Scope and Content Note
The correspondence of Forbes W. Manchester (circa 1829- ) consist of letters spanning the years 1858-1869. The letters are primarily from his wife, Rhoda M. Manchester, of Adamsville (Little Compton), Rhode Island, to Manchester in 1858 and 1859 while he was on a whaling voyage to the Indian and Pacific oceans aboard the Henry Kneeland. Her letters provide details about the home life of a whaling family, events in the community, and news of other whaling vessels. There are several letters written by Manchester while he was on the Henry Kneeland as well as a few written in 1869 from Martinique while he served in the coastal trade on a ship carrying lumber. Also included are letters to Manchester from other family members. Most of these handwritten letters are accompanied by typed transcripts.