FAC152/1/7

Letter from Reverend Charles Edward Searle to George Thomas Askew. Sent from Earl Stonham Rectory, Suffolk

14 December 1864

From: 1864 To: 1864

Notes that the approach to Christmas reminds us of friends and family and says that he has three brothers in Africa, one in South America and another in Australia. George's letters always interest him and reading of George's escape from a burning prairie read like a novel. Pleased to hear about George's investment in a lumber/saw mill which lies between Nanaimo and Victoria and looks forward to hearing about the methods George will emply for cutting and shipping lumber as well as the price of labour as he circulates this information where useful. Proposes that if George founds a new town he should call it New Bedford or Askewville. Suggests that George should call his property Woodhill as it was the original name of Odell village. Three out of four of George's family wish to join him in Canada 'your mother [Mary Askew] of course being the objecting party (the baby neutral). I hear that Kitty and her husband are very keen after the venture, and I am bound to say that I heard an excellent character of Richard as a devoted husband...It would too reestablish your sister's health; for though she was now pretty well, her symptoms in the spring were very dangerous, and so many dies of consumption in that village; when a change of climate and a sea voyage would enable them not only to prolong their days, but really enjoy health...As to your father [James Askew], though I did not see him, I heard he was anxious to go, and then Mary said that she would not hold out against all three. But she declared nothing would induce her to leave her daughter. Now I think it would be a decided advantageof while they have only this baby in arms, they could come.' Offer to give George an advance in order for his family to travel to Canada. Has heard the William Askew [George's uncle] is unsettled and that Rebecca [William's wife] was very bad but did not get to discuss emigration with them. 'I do not attribute the poverty of the village to the farmers; - so much as to the necessary results of competition. Labour is an article of merchandise, cheap with us, priceless with you. The colonies and the mother country kepp up the balance.' Has heard very little of George's cousin, George Askew, his [George Askew's] mother has not heard of the arrival of her other son in Ohio, believed to be Thomas, who emigrated with his family from Ellington this year to join George Askew. Has had an excellent account from George Odell in New Zealand, he speaks of 30 acres of land as his own and has about £70 a year

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Searle, Charles Edward,
Askew, George Thomas,
Askew, Thomas George,
Askew, Kitty,
Askew, Catherine,
Fosket, Catherine,
Fosket, Richard,
Askew, Mary,
Askew, William,
Askew, Rebecca,
Askew, George,
Askew, Thomas,
Odell, George,
Askew, James

Suffolk, Canada, British Columbia, saw mill, New Zealand