1861 Hawaii Letter to Indiana - QUAKER MERCHANT WANTS Civil War News - NICE FIND

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1861 Hawaii Letter to Indiana - QUAKER MERCHANT WANTS Civil War News - NICE FIND:
$52.58

Postal History

Nice, early 1861 Honolulu, Hawaii letter written by John Hughes ~ 1858-1869 - a traveling merchant from Richmond, Indiana who went to Oregon, California and settled on the Hawaiian Islands.

See research and transcription of the letter below:

John Hughes ~ 1858-1869

Birth:@1817
Pennsylvania, USADeath:March 30, 1869BUSINESS: J. P. HUGHES, IMPORTER AND MANUFACTURE OF ALL KINDS OF SADDLERY. CARRIAGE TRIMMING DONE WITH NEATNESS AND DISPATCH. ALL ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO. Corner of Fort and Hotel Streets, Honolulu. (The Hawaiian Gazette, Honolulu, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, advertisement, January 6, 1869)

Death of Mr. John P. Hughes.– Our community was surprised on Wednesday morning last [March 31, 1869], to hear of the sudden death of Mr. J. P. Hughes, saddler. He had been ailing for months past, the symptoms indicating aneurism. On Tuesday [March 30, 1869] he was unwell all day, towards night being conscious that death was near at hand, and died at 9 1/2 o’clock that night. Mr. Hughes first came to these Islands about sixteen years ago, and commenced the saddlery and upholstering business with a Mr. Robinson, under the firm name ofHughes & Robinson, at the same stand which he occupied at his death.

After a time, in 1858 [April 1857] we believe, he went to Oregon with a Mr. [Andrew] Ohlson, where they remained about two years. Returning in 1860 to these Islands with Mr. Ohlson, he bought Mr. Robinson out, continuing the business asHughes & Ohlsonfor a little over a year, when he bought out his partner’s interest and continued the business alone [at the corner of Fort and Hotel street] up until his death. Mr. Hughes early won, and has maintained a reputation for strict integrity. In his dealings with those employed by him, he has always been liberal and straightforward, so that upon the death of one of his employees his gratitude found expression by making Mr. Hughes sole heir to his property, amounting to almost four thousand dollars in money. His estate is worth some fifteen or twenty thousand dollars, which has been amassed by industry, thrift and a strict attention to business, carried on mostly upon a cash basis. The deceased has relatives residing in Richmond, Indiana, whom he visited about a year since. His property, we understand, has been devised by will to an elder brother residing in the above place. (The Pacific Commercial Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, Saturday, April 3, 1869)

At the last regular meeting of the Board of Representatives, of the “Honolulu Fire Department,” held In the Hall of Mechanic Engine Co. No. 2, April 1st, 1869, the death of Mr. J. P. Hughes, an old and efficient member of the Department was reported. On motion, the Department adopted the following resolutions, expressive of the feelings of the Department: “Resolved, That in the death of Mr. J. P. Hughes, the community has lost a good citizen and public spirited man, and this department a faithful friend and co-worker; one who was ever ready while health permitted to render efficient and valuable service. Resolved, That this Department tender their condolence to the family of the deceased in America in their sad bereavement. Resolved, That these resolutions be published in the local papers and a copy of the same be sent to his relatives in the States.” (The Hawaiian Gazette, Honolulu, Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, April 7, 1869)

Inscription:
Sacred to the Memory of John P. Hughes
A Native of Pennsylvania, Died March 30,
A.D. 1869; Aged 52 Years

Burial:
O’ahu Cemetery
Honolulu
Honolulu County
Hawaii, USA
Plot: Section 2

TRANSCRIPTION

Honolulu
September 20th 1861

Dear Abby,

I received thy letter of July 15th some three weeks since and take this opportunity of answering it as I answered Phoebe’s and Hannah’s the last mail that left here. So I will answer thine this time and Hannah’s last letter the next mail that leaves.

Thee speaks in thy letter as though it was a natural consequence that soldiers must get drunk on any occasion. I am very glad that the regiment at the fairground on the 4th of July disappointed all those of that opinion. That some got slightly inebriated at times I admit, but that they are more addicted to the use — or abuse — of liquor than civilians, I can’t admit. My experience as a soldier taught me that I wanted all my reasoning faculties for to perform the duties assigned me and that my time belonged to the government and that the government did not pay me to spend the time in drunkenness and dissipation. So as I judge the duty of a soldier, I think others know their duty and for what they have volunteered, and that they can’t perform that duty when under the influence of liquor. And I hope that all the soldiers will prove as firm and steady in battle as they have been proud to come to the call of their country for they know that they have a good cause and that is half the victory.

I expect tem plums are all used by this time and the grapes too by the time this gets home, Well, I hope you all have had a good time over them for we must enjoy the good things when Providence blesses us with them, and it is not likely friends or relatives can always be together when these things come — or at least some of them. Tell Jimmy that I am glad to hear that he is a good boy and goes to bed like a little man and that I will come home sometime to see him.

I am very anxious to hear from the States again. It has been three weeks now since we had a mail and the last battle was at Lexington, Missouri. ¹There may of been a dozen fought by this time and we will get all the news at once.

Give my love to all the family and write soon. I remain thy Uncle, — J. P. Hughes

¹ The First Battle of Lexington, Missouri wasn’t fought until September 1861 so it is impossible for Hughes to be referring to it. Perhaps he meant what is now called the Battle of Booneville, Missouri, which was a minor skirmish in June 1861 — not far from Lexington.

TERMS

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