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To: Mr Archibald McCrimmon State of South Carolina, Marion District Little Pee Dee,
Harlesville America
Dear Brother,
I got your kind letter dated Febr 25-1831 which gave me
great pleasure. I wrote you in return in due time, but as I got none from you since I concluded that
mine never reached you. I am the more induced to this belief as Roderick McCuaig has got one from
his own brother lately in answer to the one he sent at the time I wrote mine. You say in your letter
(and I agree with you) that I would do better where you are than here, for this is a poor place
indeed. I have the eighth part of Glenberness for which I pay L12 in sterling annually. I keep four
milk cows and four field cows and a horse. You know the place yourself and may judge our condition,
but how can we leave it, being always one years rent behind, and when that would be taken out of our
stocks, we could not get ourselves in trim for going there, besides defraying the expences attending
our passage, for it is not on the profit of our farm we make money for paying our rent but by
working in every part of Scotland where we can find work.
My family consists of three sons who
are yet unmarried and two daughters these are in with myself. I have then two daughters who are
married and have families still in a poorer state than myself therefore I need not entertain the
least expectation of ever leaving this place without some help which I would earnestly crave of you
if your circumstances could bear it. I mean the loan of some money, for I doubt not if I with my
family were ever settled there but we would be able through time to repay the same, and if you would
think of sending it, your best way would be to lodge the money with a Banker or merchand in your own
place and that man to send a Jack to his dealer or agent in any town in Britain with order to send
it to our Minister the Rev. W. Alex. Bieth and I would get it at once and would gladly go to
America.
There is no land in Scotland poorer than Glenelg or people poorer and that entirely
owing to the high rent put upon the land by great Tacksman. There is not a town of club farmers now
in Glenelg but the place I am in, Immergradden and Balvais, the rest of the property is divided into
four great Sheep farms betwix Islandrioch possed by Captain Reid married on a daughter of the late
Wm. McLeod of Islandrioch, Arnisdale in the proprietors own possession, boelary and Scallisaig
posessed by other strangers, and Kirkton and Galder in small lots of one acre each which pay
L5--stirling each with grass for one cow. Duncan, our brother died in 1824 and his widow tih her
family went to Canada except one son called Archibald who is yet in the Land his father had in
Immersgradden and has strong family. Donald our brother died in 1830 and his wife died before
himself they left a weak family of orphans consisting of three girls and two boys and the oldest of
whom are now beginning to so something for themselves. They have the herding the cows on Scallisaig
farm for which they have potatos grown and grass for two cows.
I think that you never heard a
word concerning a daughter you have here that was not born when you left the place you are surely
aware that Mary Beaton was in the family way when you left Glenelg, and this girl that was between
you and her is married long ago to a man from the south, a place called Callander his name is John
Buchanan he was once a tennant in Knockfin, the tennants of which place come to poverty and their
land taken from them when they could not pay the rent and their farm joins to Beolary, this John
Buchanan has a Lot of one acre in Galvert she is a very decent woman and has a strong family it
would give them great happiness if you would be so kind as to write to them which if you do Direct
to John Buchanan in Galder of Glenelg Lochalsh North Britain.
I do not think there is any
living now in Glenelg that kept a house when you left it except Donald Cameron who is confined to
his bed through age and infirmity. Mr. McLeod of Islandrioch is dead and there are none of his
family in Glenelg but Captain Reid's wife. Mr. McIver is dead also. Noone of his family in Glenelg
either but one of his sons is Minister of Sleat and another of them is Minister of Harris--There are
none here of the children that your friend Kenneth McLennan that was in Scallisaig left but Donald
who is a widower in Galder and Murdock who has the fourth part of Immerssdden, and thay you may
Judge the poverty of the people here the farm on which Murdock is pays one hundred and forty pounds,
the place in which I am pays one hundred and twenty six pounds including the Public house of
Kylessa. If you get this letter be sure to write me in return and Direct thus. John McCrimmon in
Bernessa of Glenelg Invernessshire Lochalsh North Britain- My family joins me in Love to you and
yours
John McCrimmon
Dear Cousin, (Archibald McCrimmon-Robeson County, NC)
I write you these few lines
hopping(sic) you will receive them in due time We are in good health thanks be to providence. I have
not received but the one letter from you that was eight years ago I hope therefore if you will
receive this letter you will not neglect sending an answer for I have wrote to you often since I
received our letter. This is a very pleasant country and healthy climate. The winters are exceding
cold for three months Also the summer in heat are in proportion to the winter in cold. This country
are far supperior in soil and (?) than that country Last year there came upwards of fifty thousand
Emigrants to America and this year they expect eighty thousand the most part of them from Ireland
and England there are three thousand already came this year only sixteen from Scotland yet I hear no
information about your home since it is supposed to be the case that no account can be given anymore
about it since Alexander McLeod is dead there is noone to look after it any more.
I am settled
here in a very convenient place by the Saint Lawrence about sixty miles from Montreal City. I have
one hundred and fifty acres of land with good stock uppon it its likewise inhabited with Scotch
people about me also old country people and relations Duncan McCrimmon's family are all here Except
Archibald and he expects to come this year, they are all in good health and improving fast. Your
sister is well and her family. Ned the young man that kept store in Kingstown died four years ago
and left great property he had four children which became heirs of the property We have herd from
the old country that your brother Donald died and his wife likewise John and his family are well and
in good health.
