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Letters and papers of the Anderson & Gilmour Families
10.
[endorsement] Note made up for Janet Lindsay
[addressed to] Mrs Ann
Lindsay relict of David Brunton, Machline
[folio, unfolded size 18”
high by 30” wide watermark crest with LVC below, some illegible wire line
marking following the G, about 6 letters ending with “k” = Greenock?. The LVG is centered below the crest, the further lettering is
off-center. Remnant of a seal to
secure the folded document.]
Sept’r 1,
1771. In the Submission
Amongst Ann & Janet Lindsay and Hendry Richmont.
The arbiters
appoint the Clerk to said Submission to send Copys of a slate of the Debts Due
by the said Ann (& Janet [interlined]) Lindsay to the said Henry
Richmont exhibited by the said Janet and also Copys of this order to
the said Ann Lindsay and Henry Richmont, and appoint them to lodge
answers thereto or observations theron if he has any to make, within fourteen
days thereafter; And the said Ann to Lodge her answers & observations if she
any has to make within one month after such Copy being sent her, both in the
hands of the Clerk to the Submission with Certification if they faill, the
Arbiters will proceed to pronounce Decreet Arbitral upon the Evidence already
produced to them, if they see Cause. Signed
William Paterson, Matthew Dickie.
[space, new
handwriting]
Kilmarnock 12 Oct’r 1771
The forgoing is
sent you by y’r humble servant, Will’m Brown -- to Mrs Ann Lindsay
[Here follows
two pages extracted from account books - with possibly some pages no longer
extant to explain the columns and carryovers.]
[Heading]
Brought over £55.17.9 2/3 £48.
6. 2 1/4 £38. 17. 2
1/3
Rent of a Room possessed by Margaret L. Lindsay for one year per Henry
Richmont Recet 5 May 1759 0.5.5,
[new sum carried] £56.3.2 2/3.
From which deduce the half of 10/9 1/4 of stent on said lands paid by Henry
Richmont for repairing Mauchline Kirk
per Recet 7th July 1762 0.5.4 7/12
And the said Janet
Lindsay craves that the said Ann Lindsay as representing the said
deceast John Lindsay on the passive titles, may be found liable to her in
payment of the Rent of her half of the foresaid lands possessed and Intromitted
with by the said John Lindsay for the years 1747 & 1759 and
intervening years at £55 socts yearly. Conform
to Decreet of the Seheriff Depute of Ayr, at the said Janet Lindsay’s
Instance against the said John Lindsay, dated the 24th June, 1760.
And letters of Inhibition thereon dated and signet the eight of April
1760, duly execute, & with the Executions thereof registrate at Ayr the 18
of the same month.
13 years at £4.11.8 is
-
-
-
-
£59.11. 8
But from which
falls to be deduced as charged to Henry Richmont in the foregoing state,
13 years rent of the lands preceding 9 March 1759
£7.-.-
do --
-- of the Barn
-.18.--
do --
-- of the half of the yeard
-. 14.6 £8.12.6
Also the Bill
granted by W’m Lindsay & Hendry Richmont to Agnes Lindsay,
if Ann Lindsay has the Right thereto and can instruct that the same is
still owing.
[New page, new
statement of carryover - probably to precede prior page]
Brought over £8.17. 8 £48.
