: Mr. Patt. Glenday
Messenger at Arms
New Rattray by
Blairgowrie
North Brittain
From: St. Charles Mo.
27th Oct, 1824
Marked: Paid 25
By the first packet
New York
Dear Father
These few lines are to comply with your request that I should write you with my own hand. however I am such a poor hand both to write and to indite that nothing but the request of a kind and indulgent parent would have induced me to comply. knowing that you will freely overlook my blemishes which a stranger or even a companion would make sport off. Suffer me than your unworthy daughter first to present to you her most sincere regard and esteem, and than to Helen and Thom and Andrew my love and best wishes for there welfare. O but I would like to see you and be with you and them. But I think would not like to live in Scotland I am happy at uncle Thomas suffer me never the less to give to you Dear Father my most sincere thanks for being so mindfull of me in providing so freely for my convenence in money matters / before you left here.
We have had an uncomenly wet spring and usumm[] and the general supposition was that it would be very sickely but thanks be to the most high it has turened out otherwise for we may freely say it has been very healthy. Dear Father I have no doubt but that you like to live in Scotland better than in a america as ever thing comes natural to you there, but to me who I may say has been raised here ever every is natural to me here and if I have my health in it as well as I allways have had I should not like to come to Scotland where I think I should not like to live. But do make Hellen write me and tell the History of life since she left here. and she promised to write Eliza and aunt Lindsay too doo remind her of her promise. I hope thomas and Andrew will write me too. give my love to them all and to all inquiring frinds uncle and aunt wishes to be remembred to you all.
with my love & sincere esteem
am Dear Father yours
Ann Glenday
Monday, July 11, 2011
To Lyle Fawcett from Joseph Fawcett
April 24th Harrisonburg Va 18 ¾
Mr.Lyle B Fawcett
Engineer departments
War Office
Washington
mail
Harrisonburg 23rd April 1824
Dear Son Lyle,
Your letter of the 13th Inst is to hand. it gives me great pleasure to find that you are pleased with your society and prospects. I trust most fervantly [sic] that your regular and studious habits will entitle you to a continuans [sic] of the comforts which now appear to surround you. depend on it, long experience has convinced me that all real enjoyments have their foundation in Innocens [sic] of Intention, prudence in matters of contracts and regular habits of useful Industry. these means regularly pursued never failed to make those who use them at least respectable and Hapy [sic] and very frequently rais [sic] them to great distinction. you know that I am not superstitious and that I am not over burdened with religioun [sic]. Perhaps one of my greatest errors has been that I have not set you so good an example in it as I ought to have done, but there is no proposition more clear to my mind than that it is allways [sic] our true Interest to do what is strictly our duty in the spirit of sincerity and meekeness [sic] without parade or ostentation all nature as well as the prcepts [sic] of religion Illustrate the truth of this opinion as well as the precepts of religion. it is the law of divine as well as of moral & Pysical [sic] nature. you cannot add any one substance to a body more than was intended by its author without making it just so much more than it ought to be, nor can you take a way a member or a limb without producing the contrary effect breake [sic] a glass or a stone and you must gather up all the parts before you can restore the whole. I am Truly glad to find you so grateful to our friends pray do not forget them. Thankfulness and gratitude for past favors are the first duties we owe to our mcher (??and) to our fellow men. depend on it every vice has its in(??)orable punishment and every Virtue its proper reward.
your remarks to me on the subject of Gnl. (??M)acombs capacity tho quite respectful and perhaps not amis [sic] when wailing to me would be improper if communicated to others who might expose your opinions. you cannot have had an opportunity of Judging of his abilities. it is only on great occasions that even a great man display great Talents. few such I presume ever in a time of peace about a war office. did you expect when you was about to be introduced to him to see any thing more than a man? be assured after becoming acquainted with a great man in all cases, much of his greatness disappears. but we ought no on this accont [sic] to suppose him to be a man of ordinary talents. when we view Genl. Macomb at the head of a heterogenous [sic] army of americans [sic] awaiting the attack of Genl. Provost with his veteran british [sic] troops, cannadian [sic] militia, and Indians, in double the numbers of his own army on the shore of lake champlain [sic] at a time too when we all Trembled for the fate of our country not only awaiting the attack, but also defeating and repulsing the enemy with great loss we must at least admit him to be great in firmness and determination and I am not certain that he does not give a further evidence of greatness, after performing such a splendid exploit, in appearing like a common man. you appear to love him and esteme [sic] him and if you remembered the time I allude to, as well as I do, you would respect him as a great man. his maker and his country called him to act on a great occasion and he supported with credit to him self and with glory to his army and his country. the high station he filled under these curcumstances [sic] it is hazardous to doubt his greatness.
