Thanks Lindy- I'm really struggling to find Alfred anywhere!!
1861 details are
Living at Waterloo (no number noted) - Hipperholme cum Brighouse
Mary Settle Boarder in the house of Fanny Smith (possibly a relative?!)age 31 - no occupation noted but noted as married
with sons James age 9, Arthur age 7 ,Luke age 5, all noted as born in Brighouse.
In 1871 living at Kew or New Street, Hipperholme cum Brighouse.
Mary Settle age 41 born Hipperholme- again no occupation, with James 19, Arthur age 15!, Luke 14 years & Mary Ellen 5 years all born Brighouse.
Obviously Mary Ellen was born after Alfred left but who could blame Mary after being left for at least 13 years ! In the letters there is mention of a boy being born circa 1859 who was named Romeo Settle because of his fathers wanderlust he died around 1861 from the dates of his fathers letters .. Alfred mentions " our mother Fanny" & brother George, brother William & sister Betty in his letters as well but whether these are Alfred's or Mary's relatives I can't be sure- but the letters have been handed down through the Smith Family so I'm hoping that Fanny on the census might be a relative even though Mary is noted as a boarder.
I know it took 7 weeks for Alfred to get to America ( with some kind of mutiny on board his ship!) & he landed at Castle gardens,New York & he stayed in New york for the Tuesday night (the 14th September 1858) but can I find him on any ships passenger list- can I ecky thump!!!! I feel I know the man but can't find him anywhere- I also know he left due to some kind of big"trouble" which included the payment of a "Leeds loan" & debts to other members of the family- to be truthful he was a bit self pitying beggar!!!!!
I don't have children myself & would dearly love to one day hand these letters to someone else who would care for them as much as they have been cared about for the past 150 years-I've written to museums in Philidelphia & roundabouts and heard nothing so it looks like the obvious thing to do is hand them over to Calderdale Archives or museums service but I'd much rather hand them to a family member- in every letter he ends by saying "take care of all letters"- I feel it's the least I can do as I can't send him a copy of the Halifax Guardian (which he also asks for !!!!)
Thank you!
Rose