Letters, mainly from our MacGregor family in Scotland, to Neil (Niel, Niell) MacGregor (Macgregor, McGregor) who came to Canada. The letters, dating from the 1830s on up through the 1850s, are heirlooms now [2024] held by Colin MacGregor Stevens. My editorial and explanatory notes comments are in [square brackets.] Note that “ss” in those days looks like “fs” to us. Letters are posted to preserve the history and enable people to examine them in detail. 

March 18, 1831 letters of reference for Niel MacGregor

TRANSCRIPT: That the Bearer Niel McGregor is a Native of this part of the Parish of Fortingall, in which he resided for the most part from his infancy: is about fifteen years of age; is well known to us; is inoffensive and obliging in his manners and has always maintained an excellent moral character free of every scandal and ground of Church Censure so far as is known to us, is Certified at Kinloch Rannoch this 18^th. March 1831 by

John McDonald Minr [Minister]

John Forbes Elder [I.e. a Church Elder]

John Cumming Elder

D Campbell SepClk [?   Clk = Clerk]

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March 18, 1831 letter of reference from Niel McGregor’s Schoolteacher, Dun(can) Campbell

TRANSCRIPT:  The bearer Niel McGregor received his education in the school under my charge in this place, and it affords me much sincere pleasure in being able to testify that he is a young boy of excellent natural parts, of quick capacity, of amiable disposition, always obedient to his teacher, agreeable and obliging towards his schoolmates, and guided in his whole conduct by principles strictly honest, upright and honourable. Kinloch   18^th March 1831  ~     Dun. [Duncan] Campbell,  SocGSchoolmr. [?] [CAN ANYONE EXPLAIN THE ABBREVIATED TITLE OF MR. CAMPBELL? i.e. SocG Schoolmaster]

Ref: “The Old Church of Rannoch” – A short history  by Duncan McDonald Sinclair (1990)  states in the Foreword “The suspension in 1838 of the Session Clerk (local Schoolmaster Duncan Campbell) pending a paternity claim promised to be a little more intriguing – but nothing was ever proved, so far as I could see.” 

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1832-03-24 LETTER FROM DUNCAN CAMPBELL, SCHOOLMASTER, TO NIEL MACGREGOR (typed transcript follows each page photo)

TRANSCRIPT

[Page 1- Duncan Campbell letter to Niel MacGregor, 24 March 1832] Neil’s Uncle James travelled back and forth between Scotland and Canada, so he delivered the Bible and this letter.

Kinloch Rannoch, 24 March 1832.

My Dear Niel

As business over which I had no control + no possible way of postponing

called me from home so that I had it not in my power to see you at your depar-

ture for America, wither to bid you farewell or offer you a parting advice,. I beg

you will allow me to address you in this way, and to beg your acceptance of,

and attention to, a few hints which I would have offered you had I had

the painful pleasure of being one of your company on your passing Kinloch Bridge for

America. And to begin as I then would, let me in the first place request your

acceptance of a Gaelic Bible. Keep it for my sake. Use it. Read it. Look therein

for the direction of your future conduct which I ought when you were under my

charge sought to give you. Let it supply my lack of Service. May, in the absence

of your earthly  parents, and your unworthy [?] Teacher, Your Heavenly Father, who is

ever present, ever with you, abundantly, blessit [blessed?] for your Conversion and sanci

fication, and maker of the means of making you wise into Salvation.

       As your Uncle James McGregor is to be the Bearer it is needless for

me to give you any Country news. He will give then you. You will

instead of news allow me therefore to give you a few directions for your

future Conduct. And here, as example is more powerful than

precept, let me point out to you the excellent example of your Uncle

with whom you are, and strongly recommend it to you to follow it. The

years are not many, nor long gone by, when he left Rannoch under far

more unfavorable circumstances than you last year did, and

you see what industry diligence and perseverance had done 

for him. We are not to overlook the fact that the hand of Providence in his advancement.

[go to page 2]

[TRANSCRIPT Page 2- Duncan Campbell letter to Niel MacGregor, 24 March 1832]

ment, but not withstanding this he prospered by his own exertion +

not through the interposition of any miracle. He becometh poor that

dealeth with a slack hand, but the hand of the diligent maketh rich

saith [sayeth or so said] Solomon. – In order you may prosper as your uncle has done

you will therefore permit me to press upon you to follow his steps.

You would yourself be ambitious to do this rather were you

in Rannoch since he came home, and to mark the respect

which as from high and low been paid him. – Perhaps few

if any have left this Rannoch in our day, who have returned

to see their friends more universally respected than he has been

nor could the case have been otherwise. He has not only had the

appearance of the accomplished gentleman in his dress and manners

but there something so affable [i.e. likeable], so kind and inviting about

him, that the esteem of others cannot but be attracted.- Do

then learn of him. And for this purpose study particularly to

reverence [?] him, to obey him, and to please him. – Depend upon

it that unless you by disrespectful conduct towards him or by

behaving yourself unworthy forfeit his friendship, he will

in all things seek your good; and though you cannot sometimes

see how or why he acts so and so towards you, and though you

may fancy that he does not really seek your good, yet be

always submissive and respectful. – You have excellent parts

then be advised to make the proper use of them. In your

conduct toward the world be circumspect, and always upon your

[GO TO PAGE 3]

[R+TRANSCRIPT Page 3 – Duncan Campbell letter to Niel MacGregor, 24 March 1832]

guard. Never do any unworthy action because only yourself or a friend

is privy to it; but always act as if your the whole world were lookers on.

