Help with part of a soldier's letter

[estiman]

Good lateral thinking Goldie61. Reference to Indian corn makes sense as the letter is addressed to the brother in America. This is a fascinating insight into the diet of working class Londoners in the 1830'/1840's if what the mother says is true. I wonder when maize started to be available?
I'll look further into the expression "parrot aboard" (so far only found "sick as a parrot").... unless this is some attempt at humour? 

Do you agree that the date appears to be 1869?

[Finley 1]

Is it possibly from


Long John Silver!?!?   Treasure Island


xin

[estiman]

So 19th century humour?? However, given the level of literacy shown, I'm not sure they would be into RL Stevenson?

[Finley 1]

Yes  get that they would not have read the books ---- but the use/ generality of a well known phrase -- is something we often do not know the source of?? 

xin

[Treetotal]

I read it as if the Mother is bringing her "Child" up the same...but her child is a Parrot..a bird...
Carol

[goldie61]

Do you agree that the date appears to be 1869?

A bit difficult to say for sure with the crease (or whatever) in the paper there, but most probably 1869, yes.

[estiman]

There now seem to be major issues about the date (1869) & time-frame of the letter. There are references to the wife and recently born son of the brother. Yet I have now found out that the wife died in 1860 and the son was born 1851. I had posted a methodological question about "Trying to look up an address" in The Common Room, relating to the mother and father in the letter. In my most recent 'reply' there I cover the above in more detail.

[Karen McDonald]

Now that you say it...
There is a definite straight, horizontal stroke which starts at the top of the vertical stroke and goes right.
It could well be a "5", with the vertical stroke a little long.

So: 1851.

Just my 2 penn'th. 

Best regards,
Karen

[Skoosh]

"Is the parrot aboard!" is a question only answerable by a member of that family. Did they own one or possibly referring to a family member. "Pieces of Eight!" 

Skoosh.