while the riot continues.

ITEM 025. 1 August 1810. To “dear Friend”, from Newbury. Has not received the Quills “which you promised to send me.” Gives instructions on how to get to his Aunt Tarn’s house in Queen Square.

ITEM 026: 1 August 1810. To Aunt, Newbury. Thanks for organising his holiday at the Rectory.

ITEM 027: 1 August 1810. To Nurse, Newbury. “I am sorry that you feel hurt at my not writing to you before, but I was so happy when I arrived here that I entirely forgot it.” Is sorry to hear of the death of the maid in the sick ward Betty.

ITEM 028: 26 August 1810. To Parents, London. Has returned to school. Discusses arrangements with Nurse, including new allowance for milk in the morning. More discussion about quills and silkworms.

ITEM 029: 11 September 1810. To Brother, London. Quills, gifts, plum pudding. “My moths are both dead.”

ITEM 030: 29 September 1810. To Parents, London. The two ducks have arrived. Moths are dead, but he has preserved 25 eggs to raise next summer. “I cannot say with truth that I like the school very much.”

ITEM 031: October 1810. To Parents, London. Talks about making chains and dyes. Describes visits.

ITEM 032: 3 November 1810. To Parents, London. Describes visits. Discusses how to make black dye. Tells his brothers about more quill-chains.

ITEM 033: 3 December 1810. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Describes visits. A fire broke out two or three doors from the Hospital on 30 October, “broke out in a booksellers.” Some of the older boys sent out to help man the engines. “I must confess I was very much frightened.” Has begun to learn geometry. Money all gone.

ITEM 034: 29 December 1810. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Received the goose. Had a happy Christmas: “joined in with another boy and we bought a Bottle of Raspberry Wine for ½ a crown, and some oranges.” Five houses pulled down where the fire was.

ITEM 035: 10 February 1811. To Parents, Christ’s Hospital. Another boy has broken up his boxes and quills in their drawer. Asks Parents not to say anything or he will be “hooted about the Hospital for a Pun (tell tale).”

ITEM 036: 8 March 1811. Not written by Roe: to “Madam”, from Robinson (evidently a Master). Asks about the question of milk and money for Roe.

ITEM 037: 26 March 1811. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Discusses allowance. Roe has not been given any money while he has milk. Has begun work on trigonometry. “I am happy to say in a few days I am going to the drawing school to learn to draw.”

ITEM 038: 8 May 1811. To Father, London. Received his birthday parcel with “infinite pleasure.”

ITEM 039: 4 June 1811. To Father, London. Visits. Hopes to be able to send samples of his drawing.

ITEM 040: 6 July 1811. To Father, London. Has been in sick ward for a fortnight with tooth-ache. Is ahead on the work for which the boys get paid if they are “plus” so has hopes of being able to visit Newbury in August. Has started the book on Chronology, having completed Geography.

ITEM 041: 26 August 1811. To Parents, London. Has arrived back in London safely. Has forgotten to bring his Geometry book. Sends his brother a star.

ITEM 042: 14 September 1811. To Parents, London. Again asks for his Geometry book which he has left in Newbury. His friend Griffiths has gone to be a midshipman after meeting with Sir Richard Keats.

ITEM 043: 6 October 1811. To Father, London. “I have just received your very acceptable letter and I doubt not but you will succeed in getting me out, but not with the same advantages if I staid my whole time.” “I am very sorry indeed for the squirrel as also for the cat but I hope she will recover as she is a very playfull little creature.”

ITEM 044: 16 October 1811. To Parents, London. Parents unable to come to town because not enough notice. Committee Days always the second Wednesday of the month. “I hope you will succeed in getting me out of the Hospital.”

ITEM 045: 3 November 1811. To Father, London. Two mad bulls driven into the Christ’s Hospital.

ITEM 046: 18 December 1811. To Father, London. Food has changed for the boys. Two glaziers have had an accident in the kitchens. “The man who fell first had his scull fractured and is now mad.”

ITEM 047: 23 December 1811. To Father, London. Received the cake; the goose is no good. Is planning his Christmas dinner. Has just caught a large cat.

ITEM 048: 30 December 1811. To Father, London. Has found the missing letters. Has received a second goose. Has been released from “the Gunpowder after confinement of 2 months.” Doesn’t expect to go to court for Queen’s Birthday on account of King’s illness.

ITEM 049: 11 January 1812. To Father, London. Sorry that his last letter about the second goose has not come to hand. A friend had his pocket picked of a silk handkerchief.

ITEM 050: 20 January 1812. To Father, London. Has met the old Master Cotton in the street. Does not have an answer from Admiral Keats yet. Master Gwynne has had some of the boys, including JSR, writing up papers for a forthcoming court case. Is in the Third Order, is taking Globular Sailing. Next is Spherics, Astronomy, and then Day’s Work.

ITEM 051: 17 February 1812. To brother George, London. In April will have been at the Hospital for five years. “I suppose you have heard that Admiral Keats requires me to go with him immediately, but the Governors belonging to this Hospital will not allowed me (sic.) unless Father pays 50£”: it will be best if he stays for another year and three months, “but notwithstanding I should like to go now very much indeed.” On graduation they get a watch worth ten guineas. Would like to meet George, but doesn’t think it likely. Learns drawing Monday, Wednesday, Friday afternoons. “I am now drawing shipping. It is the Brunswick, 74 Guns engaging 2 French ships.” The Master Gwynne was Lieutenant of the Brunswick at the engagement. Letter also includes a note to his father. Happy that William escaped from the mad dog.