6. 2 1/4
£38. 17. 2 1/3
John Wilsons
rent preceeding Whitsunday 1763 per Decreet of maills & duties}£2.4.4
James Walkers
rent for 2 years proceeding d[itt]o
per d[itt]o}
-.2.8
Henry Gibbs
D’o for 2 years proceeding D’o per
D’o
}
-.7.--
Margaret
Robbs D’o for 3 years preceed’g Mart’s 1762 per D’o}
4.11. 8
Rent of D’o possession for 2 years preceeding Mart’s 1764 at £18.12
(Sc) yearly}
3. 2.--
D’o of other
possession being said Janet Lindsay’s lands from Mart’s 1764 when
Mrs. Robb’s set expired to Marts 1771 at £33.6.8 Scots being the rent
paid for the same by W’m & John Dickies the last possessors thereof
by Tack and considerably under the real value as will be proven if controverted
-- 7 years
19.8.10 2/3
Rent of said
Land possessed by Hendry Richmont from Mart’s 1756 to Mart’s 1759 as
deduced in the Decreet of adjudication
7.--.--
Rent of a Barn possesst by Henry Richmont these three years at 6/. yearly per Roup list
D’o of D’o
from Mart’s 1759 to Mart’s 1771, 12 years at 6/. yearly
3.12.--
Rent of a piece
of yeard being formerly the possession of James Walker above mentioned £--.1.4d
Sterl yearly being the rent specifyed in the said Decreet of Maills & dutys
8 1/2 years is
--.11.4
Rent of another
piece of yeard formerly possessed by the siad Henry Gibb from Whits’y
1763 to Mart’s 1771 at 3/6d yearly, being the rent payable by him per said
Decreet 8 1/2 years is
1. 9. 9
Rent of the
other half of the said yeard, Walker & Gibb having only possessed the
one half & Henry Richmont the other from Candlemas 1757 when Henry
entered thereto at his own hand to Candlemass 1772 , 15 years at 4/10d yearly
being the same rent payable by Walker & Gibb} 3.12.
6
[Yielding
column sums of]
£55. 17. 9 2/3 £
48. 6. 2 1/4
£38. 17. 2 1/3
**The abbreviation Mart’s should be expanded to Martinmas, one of the so-called Quarter Days. These were, in Scotland: Candlemas February 2; Whitsunday May 15; Lammas August 1; and Martinmas November 11.
11.
An Estimate of A House to be builded in Machlin,
to James Anderson, Shoemaker in Rieland.
[On natural rag
paper 8” x 12”, with large watermark, being crowned orb, enclosing knight
with cross sceptre and cross shield. ] Original
spelling preserved.
Strathaven, 30 May 1782.
Sir, you will
receiv heriwith a plane for your House to be built at
Machlen wher the old kil
Doth stand; which we shal exicut in the folwing Maner: the hous to be 44 feet
long by 16 wide, within Walls as the plan repriesnt, the walls to be 9 feet high
from the thresolds of the Doors to the Tope of the Cornes, 2 Doors in the front
6 be 3, 6 windows 3 be 2, all
backfilleted ribets, six per of james 3 by 3 within; back Door 6 by 3 and 4
windows in the back frount, and ane in the North gavel, all plen baeset rabites.
Cornics 3 inches thick, plen Chimnyhiads 3 feet high.
The Roof will wood 8 per of neu Cooples and 2 dozen of raftres - garet
jist 6 by 2 1/4:18 feet long placd 2 feet and a half; sindrey garit flour 3/4
thick, all led doon the Min flour jist 8 by 22 feet in spes flour 1 inch and
quarter thick, all Scots pine.
The Roof sufitiently thacked with stray, the outer Doour 1 inch thck and sofituntly hinged with Snik and Lock, the iner door 3/4 wood, 6 in Number all hung with snek and Lock, all foren pine. The windows all sofesent Runing ch[gap of 3 letters]s, all well glased, the whol of the best of foren pine. 3 devesin in the hous doun with brik in ther idgerdel bound with scath pine, the whol in sid pastred with one cot. All the Above to be finished for the soum of fortay thrie poun strileng by ws, James and Andrew Tiltons.
Modernisation:
// You will receive herewith a plan for your house to be built at Mauchline
where the old kiln stands. Which we
shall execute in the following manner: the house to be 44 feet long by 16 wide,
interior dimension as the plan represents.
