Letters 1841: McCoy (Prescott)

I now Set Down with Pleasure to write those few lines to you hoping to find you well, as this leaves us at Present thanks be to God for his Mercies to us hoping thoese few lines will find you in the same[.] Dr Brother I Received your Kind Letter in the same Month and I was glade for to Heare that you were well as you Mentiond[.] about my Uncle you, never sent me word what way the[y] were Situated or how the[y] were coming on[,] Nether himself nor his family[,] But I hope that you wont be so in the Next Letter as you mentioned about Lucy and me going out[.] it is out of our Power of me thinking of going out it is out of our Power of me thinking of going as I have Being out of any work 23 weeks and I have the Charge of Robert and his wife and family[, h]is old[er] Child Died with me and his wife had a young son the 12 of febrerey and it is Living[.] and you Promised to me when you were Leving this Place that you would Look for Robert and Sam Johnston and send me an [ac]count how the[y] are and the Particulars {page 2} of that Country and what like it is[.] Uncle Charles is well and family[,] William and family[,] John son is Lying in the fever[,] Thomas and family is well[,] Robert and wife has left me the 13 of March and has went to Greenock to Live[.] arthur has got Married to Catherine Wark and has a Young son three months[.] also your Sister Sally is married again to a Man the Name of Frances Johnston[.] James Whitten and family is well[.] Lucey is not getting as good State of Helth as you left her in[.] She takes a Pain in her stomach and is very ill as you Promise to send for her[.] you are to Exert your selves and send as son as Possible for her[,] for she thinks Long for to see yous[.] and Remember me and family to Uncle Jack and family[,] and I wants be very glade for to Receive a letter from them[.] I hope through a little time if God spares me Helth and Strength that I will soon see you all[.] this Country is failing every Day in the work as I mentioned about Being like so Long {Page 3} But has got in the same shape[,] Arther and Jones is working and is Bound a Year for on apprentice for a Year[,] and if he is spared through a short time we will find him there[.]

Potatoes is 5/i per Stone{5 shilling? per 14 lbs.,} Meat 2 Shillings a Stone {per pound?} and fresh Butter Shilling per pound and every thing in Proprtion to that[.] James Whitten and wife is living in Glasgow and doing very well[,] the old[er] Child is living with her father[.] Mrs Macleam is thinking that he will send the Money {for} her this month or the next[.] Dr Sister you mentioned aBout a Good Cup of Tea But I hope that we will all meet and have a Japan {perhaps japery = fun} Night[.] Yet Lucey and my Litt[l]e Sist[er M]ary[.] Dr Brother Let my Uncle Kn[ow a]nd family that I would wish that the[y] would send me a Letter and let me Know the Particulars of the Country as the[y] are longer thiere than you[.] write as soon as this goes to hand[,] and direct as usal[.] No more at Present but Remaines your affectionate Brother till Death

Robert McCoy W

{Page 4} we all join and send our kind love to you all

I received your letter of the 13th March, which gives one infinite satisfaction to hear of your welfare, I am, happy to hear that your Father & Mother are well, and so comfortably situated in the centre of so many friends it will enable them to bear your absence with less regret than they would do, were they among entire strangers. I hope you are now in your last Year of Military service, at the expiration of which you will join them and live comfortable and happy with them surrounded by your friends. Thank God I enjoy very good health and has nothing to complain for except employment. but in this country that complaint is general for there are hundreds of young strong and active men that cannot get employment, thank God all the family is well. James is still working in the College. Henry is sticking pretty close to to his trade and Kate remains still in park Gate street, Robert attends his school and Ellen takes care for the family within doors, little William is getting a stirring boy {page 2} and sends his love to his Cousin and Namesake- You bid me tell you everything I know of all your old acquaintances. I can do that in few words, for indeed I know nothing about any of them, except Bess Cunningham, she still lives with Mrs. Conway, although I have not seen her these three months & more{.} Our markets are plentifully supply'd will all kinds of Provisions of a superior quality, but the price is so hight that the poor can hardly procure a sufficiency of the plainest fare, to satisfy the cravings of nature{.} Beef, Mutton, Veal and swines flesh are at present from 6d to 9d the pound, and any of them under 6d is not fit to be used, there is no good butter und one shilling the pound, the large Loaf is 8d where it should less than 6d, Potatoes are from 5d to 6d a stone, where they should be no more than 3d, so that from the miserable wage that is given to such as do get employment it is dificult for the poor to live.

Your Brothers & Sisters join me in sending our love to you, and, I remain Your Father {signed} James Armstrong

Dear William I take this opertunity to let you no that we are all well at present. hoping these few lines will find you all in the same. two weeks last friday we had a bee but did not get all don[e.] the people did not come as we expected. the rest must lie over to after the harvest. we have got don going over the potatoes twice and the[y] are as fine afeel of potatoes as you wod wish to see. as for the whate it never will mend. the day after you came away the old cow took the bull but the other has not yet. {page 2} I am now nedy to be gin the hay. I am going to Clarks to morow the 26 to get asilh{?} and some things we want. when you rite let us no you got any acount. from lucy since you came home Josef has got acetael {a kettle} and has boiled one barel of ashes. She lost 8 pounds. rite. soon as you recive and let me no all perticulars as I have nothing more worth aseakn {seeking?} of at present. no more at present but remain ever fond

parents

I received your letter of the 18th July in September and I would have answered it at that time only waiting to Ellen would be confin'd that I might be enabled to tell you something of your young friend. She is brought to bed on Halloween night of a daughter, and we had her Christence yesterday by the name of Marget Elizabeth, She is undoubtably a fine beautiful Child.

My dear children we are all happy to hear of your welfare, but you say that you would not be surprised if William would enlist again after the expiration of his present term, Indeed I would be very much surprised if he would do any such thing. He has a farm to go to, and his father there now getting an old man, unable by himself to manage such a farm. If William takes my advice (and I trust his father would give the same) as soon as his present term is expired he will quit the {page 2} the service for ever, and go to his father and afoist {assist} him to improve upon the farm and in a few years he will find that his time will be better employed and turn out to more advantage than it would do had he remained in her Majesty's service[.] You can now sit down comfortably on your farm enjoy and improve your present comfort and not be too covetous. I hope you will tell me in your next letter that is the last that you will address to me from the Army, that William has determined to quit the service and join his father And Oh! if that be that be the case what joy and comfort it will bring to the old man to have his only son by his side for the remainder of his days. May God put into his heart to realize my wishes, there is nothing would give me so much pleasure - There is wonderful alterations in this City lately. The old corporation is extinct, and Daniel OConner {O’Connell} Esqu. is our present Lord Mayor, from henceforth a Protestant can have no voice in the corporation, and the statutes of King William will be painted green

Thank God we are all well. James has constant employment and Henry contrary to my expectations is sticking close to his trade[.] Kitty is well and remains well with Mrs.Forsyths Daughter in Parkgate Street. Robert remains at school indeed he is so puny & delicate that I dont know {page 3} know what he will be fit for. Ellen requests to be particularly remembered to you and little William sends his love to his little cousen and namesake -

Your Brothers & Sisters all join me in sending our love to you - and I remain Your Affectionate father

{signed} James Armstrong