A Parcel of Ribbons : Letters of the 18th Century Lee Family in London and Jamaica

by Anne M. Powers

Set among the sugar plantations of Jamaica and the balls and masquerades of Georgian London the story is told by the Lee family in their own words. In 1749 thirteen year-old Robert Cooper Lee sailed to Jamaica taking a parcel of ribbons for sale. When his family was left all but penniless, Robert and his brothers forged new lives in Jamaica, fathered children with women who were the descendants of slaves and supported their sister left behind in England. Robert returned to London with his family in 1771. A prominent attorney, respected throughout Jamaica and among the West Indian lobby in London, he had built a fortune that enabled his children to mix with royalty. This remarkable collection of letters tells a story of triumph against adversity, of a family that suffered sickness, bankruptcy, sudden death, a clandestine marriage and an elopement. Through it all the bonds of family endured.

374 pages, Paperback

First published July 6, 2012

Reviews

[Clare Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating glimpse of colonial life in the 18th Century, shown through the family's own letters, with meticulously researched historical detail provided by Anne M Powers.

What was particularly interesting to me was the recently discovered knowledge that I am descended from this family. The main character, Robert Cooper Lee, shows himself, through his letters, to be a hard-working man and a kind and well-intentioned father and husband. Having started his life in very difficult circumstances, he built up a considerably fortune, with which he supported his immediate and extended family. It is sad that some of his children seem to have had a sense of entitlement, and to have been less successful in their personal lives.

What an interesting book about a tumultuous period in British history.

[Sara Donaldson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-documented window into life in C18th Jamaica and London. The majority of the book is a fabulous collection of personal correspondence between members of the Lee family, with some meticulously researched and written background. This is a rare look into a family's life through their own eyes.

This is a great book for those interested in the era, in Jamaica or looking to read first-hand accounts from the C18th, but with the amount of research Anne has undertaken her footnotes and bibliography open up a new avenue of further reading for the more serious historian.

[Gabriel Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The letters don't add up to literature in the way of a Samuel Richardson book, but my attention is held by the privileged look I am given of very personal events, told in the attitude of British distance. The letters are often tedious, but because of the position of the Lees in society, their personal events sometimes bridge into historical events, and that is when I feel I have found a gem.
Additionally, a tale is told by the books end that, because of the span of time over which the letters were written, introduces the characters of money and health. Health, it is shown, we are all subject to, but money can trump even health if we do not make her subject to us. Robert Lee's words are timeless and rewarding if heeded, "Limit your expenses, according to your income, and let nothing make you swerve from that rule." Whether his sons accept this and other valuable teachings gives the book considerable moment, especially as we are given a summary of the consequences in the epilogue.

[Linda Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This collection of 18th-century letters is a treasure trove. The author is meticulous in her commentary, consistently explaining unfamiliar terms, who was who, and the surrounding political climate.(Did you know ‘Black Drop’ was an addictive painkiller composed of opium vinegar, sugar and spices?)

I’ve skimmed through all the letters and am now going back for a more careful reading of each. I wholeheartedly recommend to anyone with an interest in Georgian London and plantation Jamaica.

[Susan Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a marvellous insight!

It’s amazing that these letter were kept, they provide a key for us to open the door to that part of history. My husband’s family is mentioned, a fascinating read

[Maggie Parry-Mantel]

I found out about this book while learning more about my ancestry. I’m descended from Favell and David Bevan, and I learned about Favell’s mother, Priscilla, while looking up information about Favell. I came to this book hoping to learn more about Priscilla, given how little is known about her origins or her mother.

Sadly, I didn’t find out much more about Priscilla, and I struggled with the format at times. The sections written by the author were helpful in that regard as they gave some additional context to the letters.

That is not to say that this is a bad book. While I didn’t get what I specifically wanted from it, it’s still a good snapshot of what life was like for my ancestors during the period it covers. Because of the book’s basis in letters, I found it painted a much clearer picture of its subjects than the book written by my great-great-great grandmother about her aunt, Favell Lee Mortimer. It was nice to learn about them in their own voices. I also appreciated learning more about how letters were written in that time. For instance, I noticed how when one brother would right to another he would still right “my father” rather than “our father”.

I think this book is best utilised as part of wider research. It provided useful context for intonation I had read in my great-great-great grandmother’s book which helped give possible explanations for why her own grandmother struggled with depression; her family was not in good shape by the end.

All in all, while I struggled with this book at times, I’m glad I read it. I think it has formed a good basis for me to build on as I explore more of my ancestry.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bo per a documentar-se sobre l'època però es fa lent i feixuc llegir tantes cartes escrites en l'anglès del segle XVIII.