XM/5120/78.
LETTER: Hugh Jones, Wilkes County, Georgia, to Evan Jones, Cordwalner, Caernarfon. He has received Bro. John’s letter 4 Sept. 1790 - H.J.`s birthday if E.J. checks Llandwrog Parish Register. He is pleased that they have received his letters. He is glad his father has turned sober. While H.J. was a sailor especially in the West Indies he was hardly ever sober. Although he was drunk, swore and fought, he was not as vicious as some as his education prevented that. He is grieved to hear of his mother’s afflicition. Brother John is a Methodist preacher: who would have thought it. The same Jack who used to caper on the dancing floor. If he is as active in the service of God as he was of Satan he’ll do well. H.J. hears a reformation has taken place in Caernarfon. He remembers how Mr. Roberts the vicar and their schoolmaster used to encourage the children to mob the Methodists. A great reformation has taken place in the United States. Although John Ellis has returned to Caernarfon, with the story of their captivity he intends to relate himself; They set sail from Kingston, Jamaica to join the fleet; 30 sail of merchant men bonnd for different ports in Britain. In their convoy were theGreenwich, Nabob and others; he was on board the Earl of Chester which was poorly manned with half the guns stowed under the cargo and wooden guns. They were driven landward and were in sight of Cuba and were partly through the Gulf of `Florida when they were met by two privateers from Charleston. H.J. was on the brig Mars the day they were captured and his chest and clothes. He proceeds to describe the ensuing engagement in some detail.He was eventually placed in irons in the privateer. He was chained to an Irishman; they quarrelled all night. He was then placed in trons by himself. He washed his shirt and it went overboard and he was glad to beg an old jacket from a negro. They were taken 8 Dec. and arrived in Charleston 24 Dec. They were put in a common gaol on 3 Jan. where they were held for six weeks and two days. He tried to retrieve his chest from the Earl of Chester but found it stove in. He was surprised to find Welshmen, Irish, Scots, French, Spanish, Negroes and Indians on the privateer. H.J. befriended one of the men he had fought. Capt. Harvey of the Earl of Chester sent him some clothes. From Charleston they went to Halifax; he walked 400 miles barefoot. Tells of the hardships of the journey. He is glad to hear Evan or Owen is coming to see him. Evan can do well as a cordwainer in America. H.J. will find him a house. If they get a passage to Savannah then Harry should enquire after a Mr. William Boll a Scot or Michal [?Picton] ; both are shoe makers. Gives details of travel arrangements. H.J. would be glad of any Welsh books. If Owen can handle the axe well he will not fail to get employment. The Indians are not likely to go to war. If they don’t like the country they can go in two or three years. H.J. wants to go to Wales in two or three years and wants his brothers to take care of the plantation while he’s gone. They may both get land here and passage on cheap terms. H.J. has not seen the sea, a ship or mountain for about 12 years.
Cyngor Gwynedd