your sister Virginia as taken Ill the next day or two after you left here and continued quite sick for about a week. her old complaint soar throat & Rheumatism. she is now pretty well. I was also quite unwell a day or two about the same time but soon got over it. Niles was also very unwell for a few days but is well again
It would seem as if the want of excitement after the sale had the same effect here as it had after the battles of orleans [sic]. there it is said, during the siege, not a case of disease occurred, but so soon as it was over, the inhabitants were generally attacked by the complaints of the place. we are all well however now, and putting off the time as well as we can.
we buried our old neighbor John Bosche a few days ago. Doct Waterman is sleeping a way the little remains of life which is left. he will perhaps not last more than a few days longer. James Smith is muc(??h as) he was when you left here perhaps a little Improved. (??I) fear however that it is probable he may not recover. from the opinion of (??Doct) Harrison, corroborated by the opinion of Doct Jackson of Phila. his symtoms [sic] are rather unfavorable.
all the inquirries [sic] I could make of Genl. Mason if I were to write are contained in the little memo I gave you before you set out. I should be glad to hear from you on that subject as well as all others which you may think it my Interest to know before I leave home. Abner and my self have concluded to set out Immediately after court. I shall in all probability write you again before I set out, but any communication you have to make to me here ought to by someone at farthest in two or three days after the court. on the subject of the business at the Ferry I want you to be as watchfull [sic] as a Hawk but as Inocent [sic] as a dove say nor do anything to the Injury of any but mark what passes. I have sinned too often to desire the punishment of others. but if a change should take place I would then have the same right of others
Joseph Fawcett
Mr.Lyle B Fawcett
Engineer departments
War Office
Washington
Harrisonburg 23rd April 1824
Dear Son Lyle,
Your letter of the 13th Inst is to hand. it gives me great pleasure to find that you are pleased with your society and prospects. I trust most fervantly [sic] that your regular and studious habits will entitle you to a continuans [sic] of the comforts which now appear to surround you. depend on it, long experience has convinced me that all real enjoyments have their foundation in Innocens [sic] of Intention, prudence in matters of contracts and regular habits of useful Industry. these means regularly pursued never failed to make those who use them at least respectable and Hapy [sic] and very frequently rais [sic] them to great distinction. you know that I am not superstitious and that I am not over burdened with religioun [sic]. Perhaps one of my greatest errors has been that I have not set you so good an example in it as I ought to have done, but there is no proposition more clear to my mind than that it is allways [sic] our true Interest to do what is strictly our duty in the spirit of sincerity and meekeness [sic] without parade or ostentation all nature as well as the prcepts [sic] of religion Illustrate the truth of this opinion as well as the precepts of religion. it is the law of divine as well as of moral & Pysical [sic] nature. you cannot add any one substance to a body more than was intended by its author without making it just so much more than it ought to be, nor can you take a way a member or a limb without producing the contrary effect breake [sic] a glass or a stone and you must gather up all the parts before you can restore the whole. I am Truly glad to find you so grateful to our friends pray do not forget them. Thankfulness and gratitude for past favors are the first duties we owe to our mcher (??and) to our fellow men. depend on it every vice has its in(??)orable punishment and every Virtue its proper reward.
your remarks to me on the subject of Gnl. (??M)acombs capacity tho quite respectful and perhaps not amis [sic] when wailing to me would be improper if communicated to others who might expose your opinions. you cannot have had an opportunity of Judging of his abilities. it is only on great occasions that even a great man display great Talents. few such I presume ever in a time of peace about a war office. did you expect when you was about to be introduced to him to see any thing more than a man? be assured after becoming acquainted with a great man in all cases, much of his greatness disappears. but we ought no on this accont [sic] to suppose him to be a man of ordinary talents. when we view Genl. Macomb at the head of a heterogenous [sic] army of americans [sic] awaiting the attack of Genl. Provost with his veteran british [sic] troops, cannadian [sic] militia, and Indians, in double the numbers of his own army on the shore of lake champlain [sic] at a time too when we all Trembled for the fate of our country not only awaiting the attack, but also defeating and repulsing the enemy with great loss we must at least admit him to be great in firmness and determination and I am not certain that he does not give a further evidence of greatness, after performing such a splendid exploit, in appearing like a common man. you appear to love him and esteme [sic] him and if you remembered the time I allude to, as well as I do, you would respect him as a great man. his maker and his country called him to act on a great occasion and he supported with credit to him self and with glory to his army and his country. the high station he filled under these curcumstances [sic] it is hazardous to doubt his greatness.
