Alexr Dick _Letter No. 62 from Glasgow, Scotland, 1861

Letter #62 to son Alex in Australia

                          Glasgow, 19th.Dec'r 1861

My Dear Son,

I have yours of 20th. Sept'r. The run to New Zealand has blighted your business somewhat seriously and no doubt damped your spirits, impressing on you mind the uncertainty of subliminary pursuits. However, the rush may end. A great deal of capital will have left your district involving serious loss to many dealers. That the population will soon be about as large as ever in your district I have no doubt, though the runaways dont return. So I hope your firm will get over this mischance and in a short time do a more flourishing business than ever.

Jack & William are in the blighted district also and I suppose have moved somewhere else by this time. I often think their going out was a mistake and yet with the turns trade takes here ! can hardly be sorrow at it either. But I am anxious to see them in better circumstances.

I expect your Guilford branch will make some amends for the deficit at Smythesdale and that a trip to New Zealand will quite unnecessary except as a grand extension spec.

Joe Docherty continues in good health but he is still with James. He does little in the wincey
way, but times are too dull for taking a shop. James Hall has not got a job, no doubt he did not
intend to leave Busby; he thought o get more salary. Wm. Moody was too much engaged with
getting married to mind an old friend on the far side of the globe. Prince Albert is gone after a
short illness with gastric fever. But the momentous affair is the 'Trent'. The 'Trent', British
mail packet on her way from Havanah to Southampton was boarded by the American ship "San
Jacento" and two Southern Commissioners taken out of her and also their two secretary's. It
appears this was a great outrage, unwarranted by the laws of nations. The British despatched a
message to demand the commissioners, but it is doubtful if the Americans will give up the
prisoners and so we may have...........

I send a paper weekly and I also send a "Herald" containing a letter from Mr. Clay, an eminent American politician and a reply by the editor of the "Times" conveying all the information that can be given on the subject. Should a war take place between England and the North freights will rise and your markets will rise slightly owing to the risk of ships being taken by privateers. But it is very improbable that the American President will think of going to war with England.

You will have read the traditions before this reaches you and I think, with some little pride. The Mr. Leckie was John Leckie's ancestor. Are the Dicks and Leckies always to be at war? Our trade is still in a languishing condition, mills on short time and numbers idle. The American Generals are cautious, not choosing to advance till they have their soldiers in a fit state of discipline and so there is no prospect of the cotton being sent to market.

Alex'r Russell is still out of a job. Annie is in the cap warehouse and Aunty is still moving about. I showed James Dick your last adress. He is well pleased with your job and and he says you must just, persevere, that seeming difficulties often vanish. I have heard nothing of Busby since I came in, but had anything important taken place I would have heard of it. I think David wrote you last mail.

I keep in moderate health, with no great prospect of work, though should printing mend I would soon get in. But I have as much as will put me over the winter and it is probable I will get some other job if printing does not turn up. Mr. Maxwell's family are in their ordinary and always have their compliments for you. James Wilson has got round and is still in the government service. Peter Robertson expects to be home soon. Give my best compliments to Mr. & Mrs. King and David Tweedie. I am glad David has met with some success. Expecting to hear of three smart pushing young men succeeding beyond their own expectations,

I remain, your affectionate Father,   

        Alex'r Dick.

Names & Notes on Letter #62

Joe Docherty

James Docherty

James Hall

Wm. Moody

Prince Albert

'Trent'

Mr.Clay

John Leckie

Mary, Annie &. Alex Russell

James Dick

David (Alexander?)

Mr. Maxwell & family

James Wilson

Peter Robertson

Mr & Mrs. King

David Tweedie

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

(Note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing. I don't seem to have the original copy of this letter, just the transcription.- C.S-P)

William Moodie – Letter 33 - from Busby, Scotland, 1861

Letter to friend Alex in Australia, from Busby, Scotland, 17^th Dec. 1861_4 pages

This letter has been transcribed using Google voice typing (apologies for any inaccuracies or grammatical oddities). I am also having trouble with the text formatting in the posts, so apologies if the fonts look odd!

I have inserted some extra paragraph breaks for ease of reading, and the numbers at the start of lines show the start of a new page, e.g. p.2).

Scans of the original letter are included below the text.

