Dear Cousin;

It is with much pleasure I begin to write an answer to your kind letter received of the 1st inst. The only letter received from your family since your grand parents, Alexander, son of Norman, son of Malcolm Stewart and Catherine daughter of Colin, son of Samuel, son of Paul Murchison - "MacChalmain", left this Island more than 80 years ago unless a letter I had from a relative at the time of Colin MacKinnon's visit to PEI be one. I answered that letter and looked for a reply, but got none. The writer complained of ailments and I conclude he does not survive. He may have been your uncle? My mother was telling me that your grand parents had a son named John, and, I think a daughter also born here, but I do not remember ever seeing either parents or children. A friend of mine, John MacLeod was for many years living at Kensington, but formerly farming at Long River, PEI, has been corresponding with me for more than 60 years and he mentioned on different occasions that he met my cousin Mary Stewart, whom I believe to be your mother. And, she being my first cousin, I am the only relative you have in Scotland of the same relation. But you have second cousins and their descendants here. I remember that your mother's uncle John, son of Norman, son of Malcolm Stewart lived a short time at Camastignavaig before emigrating to PEI. His youngest daughter, Mary, a fair girl, was for a short time a school mate of mine at MacDiarmids Endowed School at The Braes of Totternish. Two older daughters named Jane were married, the elder to Donald Matheson, Glenmore, and the other to Samuel Nicholson, Gedintailor. They and their husbands are both dead, but their descendants occupy the old neighborhood and are scattered abroad. In the event of desiring to open correspondence with any of them, you can address Mr. Donald Nicholson, 3 Gedintailor, Portree, Mrs. Murdock Buchanan, Nether Olach, Portree and Mrs. Malcolm Matheson, Flesher, Portree, Scotland. My father and mother were born in 1806. He died in 1868 and she 1896. I was born on 20th of May 1842 and remember my grand-mother, Mary Stewart Murchison and her two sons Donald and Peter, and her two daughters, Mary and Isabella, Colin (MacKinnons') mother, They all emigrated in August 1849 and my half brother Donald, absconded with them and they settled in Huron District where sprung up Lucknow, where my cousin Mary, daughter of Donald, and Colin, son of Isabella, still survive as well as my brothers son , Samuel, and daughter, Anne. My fathers brother Samuel died young in London where he was a commercial traveler, and his brother Malcolm died at Peinnachoran in The Braes in 1854, after retiring from the army an invalid from Barbados. My father was religious and so was his father and I hope your mother and you too will cast your burdens on him who is able and willing to help such as seek and trust him.

Angus Murchison