your sister Virginia as taken Ill the next day or two after you left here and continued quite sick for about a week. her old complaint soar throat & Rheumatism. she is now pretty well. I was also quite unwell a day or two about the same time but soon got over it. Niles was also very unwell for a few days but is well again
It would seem as if the want of excitement after the sale had the same effect here as it had after the battles of orleans [sic]. there it is said, during the siege, not a case of disease occurred, but so soon as it was over, the inhabitants were generally attacked by the complaints of the place. we are all well however now, and putting off the time as well as we can.
we buried our old neighbor John Bosche a few days ago. Doct Waterman is sleeping a way the little remains of life which is left. he will perhaps not last more than a few days longer. James Smith is muc(??h as) he was when you left here perhaps a little Improved. (??I) fear however that it is probable he may not recover. from the opinion of (??Doct) Harrison, corroborated by the opinion of Doct Jackson of Phila. his symtoms [sic] are rather unfavorable.
all the inquirries [sic] I could make of Genl. Mason if I were to write are contained in the little memo I gave you before you set out. I should be glad to hear from you on that subject as well as all others which you may think it my Interest to know before I leave home. Abner and my self have concluded to set out Immediately after court. I shall in all probability write you again before I set out, but any communication you have to make to me here ought to by someone at farthest in two or three days after the court. on the subject of the business at the Ferry I want you to be as watchfull [sic] as a Hawk but as Inocent [sic] as a dove say nor do anything to the Injury of any but mark what passes. I have sinned too often to desire the punishment of others. but if a change should take place I would then have the same right of others
Joseph Fawcett
From Joseph Fawcett to Lyle Fawcett
Lyle B Fawcett
Strasburg
Shenandoah
Va
Harrisonburg 16 March 1821
Dear Son,
enclosed I send you 4 notes in Blank for your uncle Isaacs note in Bank, and two for my self, which I want you to present to Col Spengler and get him to endorse them. Be shure [sic] to not neglect this before you come away. I only want his own name on my notes, but on your uncles I want him to get some person to join with him. Mr Sites endorsed with me in place of Ragin & he must get one
Tell Mr Tillett that I have handed his paper to Doct. Harrison who will hold a meeting with some of the principal subscribers to ascertain what can be done, the result I will make known to him so soon as I can – Mr. Fletcher has intimated to me that he would have no objection to join him, it is not impossible but that if they formed such a connection that they would do a good business. Of this however Mr Tillett may reflect and say how he would like it, you can inform him what sort of a man Mr. Fletcher is
enclosed are $20 to pay boarding and Tuition
Joseph Fawcett
Strasburg
Shenandoah
Va
Harrisonburg 16 March 1821
Dear Son,
enclosed I send you 4 notes in Blank for your uncle Isaacs note in Bank, and two for my self, which I want you to present to Col Spengler and get him to endorse them. Be shure [sic] to not neglect this before you come away. I only want his own name on my notes, but on your uncles I want him to get some person to join with him. Mr Sites endorsed with me in place of Ragin & he must get one
Tell Mr Tillett that I have handed his paper to Doct. Harrison who will hold a meeting with some of the principal subscribers to ascertain what can be done, the result I will make known to him so soon as I can – Mr. Fletcher has intimated to me that he would have no objection to join him, it is not impossible but that if they formed such a connection that they would do a good business. Of this however Mr Tillett may reflect and say how he would like it, you can inform him what sort of a man Mr. Fletcher is
enclosed are $20 to pay boarding and Tuition
Joseph Fawcett
To Lyle Fawcett from Joseph Fawcett
Master Lyle B. Fawcett
Strasburg
Shenandoah
Va
Harrisonburg 9th February 1821
Dear Son,
Your favor of the 2nd Instant is to hand. I have no desire that you should follow surveying for the purpose of making a living, I only want you to become well acquainted with that branch of the mathematicks [sic] in order enlarge your fund of useful Information, I therefore would not like to be at the expense of purchasing a set of Instruments for the only purpose of making a few experiments, as they would be of no use afterwards. If you had a set in this place they would be continually out on loan or then you would have to be out wasting your time in doing little unprofitable jobs, for which you would neither get thanks or pay. I know all this from experience for I once had a fine set of Instruments in this place which perhaps cost 40 or 50 dollars, and I loaned them until they were ruined in a great measure besides I wasted more time with them than two such sets were worth, and I cannot help thinking that you may borrow a set for a week or two to answer your purpose but if you cannot you must go on and study the Theory as well as you can, and when you come home in the spring I can very soon learn you how to use the Theodilite [sic]. My Dear Son there is an other reason why I can not comply with your request that is the immense demand on me for money if you knew my distress you would not ask me to pay a cent unless it would be for something of absolute necessity. The business of Daniel Ragin is coming to a crisis, and the alternatives before me exhibit nothing but what appears full of awful responsibility or great loss. I shall in all probability be compelled to enforce the sale of his lands and become the purchaser in which I hazzard [sic] all. If I succeed I shall avoid certain ruin, and if I do not succeed it will be only ruin. be therefore prepared to hear the worst, but always hope for the best.