Dear cousin
I would be happy to see you in over snow but it is likely that
we shall not meet one another any more the distance being so far from each other but if you will
have the pleasure of receiving this few lines you will have the goodness to let me know your sons
names so that people, relations or connections might direct to each other Yet is is the least people
should do to write one another once a year for it is a source of real pleasure to the mind of people
you will let me know about Donald McCrimmon and likewise Malcolm McCraig and Duncan McCraig that
came to that country. I have eight children-five sons and 3 daughters Names Farguhar Duncan John
Donald and Roderick
I must subscribe myself your affectionate cousin
Duncan McCrimmon
Dear cousin Archibald McCrimmon
I received your letter in few weeks after the date of
it which gave me great satisfaction to hear that yourself and your family were well and also other
inquiring relations there.
I would have answered your letter sooner only for the reason I was
hurted two years ago by falling off a beam in the Barn that was sixteen feet heigh I was confined in
bed for nearly a year and afterwards I began to go about with crutches I am recovering fast now I
can go with the help of a small stick but I am very lame and do expect to be so because I have one
foot shorter than the other. I was this week visiting all our relatives in this place for the second
time since i came to the country and I am happy to inform you that they are all well in health at
present. The most of our relations and country people are settling near one another that is between
twenty and thirty miles from my place.
You wished to know about your uncle Duncan Ian(John) I
heard about his last year he is in health he has one son and two daughter He lives upon one acre of
land and has a boat for the fishing which he make the most of his living.
I was in your brother
Duncan's sons house (John) yesterday and he is doing very well and likewise his brothers. the widow
is in health She lives with her son Farguar. Alexander McRae died four years ago His sons are all
settled upon one hundred acres of land a piece the one daughter is married to Kenneth McLeod
son-your old neithbor and they are doing well. Your sister Christian are well She lives with one of
her sons, her four Daughters are married they live within a mile of herself. One of her sons are a
merchant in Quebec he carries on great business there and the other is a farmer near herself--There
is two year since I heard of your uncle Daniel Children They are very much respected for there
industry.
We have a long winter now it began to snow about the twenteth of November and its now
away yet is was continually cold weather we had very good crops last year we raise pleanty of all
sorts of grain price of wheat is five shillings per bushel. Oats one shilling and sixpense and other
grain there is not so much demand for.
Donald Mor's family is in good health. He is able to
plant the grain himself this without any assistance.
Myself and family are all well The
children are all living with myself that is five sons and three daughters.
So I remain your
affectionate cousin, Duncan McCrimmon.
I send my respect to you son I also hope that he will
not neglect his relations after your death. D McC
The two daughters your aunt left are in very
good circumstances and are respected above some or the other relation.
My dear kind good cousin--in the name of god what is the reason that you never write no
anser to my letters and postal card etc
Please let me ask you why is it that you dont send to
my adress in the name of god the father son and hoy ghost--So be it--be it so--the three copys of
the wills I asked you for--and other matters and things--as I will refer your Honor to all of my
letters and postals--I hope you and all your cares are all in the best of health and your sear
Sisters and borthers-with my heart felt ove to each and all of them and yourself and yours for ever)
give me the names of your wife and children as was born down please--in my writing to the
Cousin
John,
I got a letter from my cousin in Scotland in regard to my own fathers mother--she had
sister Sally who was married on one MacCrimmon--it say in these words--these couple left sons John
and Peter MacCrimmon and John MacCrimmon was a taylor and he used to work in my fathers house (and
he went away to america and they likely to North or South Carolina, is all I can tell you about any
of them) my dear cousin John R. I wish you will be so kind as to take the trouble to give to me the
full names and full and correct addresses of all the MacCrimmons out side of your sisters and
brother as I want to search this parties as this Sally MacLeod and mother to these two MacCrimmos
was sister to my grandmother and my grand uncle Donald MacLeod Presbytarian minister of (?can't
understand) Edisto Deland, S.Carolina who died in 1821 and left his will) and not one of his own 7
sisters and his brother never got copy of his will till I gtot copy of it last May, and the estate
was never finally settled up. Now i have letters from all the living heirs, now but this Sally off
spring and when I find them I am all right as to settleing up all that and going down there yet,
only please you help me to such names as you can give to me pleas, as I will ever fell most
thankfull to you with my love and great respects to you and yours all and yet to all our dear
friends
Sincerely Norman MacLeod No. 48 South Green Stree Chicago, illinois
p.s. Excuse
and answer all my requests and god bless you (Also enclosed was copy of another letter)
Keynon, February 4 1839 Alexander MacIntosh
My dear loving brother
I write to you few lines to let you know that we are all well
at this time--and Catherine was up with me a week and Norman and Rory came up after her with the
horses and sleigh, and took her home last Sunday. Cant you dar brother, as Norman is so truthfully
and dear brother you remember Son to Catharine-as-Catharine will not lie, but blunt truth, cut and
offend as it may, and Alexander dear remember Norman as your own fathers trait, and as he never told
a lie in all the days of his life absolute &c--and you Alexander dear always remember Norman as
traits of your own dear father, and Alexander my dear brother never you forget Catharine
Catharines---son---Norman--and Alexander, Catharine's son Norman always talks just like you
used to talk--I am your dear sister-Sally affectionatelly and address care of Farguhar.
