{"id":245,"date":"2026-07-29T04:46:22","date_gmt":"2026-07-29T04:46:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikecaine.im\/?page_id=245"},"modified":"2026-08-03T06:48:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-03T06:48:47","slug":"wilby-rackham-letters-part-8","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mikecaine.im\/index.php\/wilby-rackham-letters-part-8\/","title":{"rendered":"Wilby Rackham Letters Part 8"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A Family Bound by Hope and Memory<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Wilby Rackham - His Life and Letters\n Part Eight\n<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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A moving collection of letters written after Captain Wilby Rackham\u2019s disappearance, capturing the grief, uncertainty, and unwavering support shared between Mary and the Rackham family. Through messages of comfort, kindness, and remembrance, these letters preserve a touching story of family bonds, resilience, and a legacy that continued across generations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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01<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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PART EIGHT \u2013 LETTER 1\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Edward Rackham to Mary.<\/p>

Kessingland<\/p>

Wangford<\/p>

Suffolk<\/p>

Sept 27th<\/sup>.\/ 68<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

My Dear Sister<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I am indeed very sad at the news that I received from you respecting our Dear Brother. I fear there is something very sad has happened to him it seems so strange that the ship was never spoken of anywhere\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 tell me in your next when he started. I live in hopes as yet to hear that he is all right. If the ship is lost I cannot think of giving him up for Lost nor shall not for some time yet. There is not much chance of my hearing of him here but what ever you hear of him please let me know whatever it is. I should think would be something heard of him by some means. I will make it known about here and make every inquiry that I can. I was sorry to hear you were so ill and the dear Children with bad Colds. My Dear Sister you must live in hopes as yet of hearing from him as the time is not very long since he started he might have got on board of some foreign ship and Landed some Long way from home so we must not despair yet.\u00a0\u00a0 My wife sends her kind Love to you & Mrs. Crosbie hoping to hear you are Better.\u00a0 So I must conclude with kind Love to you and a kiss for the dear Children<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I Remain your Affectionate Brother &<\/p>

Sister Edward & Miranda<\/p>

Rackham<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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02<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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PART EIGHT \u2013 LETTER 2\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Miranda Rackham to Mary.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Kessingland<\/p>

Nov 19th<\/sup>.\u00a0 [1868]<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

My Dearest Sister<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

You cannot think how grieved we both are to think you have not heard anything else respecting your Dear husband.\u00a0 I fear now the time is so long that you never will but God’s will be done not thine although it is hard to bear up against.\u00a0 Still we must submit to his will and that something may be provided for you and the Dear children’s comfort.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

My dear Mary our Aunt Ward is come to see us expecting to have seen your dear husband as he sent her word he should come over. She being old it has quite upset her. She desires to be most kindly remembered to you and the children.\u00a0 Jemima is well she has been buisy moving up Kessingland to live not far from us.\u00a0 I wonder she has not answered your letter.\u00a0 My dear husband is quite well sends his kind love and, will write so you get a letter on Tuesday morning. My darling little boy get on so nicely. I think you would think him so like your Dear husband, rather fair very stout and short, but such good child.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I hope my Dear you will not fail to say anything to me as regards your troubles for I can assure you I feel deeply for you, and hope to see you before long.\u00a0\u00a0 I want to know if you and the children cannot come and stop with us for a time. The change might do you good.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 edward cannot leave home now he has the Post office. He has one week in the year alowed him.\u00a0 I do hope you will sends us word that you and the Dear children will come, as soon as you like, for we shall be most happy to receive you. I feal sure the change would do good, we are sorry to hear about your sister’s face you did not say how it occured\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 please to remember us to your father Mother and all<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

with kindest love to yourself and dear children<\/p>

ever beleive me to remain<\/p>

your affectionately<\/p>

M Rackham<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

kiss little Mary and we hope to see you, soon do little Charley grow tall\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 we are sorry to here you put to so much trouble and unpleasantness\u00a0\u00a0 Good bye with kisses for little Mary<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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03<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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PART EIGHT \u2013 LETTER 3\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Miranda Rackham to Mary<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Kessingland<\/p>

Wangford<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

My Dearest Mary<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I am deeply grieved to read the Contents of your kind letter. Edward has thought so much about you and the Dear children and dissapointed at not seeing you for the present but we must try and think of something else before long.\u00a0\u00a0 My Dear Sister I am so much oblidge to you for the likeness we think them first rate it was indeed kind of you to send it. We must think of some little preasent in a week or two.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I am sorry dear Mary you have heard nothing further. What a fearful thing it must be to live in such suspence, but we must pray that God will in some way send something to ease your peace of mind and provide something for the Dear Children. It is indeed sad and hard to bear, but my Dear Mary you may depend upon me and edward never forgetting you and the Dear Children. I feel as much for you as if you were my sister, and God grant that there may be something provided. It never once entered our minds things being as they are makes it all the harder to bear. You must not fret so much although I know you cannot help it for it is indeed a hard trial to bear up against.\u00a0 Aunt Ward sends her love and she is going home next week. She is 86 years old and has been to Lincolnshire to see her Daughter and very deaf. She is so taken with my little boy, he do get on so nice and say dady quite plain.\u00a0 My Dear Mary is there any little thing I can do for you in any way. If there is pray do not hesitate. I told Jemima to rite.\u00a0\u00a0 Good bye with kisses for M & Ch<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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04<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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PART EIGHT \u2013 LETTER 4\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Jemima Bird (nee Rackham) to Mary<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Gisleham<\/p>

