| Title: | John Campbell, Augusta,to Mrs Jane Allen, Belfast. |
|---|---|
| ID | 460 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Campbell, John/66 |
| Year | 1825 |
| Sender | Campbell, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | merchant |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Augusta, Georgia, USA |
| Destination | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Allen, Jane |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | T 3597/10: Deposited by Mrs F.W.C. Clarendon |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9310020 |
| Date | 23/05/1825 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C. R., 01:10:1993 |
| Word Count | 969 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Augusta 23rd May 1825 My Dear Sister Your son William John C. Allen wrote me some time ago to which I replied in due course. From what he then stated relative to his father's health, I feared he would be but a short time with you. By a letter received a few days ago from my good brother James, he in a very feeling manner informs me of the death of your husband Mr. Thomas Allen. To you this dispensation must be truly distressing, as he was a kind husband and anxious parent, and in my opinion and I believe in the opinion of all, a truly good man. He is doubtless now reaping the reward of his just and exampling life, and to his son John his conduct through life ought to be guide, and lead him as it did his fathers. Never to do or say a thing of which he could be ashamed. I considered him truly unfortunate in the late partnership he formed that proved his ruin. The moment I was informed of it I considered his hopes destroyed and I was sorry to find afterwards my calculations prove too true. I believe he never recovered that blow and that it helped to bear him down to the grave. Well would it be for the partner who thus destroyed his prospects in life that he could bid adieu to this life of trouble with the same unsullied conscience. By your husbands death you are now deprived of that small support you have hitherto been accustomed to as well as the necessary funds to enable you to complete the education of your Son. It ought to be your first care to see that your son obtains a complete collegiate education in all the higher Branches and as this may make it necessary for you to remain in Belfast until that is completed. I presume you will rent a small but comfortable house in some respectable neighbourhood and hire also a smart and well behaved servant girl to wait on you, and do all the work of your house. To enable you so to do, I have purchased James B. Clough's bill of exchange dated at Charleston the 19th instant at 60 days sight on Messrs. Crowder Clough & Co. of Liverpool payable in London, in favor of and endorsed by me for ninety two pounds six shillings and two pence, £92:6:2 British Sterling which is equal to one hundred pounds Irish, and for which I was obliged to pay seven percent premium. The bill therefore stood me £107: Irish the first of which inclosed [enclosed?] this day to our good brother James directing him to dispose of it and pay the proceeds over to you. The Second of Exchange I have herewith inclosed [enclosed?] to you and if the first has not went to hand, you ought to put the second into his hands as it is payable to him, and he will do the needful. If the first has been received this is of no use unless the #PAGE 2 person to whom they was sold requires it. Should the Almighty continue to prefer me, it is my intention to make you a remittance yearly. Let your conduct be independant and dignified through life, and never let yourself or son meanly look for or receive favours from proud friends or neighbours. A beggar I hate, in spirit inane, and it ought to be your care to teach your son a manly, gentlemanly, and mild and modest independant conduct through life. Let your associates be respectable, if any, and truly moral and religious. Respect for yourself and your own standing in society makes it necessary that you should act so and at the same time it will add much to your sons standing in society and his respectability. Indeed, my sister, your time of life and experience will point out to you the proper course much better than I could mention. As Wm [William?] John C. Allens health is said to be delicate good health is often attained by good air and a proper degree of exercise, such as fencing, moderate dancing and riding on horse back. This he can do when it will not interfere with his studies. He ought to make good use of his present time as it will be all the fortune he will have to carry him on through life. If he eventually can spend a year or two at a college in England, it would be of essential service to him both in education, speaking and manners. Consult on all occasions our good brother James. He will direct you for the best and take care to see truly you do not lack for anything. Our unfortunate brother [?] of Antrim is still I learn pursuing the same imprudent course. He need not look to me for support and aid while he acts so imprudently for I will not continue to be a slave in this dreadful climate to support him in his folly, who would be happy to hear of my death. Be assured my dear sister, that event when it takes place, will not add to his comfort. Let him do as I have done and be independant but no, he preferred his baccaneil [bacchanal?] rounds through the night, and let him now reap the result of such conduct, I fear his son John will not prove of any benefit to him; at present he cannot, not having the use of funds. Your son ought to read the best authors it will improve his way of expressing his ideas when he writes letters. Give my love to all my good friends who enquire for me. Write me fully on all things amd believe me to be dear sister ever affectionately yours, John Campbell |
