Monday, July 22, 2013

Maria P. Chamberlain's Molokai Trip

The Saturday Star-Bulletin, January 17, 1959 - "Clarice B. Taylor's Tales about Hawaii"

     After the death of Missionary Levi Chamberlain July 29, 1849, his wife Maria P. Chamberlain, continued living in the mission premises in "Chamberlain House" still standing today on South King Street, near Kawaihao Church.

     There she reared her family of eight on $350 a year allowed by the American Board of Missions.

     Her daughters Maria Jane was married in 858 to the Reverend Anderson O. Forbes, and went to live on Molokai where he was stationed.



TELLS VISIT
     Mother Maria P. Chamberlain visited them in 1864 and wrote of her trip to the children at home. The first letter is dated October 19, 1864 and tells of the passage of 18 hours from Honolulu.

     The second letter written October 20 is from Kaluaha, Molokai.

     "My Dear Mattie,
    " I left Lahaina yesterday morn about 9 o'clock and took passage in a stanch boat with four natives. -
    "A strong native picked me up in his arms and set me in the boat. I asked where  Iwas to go - they pointed to a little hole in the stern, about 2 and 1/2 feet squarem and said you go down there.
     "Down I went - and there was a little place decked over - with a lauhala mat spread down and no other article of comfort. - I was quite seasick, and they gave me for a basin, an old paint keg.
     "- There were two owners to the boat, one a nice young man with clothes on, and the other an old opakiki (show-off), quite destitute of either shirt or pants.

OFF COURSE
     "The young man wanted to put in (at Molokai) and leave me quite near Mr. F(orbes) place, the strong one would have his way, and carry me three miles below.
     "To my honor I found we were anchored a mile from shore and the old man presented his bare back for me to ride in on! I positively refused and the young man hailed a canoe which I engaged for a real and rode in, in a civilized way.
     "One of the half owners brought out the buckets and said 50c was all I ought to pay, seeing I was not left out at the right place.
     "With love to all aff mother M.P.C."

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