                                                                                                                                             Busby

Decr 17th/61 

Dear Alexr

Immediately after I posted my last, I received yours of the date September 23rd, with three papers for which many thanks, the more so that they do contain much that is both interesting and new. I was very sorry to see that you have just come to that time, in my correspondence, where the lapse occurred which was so painfully felt at the time, and yet so sincerely apologized for, on my part, that I had long accounted myself absolved from the blame, or else forgiven.

I cannot now recollect the dates of my letters at that time. I think I only missed three mails, and yet, having heard no word of a mail being lost, it may have been four, but I hope that, by this time, you have got the hawk in hand again and the broken end “pieced on” to the new yarn.

I was so taken up with rifle practice and forecasting for a certain Auspicious Event that I had the necessity forced on me of leaving alone that which should have been done, if not first, at least among the foremost; that is to say if kind remembrances may have any power to call, or claim on, reciprocal attachments. I was glad to think that you were so well pleased with my Wimbledon “success”. The pleasure I would naturally have felt in being so firmly upheld by the unknown “Theta” was considerably dashed by the pecuniary facts of the case, as they pressed on me then; but now that the crisis is safely passed, that weight is removed, and I can afford to feel flattered by your kindly enthusiasm and friendly praise.

You have heard how I have prospered in this same game since then. Since I last heard there has been nothing worth recording. A few of the best shots are out now and again between two o'clock and sundown

p.2) on Saturday afternoons keeping our hands in and no more.

I told you of having won the first distinction as “Marksman”, the Silver rifle and three stars on my sleeve. Owing to something or other we have not got them yet. Mr Hall has not given the least sign of any intention to resign yet, so there is a coldness, on this account, thrown over the proceedings of the corps, at least so far as regards our intimacy with Mr Miller at the drills. 

Hall has fallen considerably in my estimation since he left here. He has shown himself to be possessed of a very large amount of narrow minded opposition to the gentlemen who have made us, to all intents and purposes, what we are - who have been most liberal, if not lavish in support and encouragement of the corps. You see I have entirely forgotten the treatment which we received in the Wimbledon concern so far as they were to blame. I am more and more convinced that Hill was the cause of all that, as he has been the cause of much more general dissatisfaction since by his exceedingly selfish behaviour between us and our “honourable members”. 

He made a remark in his speech, when returning thanks to the cops for the handsome present received from them, that night he left Busby. After going over various matters, he came to lay out some suggestions, for our consideration, relating to the getting of new uniforms; these he closed somewhat abruptly by saying that he thought “some of us would not require new uniforms”, accompanying the sentiment with a laugh. I hear that he is going to Germany soon to fill a situation. I hope he may for all our sakes.

Trade, with us, has taken a sudden and somewhat unhealthy start within a week or two. It looks like a speculation on the faith of Cotton being soon procurable at the “Southern Ports”. I hope it may

p.3) not prove of short duration. I was going to say, instead of that last danger, something about Redpaths, Western Banks, Snowy Rivers and then finish up with Bulls Runs, but besides being far too “strong” it was going to lead me into a subject which is not worth our while at least for a mail or so, viz. “America, Federal + Confederate”. So with this caution to pass on to more homely and more congenial topics.

We have had the pleasure and profit of hearing two lectures delivered, in aid of the Dorcas Society, by the Doctor’s brother Free Church Minister in Aberdour, Fifeshire. The subjects were a few interesting passages in the histories of the villages around Busby, Old and New Towns of Mearns, Eastwood, Pollokshaws, Cathcart, Carmunnock, East Kilbride, Eaglesham and Busby. Necessarily, we got merely the gleanings from so rich a field, some nevertheless of great interest and moral beauty- especially those of the “Covenant” days. I cannot go over the twentieth part of it here, even were it desirable, but I merely mention it to show that, occasionally, we have even in the “Wilderness” places (I suppose you know the planting of that name) things of priceless value unfolded to view.

Have you ever heard of the Ancient British Village which was found on Overlee farm some 40 or 50 years ago. Above 30 rude huts were uncoverd, and the remains of coal found lying in the fireplaces in the floor. They were built of slabs and stones. About 5 feet high and 8 square inside. Nothing of iron or bearing the least traces of its acquaintance could be discovered. Neither of bronze. A few querns or stone hand mills such as are known to have been in use before the Roman Period were all that testified of active life. A very rude urn was also uncoverd containing a kind of ashes in it conveying in a dead but universal tongue the story of a Sunbeam and a Moth. The coals are supposed to have

p.4) been got in the burn at the foot of their gardens Who knows.