Be not too ready to reveal your own business, much less your secrets. Keep

in mind that you live in a treacherous world and your friend today may

be your enemy tomorrow. But when I say this, I would not have you

to cherish a narrow, boggling, timorous [i.e. timid], and oversuspicious disposition. There

is a modicum in things. Though I would have you make yourself secure. I would

not have you shut yourself within a castle. – Be kind and afforable, be

courteous and obliging’ – avoid a haughty, supercilious, arrogant and

petulant temper.- This mars all other good qualities; and while you

study to please others, avoid doing it at the expense of virtue. There

are many so complacent towards others as to become their own ruin.

Some of whom you have heard it said in Rannoch ‘Ma that coire ann’sann da

fein.[Gaelic] Than this there cannot be a more ruinous conduct. Such first

meet the pity, but soon after the contempt of the f world, and between

contempt and hatred there is but half a step. Avoid this character.-

In one word where-ever you see a good or great man, be virtuously

ambitious to excel him. Try to do what you engage in better than others

do; be not content to be in the second. but endeavour in all honest

matters and pursuits to be first into the first class. Endeavour to be

wha5t Adino the Ezrite (2d Saml 23.8) [Bible reference] was among Davids worthies, even the

first among the first three.- Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure

lovely of good report; if there be any virtue, if there be any praise, thing on. +

follow these things.- My paper draws to an end.+ I must therefore close.

I shall thank you to write me often. I shall be happy to hear that you

are well and doing well.- We are all in health, often think + often speak

of you. Accept our united good wishes + believe me always to be

Dr [dear] Niel your sincere best wisher. D Campbell

[GO TO PAGE 4]

[Page 4 – Duncan Campbell letter to Niel MacGregor, 24 March 1832]

Mr Niel McGregor

Napanee Mills

America

Hand [?] by Jas McGregor Esq

 

[Note by Jame or Niel]

Letter

Duncan Campbell Esqr [Esquire]

Kinloch 24th March 1832

==============================================================================

1832-03-27 LETTER FROM KATHERINE MACGREGOR TO HER GRANDSON NEIL MACGREGOR

This letter is especially significant as it was written by my 4th Great-Grandmother.  She was born Katherine McDIARMID in 1767 and died in 1839. (1767-04-26 to 1839-11-28) TRANSCRIPT OF THIS LETTER

Letter Mrs. Catherine McGregor

Kinloch March 27^th, 1832

[Label apparently added by Niel Mcgregor upon receipt of the letter.]

 

Kinloch March 27, 1832

My Dear Niell

After receiving your letter

I was sorry to learn that you was attacked

by the Eague [meaning “ague”?] and fever although Mr McPherson

mentioned in his letter to your Uncle that you

got quite full [?] of it. Still I am uneasy

as you did not write me as your mother.

[Apparently Neil MacGregor’s mother was out of the picture, perhaps deceased.]

I have found the Gospel Catechism

which I am to in close [enclose] to you in hopes

that you will study it and your Bible

all the leisure hours you will have.

Especially on the Lord’s Day and I trust that

you will never forget the Rule that I

have set before you in bowing the knee

Morning and Evening to that Great God

before you must ___annese [?] one later give

account of all your Doings in the

next place I request you to be obedient

to your Uncle and endeavour to please

him and be advised by him as you

know that it is on him that you Depend for

be sure to avoid bad company +c                     [et cetera Latin for and so on]

PAGE 2

I have found your Black knife and

Have sent by your Uncle how [who] will [This would be Neil’s father’s brother, James McGregor who came to Canada.]

Tell you all the news of this Country

Tommy Robertson is a wonder

full Scholar He is reading the Colladon [?]

And the Galek [Gaelic] Testament you are as

fresh in his memory as Mrs Day your

partner will miss and when ever you

write be sure to remember that family

above all others I wish to hear [?] from [?]

you and ____[account?] of this  I must conclud [sic – conclude]

wish all the happiness that ____[these?]

words ________[?] Duncan Robertson [?]

his wife and Johnny joins me

in love to you.

I remain your Affet [Affectionate] Grand

Mother Katherine McGregor

 

[Note she spells her name with a K whereas Niel titles letter with a C for Catherine. Note also that this is Niel’s GRANDMOTHER McGregor, so she would be Duncan MacGregor’s mother and he, Duncan, died 1852. Duncan’s son Niel was born 1816.]

