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Letter from James and Agnes Archibald in Scotland
to their daughter and son-in-law, Agnes and David Kerr
10 October 1849


Original Transcription:
[On outside]:  To Mr. David Kerr 
Scotland  G…ston[?] Sec 3 ½  -- this information probably written in later by someone else
Edinburgh 19 Charls St. 10 Octer 1849 
Dear Son and Daughter  we Received your Latter and was happay to her that you was all in good halth and when you wish, your Mother if in halth, She will be willing to come to be with you and may it Plaes God to grant you a Sife Deliveray when her time is com.  Agnes you Spock about 5/6 that you was to Sind in with Mr. Gaddes. I Saw him but he Said he hand no word about it. So you will know wither you Sind it or no Agnes I am happay to let you Both know that this 

Corrected Transcription:
[On outside] To Mr. David Kerr 
Edinburgh [Scotland]  19 Charles Street 10 October 1849 
Dear Son and Daughter:  We received your letter and was happy to hear that you was all in good health, and when you wish your Mother, if in health [if in good health], she will be willing to come to be with you, and may it please God to grant you a safe delivery when her time is come [Agnes is expectig a baby].  Agnes, you spoke about 5/6 that you was to send in with Mr. Geddes.  I saw him but he said he had no word about it.  So you will know whether you sent it or not.  Agnes, I am happy to let you both know that this...
Page two
Original Transcription:
Lives Me in my ordinery Stiet of halth your Mother his many complints now.  Mary is will  Andrew and Christon and the children are all will and Let Thomas and Elisbeth know that Margret is will and thinks be to God for it for is a bountyful giver of every blessin and Every Comfort all commith from God.  be plised to give our kind Love to Robert Murray and wife, to Thomas and wife.  Let Jassea know that Ralway oping on the New Years Day will not anser Me So if it plaes God to Spaer us all till then She will not louk for Me then.  So I will bed you all faerwill and may the Blissing of the Lord be with us all. 
We Reman your 
Loving 
Father and Mother 
James and Agnes Archibald 

Corrected Transcription:
leaves me in my ordinary state of health.  Your mother has many complaints now.  Mary is well.  Andrew and Christian and the children are all well, and let Thomas and Elizabeth know that Margaret is well and thanks be to God for it, for He is a bountiful giver of every blessing, and every comfort cometh from God. 
Be pleased to give our kind love to Robert Murray and wife and to Thomas and wife.  Let Jessie know that railway opening on the New Year's Day will not answer me, so if it please God to spare us all thill then, she will not look for me then.  So I will bid you farewell and may the blessing of the Lord be with us all.  We remain your loving Father and Mother, James and Agnes Archibald

Historical Note: 
Apparently Agnes Archibald Kerr was expecting a baby, and James wanted to send mother Agnes to help her at the time of delivery.  James and Agnes are elderly, and in poor health. They are living in Edinburgh with their daughter Christian and her husband Andrew Smaill, who owns a grocer and mercantile store there.  Elizabeth [Russell] is married to Thomas Archibald.  Their daughter Margaret, who was about 11 years old, appears to be living with her grandparents.  James' daughter, Jessie, is married to Robert Murray.  It seems that James Archibald was planning to take the railway to visit Jessie and Robert on New Year's Day, but was unable to get passage.

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