Only one other curiosity will I mention. I speak only as a stranger to the story of the place would, and as we used to do many and many a time. You remember the ruin of the little water(?) mill at the turn of the glen opposite the new mill or rather below it. At what we used to call the “Mill (?) turns”. Mr Ross gave a very pathetic sketch of the life and death of an old miller who owned and worked in that mill about the middle of the Seventeenth century. Parker he was called. He had been “out with the Covenanters,” took part in the Skirmish of the Pentlands was one of 100 taken prisoner, and one of a dozen or so beheaded in Edinburgh. He is mentioned in Dodds’ book on that struggle, a new work, or nearly so. The mill remained in the family possession until the cotton mill started about 1790, within a year more or less, and is still remembered by the old folks as Parker’s mill. I must hurry to a close tho’ as quickly as decency will permit as it is very late and tomorrow is post day (19^th).

Mary and I are getting on most happily together and enjoying fine health. She sends her regards with mine and I hope the union will be strength and sweetness. All our folks are well. Father is not doing anything yet, but is looking out hopefully. John is to sing at a soiree in the “City Hall” on the evening of January 2nd. This brings me to the new year which is coming around. Never one comes but I think on those we spent together. The wet and the dry, the late and the early. In hopes of seeing it myself I wish you a happy new year and many many returns. I hope when you answer this that things will have improved with you. Give John's and my kind regards to Jack and William, and now Alexr with best wishes for yourself and those you like best, I remain as ever

Your sincere friend Wm Moodie

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William Moodie – Letter 32 - from Busby, Scotland, 1861

Letter to friend Alex in Australia, from Busby, Scotland, 16^th Nov 1861

This letter has been transcribed using Google voice typing (apologies for any inaccuracies or grammatical oddities). I am also having trouble with the text formatting in the posts, so apologies if the fonts look odd!

I have inserted some extra paragraph breaks for ease of reading, and the numbers at the start of lines show the start of a new page, e.g. p.2).

Scans of the original letter are included below the text.

The first pages contain greetings to Alexander and extensive comments on two books William has read by Dickens and Thackeray.

On page 2, William begins his news:

When I wrote last we were just on the eve of a “momentous struggle” down at Hangingshaw. I don't remember whether or not I gave you all the particulars of the match. I think I did. The day was rather windy, so like a cautious Scot I went from the target to the different ranges trying the effect of it. To this I attributed to the success that afterwards befel. Busby had very little difficulty in taking home first and second. Otterson (a lapper) getting second. Busby was daft with excitement you may be sure and I had to slip through the crowd and make off to prevent a “carry”. 

The Glasgow men were much disappointed, more especially as the they had planned a protest and actually had it read by the Adjutant before us

p.3) all. It ran to the effect that to competitors from the 7th company (John and I) had waited away from the sham fight at Pollokshaws for the purpose of practising at the Hangingshaw targets. This was completely false and was got up (we were told by some of the Glasgow men), by some of our own company. I gave the excuse for absence that I had to wait to attend to Mr and Mrs Rankin who happened to call on us just that day. This was fully satisfactory the Lieu. Col. Dreghorn said, although he said “absence from the alleged cause would have made no difference”. This was particularly galling to some of the supporters of the protest.

Before stepping to the front I took the (excusable, I hope) liberty to pin on the medal I had won at home shortly before and had brought in my pocket “in case”. The prize is a “Whitworth” by Ingram of Glasgow, a very good plain substantial weapon. Our own shooting at home has been brought to a close at least what is called the “first period”. I have had the honour and luck to be first marksman in the company and so I am entitled to the “rifle and three stars” on my sleeve.

If you know anything about such things you will have an idea what kind of figure we will make when I tell you that 61. 60. 56. + 55 are the five highest. You will see too that I had to work for my honours. The scores stand thus.

