13th July 1835 p. C.B
– Singles
Mr. Harry Begg
County of Middlesex Tounship of
Southwald London District
by – St. Thomas
Upper Canada
Circular post stamp: Ancaster 15th Sept ’35
Bottom left -- A Towie (is scribbled over)
Milltown of Towie 13th July 1835
My Dear Bother & Sister
It is always with pleasure that I endeavour to communicate with you;
and convey the pleasing information to us, and I hope so to you, that
we are all well, and in good health at present we thank God for that
inestimable blessing – xxx xxx say but we have had considerable
trouble amongst our family but thank God they are all recovered “back”
in October last year, had the Small Pox in Aberteen, and very short
after that was seised with Measles next, six more of the children at
home was also taken ill of the Measles all at the time and indeed the
“dress” of them are hardly removed, the “choo” Younest
Ratchel Y Rob’t has not taken them as yet, and we are inclined
to think may not be infected at this time, I wrote you informing you
that Charles Gained a Merit Burse of £14 – 10 p at the competition
of Kings College (King's College in Old Aberdeen) last year - He has
not told me what course of study he inclines to follow but from his
natural appearance I can conceive it will be Dr. of some sort or other
– my father and all your Brothers & Sisters (here) in Glenbucket
and otherwise are all quite will, I will be in Huntly upon Wednesday
first at Peter fair being the 16th Current – the weather is not
very favourable for the nourishing and bringing the crop to early maturity,
besides that we have had frequent very severe fronts which has in some
places completely ruined the potato crops, all other kinds of crops
will be at least three weeks later this year nor they were for the last
preceding three years and in all appearance short of fodder it will
be very thick as the seed was excellent – cattle has not paid will
they left nothing for winter keep, and grass has taken very dear and
I have not doubt but will prove a bad concern there is no appearance
of land Rent declining every farm that the lease fall (into) is let
at a considerable advance at least
|
15 to 20 percent yearly and in some xxx (Kind) of crops
had paid extremely well Oats per Tn Brought in an average 23/C to 24/C
Common chetter 28/ to 30/ white 38/ to 40/ per Tn Sheep fair remunerating
prices, wedders from 10 to 12 to per leg, ewes Good fat 16/ to 18/ and
fat lambs 12/ to 15/ each, Beef Stot or Quey (Supposed) 6/ to 7/ per
Stone Sinking Offats, Horses Good prices. I have been frequently urged
for a fine Young Mare fit for carriage L3 by pounds, only three Years
Old. There is a great number of people emigrating to America from this
Quarter and every Year is creating more converts, more nor upwards of
Thirty five individuals has emigrated from Glenbucket & Towie this
year This is sent with one of my neighbours Andrew Fawse from Haughton
he is married to Elizabeth Walker daughter to James Walker Towie, who
is to take it up as far as Hamilton and to forward to you by post, --
I am surprised that you have not wrote me to say how you are keeping
your health and also how the world is using you and what proportion
of your farm you have cleared and how much you have to pay of it, or
if you are doing anything at your trade. Tell James that I am very much
obliged to him for is kind attention is sending me so many News Papers
– write me and say if he is still at St. Thomas or if he is doing
business on his own account – or tell him to do so himself –
John Begg at Dadeuyxxx has renewed his lease for nine years and James
at Blackhilder has taken his for nineteen. They are still divided on
the score of immigration one bad season would send them all scampering
over to your land of promise. I saw Mr. Beattie Schoolmaster & Frank
with another young Student called upon us to see Chas and is much surprised
that you have never wrote them they would not grudge exps. Also Mr.
Logan & Mr. Trigger and a hord of your old acquaintances join loud
in Scolding you for remissness. I candidly told them that it was no
easy matter to keep up a separate correspondence with so many and I
myself was loud in complaint but when I weighed all the difficulties
which you had to contend with, I readily forgive you and trusted that
in course you would make all up but that I would tell them of your welfare
occasionally
|