During renovations at the home of my brother John in Essex, England, his wife came across the following letter from a Hector Kelly to his brother Peter Kelly of Darlochan, Campbeltown. This was e-maled to me less that 30 minutes ago.
If anyone knows any of the folk mentioned or is related in some way, PLEASE let me know, as the village where Hector wrote this letter from is only an hour from my front door and I am sure their ancestors are still here.
It seems that a large number of "Campbeltonians" emigrated to Canada as a group and started a small community together here in Ontario. Hector is the local school teacher and is reluctant to charge the families the full tuition price, because he knows them all!!!! He also makes mention of my great great grandfather Alexander and his wife Catherine (nee Kelly) who was Hector's sister.
OK, the letter:
Faded double page letter written to Peter Kelly, Darlochan, Campbeltown, folded and sealed with wax.
Township of Vaughan, Lot 30 Concepcion
The 21st September 1835
My dear Brother and Friends,
No doubt but that you are surprised that you had no answer to yours of 22 of July 1824, but it happened to be in the post office of a small village called Loyd for the space of seven months as it appears that all the letters for the township of King is sent to the said post office, it was the month of June before it came to hand and it was the 5th July ere I had the pleasure off seeing it. I have been in the Township of King on the 4th of this month seeing Archibald who was that day housing the first of his wheat, and got two stacks in that day, and has the making of another stacks to first cut and about the making of another two stacks to cut. These were two acres of wheat destroyed by the frost on the 11th August, not worth the shearing also a part of his potatoes was destroyed at the same time as the harvest has been twenty days later the wheat has in consequence, on the 24th and 25th of August we had 48 hours of a thick fog accompanied with rain, the wheat in general received considerable damage, particularly the wheat that lodged and even the wheat that was standing upright began to spring and grow. I had seen Archibald on Saturday the 13th of Sept. at our meeting house who told me that he had all his wheat secure, and by this time I think that he will have all his oats secure, which consisted of 3 acres and one of Peas and half acre of barley, these 6 years, had they good weather in the harvest time. I am sorry to inform you of the death of Catherine, Archibald’s daughter, who died on 16th August 1834 and was buried in his own land. Mary Mitchell was in bad health for the space of seven months in consequence of having an untimeous birth in the month of January last, but she is getting pretty stout and is again in the family way. On that account Archd. did not get on with his chopping in the winter and spring as he would require, but he chopped 5 acres which is clear and ready to sow and he was speaking of burning the stubble of 5 acres where he had the wheat sown this harvest and sow it again which will give as good wheat perhaps as he had this year.
I know some that had excellent wheat on what they had burned and sown last year, he has not yet built a barn but intends to have one built next summer, they build their barns in this County that large as to contain their whole crop. He has a shade thatcher with straw and a dale floor that may do him this season, but I do not consider that this is the greatest difficulty but sending his grain to market, the nearest place that he can drive to k is at least 18 miles and that same is during the snow and the cold of winter, in fact that is the only time that the roads is good and that they can send their goods to market, it is tiresome having to drive with oxen until they can come the length of having a pair of horse, and a wagon, a pair of horses and a sleigh brings a good load to market, and runs on the snow with amazing swiftness, even when loaded and all the horse must have bells on them on account of the furious driving and the sleigh having no noise to warn the travellers. I have been in this town ship since the 1st of July 1834 keeping a school. I had not thought of applying at the time, but I was sent for repeatedly and I consented to see the place, and before I returned I agreed to give it a trial, and have been here ever since that time; they are people from Kintyre in general that is in this neighbourhood, and I am boarded with a Mr Donald Cameron who is from Southend and his father was with Carskey, and is by a second marriage married to a daughter of Alexn, Armour late in Kelchusbanach, they are in very good circumstances and a respectable family, he is meeting Elders and Treasurer in our Church, the church is about 4 miles from the Schoolhouse, he is Mr McSaughton from Perthshire that is our Minister, preaches Galic this forenoon and English in the afternoon. In the month of Dec. or the last Monday of December, I went to Toronto and applied for the Government money, and am being examined in part, I received £5 and on being examined again on the last Monday of July for the finishing Examination I received £6.5 which made in whole £11.5 currancy and I am now on the 3 half year which ends on the last Monday of December. The Board of Education consists of three of the Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, the Hon. And Very Rev. the Archdeacon of Toronto, the Hon. Col. Allan, VGS. The Archdeacon is the one that examines, he is a nice well disposed gentleman, he is from Aberdeenshire. The teachers I understand have got a bill passed, but not as yet payed the Superior Council. We are obliged to five in quarterly reports every quarter with the number of Scholars and their age and signed by the three Trustees of the School board, School wages per quarter runs with me from 7/6 to 9/6, I charge according as they are able, some charges 10/- for each Scholar per quarter, but as they are generally from the old country and some of them old acquaintances, I do not wish to charge more. I have no reason to complain of my health, I have no cough and I feel a little short of breath some mornings, but I can get good food and rest at night, I complain very much of the rheumatism in both my knees, but I consider it is owing in a great measure to the severity of the cold we had in this country last winter, they way it exceeded the worst that has been these last 23 years, it has not been much warmer last summer that it is generally in Kintyre with the exception of a few days that has been very hot. I have seen Doctor Allison and his wife from the village of Southend they live about 8 miles from where I lodge, they are both well and had a part of the news from the old country. Where I am is 23 miles from Toronto, Archibald’s place is seven miles to the north of the Schoolhouse. John Mitchell Archd. brother-in-law was uncommon ill with the cholera and had not been very well during the Winter and Spring, he is aboard a steamboat since the month of May on Lach (lake) Ontario and is quite well. Cholera made a great havock in this country last year and there was a great many deaths within a mile and a half of where I stop. There has not been anything of it in North America, the season of ague is very prevalent just now in this Township. I concluded, May the great God bless you all, If Dugald has wrote, I have not received any letters when you persue this please forward it to Alex’r Stewart in Glasgow, who will forward it to Girvan. Archibald and his wife wished to be remembered to the friends in Kintyre, Glasgow and Girvan, I sincerely do the same. I hope to hear from you all as soon as possible and direct to me, as the letter will come from Milburn to this township. I am sorry to hear of what has happened to the Rev. Mr. Kelly and would be happy to hear what is became of him, any of you that wishes to write please direct H.K. Teacher, Township of Vaughan, lot 30 Concepcion, c/o Mr Dug. McMillan, Smith, Milburn by Toronto. I remain with my kindest wishes and respects to you all, and I remain My Dear Brother and friends Yours Sincerely, Hector Kelly.
Appended at the end of the letter.
Price of wheat 5/-
Whiskey per gallon 2/- but bad stuff
Brandy per gallon 7/-
Butter sevenpence halfpenny
Eggs 6d
Oats 2/2 per bushel
Potatoes 1/3 per bushel
Payment of wages per year £24 - £30
(Some items illegible due to fading)