L.C. W. M....(Moodie)  from 150 to 300 yds 26 points. 400 to 600 yds. 18. 650 to 900. 17 - 61

Sergeant Donaldson    _”  __” __” __” __”   32  _”_     __” __” __” _”   16.  _” __” _”     12 - 60

L.C. J. Moodie             _”  __” __” __” __”    29  _”_     __” __” __” _”   16.  _” __” _”     11 - 56

Sergt Strang                _”  __” __” __” __”    29  _”_     __” __” __” _”   13.  _” __” _”     15 - 55

We challenged the “Shaws” corps to a match at 200,500 +700 to come off this month, but we have got back word that they cannot take us in hand untill the spring. They are not wanting who try to make out that they are afraid of us, but this is all a mistake. They are in no way short of pluck.

p.4) I wish they were. They have beat all before them, as yet, + are even yet are taken up with matches. I will let you know how we get on if ever the match does come off.

There is nothing new scarcely transpiring here in a public way. Trade is very dull at present. Ever since the “Fair” the field has been off on Saturdays. Yesterday however, we were on again. Some say it is only for a push of some order. I am sure I hope it may be permanent, “Married Man”, you know. I wish the American Concern would either go on or give up. You have no idea what uneasiness there exists on all sides at the prospect of the winter. The Cotton Association are pretty confident of better things by next season, but how to get there is the difficulty. The block work here is just about finished again. Your father has left, as you will likely know. He seemed to be pretty comfortable while here, although I know Busby is not what it was to him when time was young, when bullets, brass cannons, Marryat + total abstinence were all in all to us. 

Mary and I are getting on happily in our new opera. I have written it, but I assure you it comes very far short of expressing in all its fullness the depth of the meaning to be inferred. By looking at the surface of a married life you can do no more than guess the joy contained in the heart. You must really experience it to know it.

I am near the close of my sheet Alexr and I am afraid I have not satisfied you. I have no time or I would try to mend it, however I will try to make a better of it next time I write, I hope when it arrives you will be in a position to say something positive about that young one with the hair and eyes and angular hands you know.

Mary sends her regards with me not merely in word but in deed and truth. Remember me to Jack and Willy. I remain yours sincerely Wm Moodie

p."4a") I forgot to say that I have finished a Glee the other night. I think myself that it is perhaps passible. Some who have heard it played seem to think it is pretty good. I don't think I will let Dalgleish see it at all. You must pardon one offence in connection with it. I wrote the words myself. I wanted to get music to express the sounds heard coming from a distant Cathedral, say early on a New Year’s morning. Heard at times loud and solemn, then plaintive, fitful or wailing, hopeful and prayerful as the case might be. Trying to guess the words through the music. 

I cannot approve of such attempts on the whole, but I have this to plead that unless I did it myself, no one else would do it at my request. I said to Mary that a man might compose music from a weakness or an unhappy fertility in construction, but to begin to write poetry (persistently I mean) he must be blindly, hopelessly, fatally “crackit”. WM

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger file):

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Alexr Dick _Letter No. 61 from Busby, Scotland, 1861

Letter #61 to son Alex in Australia

                  Glasgow, Nov'r 19th. 1861,

                  145 Great Eastern Road

My Dear Son,

Yours of 22nd. Aug't arrived, though rather late. I have again to thank you for five pounds. I stood in no need of it happily and it keeps up one's spirits these dull times to have a little money in one's pocket.

We are by with it at Busby for the present and we cannot say when we will have more work there. A great many printers are idle and applying for relief. Hamilton, Caldwell & Co. are down.

Mrs. Muir and daughters sailed for Australia in the "Morning Light". I could not get a portrait of Queen Mary. There is no such thing on sale. A publisher offered to sell one that has hung in his room these thirty years for £1, but it was from the same painting as the one in Miss Strickland's work dedicated to Sir W. Scott, but larger. But it is not what you wanted, too pretty. I thought it superfluous but I have a friend keeping a look out.

I send traditions of the Dicks and Robertsons per mail. We are true Scots, our forefathers having been upwards of 600 years in the country, how much longer we know not.

I sent two papers containing a full account of laying the foundation stone of the Wallace monument. I send a penny photograph of the building. When the building is finished there will be good and correct photographs going. I will mind to get one or two. Your portrait to the Wee Black does look a little older than the one I brought. You are browned a little, but I suppose the one being on glass the other on metal goes a little way to making the difference.