Your mother, Brothers and Sisters are as well as they were when you at home. The whooping cough hangs to the young ones without abatement.
Mr McDowell will leave me on Monday next to commence the Study of Law.
Joseph Fawcett
Strasburg
Shenandoah
Va
Harrisonburg 9th February 1821
Dear Son,
Your favor of the 2nd Instant is to hand. I have no desire that you should follow surveying for the purpose of making a living, I only want you to become well acquainted with that branch of the mathematicks [sic] in order enlarge your fund of useful Information, I therefore would not like to be at the expense of purchasing a set of Instruments for the only purpose of making a few experiments, as they would be of no use afterwards. If you had a set in this place they would be continually out on loan or then you would have to be out wasting your time in doing little unprofitable jobs, for which you would neither get thanks or pay. I know all this from experience for I once had a fine set of Instruments in this place which perhaps cost 40 or 50 dollars, and I loaned them until they were ruined in a great measure besides I wasted more time with them than two such sets were worth, and I cannot help thinking that you may borrow a set for a week or two to answer your purpose but if you cannot you must go on and study the Theory as well as you can, and when you come home in the spring I can very soon learn you how to use the Theodilite [sic]. My Dear Son there is an other reason why I can not comply with your request that is the immense demand on me for money if you knew my distress you would not ask me to pay a cent unless it would be for something of absolute necessity. The business of Daniel Ragin is coming to a crisis, and the alternatives before me exhibit nothing but what appears full of awful responsibility or great loss. I shall in all probability be compelled to enforce the sale of his lands and become the purchaser in which I hazzard [sic] all. If I succeed I shall avoid certain ruin, and if I do not succeed it will be only ruin. be therefore prepared to hear the worst, but always hope for the best.
Your mother, Brothers and Sisters are as well as they were when you at home. The whooping cough hangs to the young ones without abatement.
Mr McDowell will leave me on Monday next to commence the Study of Law.
Joseph Fawcett
From Joseph Fawcett to Lyle Fawcett
To: Master Lyle B. Fawcett
Strasburg
Shenandoah
Virginia
Harrisonburg, 21st of January 1821
Dear Lyle,
since you have left home it has happened that thoughts of painful anxiety have crossed my mind. having been once an youth myself, I know from sad experience how apt persons of your age are to get into error. do not my dear son, suppose that I am disposed to censure you for any misconduct which is not common to young persons. on the contrary, I can say without flattery that I have marked with pleasure your magnannimus candor on many occasions. Indeed I have allways thought and have frequently told your Mother that your respect for truth and contempt for falshood argued much in your favor. it is not Improbable that it is the short anchor of your reputation, he who is too honorable to Lyle will soon be too prudent to do an act which he would be ashamed to own, it is however due to candor on the other hand to say that I have sometimes witnessed a headlessness and rudeness which gave me much pain. I have therefore to request that you will endevor to be as circumspect as possible lest some unfortunate occuranc may make an unfavorable Impression against you in commencing life, it is the easiest thing in the world to set the public opinion for or against a man. do your duty honestly and faithfully Towards your fellow creature and all will go well. we are Taught to believe that they are all your brothers and sisters and that there is but one common parent whether these be facts or not , we are acting our part on the stage of life at the same time and therefore ought to have a proper fellow feeling towards each other and to love and respect each other accordingly, it therefore becomes our duty to te civil polite and attentive on the one hand and on the other hand to be frank candid and honorable to all avoiding every thing like supercilliousness and haugther in making these remarks I confess I have a large Interest my self as I respect my own feelings but the great object is to promote your own good. I therefore cenjure you to make a good beginning. The particular case of Jacob Bright ought to admonish you as much as any one thing. This youth from the character of his father and other connections had credit to any reasonable amount. This by self will rudness Idleness and contempt of advice he has abused in such a manner that it will take a lifetime of close application to regain the ground he has lost.
I think that if Mr Tillett wase desirious to change his residence that an opportunity now offers in his place. Mr. Baker goes away in the spring, and Mr Millr does not expect to remain long, so that the whole field is open, but there will be a struggle to get Mr Smith of Woodstock here who I am told is an emminant Teacher. I cannot pretend to say whether Mr. Tillett ought under such circumstances to hazzard a change it might not be amiss to mention it to him. All well.
