Eighteen Thirty-Six

Frank, James , Kellases , Simpsons of Longhough, Mrs Beattie, The weaver, Mossteuvn of Braes, Jeanie & Johnie (Harry Begg’s children).

Francis tell us the James was his student. Therefore, James was likely Harry’s son, but he could have been a younger brother after all Francis says indicates that he has been teaching for more than 20 years.

Mr. Harry Begg – Southwald
County of Middlesex
London District
Talbot Street
St. Thomas
Upper Canada

School of Coldstone
10th April 1836

Dear Sir

Nearly five years have elapsed since you ceased to be one of my nearest and most intimate neighbours – I hope these years have passed over in such a manner as not to

make you on the whole having crossed the Atlantic and that though you may have undergone that these are in a great degree surmounted and that you have the pleasant prospect of being more comfortable for the time to come – I have never heard from you but have frequently heard concerning you from your Brother at Mill of Towie, whom I have occasionally seen – I have frequently received St. Thomas’ News Papers and was in doubt that they were sent and addressed to me by my old acquaintance and favorite Pupil James Begg – A repetition of one of them, now and then would still be acceptable to assure me that I was not altogether forgotten by some of the settlers on the Banks of Lake Erie, and with whom I was once so intimately acquainted – Frank last year wrote James by the Kellases who went out to America but as I understand that they stopped at Cape Breton, I am afraid they have neglected to forward the Letter – I now find that the Simpsons of Longhough are to sale from Aberdeen to Canada in a day or two and I cannot resist embracing such a favourable opportunity of addressing a few lines to you as I understand they are to be located closely by you – We remain much in the same state as

when you left though doubtless older and older like, and I think I have got clear of as many hairs from off my head as you have done – You will recollect we used to compare – On the whole, my health has been pretty good & Mrs Beattie has not had any serious illness, though she has been frequently frail and never is very strong – her father is still alive cheerful and happy and able to keep everything neat and tidy about the place – Frank now within a little of completing his 19th year, is become a gay stout chiel five feet ten without the shoes, and completed his courses at College a fortnight ago – He lodged last winter in the same house with your nephew from Mill of Towie, who, I understand, is a fine smart Boy – Frank has no view of any immediate employment – I should be well pleased to have him appointed assistant and successor to myself of which I think there is some chance of by being able to accomplish, for my situation with the Dick Bequest and my having got my salary raised again last year, is now worth about £90 per annum – Half a score of years ago I would have been well pleased had I been able to make half as much – The weaver left the NewKirk at last WhitSunday and is living alone

in a house at Mossteuvn of Braes – He has a trifle that will keep him for some years – It will be very unnecessary for me to give you the news concerning the people of this neighbourhood -- the Simpsons will be able to state to you every alteration that has taken place since you left Croman – Had that not been the case I should have given you a great deal of news – I would really take it kind if you would write me a long letter and let me know how you are coming on, or cause James do so – I was glad to hear that he was profitably employed -- I hope Mrs Begg and you both enjoy good health and comfort and that Jeanie & Johnie are both fine thriving creatures and that they have not entirely forgotten their first teacher -- Mrs B. her Father, and Frank, beg to be most kindly remembered to you & yours along with,My Dear Sir,

Your sincere friend
Francis Beattie