I think it good policy to get another store, for should trade fail in one district you have a chance of the other doing good. I think another still would do no harm with attentive management. I anticipate you are to be decidedly successful. Jack & William have not found a land of plenty yet, but I hope their diligence and sagacity will get them up the brae and that they will cock their bonnets with the best yet. I hope they have not gone to New Zealand with the rest. John Campbell, wright that William wrought with is dead.

The dullness thrown over our trade here by the American war wont hurt you. Cotton shirts and tobacco may rise but there will be cheap consignments of other goods to make amends. It will throw no persons out of work or on half time and bring down no firms. Your staple products of gold, wool, hides &c. are in as much demand as ever and you pass though the American crisis unscathed. Here it is a different tale, nothing but complaining.

You have just to get payment of members made law and you are done as a self-governing colony. The upper house will save you from this curvering degradation. An audacious fluent spouter however ignorant and poor can command a constituency. Want of funds will compel some of the poor ones to resign and prevent others from trying legislation. Your voters will get wiser and you may yet do some credit to liberal institutions. But really you have shown little judgement in the meantime.

Alex'r Russell is out of a job at present. A shopkeeper advertised for a man lately and had 150 applications. Annie is still in the cap shop and little odds on Aunty and no changes among our friends at Leven. So I suppose I will be laid for the winter months to recruit again. I was somewhat worn out at the end with carrying Toby tubs &c. but I am getting gradually stronger than when I came home. The doctor thinks there is not much wrong with my side. It is just the weakest part and first felt and if by nourishing diet I could get the whole body strengthened I would not feel it so readily, so I have been trying that.

I hope you will continue to prosper and that I will soon of Jack & William being rising young men. With grateful thanks, I remain your affectionate Father,

  Alex'r Dick.

Narnes & Notes on Letter #61

Mrs. Muir & daughters

"Morning Light"

John Campbell

Mary, Annie & Alex Russell

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989  (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3):

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Alexr Dick _Letter No. 60 from Busby, Scotland, 1861

Letter # 60 to son Alex in Australia  

                     Busby, 24th. 0ctr. 1861

My Dear Son,

The Australian mail is behind and I have written to William and begun writing yours lest time should fail when the letters arrive. I hope your summer trade will make amends for the winter fall of and that you have now secured a position among the comfortable and honourable in the colony. I wish Jack & William had a fair start in the profitable speculation line. Theirs has been hitherto been rather dull disheartening work though they have borne it with considerable cheerfulness.

I have put all the new in William's so yours will be somewhat barren. Wm. Moody desires me to say that he gained a riffle.I am sorry I have been unable to procure a portrait of Queen Mary. They are not kept for sale and the dealers do not know the publishers.

I see by the light portion of the mail that you are to have paid members and protection, to the ruin of the country. Merchants, diggers, squatters are to be taxed to a few tradesmen of various sorts to encourage them to live in Victoria. It is a fearful delusion. Protection (deluding word) impoverises but not enriches a country. Our Aristocracy could not come forward and ask payment for raising crops on their estates; this would have been the sturdy beggar trade openly. Therefore under disguise of protection they asked for a duty on foreign grain and with fair speeches, glazed and polished till half the country believed them honourable gentlemen. Subsequent observation showed they were deluded as well as deluding. Their covetness had overleaped sound judgement; protection profited them not and impoverished all others.

I hope Heales, Don &.Co will be sent to Coventry. It would give me great pleasure should all three contend stoutly and even publicly on the hustings &c. for free trade. A fair field to all and every one & no favour. Expenditure on the smallest scale taxes on the lowest, gives political peace and political contentment. Legalize sturdy beggars (viz: give protection) and you will soon have tumults and bands of soldiers to pay to keep the peace and massacres as at Manchester.

I have waited to the last hour for a letter; it has not come from Glasgow. The latest American news has just the same skirmishing as formerly; nothing decisive attempted yet by either party and a settlement by negotiation seems to be entertained by nobody. All attention is turned to India for a future supply of cotton on a large scales. Other countries will increase their driblets and the future supply will far exceed the past. But this requires time and we are to have dull trade and all its attendant evils in the rneantime.

You Australians will produce your gold, your wool and your hides as usual, untouched by the train of ills your country will endure.

Of your friends, I have nothing to remark. I hope Mr.& Mrs. King have, like yourself, got a fortune before them. It gives me pleasure to hear of their prosperity.