The walls to be 9 feet high from the thresholds of the doors to the
cornice cap, 2 doors on the front each 6’ by 3’, 6 windows of 3’ by 2’,
all backfilleted rebates; six pair jambs 3’ by 3’ within; back door 6’ by
3’ and 4 windows along the back, and one in the north gabel end, all plain
based rebates.
The cornice 3 inches thick, and plain chimney-heads three foot high.
The roof will [require] for wood 8 pair of new couples [i.e. a pair of
rafters made into an “A” truss with collar ties] and 2 dozen rafters.
Garret joists are 2 1/4” by 6” by 18 feet long, placed on 2 and half
foot [centers]. Random length
garret floor 3/4” thick, all laid down and fastened.
The main floor joists [2 1/4 by] 8” by 22’ to cover the space; with
floor inch and a quarter, all in Scotch pine.
Roof sufficiently thatched with straw; outer door 1 inch thick and
sufficiently hinged, with latch and lock; the inner doors 3/4 inch wood, six in
number, all hung with latch and lock, all of imported pine. Windows all sufficient stock moldings, well glazed, top
quality imported pine. Three
divisions [partitions] in the house of brick, with nailing strips and pine lath,
the whole plastered with one coat.
All the above to be finished for the sum of £43 stirling by us, James
& Andrew Tilton.
NOTE: This James Anderson, Shoemaker in Rieland near Strathaven, would appear to be father to the James Anderson who married Isabelle Donald and moved to Andersonville district of West Glover, Vermont.
12.
Receipt to James Anderson
slip 4" x 7" 1810
Mauchline Mr. James Anderson to
John Brown
1810, February 19 To Cash 20/, to lb sugar 10d
£1. 0.10
March 7
to 39 1/2 lb Chees 6 1/2d
1. 1. 5
April 17
to Garden seeds
0. 1. 7
do 19
to 5 stumpirts america lintseed
0. 12. 6
to 3 do Riga -- do--
0. 9. 0
to 20lb Red Clover seed 1/7 --
1. 10. 10
to 4lb White --do-- 1/5
0. 5. 8
May 4
to salt 1/4, to 19lb chees is 10/8
0. 12. 0
May 17
to 2 lb Red Clover seed
0. 3. 2
£5. 16. 10
[There is a crossed out and illegible line below]
[stumpirt is a dry measure of volume used in old Scotland, equalling roughly one peck]
13.
Mary Anderson to J. Anderson
Dear Parents
We now
address a few lines to you informing you of our welfare in hopes that this will
find you all in like circumstances which is one of the greatest Blessings we can
enjoy here below. Since you left
this, time has been on the wing. You
all have frequently been in our thoughts & conversation, hoping that you
also with a parental affection remembers us in your public and private
devotions. We would now state that
the pleasure that we had in receiving Sister Katerine’s letter informing us of
your safe arrival at New York in good health and spirits and of your to James
of
your arrival at Vermont and location there.
Mother in Kate’s expected we would be getting on well with the farm,
and by the time of its receipt we should have all secured.
Yes, we had all well in the ~family ocupation~ [unclear].
We
went away from this at midway; we commenced haying and finished both places on
that day week, and by the time you landed at New
York, we had potatoes dug and 6
Days ploughing. We all along have
got on well, but on taking a retrospective view some things occur to our
recollection which is not very pleasant, but many things occurs in life not
desirable but have to be bourne with. To
bear them in a Christian spirit is what we all ought to study.
We will now make a few statements and then wish to have them buryed in
oblivion.
Sister
Kate will recollect mentioning to Mary of their being out of money at the time
of William’s arrival. Mary told
me, and I said they would not want for any accommodation that I could assist
with. I had not any money beside
me, but next day I went down to david Symington & lifted some little there,
then I went to the Bank for another small trifle to accommodate for the time,
and yet this was construed into a pertinance on my part for to take the farm
whether Mother went away or not; willing or not.
Willing this I flatly deny, but when I came home i learned Mother and the
rest would go. I said to Mary, they
are going away: you had better go over and see them.
