William Moodie – Letter 12 - from Alexandria, Scotland, Mar. 1857

Wm Moodie Letter 12 March, 1857 – 12 pages

This letter is difficult but not impossible to read. I have reduced the ‘ghost’ writing as much as I can without making the top writing too disjointed.

The first 5 pages comment on politics.

Wm then describes the problems with the new printing methods – the machines are useful for heavier work but no cheaper for smaller work, and they are prone to problems and difficult to repair.

Although the economy is picking up generally, the printing industry is still problematic and employment in the field is fitful.

Wm is still keen to become a music teacher, though lacking confidence, and he is also try his hand at composing music, e.g. for psalms (dance music wasn’t for him).

William snr (still in Turkey) has invented a new type of steamer engine – a ‘marine locomotive’ -described.

Wm describes changes to Busby area, with new railways being built and new housing etc. (including an entertaining description of a modern ‘castle’.

There is some mention of local people, including a scandal involving A Wilson (a cheque taken from a letter). Wm also finally declares his admiration and love for Mary (Rankin), saying they are virtually always together (even when apart). 

Mar 28-30, 1857   - Alexandria, Scotland

William Moodie – Letter 11 - from Alexandria, Scotland, Jan. 1857

This is the first of Wm's letters to Alex in 1857. I will post more as I get them scanned and edited.
The paper is thinner than previous letters so the writing is harder to read, but most words are still legible when the image is enlarged.

Wm Moodie Letter 11_Jan 1957  - 8 pages 

Jany 28^th, 1857   - North St, Alexandria,  Scotland

Alex has had no significant success in his gold digging ventures in Ballarat. It seems Alex would like Wm to advise his brother William to return to Scotland, but Wm  is hesitant to do so; Jack is asking after ‘his Miss Rankin’ who is still single (- a relative of Wm’s Mary Rankin?).

 Wm recaps past news from Australia - J McIntyre (died); Stevens – poor health

Wm’s father is still in Turkey – Wm & co. are unlikely to go there as unlikely to get an engraving job (need to have friends in high places, are wrong religion). Wm senior dislikes everything about living there except the short hours and good pay.

A few pages of philosophical musings (and avoiding talking about Love) and comments domestic politics & foreign affairs (Britain ‘going into two wars’ – with China & Prussia)

Local news & affairs –

• “old” I. McNeil (? Or McM—l), Millburn cottage,  died about a month ago and was buried in Bonhill churchyard trade still dull; work available only part of the time
• Wm is aiming to become a Teacher of Music theoretical and Practical
• William has also been working on a design for a steamship (?) propeller (design in his last letter), but his father thinks something similar has been tried unsuccessfully before. William snr and another engineer in the Mint (in Turkey) have been trying something ‘in the steamer way’ with success at 25 miles an hour
• The ‘Literary’ society  - still going…
• ‘Monthly Teetotal meetings’  are well-attended, thanks not to the speakers but to the musical entertainment provided with Wm’s help
• The ‘singing party’ is very popular in the Vale (of Leven); it has had 8 engagements, including at Helensburgh; it is to perform at Kinross and possibly at Glasgow for ‘Vale folks’ 

Alexr Dick _Letter No. 29_ from Geelong, Victoria, Australia, Jan. 1857

Now that I've posted the William Moodie letters from 1855-56, I will go back to the Alexander Dick (snr) letters and begin posting them interspersed with more from Wm Moodie, to keep in chronological order.

Alexander Dick snr has now arrived in Australia with his two younger sons, William and John, so there is only one 1857 letter from him, dealing with local matters around Geelong/Ballarat, Australia.

Letter #29 to sons (John &. William?)                    

presumably near the Geelong district

                                        Geelong. Jany 21st. 1857

My Dear Sons,

Mr. Colquhoun has just called on Mr. Leckie. He has a small job in the joiner way and he wishes you to call on him at Messrs. McPhemily & Baird's mill at the swamp above the township as soon as you get this. He has nearly all the tools you will need and the job may turn a large one. I will take care to get your chests away without further delay.

I expect our circumstances to brighten up and one and all rejoicing over our visit to Ballarat. I will like it start on Friday and I trust I dont require to find my way back to Melbourne.

Mr. Leckie had a note from Mr. King today saying he and Mrs. King got alright to Ballarat and Mr. & Mrs. Leckie are happy thereat and Mr. Leckie will send a congratulatory epistle in a few days.

I hear that I am likelier to get a job at, or in, Ballarat than here. Look out, look out. Expecting to find you all in good spirits.                                                                      

                                                                                     I remain,

Your affectionate Father,

    Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #29

Mr. Coulquhoun

Mr. Leckie

Messrs. McPhemly & Baird

Mr & Mrs. King

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989

William Moodie - Letters 9,10 - from Alexandria, Scotland, 1856

Wm Moodie Letter 9  - 6 pages

Jun 29^th, 1856   - North Street, Alexandria, Scotland

This letter gives information about Wm’s father (William snr) who has gone to Turkey to get work. He now has a position (as an engraver) at the Turkish Mint for £22 per month with no deductions and with paid overtime. Wm gives details of the hours, living and work arrangements, etc.