I hope you all contend against all the spouting fools that trouble the colony with tirades for paid members and protection. Your colony is the country most unsuited for such tricks. You have too many ignorant rich fools without buying poor ones.

             Your affectionate Father,

                   A.Dick.

  

Names & Notes on Letter #60

Wm. Moody

Heales, Don &.Co

Mr.& Mrs. King

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989  (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3):

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Alexr Dick _Letter No. 59 from Busby, Scotland, 1861

Letter #59 to son Alex in Australia

                                                      Busby, 24th.Sept'r, 1861

My Dear Son,

I have yours of 24th. July and I am proud you feel confident of keeping your ground as a first class merchant. It is the highest step you can expect for a few years, but industry, sagacity and integrety do marvellous things.

I have written some traditions of the Dicks and Robertsons for Australia. Mrs.Muir and Mary and the young sister intend to sail for Australia next month and I intend to send the portrait of Queen Mary and the traditions with them. Last time I was in Glasgow I left orders for a friend to purchase the portrait for me.

Of Allan Robertson, I remember hearing he had been a great soldier, that he had been in foreign service and in the 42nd. and that he spent his latter years in Edinburgh. And that he was of the same Robertsons as my Grandfather, the precise relationship I never heard.

! expect the memoirs will give both pleasure and satisfaction and that before I see them again there will be two or three correctly written copies of them.

Trade is dull with you and I am afraid the coming winter will have the dullest trade with us of any one since the Western bank failed. All the cotton mills are to be put on short time. Printfields are slack with the prospect of getting worse.

I am still at Busby and we are pretty throng just now, a number shoped and the second shop of Gate shop fitted up with tables once more. When the work is light I am all right. When heavy, I feel rather shaken. The side feels weak and the pain threatens to return, I have had three times upwards of a £ in the week lately.

I see David and Alpin. David looks fully better and Alpin is a swell and good looking. Both are leading men in the Co-operative store. But among our acquaintance I have nothing of the slightest interest.

Nothing of importance has been done by either party in America in the fighting way; a foolish and a momentous quarrel starving the industrious both in America and Europe. But I believe it disastrous effects wont reach Australia. All your exports will meet a ready sale in England.

The "Great Eastern" has just been caught in a severe hurricane. She lost her paddles and her helm got useless through the breaking of a bolt 10 inches in diameter and of wrought iron. Sails were blown to ribbons and she was tossed about for three days, her decks corning to an angle of 45 degrees. This was not to be thought of and furniture and part of cargoe were not secured and great damage has been done to her fittings up, but she proved sea worthy. But it is now certain her engineers miscalculated in her build and in the power necessary to make her a swift steamer.

I had a letter from William and I will write him next mail. Jack and he have not yet found the road to fortune and they mean to try their fortune elsewhere. I hope their days of poverty are nigh ended.

William thinks pianos and carriages might be taxed to encourage their construction in Australia. The makers would be serners or sturdy beggars sanctioned by the state and the state would require to pay the expense of enforcing their claims or protecting them. The Gentleman is robbed & the state is at expense to support one that cannot support himself. What benefit is to support beggars. It is a drawback, disguise it as you may.

In this district we have had weather since Glasgow fair. Yet our harvest is pretty good and well on. Potatoes are gone around, but in many districts the have suffered little. But we will require to import breadstuffs in large quantity.

Expecting good tidings by & by. I must express my satisfaction at the attention you all pay me and I long to hear of you all going on your way rejoicing.

                                                                                      I am, your affectionate Father,

                                                                                      Alex'r Dick.

William Wilson writes he is doing well in his hotel in Maryborough and he is laying £1500 on additions. Jean and her husband are doing well.

Names & Notes on Letter #59

Mrs. Muir, Mary & the young sister

Allan Robertson

G/father Robertson

David (Alexander ?)

Alpin

"Great Eastern"

William Wilson

Jean Wilson & husband

- transcription and Names/Notes by Ian A Scales, c.1989  (note- the ‘original’ transcription was in printed format on paper, and has been re-formatted using OCR – so may have some inaccuracies which have escaped my editing – C. S-P)

Scans of the original letter (click on the image below for a larger version; note the order of the pages p.4-1, then p.2-3):

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