This is probably the single most important letter for the Melrose branch of the family, because it proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that James(4) HOPKIRK was indeed Wiiliam(5) HOPKIRK's father, even though we have been unable to locate a birth record for William(5) HOPKIRK. This letter mentions James(4) death, Wiiliam's(5) son James(6) death, and mentions all the living brothers of William(5) and even some of the brothers children and where they are. We have copies of the parish records showing James(4) death, and James(6) death. It also mentions that brother David's(5) son James(6) is in Toronto. We have James's military records which show he was in Toronto then and later mustered out in South Africa, establishing the South African branch of the family. We will comment later about the other important items in this letter.
Gattonside, June 30,1841
My dear children
We received your letter on the 17th of this month it has not been so long in coming to us as
ours was in reaching you. The paper was sent 2 weeks after it tho it came first. We will send
you another paper along with this or soon after it.
You will by this time have received our last letter dated the 30 of April containing the
account of your Dear Brother James's death. I have to tell of another. That day of week your
Brother died your Grandfather breathed his last, and that day of week my Son was laid in his
grave, his Grandfather was laid close to his side in the narrow house. Neither Your father nor
I were so affected with your Grandfather's death as we would have been had we not so
recently lost your Brother. Your Father said that his Father's death was nothing to what he felt
when he laid James in the grave.
Your Grandfather's Will was read the day after the funeral. Your father is left the under part
of the house they live in with the closet up stairs your Aunt Molly is left the other part. Your
Uncles Walter and Robert gets the other house. Thomas gets some money of the other house
and your Uncles James and David have each got P10. David and Walter were both there.
James was not able to come; his son James was there. The Will which was read has been
made since your Grandmother's death. One did not know till after your Grandfather's death
that there was any but the old will. In it your father was left all the house.
Your Father is not fond of selling the House but he thinks he will can raise money on it to
carry us to America if you think we ought to come. David gives us such bad accounts of it
that it would be a pity to put us to so much trouble and expense and be worse of than we are
here. Consider well of it, and let David come over and conduct us, if you think it for our
good. If not tell us plainly. David will come over any way and we will rejoice to see him. It is
not the thoughts of being better in America that would tempt me, but to see you all again.
Write what back cloths or bed cloths we ought to bring. But David can tell us what to do.
Tell William and Jane that her friends are well. I must leave Robert to write Walter about
Miss Lee. She is a very amiable young woman but not stout enough for a poor man's wife.
My dear children. I have again resumed the pen Robert says he cannot write nonsense among
so many solemn occurrences it speaks to us all be ye also ready. My poor James had little
time, but I must not speak of him as it will lay me up as it did before. Your Father and I were
both so ill that we thought we would not be long behind him. But thanks to the great disposer
of all events we are both now in our usual state of health and able to say the Lord gave and
the Lord hath taken away, blessed be his name..
Your Uncle David's son James is at Toronto in the Artillery you might write to him you
Uncle got a paper from me to send him when he was here. Your Aunt Nelly has been at
Berwick. She was for me going with her but I did not wish to intrude my sorrow on any one. I
don't like to visit. If I go anywhere it would be to Lynes Mill to see my Sister's Motherless
children. Their Father may get another wife but they will never get another Mother. Sandy is
not behaving too well.
Walter thinks Alick will can make carts and ploughs and these sorts of things he thinks he
can make a cart but not wheels yet. As for ploughs there are none used here but Iron ones so
he can do nothing to them. He will scarce learn his trade right where he is and as he is not
stout tho tall. We don't like to send him anywhere else lest he should get wronged. Besides as
we have still thoughts of coming to you it would not do to bind him with anybody. They are
thinking of setting him down to make shoes. He is with John Easton yet and is active enough.
We expect David mind, and somebody else spoke of coming but if we come over it will not
serve I think if Walter leave Steubenville and go to a distance. Elisabeth will do well to go
to John for he needs a woman greatly. All your acquaintances are well. Tell William to write
to Robert Redpath for they are earing to hear from him I believe I told you Margaret Scot and
James Marche were married Margaret was here last week.
And now my dear children farewell, and may the God of all consolation be with you to bless
and keep you is the prayer of your affectionate Mother.
PS I will put a paper in the post with the letter. IH
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