She replyed, Do you think they will go?
I said yes. After she had
paid the visit and had come home, Mary said to me, George, if they will go, I
would rather be in Mossend than stand here
(Moorhouse) and look over and see
another enjoy it.
Till
this I never thought of Mossend nor for day after this; being out thatching the
house Mary came out and said if they will go, will you not go down to Mr.
Symington and see if we will not get it. I
just replyed, if your Father could not fend, what will we do with it?
She insisted. I went down
and made the statement that it was not to be understood that I wanted it if they
did not go away. Mr. Symington said
of course - of course, Captain Patrick being down at Ardrossan, he said to me
you had better go down and speak to him your self as others may be at him for
the same purpose before you if you do longer about it. I said, but he will not know me; you had better write a line
for informing what I am. He did so
and told me it would be at the Captain’s before me, lose as little time as I
could. I came home and set out and
as I rapped at the door, the Captain was just reading the line from D.
Symington; I made the same statement to the Factor as I had done to D. He replyed if they did go, no neutral person should get it
since you and their Daughter wishes it, you will take off the crop at valuation
and you and them can settle about the other matters as you can.
On leaving the Captain, he said you will go over and tell what has passed
at this time with us. We came over and Father knows I told him all that passed
between the Captain and me; but being disatisfyed with what I had done and said,
they went down to the Factor. What
passed I cannot tell, but by hearsay, but it seems by his acceptance of me he
could not allow another to get it.
Dear
Father, from the above you may judge how matters went on.
The fault seems to be that they wished to give it to some other person
while we in particular Mary was fond to get it; our life-rent tack will soon
run. Why should wrath continue?
Now, dear parents and Brothers and Sisters, we wish it not, hopes you
will not allow it. Mother as soon
as you left this, Mary Donald in my absence went through the house up and down
and many things you left was picked - barley, apples, ben-box, and even more
shameful the gloves Kate left for Mary Torrance.
What more I know not, but adieu to such. ---
And to
a more pleasing tale, on Tuesday, 14th of March last, a few of our Neighbors
would, and came to give us a Day’s Ploughing, to wit Tho’s Findlay, Mungo
Wilson, Tho’s Aird, Tho’s Craig, Robert Smith <Hole>,
Tho’s Brown,
John Howie, John Nisbet, John Loudon, Jon Wilson, with our own 11 in whole.
The day favouring, they started in good spirits; mid day we had a
refreshment and then went on till 4 o’clock afternoon.
Having performed excelent workmanship, they unyoked and came in.
Dinner being on the table we all in number 21 sat down.
You may be assured we were proud to be so well respected with our
neighbours. Even Tho’s Young was
over as clerk and pronounced the work in the field good and the viands on the
table nothing short of that; in the evening the number increased.
Lads & lassies to the number of 43 joined in mirthful glee to the
sound of the violin. All met and parted in good friendship. On the 21st of March we commenced sowing and by the end of
March had all sowed, hay seed and all, a most particular good seed time from
what seed we have sowed we will have about 20 acres on Mossend
and 10 on
Moorhouse, and we now look forward for a propitious season. We have got nearly all our stock bought.
This night being favoured with the company of Mr. & Mrs Young
to tea,
they pronounced the stock good and in good order and in the house tidy well
filled and in good order. We have no reason to complain.
Our corn in milling has averaged 17
1/2 pecks of meal.
James folk are all well. He says things is no better, and he is just complaining for the want of money, expect a letter. During this month James has written twice to George but has received no answer. We have not heard from him this good while, but hopes they are well. There is almost nothing news in this place. Things appear not get rapidly better. Mrs. Stuart <Overmoor> brought forth her old son, the supposed father is said to be Robert Smith <Hole>. It is said he is lukewarm {last week it is whispered Tho’s Brown and Jean Nisbet is Nebing - Kate, you may look out elsewhere} but no report of the Author of “where wanders Glen mang his bloom covered braes,” or song made after the departure of a fair one from Loudon Moor to the wilds of America. Alex’r Wilson is now steping about. Mrs Allison <Foulpapple> died this day 8 days after a protracted illness of inflammation.