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1835-03-30 LETTER FROM D (DUNCAN) MACGREGOR TO HIS SON NEIL MACGREGOR

  

Paisley 30 March 1835

My Dear Son

On the 2d current your Uncle Gregor

received a letter from our friend Patrick dated

Kingston 3 Febry. [February] Communicating the Death of

my Brother James which has grieved our friends

here + in Perthshire very much. Sometime ago

we heard that he intended coming home +

we were all in hopes of again seeing him

but in this we have been disappointed.

His mother in particular has been much

distressed since she heard of his Death. I wrote

her a few days after the sect. (?) of Patrick’s letter

but she has not yet been able to write me

She however caused John to write me + he stated

that he had a letter from Mr. Donald Stewart

announcing Jamess [James’] death. + further adds that

Mr. S. stated in his letter, that you were in his

service, + that he had taken the premises at

Napanee [in Ontario, Canada, near Kingston]  lately by James. + that

Mr. Stewart + Mr. Ramsey had entered into

partnership. My Dear Neill. Now that you

are deprived of your Uncle + I presume the

only one in America whom you could call

[GO TO PAGE 2]

[PAGE 2]

your fiend that will now conduct your

=self with Honour, Honesty + integrity. So much

so that you will gain the confidence of

your employers + from what I know of Mr. 

Stewart I have no doubt whatever but he

will be a kind + affectionate master if

on the opther hand you are an honest +

well behanved servant which I hope + trust

you will prove yourself to be.

     I must say that I have been disappointed

in your neglecting to write me for the last

eighteen months. I hope you will not be guilty

of the like again + that even on rect [receipt] of this .

 you will do so.

     For the last none months I have been 

sending the Perth Courier Newspaper to James

but since I heard of his death I have been add

=ressing these sometimes to you + sometimes

to Patrick Neil’s Cousin Patrick MacGregor, lawyer in Toronto]  do you get them regularly.

   Your old friend Duncan Robertson [in] Kinlock [Kinloch Rannoch]

die a few weeks ago. For a considerable time

past he has been in a declining state + was \very much palsifyed when I was there in

July last his son John was asking very

particularly enquiries about you

[GO TO PAGE 3]

[PAGE 3]

Your Uncle Gregor + family are all well also your Mother [believed to be his step-mother Esther HENDERSON] Sisters + Brothers all of whom

desire to be kindly remembered to you.

Patrick Neill Stewart, + his family + Mr

Donald Stewart.

   I will send this to Greenock today with

instructions to for[wad] it either by the Canada [ship’s name presumably]

or Robertson. Gregor writes to Patrick +

sends by the same conveyance

     Trusting that you will write me on

rect [receipt of] + sontinue to do so regularly

I am dear Son

Your Affectionate father]

D Macgregor

Ansd July 20th 1835

Address at Coats Geive + Co. 

Orhcard Street

[GO TO PAGE 4]

[PAGE 4 – Exterior]

Letter 

My father

Paisley 30th March 1835

 

SS [?] Canada

Mr. Neill McGregor

Care of Mr. Donald Stewart

Napanee

Kingston

Upper Canada

[Postage price] 1/ 1/2

Postage cancellation circle ink stamp 

MONTREAL

20 MY

1835

LC   [LC = Lower Canada i.e. Quebec]

 

======================================================================

1837-06-24  LETTER FROM D (DUNCAN) MACGREGOR IN SCOTLAND TO HIS SON NEIL MACGREGOR IN CANADA

[1837 March 24]

Letter

My Father

Paisley 24^th March

1837 [Note: It was written on Niel’s birthday]

SHIP (stamped ink)

Per Canada        Recd  [received]18^th May (?)

 

Mr. Niel McGregor

Care of Wm. Duff Esqr. [Esquire]

Chippawa

Upper Canada [now Ontario, Canada]

Postal mark, round MONTREAL   MY [MAY] 10 1837

(red wax seal)

 

I have wrote Patrick by this Conveyance

also Say the Canada .

===

Annexed is an order for five pounds Sterling pay=

=able to your order. I have thought it better to send

this rather as a watch being afraid the Watch might

be lost or damaged . Seeing it would have to be sent

so very far + very likely by various conveyances. five

pounds should be sufficient to purchase a tolerable

good watch. I wrote my Mother sometime ago for an

extract of your Age but it has not yet come to

to (sic) hand. I may however state that you were born

on the 24^th March 1816. I had a letter from

My Mother a few weeks ago She still lives

at Kinlock [i.e. Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland]. She had an attack of her

old disorder lately that of excessive bleeding at

the nose which left her weak, She is very angry

at you for not writing her. Do so soon as she will

be very glad indeed to hear from you.

The whole of the Glengow (?) [this last word crossed out]  Lockhgarry (?) Estate + Kinlock

were to be let this spring but have

not heard the parties who have taken them.

Innerhadden is also to let the old Laird died

in January last. Mother _+ the children are all well

[i.e. Duncan McGregor’s 2nd ? wife Ester / Esther HENDERSON, his second wife and their children, not Neil’s Mother.]

join me in Kind love to you also Gregor + his

family. Dont neglect to write on rect [i.e. receipt of this money order and letter] to your

Affectionate father D. Macgregor

[NOTES:

Innerhaddon means Beginning of the Fight. Located near Kinloch Rannoch.

