( From Grandma)
Dear Mary and Elizabeth, I need hardly say we were all very glad to see James. He arrived a little after dark and took us a little by surprise. Mr. Cowan stopped 10 or 12 days with us and seemed to enjoy himself very well. I was in hopes that he would of come back to live here, but there is no certainty of it yet. I tried to make him as comfortable as I could but it was only 2 or 3 weeks before the baby was born so I just did as I could best. Sarah helped me a good deal this summer. I had a girl but she was young and could not do much hard work. She has gone to board with Robert and Rosie this winter and go to school. Rosie had a little girl this summer 7 weeks older than ours. She is a great stout girl for her age. Ours is the very reverse. She is smart enough but the smallest I think I most ever saw when born, but she is growing well and cross enough. We talk some of calling her Agnes. I have got a good girl to work now, she can do all and I am very well off. Her folks is our nearest neighbors. Jamie wrote to Janet Grierson, a girl that came in the ship with him, that if she liked to come here Mungo would give her one dollar a week this winter but we have not heard yet from her.I must thank you all for the presents you sent us. Sarah’s frock is too good and too large to cut for her this winter. I think I will make a plaid of it this winter for myself until she grows bigger. All the rest of the things are indeed useful, just what I needed too. I told Mr. Cowan I thought if your mother was here to see she would just have sent them the same. But they were altogether too much. James things were not the least spoiled just like new yet. What a lot of clothes he has and good ones. James, Daniel, Rosie, Sarah and I were all at Mr. Findlays last Friday afternoon. I think Jamie is none failed yet though Daniel is thin but I think healthy enough. They are busy putting up a corn house. Robert is putting up his byre and sheds for winter, and Henry and James are busy putting up Henry’s dwelling house. It is in sight of us. They rented a house this summer a little from here. They have had six children, one is dead, (Sarah) William, Henry, Laura, (the only girl) Benjamin. Thomas and Robert are the names. They have been at school this summer and is fine healthy children. They seem to like this country very well. Our boys were greatly taken with Jamie and the presents too. Dan was the far best uncle they had when he came, now Jamie is far the best. They are at school now. We have got a very good teacher, Miss Clark. She makes this her home to stop over the Sabbath and boards the rest with the scholars. I am better in health than I expected, for which I hope I am thankful for. I thought I was very smart this time. Sarah and Rose was all in the house when she was born. Dan just got Rose in 2 or 3 minutes before. Mungo was off for the doctor. Jamie was off to Grand- fathers with the children so Sarah was all, and I never was better. She was born at 6 o’clock in the morning, the last day of August.
We were very sorry indeed to hear Or Helen Ferguson’s death. It will be a trial for Aunt Mary and Uncle. She sent me her beads for little Sarah. I think a great deal of it and will keep them for her sake as long as I can. Give my love to them and other friends if you have an opportunity and Jennie Johnson, tell her many a talk both Daniel and Jamie has with me about her. Grand- father was very poor after Adam died but he is nearly well again and is able to go around and do all the odd jobs.
I think Jamie will heft well he is very cheerful all the time. Daniel and him goes sometimes to Henry’s and Robert’s and Grandfather’s and whiles to the neighbors in the evenings.
John Bell is on the canal yet, have not seen him for some time.
Sarah was much pleased with her apron she don’t know I am writing tonight. She is coming tomorrow to help us scour blankets. I sometimes think how well I would like to come and see you all and The Land (The Clow homestead in Scotland).
Yours Affectionately
A. C. Patterson
This must have been a letter written by Mrs. Mungo Patterson (Agnes Clow Patterson) she speaks of the baby born which must have been Agnes Clow Patterson who married Homer B. Grommon, the mother of Sarah, Frank, and Agnes Grommon. The date of the baby’s birth coincides with hers, Aug. 30, 1852. This also must have been about the time James Patterson came to America, as mentioned in the letter.
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