Joseph Fawcett
Strasburg
Shenandoah
Virginia
Harrisonburg, 21st of January 1821
Dear Lyle,
since you have left home it has happened that thoughts of painful anxiety have crossed my mind. having been once an youth myself, I know from sad experience how apt persons of your age are to get into error. do not my dear son, suppose that I am disposed to censure you for any misconduct which is not common to young persons. on the contrary, I can say without flattery that I have marked with pleasure your magnannimus candor on many occasions. Indeed I have allways thought and have frequently told your Mother that your respect for truth and contempt for falshood argued much in your favor. it is not Improbable that it is the short anchor of your reputation, he who is too honorable to Lyle will soon be too prudent to do an act which he would be ashamed to own, it is however due to candor on the other hand to say that I have sometimes witnessed a headlessness and rudeness which gave me much pain. I have therefore to request that you will endevor to be as circumspect as possible lest some unfortunate occuranc may make an unfavorable Impression against you in commencing life, it is the easiest thing in the world to set the public opinion for or against a man. do your duty honestly and faithfully Towards your fellow creature and all will go well. we are Taught to believe that they are all your brothers and sisters and that there is but one common parent whether these be facts or not , we are acting our part on the stage of life at the same time and therefore ought to have a proper fellow feeling towards each other and to love and respect each other accordingly, it therefore becomes our duty to te civil polite and attentive on the one hand and on the other hand to be frank candid and honorable to all avoiding every thing like supercilliousness and haugther in making these remarks I confess I have a large Interest my self as I respect my own feelings but the great object is to promote your own good. I therefore cenjure you to make a good beginning. The particular case of Jacob Bright ought to admonish you as much as any one thing. This youth from the character of his father and other connections had credit to any reasonable amount. This by self will rudness Idleness and contempt of advice he has abused in such a manner that it will take a lifetime of close application to regain the ground he has lost.
I think that if Mr Tillett wase desirious to change his residence that an opportunity now offers in his place. Mr. Baker goes away in the spring, and Mr Millr does not expect to remain long, so that the whole field is open, but there will be a struggle to get Mr Smith of Woodstock here who I am told is an emminant Teacher. I cannot pretend to say whether Mr. Tillett ought under such circumstances to hazzard a change it might not be amiss to mention it to him. All well.
Joseph Fawcett
letter from Peter Glenday to James Glenday
To Mr James Glenday, care of Alexander Potter, Esquire, Green Cloth Mercht., Forfar, North Brittan.
Saint Charles, 25 December 1817
Dear Father & Step Mother
We all landed here safe and well on the 12 of last month after a long and tedious passage both by land and water. I would have written just on our arrival but I wished to see a little about the place and how I would settle myself and family so as I might be able to give you some information about it. I wrote you from New York with a lad that was going to Coupar Angus which I hope you received safely. I mentioned in it that we had a long sea passage but not very dangerous and that my family had all keeped their health, except the sea fever but that I had not had a sick heart nor sore head all the time. We started from New York and went to Philadelphia a distance of 100 miles by land and water. We stoped 10 days in Philadelphia in a Scotch gentleman’s house who is a rum distiller. He was uncommonly kind to us. We then hired a six horse waggon to carry us to Pittsburg, a distance of 300 miles. The roads are very bad, we were three weeks on our journey. We then fell in with another Scotsman who gave us lodgings for a few days and was very kind to us. We then took passage in a large boat for Saint Louis by water a distance of 1400 miles. One of James Lindsay’s boys fell overboard as we were going up the river Mississippi and was no more seen. All the way we came my family and myself were in good health but after we landed my wife took badly for about three weeks but she has got weel again. This is a very new country but emigration to it is great from almost all the Eastern States & Southern States, land is rising greatly in value and in a short time all the land that is near the town of Saint Charles and the river will be taken up and will not be got by incommers but at an immense price. My brother-in-law has about 2000 acres of land and two large lots in this town and is looking out for more land to purchase but none of his land is nigher than three miles from the town. He received us kindly and gave us every accommodation and rode through all his lands with his brother and me all mounted upon his horses and had us choose each