Dalchosnie means Field of Victory. Located near Kinloch Rannoch.]

 

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1837-08-24 LETTER FROM D MACGREGOR IN SCOTLAND TO HIS SON NEIL MACGREGOR IN CANADA

Paisley , 24 Augt. 1837

My Dear Son

On the 24^th March last I wrote you

inclosed [sic] a draft for Five pounds Sterling

which I hope you are in possession of, long

ere this time. I had expected to have heard

from you acknowledging receipt of the same

before before this time. + if you have not done so

I trust you will do so on receipt of this

 

I saw a person yesterday who saw my

Mother last week  She was in her usual

health.

 

I should have stated that my letter of 24^th

March referred to above was sent by the ship

Canada + I wrote Patrick by the same conveyance

 

Uncle John and his family were all well five

weeks ago. This you can communicate to

Patrick as I do not write him at this time.

 

Uncle Gregor + his family are well + also

my own all of whom join me in

PAGE 2

[Page 2]

 

in s [?] and kind love to Patrick + yourself.

 

Trusting to hear from you in reply

to this if not sooner

 

I am Dear Neill

Your Affectionate father

D. Macgregor

[PAGE 3]

PAGE 3

[Page 3 : outside addressed portion]

 

Pr Sophia

[Probably the name of the shipm carrying the mail.]

1/6/2 [?]

[1 pound, 6 shillings and 2 pence?]

[Postage cancellation stampings: “??????? LETTER   MONTREAL”  and  “MONTREAL ??? 28 1837    LC “[for Lower Canada, now Quebec ].

 

Mr. Neil McGregor

Care of Wm. Duff Esqr.

Chippawa

Upper Canada

=============================================================

1841-12-30 LETTER FROM D MACGREGOR IN SCOTLAND TO HIS SON NEIL MACGREGOR IN CANADA

 

26 Orchard Street

Paisley 30 Decemr. 1841

 

Dear Neill,

 

The last letter I had from you,

Is dated, Chippawa 9^th March 1838. + on

That letter, I have two Memorandums, stating

That I had written you, on the 3d August 1838.

+ the 28^th March 1839. I would have written

you, again had I known your address but

the Conclusion I came to, was, that you

had either, left that place, or have gone

, to that land from whence no traveller

returns. Seeing that you did not, answer either

of my letters refered [sic] to above.

           I was delighted a few days Since, in

Receiving a Note, Dated Edin. 18^th cert. [?] from

A Mr. Thomas C. MacKland Stating that he

Knew you, that you were in the employ of

A brother of his, at Niagara + that he had a

Letter from you, that day, in which you stated

Your wish, that he should call upon me,

+which he states, he would have done before now

 

 

(page 2)

but that he, was under the Necessity, of going

to Dublin but on his return, I expect to have

a call from him, he gave me his address in

Dublin, + I have written to him there.

         I can assure you, My Dear Son, that it

Has given me, a great deal of pleasure thus, to

Hear of you, + as one of the American Steam

Packets, is to sail from Liverpool on the 4^th proxmo

I cannot delay writing you, before I have the

pleasure of seeing Mr. MacKland

          You may perhaps expect, that I should com-

=municate, some Rannoch News to you, but I

at present recollect of very little in Connection

with that quarter, that can be at all interesting

to you. Did you hear that My Mother Died

in Novr. 1839. She was complaining , + was weakly

for sometime, before her death but was able to be

out of bed, a little every day. The very day she died,

she was down stairs. + the immediate cause of her

death was an overflowing of Blood to the Head.   [Brain aneurism presumably]

 

Your uncle Johns family live in Lesegan [Leragan?] his

Son Patrick has been attending the College

at Edinr [Edinburgh, Scotland[]  every Season, since he returned from

Canada + sailed from this for New York in August

Last, + there has been a letter from him announc-

cing his arrival there. He has gone to the States with

 

(page 3)

the intention of pushing his fortune, as a Learned Man,

before he left this, he promised to me, that he would

write, to some of his old acquaintances, in Kingston,

in order to get, information respecting you + I have

no doubt, but he has done so _ so soon as he gets

your address, he will also write you.

       Have you seen in the Newspaper, or heard otherwise,

Of the great distress, which (?) has prevailed here, for the last

4 months, amongst our working population. We have

had upwards of forty failures, in that time, amongst

our Merchants, + Manufacturers the consequence of

             this has been, the throwing idle of many

             Thousands of our artisans + they have for

             Sometime past, been wholly dependant upon

The “cold Hand of charity” for support great exertions,

Have been made, throughout the country, to rise (sic) money, for

Their relief by preaching Sermons, lectures, Balls, Concerts + ___?

+ upwards of [Pounds Stirling symbol] has been raised, in this way + by

subscriptions, here in London here in London, Edinr + other places but this

affords, but a scanty relief to 12,000 individuals who are

depending upon this fund for a subsistence.

