Supplemental

9

In 1841, Jack Wilkes approached his mother about joining the Navy. Although she opposed the idea, Jane Renwick Wilkes sought the help needed to obtain his commission and painstakingly made the uniform for her fourteen-year-old son. His father Charles was still away at sea, and was heartbroken to receive word that Jack was now a Midshipman. Jack served aboard a number of ships that traveled to the South Atlantic, the Mediterranean and Brazil. During the Mexican War, Jack was stationed aboard the USS Mississippi.

4

Charles Augustus Smedberg (1781-1845) was born in Sweden. His family were prominent bankers and merchants. He came to New York in 1812 as a representative of the Bank of England. While in New York City, he met and married Isabella Renwick (miniature by John Wesley Jarvis) and like many enterprising young men became an importer or merchant of goods from overseas.

5

Jane Jeffrey Renwick and Lieutenant Charles Wilkes married on April 26, 1826. The couple eventually settled in Washington, DC, where they raised their four children:

1. John “Jack” Wilkes (March 31, 1827-July 6, 1908) m. Jane Renwick Smedberg of New York City

2. Jane “Janey” Wilkes (January 3, 1829-August 17, 1921)

3. Edmund “Em” Wilkes (February 4, 1833-November 24, 1913) m. Bessie Van Buren of Ohio

5. Eliza Wilkes (July 18, 1838-August 16, 1908). *

3

Israel Wilkes (1722-1805) was the son of an English distiller, Israel Wilkes, and his wife Sarah Heaton Wilkes. His brother was the famous British radical, John Wilkes.

2

Jane Jeffrey Renwick, grandmother to both John Wilkes and Jane Smedberg

18

A large number of the original letters are written in criss-cross fashion. During the antebellum period, the United States Post Office charged per page. Enterprising letter writers managed to get around this charge by writing letters in two directions. This letter dates to July 8, 1853.

Read a transcription of the crosssed lines.

1853 July 10

Devasego July 10th My dear Jack, Your letter of the 6th which I received yesterday has made me sad & thoughtful all day, & I feel too much the need of a talk with you to postpone the writing till tomorrow. Do not let my saying that it made me sad, induce you to tear up your “blue letters,” or refrain from writing for while the thoughts suggested may be sad it is very pleasant to feel that it all moods & at all times you take pleasure in writing to me & confiding each feeling as it arise to me.

The USS Mississippi

Between March 9 and 29, 1846, Jack Wilkes served aboard the USS Mississippi, a paddle frigate, that was part of the West Indian Squadron. Commodore Matthew Perry was the lead officer. The frigate provided support for General Zachary Taylor’s attack on Vera Cruz.Parts of this Exhibit:The Intertwined Ancestries of John and Jane Wilkes Jack and Jeanie's Early Years Courtship, Wedding, and Relocation to Charlotte BackHome Next

1853 October 8

New York Oct 8th 1853 Again My dear Jeanie I begin a letter knowing that it will be by fits & starts that it will be filled. Since Thursday I have been as busy as a bee & at last papers are signed for the North Carolina affair.

1854 February 26

St. Catherine’s Mills Feby 26th 1854My dearest Jeanie, Sunday has again come round but not a day of rest & quiet is it going to be for me. On waking up this morning at day light heard the wind whistling & rain pattering on the roof. First thought of my old mill house at which the masons have been at work for some days past & not being very permanently propped up feared that it might blow over. Pulling on my undershirt, pantaloons, (illegible) & over coast & started out. The first look told me I had something more to think of than the House.

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