Senator Frederick A H Bodington b.1873

Frederick was born in Kenilworth, Warwickshire UK. His parents took their family to America sometime between 1875 and 1880, where two of their children were born. On the parents' return to England in 1881 or 1882 three of the boys remained to spend their lives in America, Frederick being one of those. He would have been only 8 or 9 years old so it is possible that he returned to England and then went out to America after childhood.

Frederick wrote three letters which have survived and are reproduced here. The first was written on 14th January 1919 to his sister. He had four sisters but it was probably Jane Mountford Bodington. I deduce this because there is a reference to 'Alf' which is likely to have been Jane's son Alfred. See the letter.

The second letter was written on 18th March 1919 and addressed to his brother and sister. It is probably the same sister as before, Jane Mountford Bodington, because it begins with a reference to 'Alf'. This letter provides a most interesting insight into the difficulties faced on the conclusion of a war, men returning to find work and finding themselves unable to settle. He also expresses great home sickness with a yearning to return to the UK. This letter alludes to the business the family were in - they harvested ice during the winter. I presume that this was then sold on to the fishing industry. He asks of 'Sid', 'Bud' and 'Daisy'. It isn't clear who these were although he had a brother Sidney. The other names are perhaps nicknames for other siblings. See the letter.

The final letter was written on 30th September 1920. Frederick is excited to report that he has become a Free Mason and a Rhode Island State Senator. See the letter.