The Minor Family of Somerset

This Isaac King became a surgeon. He went out to India about th
e 1782 as a surgeon in the East India Company's service. Here a
re extracts of 3 leter hesent to His parents. Mr. John King a
t Lane house in Midgley Yorkshire. DearFather and Mother, I ha
ve the pleasure toinform you that God has spared my life, to inf
orm you that I am in good health at present and wealth...I hav
ewrite to you several times since I have been in Indea but neve
r receive any answer yeat from you...but I hope these lines wil
l cause an answer from some of you, if in case it should, pleas
e direct to the Bearer of this letter--he is a young gentleman
d who name is Mr Michael Gibson, he lives near Deptford, London
, his father is a night...If you do not chose to write to this y
oung gentleman pray write to my old friend Mr. Haddock. No 11 No
rfold Street, nearthe Hay Market, (London) and hewill send it t
o me....I had very good luck hasyou may call it on the first o
f February, 10 minutes past 10 in the morning--I had a daughte
r came forth into the world. When I receive yours I will infor
m you more. But for God sake write to Mr. Haddock or that youn
g gentlemanif not both, in short send me all particulars sinc
e I left you and it will be a great novelty to me. I hope by th
e blessing of god by the time I receiveyour answer, I shall b
e able to send you something to comfort you in your old age
. I remain your Dutyfull. I King Dated Calcutta, March 3rd 1786
. N.B.direct to me at the Hospital, Bengall. (Received at Lan
e HOuse, October 14th1786.
The second letter, "By ye intelligence Packitt," dated "From Ben
gall," February 24th 1787, was received September 24th 1787.
Honored Father and mother. Thanks be to Good that I am once mor
ecapable to infore you of my healthand situation in this part o
f the world called the East from whence rose thegreater par o
f our knowledge.(After reproaches that he has not yet heard fro
m home, proceeds) Times are getting verey hard now with us in B
engal now since our new Governor Lord Cornwallis is arrived. I a
m still at the Presidency Hospital of Bengal, Calcutta. The Cou
rt of Directors have been pleased tonominate his Lordship wit
h such authority that he has cut the greatest part of all the Co
mpany servants salaryand what is worse he indulges the black nat
ives more that what they ever were known to be since the Englis
h have had any posesion here and in my opinion, if he does no mi
nd what he is about I am athinKing some of our heads will get c
racked for the lower class of the Europeans in this country ha
s had a reat reign for some time: now ehn they are curbing the
m it makes them growl a little and the Blacks begins to be a lit
tleruffer with them. I would send you something hom if I kne
w whereer you wereliving or dead, of if I thought you could ge
t it from London. And on the other hand there is no trusting pe
ople that comes hear in theships for they areso eager to make m
oney that it makes a person look dam'd sharp out if he does no
t trick you when he arives in England. I have now been 4 year i
n Bengall and have not seen a man come from England return bac
k again but what is dead or settled in the country, therefore ho
w can you trust strangers. Let meknow if ye old Doctor is dece
ased and who is a living that I formerly used toknow both old a
nd young....The weather is so hot hear, that I have seen 30 an
d 40 die in the course of a Day; just drop down at a moments war
ning, especially those who cannot afford a carriage to ride in..
.I can not tell youwhoto write to except the old Quaker who liv
ed a No. 11 Norfold Street, near theHay Market. I am dear Fath
er and mother, your loving and affectionate wll wishing son. I
. King February 24th 1787. N.B. Who ever whishes to write to m
e enclose them all in one packet. Direct to me at the General H
ospital, Calcutta, Bengall.
The third leter is from Calcutt