From the State that business, has been in her___

=time part, I have thought more, or Emigrating to

America, than I ever did before + if I were free of bus=

=iness, + had a few hundred pounds left. I do believe

that I would go, either to the Canadas or the States +

turn farmer. I intend giving up my present business + will

be clear of it by next May.  Now would you advise me

to go to Canada. What would a farm of 30 acres with 10 clear

___? Of it + a House upon it. Cost in a good situation + not

 

(page 4)

very remote, what part of Upper Canada, do you think the

most healthy. Or would you advise, an Emigrant to Settle

in, + what is the best Season, of the year for arriving

there. I mean for one who is to be a farmer. I believe that

climate there, differs a good deal, from what it is here,

that it is a great deal Colder, in Winter + that in Summer

the Heat is oppressive.

 

[ADDRESS AREA OF LETTER]

 

I should like to have your opinion, candidly upon this subject,

+ that immediately. I have heard, that our friend Neill Stewart,

is now quite “Independent” tho I believe that he has worked (?)

very hard + been very industrious since he went to Canada  do

you ever hear from or see him. Uncle Gregor + his family

are well + so is my own. I have four children 2 Boys + 2 Girls viz

Esther + Katherine  Patrick + James. You have seen them all except Katherine.

They are + their Mother join me in kind love to you

+ Believe me to be your affectionate Father

                                                          D. Macgregor

 

[ADDRESS AREA INFO]

 

from Liverpool pr. Mail Steamer 4^th Jany. [January] 1842

 

Mr. Neil MacGregor

Care of Messrs. James MacKland + Co

Niagara Falls

Upper Canada

 

Recd 7^th July

Ansd [Answered] 14^th do. [ditto i.e. same month] 1842

Wrote to him 22d. April 1842

 

Mail cancellation rectangle “PAISLEY DE 30 1841” written.

[Wax seal.]

[Round cancellation] NIAGARA FEB ?? 1842

[NO MAIL STAMP]

===============================================================

1842-05-13 LETTER FROM D (DUNCAN) MACGREGOR IN SCOTLAND TO HIS SON NEIL MACGREGOR IN CANADA

 

Paisley 13 May 1842 

My Dear Son         

          Your letter of the 14^th feb, I received

on the 21^st April, you will observe, that it had

not reached Halifax, in time for the March Mail Steamer.    

           I had a call from Mr. MacKlem, early in

January last, on his return from Ireland, but

have not heard anything of him since.     

          I am obliged to you, for the information, you

give me, respecting Canada. I shall be happy,

to hear from you, on this subject again. I

Cannot yet say, whether, I will go there or

not at all events I cannot go this year for

I have a Nasty Stock of Manufactured fancy

Goods, still on hand which I must get quit

of from the State of our Markets here it is

not easy, to accomplish this, except by sacrificing

them.       

          A great many emigrants have Sailed from

the Clyde this season, both for the Canadas

+ the States + about 600 of these are from

this Town + Neighbourhood. + are Mostly of the

 

 

[Page 2]

poorer classes + Many more, would have gone

if they had the Means.      

           Do you Know Anything, of my Aunt, the widow

of the late Peter Campbell, Glenlyon, who went

to Canada, three or four years ago. Some of her

family went there before her, I think they

are somewhere about Perth.     

          The Trade of this place has improven (sic) but

little, Since I wrote you last. There are still

a great many of our Weavers, that cannot

get work + it is the Same in Glasgow, + in

all the other Manufacturing districts, both

in Scotland + England.     

          You say you were to go to Brantford, to rent a

mill, is this on your own account or on your

masters.     

          I understand, there have been letters, from

our friend Patrick, lately he has got a Situation

as Teacher of one of the Public Schools, at New=

=York, with a Salary of 600 Dollars for the first

year + he expects an advance at the end of

the first year. have you had any letters from

him, before he left this, he promised to me, that

 

[Page 3]

 

he would write to some of his old friends to enquire

for you, as I could not give him your address.    

          I would have written you, by the Steamer of The 4^th

but was in London, for about Ten days, at that

time.        16^th May. I have this morning received,yours of the 22 April + feel thankful for the (?) infor=mation it contains. From what I have stated on the other side, you will observe, that this year, I cannot emigrate, were I to dispose of the stock [merchandize in his store] I hold, I would not get, one half of the Cash price at present. I have therefore made            up my mind, to see (?) it by piecemeal (?)            rather than in lots + as there are            a good many Articles in it, in winter Colours. These will not be Saleable for some months to come. How far is Brantford from Chippawa + in what Direction, does it lye (sic) from it + in going to Brantford from Quebec what is the proper Route.               I have a letter this Morning from your Uncle John, in which he states that friends in the North are well + I am happy to say that Uncle Gregor + his family are well also my own all Of whom join me in the kindest love to you+ Believe me to be, dear Neil                        Your affectionate father                         D. Macgregor

 

[Page 4]

 

I shall be most happy, to hear from you frequently

as we must now shake up the arrears we

fall into for the last five years.      