The
contention in the Church seems now near an end. The Division will take place - our rulers will not bow their
ear to the voice of reason nor scripture. The
seem to be hardened to their own destruction.
God will arise and plead the cause that is his own at the time appointed,
he will come and will not tarry. Norman
our minister is a moderate, yea and a vicar of brae, however he is able.
The meeting is still doing well. You
are often minded you are requested not to forget them. Also Tho’s Young and wife has their warmest respects to
you. All has been looking for a
letter and will look till you find it convenient.
With Mr. Young we join to know how Mother and Katerine is liking America,
and how Paisly James is getting on.
Gavin,
be sure you wail a gude wif, look out in time.
We have nothing more to say but hoes you will not forget us, but write us
soon as possible how you are getting on and how you like the place.
May he who has still sustained abide with you is the earnest wish of your
Effectionate daughter and son, George and Mary Borland.
PS Dear Father, I am sorry to
thinck that I should have any relation more so a brother who had been so long
absent as William had been as not to say farewell when leaving this in all
probability never to see one another again, nay, when Mother and I was speaking
a few words for the last time in all liklihood that we should speak in this
world, William to call Mother away that I might be deprived if possible of the
last fare well. Dear Father and
Mother, beleave me I am your daughter, Mary Anderson.
14.
George and Mary Borland to Mr James
Anderson, Mossend, township of Glover county of Orleans, Vermont, North
america. Postmarks: Newmills,
Kilmarnock, 5 Cents {and
possibly} New York Packet [barely legible].
Partial date stamp, Ja 4.
Dear Parents,
We now
sit down to write you and with pleasure do we acknowledge the goodness of God in
giving us all good health, and ordinary prosperity hitherto in the fond hopes
that this will find you all in the same enjoyment of such rich blessings which
we poor mortals cannot confer upon ourselves.
Then to the author let us make all due acknowledgments.
We
received your kind letter in the month of Sept. ws glad to hear of your welfare
at the date you wrote, and we need not say that we were sorry to hear of
Mother’s illness but was glad for her recovery and hopes that that recovery is
still confirmed. You wish to know
how we are getting on about Mossend. Well,
we have all been well this long time. Little
Jameses Ancle is still troubling him now and then, but we hope as he grows in
years that it will leave him. He
has been most of the summer at school at Newmilns and stopped in the
Youngs and
is a particular good scholar and promises to be so, and if in God, we mean to
give him as much of it as he may earn his bread in a respectable way.
Robert and George is stout and very healthy.
Robert is a good scholar and he goes to school during the short day of
winter. He is getting very useful in the labour.
George is short and robust and if health is granted promises to be also
very masculine. We ourselves have
been very healthy since you went away for which we desire to be thankful.
We had a very frosty spring and during all summer tended to cold and
harvest was very frosty and at the present a chircking hard frost.
Our hay like many others was light; the corn with us very bulky, not much
meal as we could have liked, but laigher down it was a good crop we believes.
The cows - we milk 12, and they have done very well; we had in all 34
head of knout [=neat, i.e. milk or beef cattle of any breed] and 3 horse through
summer. Old Kate is with us still and is in good order and thinks she
is in foal - the other 2 is off her and are good.
We had 2 ewes and 4 lamby in summer and 2 pig, and for fowl we have about
30, and if they were but to lay one egg per day at the price they are just
selling now viz. 10/per dozen money might be made off them.
5 ducks and a drake is the stoke of fowls we have at present, and for
cheese we had upwards of 100 St[one] and the prece got was 8/4 per st, and for
corn we may have a part of our seed corn to buy.