for himself a 100 acres and he told us further that he intended giving us help to begin our farms and to uphold us and our familys till we would get a crop off the ground. He told me that my farm was to be mine during the time of my life and then to fall to my son Thomas. This to be sure pleased me very well as it secured a situation for myself during life and also a settlement for the boy, for you know from the misfortune he got in his right hand he was a great part of the reason of me comming here. But after considering the matter a few days it did not suit my taste in case of what might happen in my family. I looked a little around the place and fell in with a little spot about a mile from the town with houses built upon it and about 20 acers of it cleared and fenced and 6 or 7 acers of wheat sown on it and a small orchard. There is 70 acers of it altogether. I get possession of it on the first day of March. I thought it would be an easy way of setting down by going and building my house and clearing and fencing my land especially as I had so much cash of my own with me as would pay it and put some stocking on it and let Mr. Lindsay give my Thomas what he pleases. So if God spares us we will go to our own place by the 1 day of March. I had a mind to try the brewing of ale here, a thing that is unknown in this neighborhood. I make no doubt but it would do well but there are no houses in this town fit for the business nor no barley to be got till it be raised and the most of our land is too rich for barley, any of it that is raised is by commission. I intend sowing some of it in my land to try it if I can procure seed, and if I can think of entering to the brewing. I am to get one of Mr. Lindsay’s lots in the town on which there is a fine spring well, and he promises that he will assist me in money to set it agoing. If I should think of that I will be at no loss that I have laid out my money upon the place I have bought, for I made a good bargon, having the money in hand. I believe I could make 100 pounds sterling of profit on it already. This will be a fine farmer’s country and tradesman’s. Every trade does well here and laborers get a dollar a day and can scarcely be got. A great part of the work is wrought by black people. Mr. Lindsay has eight of them. I do not like the black folks ill, they are very submissive and oblidging. There are no gentlemen here as in Scotland. Every white person is reckoned as good as another if he behaves himself, be he poor or rich, and a man that has white servants eats and works with them. Almost everyone who farms is laird of his farm himself. Those who rent land generally pay as much rent as the half of what he possesses would sell at. Land here generally produces from 60 to 90 bushels of Indian corn per acer, every six bushels is your cool [of oats or barley], wheat from 40 to 60, oats and rye about the same. Indian corn sells at half a dollar per bushel, wheat at a dollar, rye at 3 quarters of a dollar, oats about the same, butter at about the fifth part of a dollar, cheese the same, beef and pork sell at a dollar per stone, but all our weights are 16 ounces to the pound so I reckon a man can make as much of his land here as in Scotland and the buying of it would not be above what would pay a year’s rent of your land which is not half so good with dung as ours is without it and every man may keep as many beasts here as he likes, they go in the woods and cost him nothing. He will have 1 or 2 hundred swine that he gives not a mouthfull till and as many cattle and he can sell or kill when he pleases. Everybody lives like gentlemen here, upon everything that is fat and rare, the only difficulty is to a man when he comes in he has everything to buy dear and it is a long time before he can get a crop. Give my respects to Andrew and Isabel Glenday. Tell Andrew if he will come here he will find land that bears sugar, tobacco, indigo, apples, pears, appricots, peaches, and onions as large as his two hands, all without dung. Not forgetting my daughter and John Ogilvy’s family, Marget White and her daughters and Peter Adamson. Be so good as let all these friends of mine see this letter. I will not advise none of them to come here lest they might have a dangerous passage and anything happen them, but I am sure were they once here and saw this country, what fine land, good wages, little or no taxes to pay for anything, they would not wish to go back to Scotland again. You see paper begins to fail me, I must draw to a close. I wish you to write me as soon as possible and let me know how you all are and what way things are doing in your place. I expect John Ogilvy is in my place at New Rattray, send him word about this letter and tell him I shall write him in the spring when I will be better acquaint with the country. No more at present but
Remain your affectionate son –
Peter Glenday
P.S. When you write direct thus – Mr. Peter Glenday, Care of Thomas Lindsay, Esquire, Saint Charles, Missouri, Teritory Upper Louisiana.
Notes:
[Copied from original, St. Charles, January, 1914]
The brother-in-law mentioned is Thomas Lindsay, brother of Anne Lindsay Glenday.