Sunday 26th<\/sup>. 1868<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

My dear Sister<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I heard from my brother Edward that you have not heard of your dear Husband for a long time and that there are but very faint hopes of his being alive wich I am heartily greaved about.\u00a0 I wish dear sister you would if not able to write yourself get your dear mother or brother to write and tell me all particulars it would be a great releave to me as I do feel so unhappy.\u00a0 I hope dear you are as well in health as may be expected under so heavy a burden also the dear children.\u00a0 Give my kindest love to your mother and father and if it is the will of God that you really are to be left to mourn the loss of a dear beloved partner I trust the Lord will comfort and suport you under it.\u00a0 God grant that it may be so is the heartfelt prayer of<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Your Beloved Sister<\/p>

Jemima Bird<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

P S I will write to you again dear after I hear from you wich I hope will not be many days<\/p>

Kisses<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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05<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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PART EIGHT \u2013 LETTER 5\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Edward Rackham to Mary.<\/p>

Kessingland<\/p>

Dec 23rd<\/sup>.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 [1868]<\/p>

My Dear Mary<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I have sent you a hamper to day which I hope you will get all right, and accept with both our kindest love to yourself and Dear children. The sprats were caught off Kessingland. I should so like to of sent you a few sausages but we got no pork as I know you all like sausages. The sweet cakes and jar of preserves is for the little ones with Aunt and Unckles love.\u00a0 I have got one of my aunts staying with us for a few weeks.\u00a0 My little boy get on very nicely has got four teeth through and we have got Hannah’s little Boy from Lowestoft to spend his Xmas with us\u00a0 –\u00a0 sister Hannah that you saw.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Wishing you a happy Christmas and many returns with love to all from<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

M Rackham<\/p>

I have no more time<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Dear Sister<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I hope you will like the sprats. We thought they would be a treat to you out there. Hoping this will meet you all quite well as It leaves us at present with kindest love & Best wishes from<\/p>

your Affectionate Brother<\/p>

Edward<\/p>

my Love to Little ones<\/p>

for little Mary<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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06<\/p>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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PART EIGHT \u2013 LETTER 6\n\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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From Miranda to Mary.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Kessingland<\/p>

Dec 30\u00a0 68<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

My Dear Mary<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

We got your letter this morning and were please to here that you would soon be with us. Do you know what time the steamer gets into Yarmouth. We think some time in the morning before eight than will you come away the first train from Yarmouth.\u00a0 Please send me word that I may come to Lowestoft to meet you. I am glad you got the Hamper all right you ought to of got it before. I hope the chickens were quite good. I shall have some sausages for you when you get here.\u00a0\u00a0 Send me word what time you think you get here so I may be there to meet you at Lowestoft –\u00a0 with love to all from all.<\/p>

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I shall not write more as Both Edward and myself will be delighted to meet you and the Dear children. Please remember us most kindly to father Mother and all, we shall keep you here some time when you do come. We are thinking so much about the little ones, we have long hoped to see Mary.\u00a0\u00a0 Goodbye Dear Mary,\u00a0 write and tell me what I say about the train<\/p>

yours truly<\/p>

M. Rackham<\/p>

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\u00a0<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

A LETTER OF 1929 FROM KESSINGLAND<\/h1>

\u00a0<\/p>

EPILOGUE.\u00a0 The daughters of Edward write to the daughter of Wilby.<\/p>

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kate and Ada\u00a0 [Rackham]\u00a0 to Mary Jordan\u00a0 [Caine]<\/p>

POST OFFICE<\/p>

KESSINGLAND,<\/p>

LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.<\/p>

Telegrams: Kessingland<\/p>

Station: Lowestoft.<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Dear Cousin<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

I expect by now you have both arrived home safely\u00a0\u00a0 Phyllis and Joan had a very nice interesting letter from your daughter at Liverpool\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 She spoke of meeting you there and hearing all about us. I have had a letter from my sister and she has sent the little photograph also the last letter your Father wrote to my Father which I am sure you would like to see. We wish you to keep the Photo the letter also if you care to do so\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Am sure you will treasure them. Uncle Wilby must have been a splendid man, one to be admired in more ways than one\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 We often talk of your short visit and hope we may meet again some day. Kind regards to Mr Caine\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Our love to you<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Yours Sincerely<\/p>

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cousins Kate & Ada<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

Mrs James Caine, 8 Eastfield, Douglas, Isle of Man<\/p>

\u00a0<\/p>

(postmark 24 SP\u00a0 29)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A Family Bound by Hope and Memory Wilby Rackham – His Life and Letters Part Eight A moving collection of letters written after Captain Wilby Rackham\u2019s disappearance, capturing the grief, uncertainty, and unwavering support shared between Mary and the Rackham family. Through messages of comfort, kindness, and remembrance, these letters preserve a touching story of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-245","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWilby Rackham Letters Part 8 - Mike's Test Page<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/mikecaine.im\/index.php\/wilby-rackham-letters-part-8\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Wilby Rackham Letters Part 8 - Mike's Test Page\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Family Bound by Hope and Memory Wilby Rackham – His Life and Letters Part Eight A moving collection of letters written after Captain Wilby Rackham\u2019s disappearance, capturing the grief, uncertainty, and unwavering support shared between Mary and the Rackham family. 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