          Uncle Gregor is one of those who thinks that they

have as good a chance in their own Country as in

America + will stick to it “to the last”

 

[POSTAL ADDRESS AREA]  

 

Is Donald Stewart Dalchalloch (?) still in Napanee

I heard sometime ago that Ramsay + he had

failed + that Donald was coming home. 

 

[POSTAL INFO]Pr. Mail Steamer via Liverpool 19 May 1842 P. P. Mr. Neil MacGregor Car [care of] of O.(?) T. (?) MacKlem Esqr [Esquire] Chippawa Upper Canada N.A. [North America] Wrote to him 14^th Feby [February] 1843 [Rectangular postal cancellation] “PAISLEY  MY  16  184_”

Postage note seems to be 1/2  1 shilling, 2 pence ? 

==========================================================================

1842-05-17 LETTER TO NEIL MACGREGOR IN CANADA FROM AN UNNAMED FRIEND

 

Edinburgh, 82 George Street

May 17^th 1842.

My Dear Mac:

“Crack-eye-Cob”! but you will think I  have been

Afther  [sic] takin [sic] my own (and no body elses!) time, to answer your very kind

And equally acceptable letter of October last. It is nevertheless

Mac, as evidend [evidenced? ], I hope, that I have taken every body else’s time (and

Not my own.) to answer the purport of your letter. If I am but

Now answering your letter, to yourself, it is as true, that I answed [sic]

It to your Father, the day I received it, and in such a manner too,

That if you did not immediately receive a letter from home, there

Must be no thread to my senew [? sinew? ] , and I’m no cider-prep! [?]

Then, this is the 4^th letter that has sprung from the rich [?] seeds of

Your tartan, of 18 hundred and no particular time, at all , 1^st ____[?],

To your Father , 2^nd Your Father’s reply , 3^rd Your Father’s to yourself,

And 4^th and lastly, this miserable, writched [sic – wretched?], dried-up, and hasty crop [?]

And certainly, this murder not only speaks well for the quality of your seed, but also serves

 

PAGE 2

(page 2)

To satisfactorily prove the richness of the soil, in which it has been

sown � not forgetting that we are chiefly indebted to the venerable

trunk, (your kind Father.) upon which I so successfully engrafted (sic?)

the fruit of your seed, and which I so speedily (?) took and so kindly

grown [?], for your comfort, the long-looked for and much desired

production , (a letter from your Father, which you have, long over [?] this, happily tasted.)

But to the less metaphorical, a more minute [?], I received

Your favor in good time, i.e. in 7 weeks and 5 days from (one)

Date , (it has some half dorycu [?] dates however, and I have selected the eldest,

As the probable ____ to the letter.) It found me in bed, having been confined

To the house for some time previous, and having the day before,

(I believe) imported into the very bowels of my constitution, for the

Well-being thereof, grains of Calomel, However I read, marked,

Learned, and externally digested, your very amusing letter, which

Was indeed to me a feast, a rich repast , yes! It was to my

Happetite, [sic – appetite] a whole dinner-party, and consequently, to my

Health, a whole grainery of calomel, or jalop [?] either! Well, as

I above said, or tried to said, (sic) I received and read your friendly

Lines, in bed, and before the evening of the same day, had

Dispatched a letter to paisley, in which I said all I could say,

(na-more!) (sic) toward the gratification of a wish, as desirable and

Natural, in you to feel, as it certainly is sincerely gratifying to

Me, to be able to at all assist in having granted.

Your Father immediately, and in the kindest possible manner,

Replied to my letter, and in about 3 weeks after, I had the

Happiness of calling upon him in Paisley . He was very

glad to see me , was very anxious I should spend the evening

with him , take a tumbler of Toddy (?) +c, which I would have given

much to have done, but which I will soon do, or my name

is not Jehosiphat! He made 10 hundred million thousand enquiries

about you, and the country you have adopted , and I am happy in

PAGE 3

PAGE 3

 

The persuasion (what a pen!) that I gave liberal and satisfactory

Replies to all these enquiries , And thus after a shirt, but

very pleasant visit. I said goodbye, delighted to find your

kind Father had already written to you, and very much gratified

to see that you still possess as much of a father’s fondness

and affection as you could have possessed, even when

highest in parental favor. You must explain all your unkind

Canadian Kingston Friends ill behaviour to you, if you Father

should require it, or if you think he would like it. For I am

not sufficiently prepared to do it properly.

I ever much regretted being obliged to leave Canada , without

again seeing you, Mac, but the receipt of your letter gave

me additional cause for regrets at so unfortunate circumstance.