The markets are as follows: an ordinary horse will bring £30, and
ordinary cow, stoke from £4 to £5, Meal from 24/ to 25/ per load and dull at
that, butter 7/ halfpence per lb and also dull, potatoes 6/ per 14lbs English -
we had a skarit an [=scarce one].
As to
our Father & Mother in Moorhead, they are getting frailer.
The old man cannot walk any more, but is whole at the heart except when a
kind fainting of comes upon him by times on account of the pain in his legs
which is very severe. His legs are considerably swelled, his end is drawing on
indeed. Few thought he would have
seen this time. For Grandmother,
she is falling off but is still walking about and doing a little in her own way.
Skellyhill Family are all well and for ought we know George’s family
are also well. In James letter
particulars were given you which we need not repeat but are happy to corroborate
what was there said of George. We
purpose if health and weather permit to pay George and Family a visit this week.
The rest of our friends so far as is known are well except Uncle James -
his legs are very ill, something like ulcers upon them are troubling him very
much. Hairshaw Folk are all well
old and young and as no inbreaking has been made upon our Kowsins of the
Feminine Gender this long time, I think Gavin [=Garvin, in American rendition]
might come home and see us all according to promise when he went away, and take
one of them for himself, and perhaps he could oblige some comrade circumstanced
like himself to take an other out with him.
This at least would make a beginning.
As for
our neighbors, there is little alteration except in the case of <Long
Green> Mr. Nisbet has left
Long Green. As
you will have learned from Brother James’s letter, they were not agreeing
well; she has gone to keep Robert’s house to wit <Allanton> where he
teaches, and has left all and has got no security for her part - John failing to
do so, she may become straitened enough.
There
has been no deaths nor births among the circle of your acquaintances that we
recollect of, and of mariadges only one, that’s Bell the daughter of Tho’s
oung to William Allan <Darvel> son of
George Alland and Mirrion Montgomery
on Tuesday fortnight. The went to
Kilmarnock for some things and took into their heads to be married, and Tho’s
had nothing to say against this, but she forgot to call at her Father’s house
on their return, and has remained still. Her
Father was [lacuna of about 3 words torn off fold] their conduct but this put
the finish upon it, but her father is a little eccentric you know and supposed
be tight enough. William Young has
a school in Glasgow and is attending colledge.
Tho’s Young with pleasure sends you all his best respects, Family all
well.
And
now Dear Father and Mother, Sisters & Brothers, I hope you will not be long
in writing us letting us know how you are getting on as we long to hear from you
and how Aunt Gilmour is and the rest, and if Mother is still holding on in
health. At John Loudon’s raking about 2 weeks since Mrs. Loudon
said
to us we were to send her best respects to you and she would like to see Father
coming into one of them with his shoes beneath his oucters [overalls?] in his
usual happy way. David Cameron’s
Mother say how she is doing and all particulars.
Father & Mother, how is it that you have 4 sons with you and
from infancy have I been taught to call them Brothers yet none of them
dains to own me as a sister? Has
the Breadth of the Atlantic severed all the ties that ever was?
One is here. This is
Painful; entreat them to read this, if dormant feelings is not raised, I
conclude there is none, but if otherwise at least a letter from one of them if
not all will find its way across the Atlantic for us, for be assured out of
sight is not out of mind with me. We
may just state that George has given in an offer for purchase of <Neatherfield
Dyke> one of the parks comes into what was Aunt Katrine’s garden in
Flemington. [about a quarter mile northeast of
Strathaven
village] We have got
no word as yet whether our offer will be accepted or not, indeed there is not
time yet. And as we mind of nothing
farther we must draw to close, and may God lead you all and guide you while here
and prepare you for the blessed Canaan above, and be a God to our succeeding
race is prayer of your son and daughter, George and Mary Borland.
15.
From: James Anderson,
Skellyhill To:
James Anderson Mossend
1/30/1844
Postmarks: Kilmarnock, Boston Packet,
L.A. FE 1.
