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Preferred Citation:

Mary C. Latta Letter, 1860 November 29, Special Collections Research Center, William & Mary Libraries.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Purchased from Stroud Booksellers with funds from the Lyon Gardiner Tyler Library Endowmwent, 2018.

Scope and Contents

Four page letter addressed to her brother from Evangasimba on the island of Corisco off the coast of Africa. She describes her journey and extended length to sail from Boston to Africa because of the lack of winds and favorable conditions for the vessel. Despite that and a quick, but destructive tornado, the journey across the Atlantic, according to Latta, was a very pleasant one. Upon her arrival in Corisco Latta presented with a few welts or sores on the back of her hand. She thought they were from insect bites but the doctor's examination was that it was a fever within her coming to the surface. She was not as convinced but nonetheless rested as the doctor ordered in case she would fall ill. Latta's arrival to Corisco is for the purpose of serving as a missionary to the area. She indicates in her letter that she has already met a few other missionaries and is excited to begin her work.

Subjects and Indexing Terms

• Corisco
• Missionaries
• Ocean travel
• Women--Travel