But my dear Fellow, go a-head, and now tell me all. By mail,

that you would have told me in person, had we been so fortunate

as to have again met in America before I left, and rest assured

my good Friend, that aught my present position can enable me to

do for you, will be done, with the greatest happiness. Then Mac, do not hesitate, if I can be of the least further use to you , do

not delay, I say, to immediately write, and before I leave

Scotland , let me know if I can possibly serve you, in

Any way while here, and believe me, you have no Friend

who were (?) happier to do all he can for you. I will gladly

[more to follow)

==================================================================

1843-03-30 LETTER TO NEIL MACGREGOR FROM HIS FATHER DUNCAN 

[PAGE 1 of 4]

Paisley 30th March 1843

my Dear Son,

Your letter of 24th inst. [?] I duly received +

can assure you that I perused it with much

pleasure both with respect to your personal position 

+ also as to your future intensions. It is highly

gratifying to me to know that you have cond-

ucted yourself in such a becoming manner

that your employer is anxious for your con

-tinuing in his service.

              Regarding your intention of getting 

marriedI am most happy that you have

made up your mind to change your present 

mode of living for I am fully convinced that the married

life (if the parties as agreeable) is by far the most

happy + I shall be very happy to hear

[PAGE 2 of 4]

that you have entered into the “bonds of

wedlock.”

             I find I must remain here this

season. The stock of Fancy Goods which

I hold + of which I wrote you of before are

still unsold. Were I to dispose of them in the 

bulk the loss would be very grreat. I must

therefore endeavour when summer sets in to

get quit of them “peacemeal” [i.e. piecemeal] in the mean-

time I am Manufacturing other fancy

Goods but not to a great extent.

I have had no word from your cousin Pat

since he went back to New York neither did I

know his address. I wrote his father for it + 

it is 502 Greenwich Street New York.

I know of no news in connection with Rannoch

that can be interesting to you. I have been there

[PAGE 3 of 4]

only once since you left it.

       Thew Trade of this place has improved very much

within the last few weeks + none need now be

idle if they have a wish to work, but it is

feared this state of matters will not last long.

Great exciting are making by many Trademsmen

here + in Glasgow to get as much money raised

as take themselves + family to Canada but I

fear few of them will be able to accomplish 

this at present. 

                 I am happy to say that Gregor + his family are all well also my  ___ + all of thembeg to be kindly remembered to you

some of my young ones will write

you soon + Gregor says he will do the same. I expect to hear from you ere long

+ say [?] if you have wrote Cousin Pat + if

he has answered it. + Believe me to be

Sear Neil your affectionate Father

D. Macgregor    [note he used a small “g” after Mac but this is not signigficant]

[PAGE 4 of 4]

[PAGE 4]

Did I mention to you that Patrick took

a wife (a Native of Badenoch) with him to New York

 

For Mail Steamer from Liverpool 4th Apl. 43  

[rectangular ink stamp] “PAISLEY / MR. 31 / 1843”

Mr. Neil MacGregor

O.T. [?] MacKlems Esqr

Chippawa

Upper Canada

Red sealing wax. Image apper to be a lion’s head (as per MacGregor crestr. Over beloe it appears to have “D. McG” [presumably Duncan MacGregor’s seal]

[Neil MacGregor wrote a not on it]

wrtoe to my father on

the 6th Decr. 1843.

 

 

====================================================================

LETTER FROM NEIL’S COUSIN PATRICK MACGREGOR, THEN A LAWYER IN TORONTO

Toronto, 15th August, 1855

[PAGE 1 of 3]

Toronto, 15th August, 1855

I have been here a year, in partnership with Mr. Oliver Mowat, but it

was only a few days ago I leanrned from

his father, while I was at Kingston, where you live.

I went back to New York a month ago,

to attend to several private matters that I

left unsettled there, + visited Kingston + Sheffield, on my way back. 

I lived in the State of New York  nearly

13 years, of which I spent 8 in New York

city – I married when I first came there,

+ my wife is still alive, although she has 

been sickly since we came together, + has

frequently been at the point of death.

We have no children: but the three sur-

viving children of my sister Catherine live

with us. They are a boy + two girls, the

oldest 15. Their parents died at sea, on

 

 

PAGE 2 of 3

their passage from Liverpool in the fall of

1853, within a few days of each other, and

their two youngest children died at the same time.

Death has been heavy on our relatives

within the last 11 years. All our grand

father’s family are dead. Your father

was the last survivor, + he died about two

years ago. Your brothers now live at Glas-

gow + are engaged in the mercantile line.

Patrick married about a year ago. Their

mother + sisters live there. I heard lately

that Esther is about to be married.

My mother, my brother Alexander, + my

sisters Jessie & Christina are all dead. 

My brother John went to California lately.

His health has not been good; + I

do not expect that he will live long.

My surviving sisters Euphemia, Jane and 

Jemima are all in New York City. Jane has

been married, for several years. Jemima is 

a teacher in the Orphan Asylum, +

has a good salary. Jessie left two

[PAGE 4 of 3]

daughters, one of whom died of scarlet

fever. The other is now with Jane. Her hus-

band, went to india, shortly after her

death, in 1846, + has not been heard of

for many years, so that we believe he

is dead.

I prefer Toronto to New York, as the

air is better + the place is quieter, while

the mode doing business is less hurried

+ wasting. I succeed as well as I

expected. I had a better chance of ma-

king money in New York: but I live

more pleasantly here. Mr. Mowat acts

towards me with great kindness. + I have

found out several friends + relatives here

+ in the vicinity.