The letter also contains opinions on politics/war and the local “Teetotal Intellect and Literary Talent” or “Genius” and the rantings inflicted upon members of the ‘Movement’ (and the musical relief offered by Wm and others), as well as brief news of the ‘Literary Circle’ and local friends including the Stevens.

Wm Moodie Letter 10  - 12 pages

Nov. 28^th, 1856   - North Street, Alexandria, Scotland

In this entertaining letter, as well as general comments on foreign and local affairs, William responds to Alex’s goading with a ‘non-poetic’ description of his new love, Mary Rankin.

He describes a week of his life, wondering about Alex’s life, and comments on Alex’s stoicism despite continuous hardships and failures in the goldfields at Ballarat. He talks about family and mentions news of mutual friends:

• his father’s new job and life in Turkey
• Alex’s father and brothers, now in Australia (with a description of William’s qualities)
• John Dickson – baker at the Ovens goldfields
• W. (Willie) Stevens – ‘at the diggings’; hearing problems
• John Buchanan – failed venture
• James McIntyre – died on ship shortly after leaving Melbourne (bronchitis)

William Moodie - Letters 7,8 - from Alexandria, Scotland, 1856

These are the first 2 letters of 1856 written to William's friend Alex Dick (jnr) in the goldfields of Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. They have quite a few pages (so a bit rambling to fill the pages) but they are quite legible.

Wm Moodie Letter  7  - Jan 1-4, 1856 - 6 pages

Jan 1, 1856   - North St, Alexandria, Scotland

William waxes philosophical for a few pages to fill up this letter, but finally gives a bit of local gossip and comments on Alex’s life in Australia. At the end he even hints at a possible romantic interest.

He mentions:

• Alex’s ‘measure of success’ at digging for gold
• J. Leckie and family – are doing well in Australia
• J. McIntyre – may not be tough/young enough for the hardships and dangers of a (gold) digger’s life in Australia
• J. Buchanan – a “rolling stone” travelling “North and South” through Australia; possible farm in New Zealand

Local Alexandria/Busby news:

• the calico printing business has been very bad for a long time
• the “Literary” group – may be dissolved, but planned soiree for about 80 people; he is to play the organ to lead the glee party (and to take a lady as partner…).
• his father (William snr) – “has not wrought any for nearly two years” but has the possible prospect of a position in an engineering business at “Constinople” Turkey.
• Peter Robertson – still dithering about emigrating… a rather scathing account…

Other local people briefly mentioned:

• Brother John (in Glasgow – saw Alex’s brother John & father – all well)
• David Alexander (had a letter from Alex)
• Mr Maxwell Mr & Mrs Stevens (send best wishes etc.)

Wm Moodie Letter  8  - Apr 27-28, 1856 - 10 pages

Apr 27, 1856   - North St, Alexandria, Scotland

William was a bit anxious as he hadn’t heard from Alex for a while, and he had read in the newspapers of “destructions of life and property by fire & water at the goldfields”; however a letter from Alex arrived as William was writing the second part of the letter. Alex’s hard labours at ‘digging’ were proving fruitless, and he was considering giving up prospecting. William would have liked to support his friend with more than just words, but his own family were suffering from lack of work and are only able to keep “floating at starvation point”.

He talks of the local social life –

• There is much marrying etc. going on, though none of “Alex’s” seem to be “in apparent danger” (though later in the letter Wm describes a fanciful scene where he is married, and names his wife as Mary Rankin, whom he actually married in 1861);
• the Teetotalers had a soiree, and are to have Musical meetings once a week (Wm plays the harmonium); he gives a humorous description of some of the more rabid Teetotalers’ delusional ravings
• the “Literary” meetings are going well.

Other news -

• John (brother) and he are still working, though orders have fallen off and the introduction of new processes (described) are threatening the traditional methods.
• the Ferry field  Machine printing shop burned down on 18th
• William snr sailed on the 9^th in the ‘Taurus S.S.’ to Constantinople, to work in an engineering factory; if successful, he may send for others in the family to follow. His passage to Turkey cost £20, and he will get £4-5 a week at the start.
• The war has ended, and William talks about it briefly.

Other people he mentions are-

• Willie Steven – at the goldfields with Alex; may lose his hearing
• A Stevens – out of work due to the fire at the printing shop
• P. McNichol – Alex met his friend (probably named Macklin) at Ballarat
• ‘Old’ Macklin – retired Sgt Major, lived in Bonhill
• ’tilda Moore (who emigrated with her husband James Murdoch in 1853 and whose sister Isabella Muir later married Alex’s brother John; Isabella and John were my grandmother’s parents)
• John Dickson – who Alex may have met at Ballarat; comes from Leven and is acquainted with the Rankins, friends of Wm’s (and his future in-laws)