| Title: | John Rea, SC, U.S.A. to Matthew Rea, Drumbo, Co. Antrim. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2205 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Rea, John/6 |
| Year | 1765 |
| Sender | Rea, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | businessman |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | S. Carolina, USA |
| Destination | Co. Antrim, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Rea, Matthew |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | D3561/A/17/2: Transcript presented by Dr. P. R. Green, 15 May, 1965. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N. Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9901025 |
| Date | 15/05/1765 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 08:01:99. |
| Word Count | 929 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Letter from John Rea, Esq., thirty-four years settled in South Carolina, to his Brother Matthew Rea of Drumbo. Rea's Hall, May 15, 1765 In my last letter to you by way of London, I informed you that I had procured a grant from the Governor and Council of Georgia for fifty thousand acres of land in this Province for any of my friends and countrymen that have a mind to come to this country and bring their families here to settle. The land I have pitched upon lies on a fine River called Ogichey, near to which I have my large cow-pens of cattle settled, which will be very convenient for new-comers-in, to be supplied with milk cows. I can also furnish them with Horses and Mares, any number they may want. I am likewise in Hopes of obtaining a Bounty at their arrival; but as this is a young Colony, and of course not rich, they cannot expect so much as Carolina gave to the People who came over with my servants, who are all well and hearty. The land I have chosen is very good for wheat and any kind of Grain: Indigo , Flax and Hemp will grow to great perfection; and I do not know any place better situated for a flourishing township than this Place will be. Now, Brother, if you think a number of good industrious families will come over here I will do every thing in my Power to assist them; for nothing will give me more satisfaction than to be the means of bringing my friends to this country of Freedom; there are no Rents, no Tithes here, only King's [Quit?] Rent, which is only two Shillings Sterl. per hundred acres: Who would define a cheaper Rent? We have settled a firm peace with the Indians around us, and have agreed on boundary lines betwixt us and them so that all is settled with them. The method of granting lands to settle in this Country, is one hundred acres to the Head of the Family, be they Man or Woman, and fifty acres to every person in the family, big and little. The Distance of this Township from the Sea will be about one hunded miles, that is to say, the town of Savannah, where the shipping comes to, which is the Capital town of the Province, and it grows very fast, and soon will be a great Place of trade. I have lots and houses in town, and Rea's Hall is about four miles out of town, but a ship can come up the River Savannah to my door, and large boats go from hence to my house at Augusta, which is about two hundred and seventy miles by water. The township is about forty miles from Augusta near this way. Now I have told you the [encou-ag-----?] and situation of the township, I will now say something of the climate:-- which is, that it is very hot for four months, June, July, August and September and in the these last, people that live on the low land near the Sea are subject to fevers and agues but up high in the country, it is healthy and fine springs of good water. As I would gladly obtain [----?] by this undertaking both here and in Ireland, I should be sorry to say anything but what may be depended on. The winter is the finest in the world never too cold, very little frost, and no snow [sic]. The people that I would advise to come to this country are those that have large families growing up, that they may get land and assist each other. Likewise tradesmen of all sorts, for that will draw a trade amongst them from other settlements, by which they will get money. I would have them bring a clergyman with them, and a school-master that may be [Clerk?], for they are scarce here, and they will have land given them, and what the people can afford with my [Mite?] may procure him a living. Dear Brother I do not expect to have the pleasure of seeing you in this country, nor could I advise any person to come here that lives well in Ireland: because there is not the pleasure of society that there is there, and the Comfort of the Gospel preached no fairs nor markets to go to, but we have greater plenty of good eating and drinking: For I bless God for it I keep as plentiful a table as most gentlemen in Ireland, with good punch, wine and beer. If any person that comes here can bring money to purchase a slave or two, they may live very easy and well. A good slave will cost about fifty Pounds Sterling. As soon as I can procure a bill I will send you one hundred Pounds Sterling to be laid out by you on the education of my late Brother's children: Pray give them the best education and I will pay for all. A young man that is a good scholar may not fear a good living in this country. I am etc. John Rea I Matthew Rea, on behalf of my Brother John Rea, do hereby promise and engage, that my said Brother shall give every person who shall go and settle in the above mentiioned township, the use of a cow, horse, or mare, for the first five years gratis, to each individual man, woman, and child, they returning at the end of said term as good a Beast or the value such beast was of when first received. Given under my name, this 26th day of August, 1765. Matthew Rea |
