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Country code |
GB |
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Repository code |
234 |
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Organisation |
NAS |
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Repository |
National Records of Scotland |
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Reference |
GD170/793 |
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Title |
Letter from John Campbell, later of Barcaldine, to Barcaldine, his father |
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Dates |
1721-1739 |
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Access status |
Open |
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Description |
Dated at Edinburgh, Ardchattan, Barcaldine.
1721, June 26. "Letting yow know how I am and what I am doing ..." The writing Chamber is not at all busy, and all he does is write his style book. "Mr. Kirk, now and then, examins Mr. Colins son and me on some things of McKenzies Institutions and Criminalls ..." The letter also mentions instruction he has received, or proposes to take, in the Scots Law class of "Mr. Spotswood; in French, from Mr. Gardner - "a very polite man and understands the languages to a great pitch" - who also teaches him latin and Greek; and in fencing during the vacation. "I saw Sir Duncan this morning and for the most part I do every morning, and he hes his service to you ..."
1723, November 29. "I delivered those papers to Donald Campbell and he promises to take care of you, and Monzie promises to do whatever Donald pleases to desire him as to your security in that affair ..." Gives details of educational arrangements writer is making.
1724, February 26. Saying he cannot come home in March, as desired by recipient, because "Mr. Banes College will will [sic] not be up till towards the end of Aprile or the beginning of May ..." Discusses the "oaths". " ... I was yesterday a long time with Monzie and when I asked his oppinion he fell a laughing at me and asked if my Father such a fool as to Lose his Estate or any part of it for swearing ane oath which every body saw there was no Danger it, But yow may tell him from me, says he, that he needs not swear if he pays the years Rent of the subject to be registred ..."
1724, August 18. Explaining how he discovered he has been jilted - "my disapointment if I may call it so for I assure I reckon it none, rather a deliverance for I suppose one so fickle as she would be very hard to keep within bounds ...". He has, however, come this way to meet another girl. "I saw her at her father's two or three dayes before his death quhich happned yesterday morning ... the young lady seems to be a very agreeable woman ... her conversation is very agreable and shows aboundance of good sence, but in her Dress I think she is the most careless ever I saw to be a girl of very good sence and behavious ... In the main I think she is ... very fit to make a highland wife ..." Mentions preparations for "Funabes Burialls" [father of the girl referred to]
1728, January 13. Expressing surprise that he has not heard from recipient for some time; and discussing his own prospects of matrimony with particular reference to two young ladies to whom he refers as "Sh: ---ds D---r" and "M: --s daughter".
"I belive I might be happy enough with any of the two so that the question is which of the two would do best for my purpose, and I could wish I had as soon as possible your advice upon this affair ..."
1728, February 6. "For my part I cannot tell how to behave for Jeanie will not be prevaild upon to stay here if I should go home in March ... since she nor I cannot speak so freely either to Keithick or his lady it must intyrely be your own deed ..."
Sends several items with the bearer, including a pound of Bohea tea.
1731, October 16. "Jeanie" [his wife] is now making good progress, and a nurse has been found. Discusses briefly the distribution of a wine shipment from Bristol. "There is a current story of Netherlorn being sold or to be sold. What truth is in itt I cannot tell ..."
1733, August 2. His sister, Ardchattan's wife, is dead, after miscarrying of a dead child; the interment is to take place Tuesday next, 'and poor Ardchattan who is inconsolable beggs to have everything done in the genteelest manner'. |
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Level |
File |
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Extent |
16 letters |
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