ABSTRACT
The Isaac Goodchild letter, written from South Kingston, Rhode Island, to Newbury, Berkshire, to Goodchild’s brother, sister and friends, apparently had a wide circulation. A farm labourer in England, Goodchild reports that they can do well in Rhode Island, and gives details of farm work, including the use of the new ‘thrashing meshen’. Again, the American system of education is lauded, and he warns that farther west there is the problem of ague. The spelling and grammatical errors make this letter challenging but ultimately enriching to read.