Address: Mr. James
Anderson, Township of
Glover, County of Orleans, State of Vermount, North America, Mossend
(G. by Craftsbury)
[NOTE: James seems to use traditional
Scots spelling, and so this letter reproduces as nearly an exact transcription
as possible.]
Dear Father and Mother,
I will now write you few lines after a long delay letting you know that
we are all in good health at present, hopping that this will fiend you all
enjoying the same blissing for without health nothing can give us any pleasure.
Therfor we ought to be thankfull to God for all his banefets he is still
confairing upon us. I was sorrey when I received your last letter, that there was
so great a misunderstanding with regard to the money for you seem to charge me
with twentynine pounds three shillings more than I have.
You are charging me both with Taylor and Montgomery’s bill which my
brother William knows was discounted in Newmilns and twelve pounds in my own
hand which was only ten pounds thirteen shillings, for there was just ten pounds
accepted that day Mother left Mossend, but there was two pounds I got from
Mother to pay George Borland, but Mother got as much meal as came to one pound
seven shillings, so that left a balance of ten pound thirteen shillings, of
which Mother will remember herself for I am sure I made out a statement before
my Brother and Hearshaw of every shilling that was owing and gave to my Brother
to give to you so that if he have it to you, you will see where you went wrong.
I will now give you a statment of the whole of it left in my hand the day
Mother left. Mossend ten
pounds thirteen shillings; Hugh Aird two pounds; Read sixteen pounds eleven and
expence; Laird twenty pounds; sume totle fortynine pounds four and sixpence, and
I remited to you with James Findlay nineteen Pounds and sixteen shillings worth
of mutch cloth [a fine linen used to make women’s caps]. I will now give you statment how I am getting along with the
mony that is to get in with regard to Lairds Bill.
I gave it in to Mr. Henerey: we made ten pounds one year past of new
years Day, but I was eight shillings and eleven pence expences, and he gave me a
new bill for the other ten pounds and expence payable on the first of June; but
when it became due, he paid no attention to it. Then I ordered Mr. Henerey to push him which he did but could
make nothing of it and it wrought on till Galston
cald fair when I got a Horse
from him at twelve pounds three shillings wich I knaw it wase ofer dear, but
havend received bad accounts of him. I
thought it was better to taik it than perhaps less all, and Mr. Henerey thought
so to, for that the man is nether able nor willing for there is nothing gotten
of Mr. Clanoichie’s afere at all, nor I think never will.
So you will see by this that I have don for the best according to my
judgment for your welfair and Hearshaw having kept the Horse till after new
years Day, when all we could make of it was nine pounds, so you will see there
is a loss of three pounds three shillings, and as for James Morton and Montgomery, I have made only one pound since the last time I wrote to you.
I have given the Bill in to Mr. Murdoch, writer, New Milns, to see if he
has any better luck than Henery had with Laird, but he has got nothing yet
although he thinks it will be all got, but although I am not very shure[?] of
it, and one pound William Gemmel <Darvel> owes yet for the
Highside corn,
as I have given you a fare statment. And
as for John Wilson, there was one reason that keept me from asking the lone of
it; and it was this - you having sent home so good accounts of the place, that I
did not like and John has got Margaret Law for a wife.
I knew it would not be keeped long a secret, and knowing that James
Findlay had money with him, he promised to me to lend you what you wanted as
long as he was not needing it himself, so that I hope you will see that I have
done all that I can and if you are not satisfied with regard to Montgomery and
Taylor’s Bill, I will get a line from [Clerk?] Brown proving that they wer
discounted.
I will now give you some account how we are getting along.
We had a good crop of corn and hay, but potatos was bad; we had but about
13 bolls on 3 rood of land, and the greatest part of our neibours was no better.
George Borland & Mary and all in good health.
George is just blustring away the ald way he has just a boy this winter.
He will soon have the Mossend little better than the
Muirhead.
