| Title: | Andrew Campbell, Letterbrat to "Dear Brother Robert" |
|---|---|
| ID | 451 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Campbell, Andrew/40 |
| Year | 1863 |
| Sender | Campbell, Andrew |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | land owner |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Letterbratt, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | Campbell, Robert |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | The Campbell Documents |
| Archive | Ulster American Folk Park |
| Doc. No. | 111064 |
| Date | 17/09/1863 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LTE |
| Log | Document added by LT, Td by Stephen Perrott, 25:10 |
| Word Count | 1368 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Letterbratt [Letterbrat, Co Tyrone?] September 17th 1863 Dear Brother Robert I have written brother Hugh twice since the commencement of the war and he has not answered either but I know in those awful times his thoughts are otherwise occupied - may God send peace soon and cement the breach betwixt the parties Sister Ann has returned from [Portstewart?] last week where she and Sissie had been for 4 or 5 weeks - she feels much better for the seaside air and bath - as usual she had Elizabeth McFarland and Virginia with her for two weeks - she takes a house or part of a house that consists of 3 - 4 or 5 bedrooms & sitting or ding [dining?] room and takes a maid to attend and she has to furnish her own table and bed linens and provide fuel - it costs from £1 to £1 5s a month for the house - Our harvest is now commenced and we hope to have a better one than we have had these 2 years past which has ruined this country I had not as much oats these 2 years past as fed my cattle and had to buy all my provision - we had a tolerable fair crop but so late and such bad harvest weather all was destroyed several acres of oats were to cut on the 1st November last year and with few exceptions none got all into the hayyard but gathered in lumps through the fields which was melancholy to look at add to this an exorbitant County [cess?] of 2s 9d to the £ instead of from 9d to 1s as usual - this was [owing?] to a burning of a Clergyman (sic) House which was burned accidently but it was sworn to be malicious & we had to pay it - our poor rate is also high so many poor being to provide for but if a few good crops succeeds all will be right again - I had to lower the rent of a small place I have let but Hugh has now all my old farm and I only retain about 10 or 11 acres in my own hand & keep a Horse & 2 cows and has a servant boy and girl- we have a very comfortable dwelling house (thanks to my good brothers) and both of us enjoy good health at our age thank God and Virginia is a kind thoughtful daughter and is now full grown and is a great comfort to us. My soninlaws [sons-in-law?] & their families are all in good health but as the 3 have shops these bad times have hurt them much - J. Mc L. and R. Dunn have each lost from £100 to £150 by the County but H. McCullagh has weathered the storm best although he has lost very considerably - The provisions are not dear at present or the people would be very badly off - there were scarce any meal used in the County during the Summer but Indian meal We had a letter from Charlotte two weeks since and she complains of [every ailing?] for some time and her infant being also delicate and hints of coming home which we think she should as no doubt this climate would be useful in invigorating her and the children - do you hear anything of unfortunate son Robert S. or what he is doing - if so please let us know though we do not expect good news - he wrote us in June I believe & said he was going to the Heads of the Missippi [Mississippi?] for ice to supply a Government contract he and another had - he also mentioned coming home in the fall if we wished on a visit but I discouraged him as it would be dangerous as a sea voyage & expensive and as I was living on very limited means it would not suit me - he will get his part of this farm after my death but I fear he would would (sic) only annoy & use me if he came home I wish fervently we never had had a son - How did you all enjoy your Summer tour to the lakes or was it as invigorating as if you had come Eastward - your son Hugh Charlotte says took a tour in that direction and speaks highly of his manly appearance and aimability [amiability?] of disposition as every account we have of him speak the same - oh what a blessing to have such a son may God spare him to his dear good mother and you and to all his friends - might you not allow him a tour to Ireland next Summer if all spared life Tell brother Hugh [Avyhalon?] has a most prosperous look about it & that the belt of planting alongside the river is beginning to show a little already and that the tenants are happy and content and obliging to Sister Ann - when she was at the shore I drove up every day and as it was hay harvest and the weather not favourable when a good day came the moment I sent they all turned out at two or 3 times and helped and we had all the hay well saved in her absence - you would have laughed [at?] [me?] striped [stripped?] Raking and helping in the [hawy?] [came?] The tenants though are not breaking in ground as both them and him expected as the wet seasons prevented getting turf to [busn?] [lime?] and the ground could not be reclaimed without lime but they are ditching & ridding off stones to be prepared for an early start - Betty joins me in much love to you Virginia and the children - to Hugh Sister Mary and Miss Kyle and recounts the great pleasure she had in their society and the kindness they showed while here Your ever affectionate brother Andrew Campbell P.S. I forgot to say poor daughter Annie is in her usual delicate health but has her eldest son and daughter fully grown who are obedient and industrious and she had a letter from her son in Newzeland [New Zealand?] who had just landed at Otago - Daughter Bessie still lives with Ann and is healthy and well & sends much love Thursday 31st Jan. before posting my letter I have the pleasure of saying sister Ann is much better and has eaten solid food these two days past which I believe is the first for 4 or 5 weeks as it was on rice - barley & coffee she subsisted - this is joyful news to us all I forgot to mention our Brotherinlaw [brother-in-law?] Billy Campbell died rather suddenly on the 27th Dec. - he had a cold for about a week but eat [ate?] a little every day & not more than an hour before his death he eat [ate?] a little & came out of his bed & could scarce be got into bed untill [until?] he departed - He made no will but our sister is entitled to 1/3 of the property according to the laws of this country and I hear the family are contending about the property but they are rather contentious and I dont [don't?] concern myself about how they do particularly when our sister is all right - your birthday will be upon the 12th of Feb and I heartily wish you manny [many?] happy returns of same - Give our love in the kindest maner [manner?] to sisters Virginia and Mary & to Miss Kyle and to Brother Hugh and accept the same for yourself from your Brother Andrew I dont [don't?] wish to write on the unfortunate civil war as the Newspapers give too much melancholy news but thank God neither of you are called to take any active part - I wish my son Robert S. had been so wise as taken no part - you got him out of the difficulty or it might have cost his life many thanks Sister Sallys [Sally's?] son Hugh Campbell died on the 12th inst - he has left a wife and 5 children (Transcribed by Stephen Perrott) |
