The Bergh Family Records

61 St Pauls Road
Burdett Road, Limehouse

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.