This correspondence consists of over 30 letters written by James Hall to his son William between 1830 and 1843. There also three letters from William’s sister Mary Ann. The original letters of this correspondence still survive. They are not easy to read, but fortunately they were skilfully deciphered in the 1930s and typed copies were made. Checks show that these copies seem to be very accurate, but the originals will be available in the RN Museum, Portsmouth, if anyone should wish to check a particular piece of information. Extracts from these letters were included in Sea Saga and will be found in the diaries and documents of William King-Hall later in this website. The present day [2006] equivalent of prices quoted in the letters can be obtained by multiplying them by about 60.
FAMILY SITUATION
On returning from Bermuda in 1829 James had been appointed to HMS Ganges in Portsmouth. In 1830, when this correspondence began, he was living in Portsea with his second wife Frances, aged 20, his daughter from his first marriage, Mary Ann, aged 12 and a son Frank, aged 1. Yet to be born was a daughter, Fanny. His second son William, aged 14, had joined the 10-gun Sloop Rapid the previous autumn as a Volunteer 2nd Class, and his eldest son, James, was in India.
THE LETTERS
The letters have been grouped into five batches covering the periods shown below. Ones first reaction on reading these letters, is one of sympathy for William. For 12 years from the age of fourteen to twenty six, he was subjected almost continuously to a stream of detailed advice on how to conduct his affairs. The fact that it was generally very good advice may not have been of much comfort. Apart from this criticism James appears to have been a generous father who took a great deal of trouble to further his son’s career. While these letters are primarily of interest to the family, the naval historian may find that they give him some insight into social conditions in the Navy of this period.
March 1830 – November 1831 [PAGE2510]
During this period James was serving in Portsmouth and Sheerness and William was serving in Rapid in the Mediterranean.
Contents: Parental advice and family news – Death of James’ father – William’s finances – William’s career prospects; transfer to Volunteer 1st Class.
October 1833 – December 1834 [PAGE2520]
The two year gap in the letters is partly explained by James making a voyage to Hobart as Surgeon Superintendent of a male Convict ship between Sept 1832 - July 1833. He then joined Andromache in Sept ’33 and sailed for China in Jan ’34. In the meantime, William, who had returned to England in May ’34, was able to take advantage of his father’s absence, to obtain a Midshipman’s post in Nov ‘34.
Contents: Firm advice on how to conduct himself; be content with Master’s branch - complaints about the cost of postage – detailed instruction of study of navigation–first mention of Fanny (born Apr ’33) – and in letter from India – action in Canton River – illness – further advice on not trying to become a Midshipman – hopes of seeing his son James in Bombay.
July 1836 – April 1938 [PAGE2530]
James returns to England in Jan ’36 and retires due to ill health. Sets up in private practice near his patron Captain King in Cranbrook, Sussex. William has been serving as a Midshipman since May ’35 in Portugal and then off the N. coast of Spain, taking part in the Carlist Wars.
Contents: Further good advice on how to advance his career – avoid becoming involved with women- comments on the Carlist War - James complains about his poverty; patients not paying bills – advantages of having a coat of arms and crest - instructions for visiting Cranbrook during William’s visit to England. – death of James Hall in India -
July 1838 – August 1840 [PAGE2540]
In Aug ’38 James obtains post with Emigration service in Ireland and family move to Dublin. In July ‘39 William returns to England from Spain and joins Benbow, which then sails for Mediterranean.
Contents: Family news from Ireland –attempts to obtain William’s promotion to Lieutenant – advice on improving his appearance – James obtains Diploma in Glasgow – Mary Ann complains about behaviour of her friends, the Spencers – James continues to dispense advice – Frank’s lack of progress at school –Mary Anne’s matrimonial prospects.
November 1840 – October 1843 [PAGE2550]
In Nov ’40 James' work in Ireland finishes. He rents a house in Gillingham, Kent. In the spring of 1843 he obtains a post on board the Tenedos prison hulk in Bermuda In Sept ’40 William took part in an attack on the Syrian town of Tortosa. In July ‘41 he was promoted Lieutenant and appointed to Indus, where he served until 1844.
Contents: James mistakenly assumes that William had been killed at Tortosa – charming letter from Mary Ann, who is now 22 – disappointment at William not being promoted – describes party given to celebrate promotion – James describes arrival in Bermuda – illness of James and Frank – letter from Frank, now aged 14.