They have got a new lease for 8 years at the ald rent and they have got
the barn rebuilt and slated and little Robert is at the school, but I think they
will not be holden down schooling a great many as there is no apearance of any
more.
We had a visit from Brother George on New years Day. They are all in good health.
He has gottin a son two months ago, they have called him James.
He is now in Kirkintilloch. He
has gotten a considerable better situation, and I think he is behaveing himself
better, for he is made an elder of the free protesting church.
Doubtless you will have heard of the Disruption of the estableshment: the
cause is the secular powr having invaded the priveleges of the church. The have
thrown about 500 Ministers and about a million of people out of the
establishment, and we go under the name of the free protesting
Church.
You will parhaps have heard of the death of George Morton
<Flemington> who fel of a hay cart and lived and lived only a few days,
and likewise of the death of Robert Hamilton <Westertown> he was killed by
a fall in his own coalpit. The
Marquess of Hastings was buried on Monday, the 22d of January, but they did not
bring him to Loudoun, and
Mr. Campbell of Rotherplace dead about a month ago.
I am sorry to inform you of Francis Young <Lillylone> having a few
days ago gon wrong of his mind, suposed owing to his worldly circumstance having
gon against him; likewise Janet Loudoun <Overmuir> has been weak in her
mind since midsumer. It is alowed
that she has taking to much thought about a sermon that McLeod preached.
William Gilmour <Newton> is likewise weak of his mind.
All the rest of your old niebours is just about the old way as when you
were about. Mossend, their tacks
bieing mostly out the year, they were mostly all raised in the rents.
Nicklelaw [= Knevocklaw] is raised 30 pound and some of them has only
taking them for a year. James Craig
<Bentend> has taking
Belskate at 18 pound, but I have not heard where
James Brown was going. My Uncle
George <Donate> has taking the Huk [Hook]
but I have forgot the rent. We
had a visit from John Brown [gap] ridge. He
stoped all night with us at Dervall
race and they were all in good health.
He has his compliments to you. Young
John is teaching John Stewart’s children this winter.
His arm is getting strong again. He
was also telling us that there is ane Simpson, a shoemaker, in your
nieghbourhood who came over with a Mrs. Gilmour and she was brought back and
tryed for poisoning her husband but is set free.
David McNair has his compliments to old father.
David and Nicol Brown (Banker) has his compliments to you.
Dear Sister, I will expect a few lines from you to let me know how the
cloth and edging pleases, and if the shapes answers, and how you and Mother
likes America, as we were sorry to hear by John Nisbet’s letter of the 12
December that Mother is still wearing.
Markets is still very low.
Meal from 23 to 24 shillings the load, cheese from /7 & 6d to /8
& 6d, porke 6/ per stone and everything equally low, but tread is making a
good tale better. Harshaw folks is all in good helth - they have put in about
28,000 tils this year. Write me as
soon as you can and let me know how you are all getting along, how Cousen James
is &. I have not heard any word
from any of his friends this sometime. How
Catharine Guilmore is and how she is likeing America.
We have had a fine winter, the best that ever I remember seeing.
You will receive a cheak of eleven pounds which Mr. Henery says you may
draw it at any bank in all America, at least in all the United States.
You may let David Cameron and Gaven know that the Ploughing Matches is
all going on this year, yet you may let sister Cathrine know that James McCaroll
is keeping Georges old school at Uddington, but I heard it said he was not
likeing it. You may let Mother know
that my wife will nead him in the course of two months, if we be al spared in
health and she is to hold herself in readiness about that time.
Mary Torranse is still stopping with us; she is at the sewing school and
she is getting her vitals for working evening and morning.
And I have her engaged from the month of March.
Write to me as soon as you receive this and let me know whether you
received the mony. Now though we
lie fare from each other on earth, may we all strive to meat as one famely in
heaven, is the ernst prayer of your affectionate son,
James Anderson, Skellyhill,
Jan’y 30, 1844.
and .co.uk