Saint Charles, 25 December 1817
Dear Father & Step Mother
We all landed here safe and well on the 12 of last month after a long and tedious passage both by land and water. I would have written just on our arrival but I wished to see a little about the place and how I would settle myself and family so as I might be able to give you some information about it. I wrote you from New York with a lad that was going to Coupar Angus which I hope you received safely. I mentioned in it that we had a long sea passage but not very dangerous and that my family had all keeped their health, except the sea fever but that I had not had a sick heart nor sore head all the time. We started from New York and went to Philadelphia a distance of 100 miles by land and water. We stoped 10 days in Philadelphia in a Scotch gentleman’s house who is a rum distiller. He was uncommonly kind to us. We then hired a six horse waggon to carry us to Pittsburg, a distance of 300 miles. The roads are very bad, we were three weeks on our journey. We then fell in with another Scotsman who gave us lodgings for a few days and was very kind to us. We then took passage in a large boat for Saint Louis by water a distance of 1400 miles. One of James Lindsay’s boys fell overboard as we were going up the river Mississippi and was no more seen. All the way we came my family and myself were in good health but after we landed my wife took badly for about three weeks but she has got weel again. This is a very new country but emigration to it is great from almost all the Eastern States & Southern States, land is rising greatly in value and in a short time all the land that is near the town of Saint Charles and the river will be taken up and will not be got by incommers but at an immense price. My brother-in-law has about 2000 acres of land and two large lots in this town and is looking out for more land to purchase but none of his land is nigher than three miles from the town. He received us kindly and gave us every accommodation and rode through all his lands with his brother and me all mounted upon his horses and had us choose each for himself a 100 acres and he told us further that he intended giving us help to begin our farms and to uphold us and our familys till we would get a crop off the ground. He told me that my farm was to be mine during the time of my life and then to fall to my son Thomas. This to be sure pleased me very well as it secured a situation for myself during life and also a settlement for the boy, for you know from the misfortune he got in his right hand he was a great part of the reason of me comming here. But after considering the matter a few days it did not suit my taste in case of what might happen in my family. I looked a little around the place and fell in with a little spot about a mile from the town with houses built upon it and about 20 acers of it cleared and fenced and 6 or 7 acers of wheat sown on it and a small orchard. There is 70 acers of it altogether. I get possession of it on the first day of March. I thought it would be an easy way of setting down by going and building my house and clearing and fencing my land especially as I had so much cash of my own with me as would pay it and put some stocking on it and let Mr. Lindsay give my Thomas what he pleases. So if God spares us we will go to our own place by the 1 day of March. I had a mind to try the brewing of ale here, a thing that is unknown in this neighborhood. I make no doubt but it would do well but there are no houses in this town fit for the business nor no barley to be got till it be raised and the most of our land is too rich for barley, any of it that is raised is by commission. I intend sowing some of it in my land to try it if I can procure seed, and if I can think of entering to the brewing. I am to get one of Mr. Lindsay’s lots in the town on which there is a fine spring well, and he promises that he will assist me in money to set it agoing. If I should think of that I will be at no loss that I have laid out my money upon the place I have bought, for I made a good bargon, having the money in hand. I believe I could make 100 pounds sterling of profit on it already. This will be a fine farmer’s country and tradesman’s. Every trade does well here and laborers get a dollar a day and can scarcely be got. A great part of the work is wrought by black people. Mr. Lindsay has eight of them. I do not like the black folks ill, they are very submissive and oblidging. There are no gentlemen here as in Scotland. Every white person is reckoned as good as another if he behaves himself, be he poor or rich, and a man that has white servants eats and works with them. Almost everyone who farms is laird of his farm himself. Those who rent land generally pay as much rent as the half of what he possesses would sell at. Land here generally produces from 60 to 90 bushels of Indian corn per acer, every six bushels is your cool [of oats or barley], wheat from 40 to 60, oats and rye about the same. Indian corn sells at half a dollar per bushel, wheat at a dollar, rye at 3 quarters of a dollar, oats about the same, butter at about the fifth part of a dollar, cheese the same, beef and pork sell at a dollar per stone, but all our weights are 16 ounces to the pound so I reckon a man can make as much of his land here as in Scotland and the buying of it would not be above what would pay a year’s rent of your land which is not half so good with dung as ours is without it and every man may keep as many beasts here as he likes, they go in the woods and cost him nothing. He will have 1 or 2 hundred swine that he gives not a mouthfull till and as many cattle and he can sell or kill when he pleases. Everybody lives like gentlemen here, upon everything that is fat and rare, the only difficulty is to a man when he comes in he has everything to buy dear and it is a long time before he can get a crop. Give my respects to Andrew and Isabel Glenday. Tell Andrew if he will come here he will find land that bears sugar, tobacco, indigo, apples, pears, appricots, peaches, and onions as large as his two hands, all without dung. Not forgetting my daughter and John Ogilvy’s family, Marget White and her daughters and Peter Adamson. Be so good as let all these friends of mine see this letter. I will not advise none of them to come here lest they might have a dangerous passage and anything happen them, but I am sure were they once here and saw this country, what fine land, good wages, little or no taxes to pay for anything, they would not wish to go back to Scotland again. You see paper begins to fail me, I must draw to a close. I wish you to write me as soon as possible and let me know how you all are and what way things are doing in your place. I expect John Ogilvy is in my place at New Rattray, send him word about this letter and tell him I shall write him in the spring when I will be better acquaint with the country. No more at present but
Remain your affectionate son –
Peter Glenday
P.S. When you write direct thus – Mr. Peter Glenday, Care of Thomas Lindsay, Esquire, Saint Charles, Missouri, Teritory Upper Louisiana.
Notes:
[Copied from original, St. Charles, January, 1914]
The brother-in-law mentioned is Thomas Lindsay, brother of Anne Lindsay Glenday.
