to some of their sons and daughters
8 June 1852
original letter in possession of Ida Holmgren of Idaho Falls, Idaho
| Literal Transcription:
Edinburgh 19 Charls St. June 8, 1852 Dear Sons and Daughters I am dericted to Rett to you by Mary to let you know that She has a parcel coman tomorrow with the Carriar if you will Send for it as She will not be foret intell the Eving She will live her with the 5 o clock tran and her parcel will be befor her. I hop the ching of the Ear will dou her good befor She tike her long jurnay and See that She is not out laet at Night for the night aer will dou her hurt.
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Corrected Transcription for above: Edinburgh [Scotland] 19 Charles Street June 8, 1852 Dear Sons and Daughters: I am directed to write to you by Mary, to let you know that she has a parcel coming tomorrow with the carrier if you will send for it as she will not be for it until the evening. She will leave here with the 5 o’clock train and her parcel will be before her. I hope the change of the air will do her good before she takes her long journey, and see that she is not out late at night, for the night air will do her hurt. |
| Literal Transcription:
Agnes I am happay to her that you have gotten a linger hows and we was happay to her from Marget Archibald on Munday Eving that you was all will. I have not been So will thes sum tim. the Spitten of Blood is mor then it was but I have no caus to complaen but every Caus to be thinkfull that I am no wors. your Mother has many complints toou. Andrew and Christon are all will. Mary is far from being Stout. Agnes I hop that you and Jassea and you got all your good in good order last week I and I have no mor at prisent but plaes give our kind Love to Thomas and wife and family and I am happay to her that he has gotten a Ner Rood and good Ear and I hop he will be enibled to dou Sum good now. So faer will and o that the Blissing of the Lord may be with you all. we Reman you Loving Father and Mother. James and Agnes Archibald. we have gotten no Bagges yet. |
Corrected Transcription for above: Agnes, I am happy to hear that you have gotten a longer house, and we was happy to hear from Margaret Archibald on Monday evening that you was all well. I have not been so well this some time. The spitting of blood is more than it was, but I have no cause to complain, but every cause to be thankful that I am no worse. Your mother has many complaints, too. Andrew and Christian [Smaill] are all well. Mary is far from being stout. Agnes, I hope that you and Jessie and you got all your goods [belongings, or supplies for the trip] in good order last week. I have no more at present, but please give our kind love to Thomas and wife and family, and I am happy to hear that he has gotten a Ner Rood [near road?] and good air, and I hope that he will be enabled to do some good now [enjoy better health]. So farewell and, oh, that the blessing of the Lord may be with you all. We remain your loving Father and Mother. James and Agnes Archibald. P.S. we have gotten no bags yet. |
| Historical Note:
James and Agnes Archibald, the parents, are living with their daughter Christian and her husband, Andrew Smaill, who owns a grocer and mercantile store in Edinburgh. Daughter, Agnes, and her husband David Hamilton Kerr, along with James' daughter Jessie and her husband Robert Murray, are preparing to emigrate to America (some say they were going to Australia first, but then changed their mind when the ship had to be dry-docked for repairs, and went to America instead). The younger daughter, Mary, was preparing to emigrate to Australia. Son, Thomas, was suffering from the same disease his father James had: Black Lung disease, caused by years of work in the Scottish coal mines. Both Thomas and James died from it -- James in 1855 and Thomas in 1857. We haven't determined who "Margaret/Margret Archibald" is yet. |