ITEM 052: 14 April 1812. To Father, London. Has seen his grandfather.

ITEM 053: 22 April 1812. To Father, London. Has spent all his money, including paying seven shillings for instruments for school. His cat has had five kittens, and he is to keep one, which he will call Tippo. Hopeful of going into the Second Order and being allowed to wear “town breeches”: hopes father will send a pair of corduroy breeches to button at the knees, “with pockets at the side and a watch fob but not for a watch to go in.” Describes arguments with other boys. The other boys are great cowards.

ITEM 054: 29 May 1812. To Father, London. Enjoyed his birthday gift. Having a holiday today.

Item 055: 1 July 1812. To Father, London. His new breeches come up high on the breast, “and hinder the stomach ache which I was accustomed to have when I had the other breeches.” Has bought also braces and some handkerchiefs to wear on his head at night as the “other boys do.”

ITEM 056: 25 July 1812. To Father, London. Has received £2 on the Bank of England. “You say in your letter that you fear that I do not derive the same pleasure from my school business as formerly; that is true, but still I have no reason, nor do I complain.” Merely meant that his work now requires “closer application.” Has heard that Sir Richard Keats is very ill and Sir Sidney Smith has taken the command. Roe would like to go out in the Medusa as a boy in the First Order, Easton, is doing. Sorry not to be going home for August.

ITEM 057: 3 August 1812. To Father, London. Enjoyed the present of apricots. Has begun Astronomy, “the hardest book of all.” Has read in the papers that brother Charles has sailed. Saw James Hoby. Asks whether his brothers are yet Lieutenants.

ITEM 058: 23 September 1812. To Father, London. Cousin Miles offers a puppy. Speech Day. Approves of the completed renovations to the Church. One of the beadles left the school doors open.’

ITEM 059: 24 October 1812. To Father, London. After being examined by a clergyman called Prince (“very short… with a wig”) he was called back and given two shillings.

ITEM 060: 17 November 1812. To Father, London. Thanks for the pig. A fire in Newgate Street. Another friend is going out on the Clarence, 74 guns, Captain Vansittart.

ITEM 061: 29 November 1812. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Has received the five shillings. Master Gwynne is leaving, but hopes to get their Order through before he does so.

ITEM 062: 19 December 1812. To Father, London. Hopes for a goose and a cake for Christmas, and two bottles of port wine.

ITEM 063: 27 December 1812. To Father, London. Has called at many offices, but has received no parcel for Christmas.

ITEM 064: 19 January 1813. To Father, London. The parcel did arrive and the goose and cake both very good. Sorry to have to ask for another pound.

ITEM 065: 19 January 1813. To Father, London. “To quiet your mind as to the manner in which I spend my money, I have laid down three things which I am always compelled to buy in the course of the week”: tea, sugar, candles. Many details about his expenses.

ITEM 066: 14 February 1813. To Father, London. Apologises for his last letter, “the feelings of a then unhappy mind.” Admiral Keats going out to take command off Newfoundland. Was unable to visit Keats because he was not available.

ITEM 067: 12 March 1813. To Father, London. Has missed his chance to sail with Admiral Keats for Newfoundland. Keats has promised to provide Roe with a similar appointment, if his help is necessary. His Book is finished and gone to the binders.

ITEM 068: 25 March 1813. To Father, London [letter crossed]. Has placed second in the competition for one of the drawing medals. His Book is bound and Mrs Tarn will buy a red leather case for it. Has received his books and quadrant from the Governors.

ITEM 069: 7 April 1813. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Thanks for the pound note. Expects to be discharged on 14 April. Then has his examinations over the following two weeks. Then his future Captain or the Captain’s agent can call for him. Details the many items he will need for his uniform and kit.

ITEM 070: 13 April 1813. To Father, London. Has visited the Nichols. Is organising a uniform.

ITEM 071: 26 April 1813. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Has visited the Naylors. Did some fine lettering for Mrs Naylor on velvet.

ITEM 072: 4 May 1813. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Explains how he will be released from the Hospital. Can barely wait for his release.

ITEM 073: 15 May 1813. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Has been offered a position by Captain Sir Christopher Cole of HMS Rippon. The position offered is Schoolmaster not Midshipman, and he would much prefer the latter with its chances for promotion.

ITEM 074: 17 May 1813. To Father, Christ’s Hospital. Cole has said that Roe will only be a Schoolmaster for three years, and that he will ensure he is put in the way of becoming a Lieutenant.

ITEM 075: 21 May 1813. To Father, Gloucester Street. Has had his interview with Mr. Price, Captain Cole’s Agent. Price asks Reverend Roe to please come up to town. Cole has written asking him to come down to the ship as soon as possible.

ITEM 075a: 4 June 1813. “Dear Sir, The Bearer Mr John S. Roe leaves London for Plymouth to join the Rippon under the command of my friend Sir Chris. Cole, you will oblige me by your good offices in obtaining him a passage for your port.” Signed James Sykes.

Series 01: John Septimus Roe letters, early childhood 17 June 1807 ??? 21 May 1813

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