Rare 1860 Autograph Letter Signed by Boston Attorney Edward W. Sohier
To his father William Davies Sohier | On-site Genealogy from Jersey, UK
This is a fascinating four-page autograph letter signed (ALS) by Edward Wigglesworth Sohier (1813–1888), a prominent Boston lawyer, best known for his role as co-counsel in the famous Parkman–Webster murder trial of 1850. Dated May 17, 1860, and written from St. Helier, Isle of Jersey, the letter is addressed to his father, William Davies Sohier (1796–1871), a respected attorney and financier in Boston.
In this letter, Sohier reports in vivid detail on his genealogical travels through Jersey, particularly the parish of St. Martin’s, where the family’s ancestral home and burial grounds were located. He describes meeting relatives, inspecting land records, and examining original family documents — including a conveyance deed dated 1784 — linking the Sohier family to its roots in Jersey and migration to America.
The tone blends personal affection, wry humor, and intellectual curiosity. Sohier’s commentary on religion, architecture, and the local customs of the Channel Islands offers a rare glimpse into 19th-century American perspectives on European heritage.
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✍️ Partial Transcription (Selections):
> “The old house is now owned by... Le Maistre & is mostly vacant. I went over it twice... floors of kitchen & entry clay... The family little know in America how much they owe to old Grandfather Thos. for migrating from this house.”
> “This Geo produced a parcel of old parchment for me to examine. Among them I find a conveyance paper of Thos. Edward Sohier to his brother John...”
> “This certainly is the best experience one ever can have of his class.”
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📜 Full Transcription Available Upon Request
Four full pages in clear hand, signed "E.W. Sohier". Folded sheet, mild wear, no tears. Excellent legibility.
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🧬 Biographies
Edward W. Sohier (1813–1888)
Renowned Boston lawyer
Harvard graduate (1832)
Co-counsel for Dr. John Webster in the Parkman murder case
Esteemed for his intellect, eloquence, and moral integrity
William D. Sohier (1796–1871)
Prominent Boston attorney and real estate investor
Father of Edward
Patriarch of the Sohier family in 19th-century Boston society
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🧠 Historical & Genealogical Significance
On-site exploration of Sohier family roots in the Channel Islands
Contains firsthand observations of ancestral burial grounds, land transfers, and family documents
Valuable content for those researching American families with Channel Island origins
Rare example of elite 19th-century travel writing tied to identity and heritage
Offers cultural commentary on religion, architecture, and inheritance in postcolonial Atlantic families
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💰 Evaluation
Letters of this depth, with:
Elite authorship (notable legal/historical figure)
Genealogical research on location
Mention of original 18th-century deeds
Connection to American emigration
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Ships protected in archival sleeve with tracking.
A unique piece of family, legal, and Atlantic world history.