| Title: | John Simpson, Florence, Alabama to James [?], [Ireland?]. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2468 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Simpson, John/81 |
| Year | 1827 |
| Sender | Simpson, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | cotton businessman |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Florence, Alabama, USA |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Wightman, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | relatives? |
| Source | T 1475/1 p.53: Copied by Permission of Miss A. McKisack, 9, Mount Pleasant, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9006072 |
| Date | 01/06/1827 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 01:09:1993. |
| Word Count | 962 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Florence June 1827 Dear James, I have been very uneasy in being so long in leaving from my friends in the County of Tyrone. The last letter received from you was dated 18th May, by [---?] Scott. I have indeed to blame myself for not writing oftener as my last letters were by Mrs Wightman, but my usual apology of hurry of business, must plea my excuse. My Mother's picture has arrived safe and I think it an excellent likeness. It is set in a handsome gilt frame. We were very much delighted at receiving it as you could not have sent a more acceptable present. I hope we shall live to see the dear [-------?] in as good health as she appears to have been in when it was taken. Thomas had a daughter born on the 26th of last month. She and her mother are doing very well. It is a fine child and called Mary Anne for my Mother, I expect a namesake for either you or her shortly. Tell my Aunt Matt that she must wait for my second daughter for a namesake. I hear from Hugh every week he is going on very well in his business, he has completely regained his health and looks better than you ever saw him Margart [---?] I saw and I went to see him about two months ago and spent a couple of days with him. He is very sungly fixed, and has a good store and room off it in which he sleeps, and a warehouse and stable adjoining. He boards with Mr Chambers, a wealthy planter who the place belongs to. I look for him here in a few days to dispose of his Cotton and purchase more goods. I am sorry to find you complaining of business being bad with you. I am also very sorry to say it is very bad here. The very low price of cotton has made a wonderful change here We are however like yourself doing the best business in the place. I am winding up my business though and do not intend extending it until I have the greater part of my debts collected and see how I stand, and unless a considerable change for the better takes place I have a strong idea of quiting business; it entirely occupied my memory. When last in New Orleans it quite escaped my memory to forward you the money I promised to [---?] and it never occurred to me until I saw your hint on that subject in your letter to Hugh. I will however in the course of this Spring be in New Orleans when I will remit you a draft for that and what I owe my Aunt of [-----?] which is the only debts I now owe. I have been quite fortunate in steering clear of [----?] in the late changes of the cotton market. I have got my three story brick stores finished, one I and T.S. occupy and the other I have tenanted at four hundred dollars for Ann. I may say the only loss I have met with this year was the death of one of my negroes which cost me $525. Hugh Scott says he is very well and never was so fat or enjoyed better health. He is now living with a Mr Clarke who is in business on his own account and who lived for two years with me. He first lived with Isaac Paton but Isaac having sold out his goods by wholesale I got him in with Clarke. I am sorry to observe by your letter that John of Millview has had a severe spell of sickness. I hope however he soon got over it, and that he and all that family are well and enjoying every happiness this world can afford. Tell Thomas of Bloomhill that he might take the trouble of dropping a few lines sometime. I should at all times feel greatly pleased in hearing from him #PAGE 2 I hope he and his little ones are well they have my best wishes for their health and happiness. Tell my Aunt Matty not to forget me entirely as you may assure her she is often in my thoughts and when I see my little son running about and prattling I think that when I was his age I was receiving all the kind and tender affections of her and my other friends in the [-----?] He is now becoming very interesting. When I ask him where is Grandma he will point at her picture. A few days ago I moved it into a different room from where it had been and in the place where I had Capt. Rapier's picture hanging, which is about the same size, and he immediately knew the difference. I wrote to James [----?] last November [---?] a year. I hope he received my letter. I should be glad to hear from him, John [---?] I seldom see. He has got a daughter [---?] I fear he is not doing well, as he owes me more than he will ever be able to pay. Had he acted according to my advice his situation would have been different, but he is one of those head-strong ignoramuses that will take no advice; he went to Hugh's store and wanted credit but he know owing he was with me, very prudently refused to let him have anything on credit. I shall write soon again. Give my love to my Mother and all the other friends, and believe me Sincerely and affectionately yours John Simpson. Margaret desires her affectionate love to my Mother, and also to our good friends of Millview. |