Letter to Hellen Buchart
Mrs Hellen Buchart
New Rattray
North Britian
[in another hand:] Mrs Hellen Buchart
Dear Mother
I received your letter dated march in month of May & wrote you at same time since which I have not heard from you it is something unfortunate that have never been able to find Mathewson or Leslie indeed there is strong presumption When they that wrote forgets to write that silence & inaction are all the powerw they are in possession of it would have given me great satisfaction had I been able to write you better news and depend upon it. Will still make all the enquirey in my power even tho there is little hopes of success
We have had a very sickly fall and many strangers fell a victim to the feavers raging furie
Some Ships from Europe lost 9/10 of their whole Ships crew it was certain death for any person in the country to come to Charleston though few of the inhabitants of Charleston suffered yet they who came from the interior parts of the State last winter died almost all to a man which frightened them so much that I question if many will dare to come to Town next summer
I have lived these 4 months past with Mr. Lewis Cameron and should be sorrey to Change my situation but he has nomore use for me having a brother lately from Scotland I shall write as soon as I am fixed in any other place
I have great reason to Thank god I can get more Employers than I can attend. our Crop of cotton is very good it sold here at 3/ when it first came to market 1/8 to 2/ is the highst now and even then some planters will make from 12 to 18 Thousand pounds Sterling on Cotton this year------------- Rice sold all Last summer from 7/ to 9/ now sells at 16/ & 18/ per Hundred pound
Tobacco last year sold from 7 to 0 dollars per Cent & Now sells from 4 to 5 dollars per Cent
Our great and good Washington died on the 14th December 99 never was their greater Show of grief than on this occasion he may be called the Father Saviour and Servant of This new World as far as Mortal Man has a right to Such a Title and of the honest the disinterested and the great joind to the sincere cristian may with propriety be be Called the noblest work of god it is doubtfull whether any Man now living possesed them in higher degree than Worthy Washington as i Expect to write you soon i remain yours &tc Thos Lindsay please write me a few of the comon transactions with you
[On back:]
Give my Compliments to John McKay & family John Chrighton & family A. Grieve &tc and all others
Notes:
[Penciled in at the top above the greeting, almost certainly by his niece, Ann Glenday Durfee:]
Lindsay
The first letter my Uncle wrote his Mother after going to Charleston S. C.
This letter is undated, but it was probably written about 1800.
New Rattray
North Britian
[in another hand:] Mrs Hellen Buchart
Dear Mother
I received your letter dated march in month of May & wrote you at same time since which I have not heard from you it is something unfortunate that have never been able to find Mathewson or Leslie indeed there is strong presumption When they that wrote forgets to write that silence & inaction are all the powerw they are in possession of it would have given me great satisfaction had I been able to write you better news and depend upon it. Will still make all the enquirey in my power even tho there is little hopes of success
We have had a very sickly fall and many strangers fell a victim to the feavers raging furie
Some Ships from Europe lost 9/10 of their whole Ships crew it was certain death for any person in the country to come to Charleston though few of the inhabitants of Charleston suffered yet they who came from the interior parts of the State last winter died almost all to a man which frightened them so much that I question if many will dare to come to Town next summer
I have lived these 4 months past with Mr. Lewis Cameron and should be sorrey to Change my situation but he has nomore use for me having a brother lately from Scotland I shall write as soon as I am fixed in any other place
I have great reason to Thank god I can get more Employers than I can attend. our Crop of cotton is very good it sold here at 3/ when it first came to market 1/8 to 2/ is the highst now and even then some planters will make from 12 to 18 Thousand pounds Sterling on Cotton this year------------- Rice sold all Last summer from 7/ to 9/ now sells at 16/ & 18/ per Hundred pound
Tobacco last year sold from 7 to 0 dollars per Cent & Now sells from 4 to 5 dollars per Cent
Our great and good Washington died on the 14th December 99 never was their greater Show of grief than on this occasion he may be called the Father Saviour and Servant of This new World as far as Mortal Man has a right to Such a Title and of the honest the disinterested and the great joind to the sincere cristian may with propriety be be Called the noblest work of god it is doubtfull whether any Man now living possesed them in higher degree than Worthy Washington as i Expect to write you soon i remain yours &tc Thos Lindsay please write me a few of the comon transactions with you
[On back:]
Give my Compliments to John McKay & family John Chrighton & family A. Grieve &tc and all others
Notes:
[Penciled in at the top above the greeting, almost certainly by his niece, Ann Glenday Durfee:]
Lindsay
The first letter my Uncle wrote his Mother after going to Charleston S. C.
This letter is undated, but it was probably written about 1800.
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