Address-Sally
MacCrimmon Care of Farquhar MacCrimmon No. Lot - 3 8th Concession Keynon, Lochiel Post office
County-Glengarry, Canada
his address is this-- Alexander MacIntosh Presbetarian Minister
A--star-mission Copenhagen, Denmark
Cousin John, I feel proud that I got hold of such an old letter as the very words of mydear good grandmother, I was at her funeral. She was a noble looking pretty woman and so was my mother. God bless these souls I say=-----Norman
Chicago 25th Oct 1878 Mr J.R.MacCrimmon
Dear and affectionate cousin, Sir I wrote to you a letter of date 13th of August and one of
date 23rd Sept and I gave to you the full and correct accouts about all your dear good friends and
their full and correct addresses-So-that I gave to you full information to the very best of my
ability--and with full hope and faith that I was doing an exceedingly good work(well I asked you to
look over your grandfathers and your own father letters and see what facts you was able to give to
me about them and I am the very man who do appreciate small favors and large favors,founded-in facts
and truths if possible-all the news you can give to me about your grand father I will like to know
what year did he leave inverness-Shire-Scotland. his old letters might show and when was he born and
when did he die (also when was your father born and when did he die--years and days of mothes also
your aunts and their names (and the name of your dear mother, her maiden name also your grand
mothers maiden name) I want the full name of all your grand fathers children as born from the oldest
down to the youngest-full names of all I want-also the full names of all your fathers children as
born from the oldest down to the youngest of them all and the addresses of each one of your sisters
and brother in full names as to county town or otherwise (note) mine as given) the full name and
address is the most important part of a letter (Sir what causes the lost letter of so many
people(But the want of the proper plain and full address(no more no less- in-30 years I have not
lost but one letter and well I do know who took it as anfemal thife, and I was man enough to tell
him of it. his name was (Dr Goodell)the letter was one I wrote to professor Round out of new york
city) now I do hope to hear from you as soon as time will allow you so to do--with all the above
requiered news-also give to me the general news of your section of country and the farming community
and the kind of crops you raise and the price of land there and its soil and quality and the kind of
climate the year round you have and tell me if there are many more MacCrimmons around there and is
there any blood relations to you there)I want all the news your can give to me)My brother Donald,
his wife died in July leaving him with 4 children) I had a letter from Duncan yesterday and they are
all well as far as he knew --tell me if your married and so forth as I close this scrool with love
and great respects to you and sister and brother affetionally--and sincerely-Norman MacLeod-no 48
South green street--Chicago-Illinois
P.S. I hope you have appreciated all I sent you on the
MacCrimmons as fact.
Mr. John R. MacRimmon, or John R. MacCrimmon,
My dear kind cousin
Dear Sir--I
judge from your hand writing that your a noble ellegant large heart and soul in you. Strickly
truthfull and honest and your very carfull of what you say as you are naturally afraid to be caught
in un truth, and a heart in you as big as an ox. Sir unless you was this, you would not be of the
MacCrimmon's of my dear good mother was of (and being that you have not wrote to me all what you
promised me)(Now-dear Cousin John I want you to send to my address copys of your grandfathers will,
and your own fathers will,- word for word-I want it just as soon as you can send. Send them to me,
please absolutely and especially. Also nobel and kind and just as to do it as you can copy them
yourself and cost you nothing but the time) and also your aunt Catherine will too please your honor,
these truthfull abstracts and truths I want from you. dear Cousin John, and I do not ask you for
nothing but the just truths in all matter and things-it is just such as I will do for you or any of
you, John I think your grandfather made his will-1839, and he and his wife died in 1840)(and I think
your father made his will in 1862 and Catherine made her will in 1876(This I am told and more
to-)But my dear cousin John-I only ask you to give to me such as I want from you, you as my honest
justright to have will get from such a dear honest good cousin as you are of mine and as I claime
you to be as my cousin, also I ask you once more to give to me the names of all your own brother and
sisters as they were born from the oldest down to the youngest, and whn the dates of these births
each of them and these addresses plaine and full, as I want to put such into my big family bible for
record-John write all plaine and full as I ask you for, and as I want it all from your honor as
above written as I hope to hear soon)-as I close with love affectionally to you and yours with great
respects
Sincerely-Norman MacLeod, No-48-South Green Street, Chicago, Illinois
Cousin John I hope you and yours are in the best of health also all your brothers and sisters. What do you think of Grant for the next president--Mark he is the comin man--in my judgement----May god even bless you all the relations in Canada are all well(also in Scotland---and Niel in England and his wife and daughter are well, as I got letter the other day from him and from Duncan in Scotland not lang ago--I want you to give to me the full names of thy chidren and the biths and your wifes name. I want to put all such in my bible--as your cousin Norman
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