I passed through Chippewa on my way

to New York, + would have visited you,

had I known you were there.

I shall be glad to hear from you soon.

With best wishes, I remain

Yours affectionately

Patrick MacGregor

 

Mr. Neil MacGregor }

Chippewa                  }      

====================================================================

LETTER FROM NEIL’S COUSIN PATRICK MCGREGOR, THEN A LAWYER IN TORONTO 24 Nov. 1857

 

Toronto, 24^th Nov. 1857.

 Dear Cousin,

             The enclosed will inform you

that I have commercial business here

on my own account, my agreement with

Mowat having expired in August, when

he withdrew from office practice. If you

can throw anything in my way I will

feel obliged + I think you will have

no cause to regret doing so. While I

was Mowats’ partner I had charge of most

of his suits + we did not lose more than

one in twelve. I also made up many

of the opinions required, from different

parts of the province, + they stood the

test of subsequent lawsuits, in many cases.

I was called to the bar “with honors”, which

is reserved for those who show an unusual knowledge of law, on their examinations.

         I have got Augusta Christie with me, the

only surviving member of my sister Jessie’s

family – + we are all in ordinary good

health. Your step-mother died last spring

 

[PAGE 2 of 2]

 

Your brother Patrick was lately married to an

English lady – + Esther was afterwards mar

ried to a founder in paisley. Patrick +

James have given up the commission

business at Glasgow + they now carry

it on at Paisley exclusively Our cousin

Patrick, Gregor’s son, has got the whole

dyeing establishment in his own hands

now + it is doing well.

I was in Stormont county last month,

on business + on my return I made some

stay at Kingston, Napanee + Sheffield.

Thomas Ramsay is now at Kingston bursar (?)

to the new Lunatic Asylum there. He is

the same old character he ever was.

Donald McPherson holds on at the old

homestead. + Parr (?) Pringle is a slavering

idiot with drink. Niel Stewart +

his family were all well.

With best wishes to all               I remain

Yours affectionately

Patrick MacGregor

Mr. Niel MacGregor}

Beamsville}

C.W.

[C.W. = CANADA WEST, an early name for what is now Ontario, that followed UPPER CANADA)

 

===============================================================================

NO IMAGE YET

TRANSCRIPTION OF NOTE BY ONE OF MINNIE MACGREGOR’S BROTHERS OR SISTERS after 1866, and as it was to one of Minnie (Mary Maud Macgregor) children born 1877, 1879, 1888 and they were likely old enough to read and understand it, this it was probably written in the early 1900s.

James Couse Macgregor  d. 1908

Ann Elizabeth Macgregor  d. 1933

Duncan Moses Macgregor d. 1905 in Liverpool, England

Neil Robert Macgregor d. 1929

Albert John Macgregor d. 1923

Charles Stewart Macgregor d. 1894 (NOT likely him)

Archibald Macgregor d. 1865 as an. infant therefore NOT him

Colin Campbell Macgregor d. 1942

Flora Catherine Macgregor d. 1958

Transcribed by Colin Stevens. Original note owned by Dr. Estelle Stevens Probably to William Arnott STEVENS from an AUNT OR UNCLE or possibly his sister Edith who died 1941. Other sister Margaret died 1899, so not likely to her.

2003-04-01

q       Mary Maud (“Minnie”Macgregor who married William STEVEN (STEVENS) was born in 1852.

q       St. C. = St. Catharines, Ontario.

q       ‘Riflo ???? = Probably a family name, possibly abbreviation.

 SIDE 1

Your mother was born in St. C. 1852.

The family lived from 53 to 57 in

Beamsville, then in St. C. till 62,

then Niagara from 62 -66. After

which St. C. again. Father was sheriff

or something and was moved about.

When Niagara was the county seat they

lived there, then it was moved to

St. C.

 SIDE 2

…

now …

is tough down …

these days, and no chance (?) of (?) …

Had an awful time getting away

from Riflo (?) They “begged + pleaded”

with me to stay all summer and I

know they really love having me

there. I had no definite excuse or

reason for coming away, except that I

don’t believe in staying as [?] long in

…. [people’s ?]  houses. After I got back I

… I had come, as all

… was

THIS WEB SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION. MORE LETTERS TO COME.

• Our MacGregor Genealogy

  • THE HISTORY OF CLAN GREGOR by Amelia  Georgiana MacGregor of MacGregor published 1898-1901

  • Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Razor

  • Our MacGregor Letters (this page)

  • Rob Roy MacGregor

  • Kinloch Rannoch, Perthsire, Scotland – Main home of my MacGregors

  • Killichonan, Perthshire, Scotland – Some of my MacGregors were buried there.

  • Fortingall. Perthshire, Scotland – My MacGregors were in the Parish of Fortingall.

  • Culloden Battlefield – There were some MacGregors at the battle, including an Aide-de-Camp to the Prince, but most of them had been placed holding a castle or sent on a special mission and thus missed the battle.

• RETURN TO HOME PAGE