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Title: John Boyd, St. [Saint] John, New Brunswick to James Stavely, Belfast.
ID263
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileBoyd, John/38
Year1860
SenderBoyd, John
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationunknown
Sender Religionunknown
OriginSt John, New Brunswick, Canada
DestinationBelfast, N.Ireland
RecipientStaveley, James W.
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipfriends
SourceD1835/27/5/5: Presented by Greer Hamilton and Gailey, Solicitors, High Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim.
ArchivePublic Record Office , Northern Ireland.
Doc. No.9305216
Date10/12/1860
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogAction By Date Document added by Jonathan Teer, 28
Word Count674
Genre
Note
TranscriptLetter from John Boyd, St. John, N.B. [New Brunswick,
Canada], to James Stavely, 4 Glengall Place, Belfast.

St. John N.B. [New Brunswick?] December 10 1860

My dear Mr. Stavely
We are now looking to hear of the arrival of your
brother, who should be at Halifax tomorrow or next day, if
he sailed as we expect he did on the first in the good
ship "Europa". We are anxiously awaiting his return, as
we have had a cheerless house of Worship for some time
past. He will come back to us in new heart, and fresh
vigour, to enter again his duties, and I hope all will be
as he could wish. and as all his friends, which are many
could desire. You would have much [------?] in having
him with you again, and I trust your Father had the
pleasure he anticipated, it would be a sad parting, as
neither can in the ordinary course of events hope to see
each other again on this side of the grave.
The Congregation here have kept together very well, and
indeed much better than one could expect, as we are such
a sett [?] of episcopalian and Methodist heretics. How
is my friend Mr. M. McConkey - we hope the old gentleman
is well, and also Mrs. Stavely, Mims Annie Janey, Baby
and Willy. Kind love to them all. I dont [don't?]
think I shall let my wife go again to Belfast, she talks
so much about Mr. James Stavely; he is such a handsome
man so that I think she had better turn her thoughts to
some other subject: just ask Mrs. Stavely if she doesn't
think so too. But that puts me in mind of your promise
to send me the family portrait, and so I will expect it
by Mr. Stavely. Have you been to the Giant's Chair
lately? I don't believe the stories connected with it,
or else it does not afflict all alike. Has our friend
Mr. McIlwrath been to see you lately, our kind regards
to him when you see him. I was very sorry I did not see
your young friend and colleague - I hope however to have
that pleasure the next time.
I sometimes see Robert and Mrs. [sic.]: She does not
look so blooming as she did, but of course, at this
season there are no "berries and milk". An old fellow
died here lately and left 1000 pounds to be divided
among the four Congregations of Mrs. M Sommerville,
Stewart and Lawson: I wish William Stavely was back to
look after it, as nothing can be done, until his return;
it is said also, that he left a horse and carriage
additional to your brother. Not often do Covenanters
have such a bequest. How are you getting on with
enlarging the church? I fear Mr. McCarrol would make

#PAGE 2
a poor beggar, he has not brain enough for such work;
but sometimes we are disappointed in these matters.
Your brother could not summon courage to beg a pound in
St. John, which in New York, he was bold as a lion. I
had two days experience of his work there. I had a
letter of twenty-one pages from Mr. Sommerville last
week on the Covenants; he is very able, but he has the
too strong feeling of many against all not of his
opinion. I like him very much; He is one of the men of
whom we feel proud, in whatever fashion he is placed,
he is master of it. Manly and Honest, he is a strong
contrast to the brother Missionary of Mr. Stavely [?]
in this Province. He has had much trouble lately in
his family, the Diptheria has been among them, and two
of the best members of his [-----?] have died. We are
having serious troubles in financial matters here owing
to the political difficulties in the States. I hardly
think the Slave States will secede, although they
threaten. Slavery is at length bring upon them the curse
that it might be expected would follow such an evil.
With Kindest regards to Mrs. Stavely, Mr. McConkey,
Annie, Janey, Willy and Baby. I am
Very truly yours
John Boyd