CHIEF:  Alastair Ivor Gilbert Boyd 7th Baron Kilmarnock

Richard G. and Jerri Lynn Boyd

568 W. Friedrich Street

Rogers City, Mich. 49779

W. Boyd  Hull, England to NY

        COPY OF A LETTER RECEIVED FROM NEW YORK

In the United States of America, from Mr. W. Boyd, to his brother  in Macclesfield, (England) brought by the Washington of New York, giving an account of the Price of Labour, and the Wages of tradesmen of all descriptions, likewise the prospects of Farmers, Price of Provisions, with the views that all may have of providing for the future comfort of themselves and Families.
 

New York, March 2nd, 1830

Dear Brother - It is natural for those who are suffering from a distressed state of trade, and their hardships daily increasing, to turn their attention to some remedy whereby they may be relieved from their embarrassed circumstances. You are well aware with that idea resting upon your mind, I emigrated to this country, and now I think it my duty to my brother and fellow countrymen and all whom it may concern, to give a correct and impartial statement of my present situation and further prospects.

I arrived in New York after a pleasant voyage of five weeks and one day, and immediately turned my attention , after my arrival, to get employment at my own trade, in which I succeeded, and received for my week's work, 9 dollars and 25 cents, and I receive now an average 11 dollars per week. I rent a small house in the suburbs for 30 dollars, or about 7 pounds sterling per year. We can have the best beef or mutton at 5 cents, two and a half pence per pound, the best wheaten bread at 2 cents, one penny per pound, though if we bake it ourselves, we can have it at a cheaper rate, and everything else in the like low proportion. I have just heard by the accounts from England, that the distress in trade in many of the manufacturing districts still continues. I shall now give you a correct statement, as near as I can, of the weekly earnings of all the different trades in the country:- Bricklayers and Stonemasons can earn, on average, 12 dollars per week, Black- smiths 10 dollars, Carpenters and joiners 10 dollar and 70 cents, Shoemakers 10 dollars, Tailors 10 dollars, Stocking Weavers from 10 to 11 dollars, Silk Weavers 11 dollars, Linen Weavers 10 dollars, Cotton Weavers about 10 dollars and 25 cents. and Weaving is the worst paid, as the steam looms seem to take the place of hand looms even in this country, but any person having a little money, may do very well by going a few miles from this city, and uniting farming with weaving, he may rent a house and garden, and about 12 acres of land, nearly as cheap as I have my house here, which by management , will pay him very good interest. Cloth workers of all descriptions can live very well in this city, they can earn from 11 to 12 dollars and a half per week, Hatters between 9 and ten, and Labourers 1 and a half dollar per day.

I have now given you a correct statement as near as I could inform myself. The prospects of Labourers meet with every encouragement, as there are new towns an villages springing up in every part of the country, and of course employ a great number of hands.  The state of this country is certainly very different from that of England , as any person inclined to industry, has every prospect of doing well , and if he has no particular occupation, there are many resources in which he is sure to succeed, as by working in the employ of a farmer, or if able to cultivate for himself he is sure to be paid with good interest. The general disposition of the inhabitants seem to be very friendly, and no way jealous of newcomers, as they have districts which want cultivation. Their resources increase with population and that being the case, the Americans hold out a friendly hand top all that come. I shall now conclude with the hope of seeing you in  few months, to share in the blessings of a free and independant nation/.

I remain, dear Brother, yours
W. BOYD.

American Dollar is 4 shillings and 6 pence sterling.
a cent is equal  to one halfpenny.
N.B. Mr. Boyd having shewn the above letter to several friends, they entreated him to publish it, in order to shew the difference of the working classes of this country and America - it is now submitted with respect for the perusal of the Public..
Jones, Printer, Macclesfield.
Reprinted by
B. Montgomery
23 Lowgate, Hull.

(University of Hull Library ref+ADs- DX/160/27/1)

I have several William Boyds in my Family tree at about that time, who could be the author of this letter, one in particular born 1808, had a brother George born 1804.

Does any else have a William Boyd, who was born in Hull England and moved to New York, U.S.A in 1830?

Thanks

Brian Boyd
Melbourne, Australia.

NOTE: Use this data as a finding tool, just as you would any other secondary source. When you find the name of an ancestor listed, confirm the facts in original sources.

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