Letter from James Archibald to his daughters,4 Dec 1849
Letter from James and Agnes Archibald
to some of their daughters [probably Agnes and Jesse]
4 December 1849
original letter in possession of Ida Holmgren of Idaho Falls, Idaho


Original Transcription:

Edinburgh  19 Charls St 4 Dber. 1849
Dear Daughters we recived your Litter thes moring and we are all happay to her that you are all will your Mother got Sife hom on SaterDay Night But what for did Agnes let her away intill She was better again I said in my Letter that we was all will. I had not been will with the cold.  She ded not need to com home to keep Me.  We dow not agre So will as to mike Me rett for her So sun.  She was nearly Sint back agan…
 
 
 

 
Corrected Transcription:
Edinburgh [Scotland]
19 Charles Street
4 December 1849
Dear Daughters,
We received your letter this morning and we are all happy to hear that you are all well.  Your Mother got safe home on Saturday night, but what for did Agnes let her away [leave] until she was better again?  I said in my letter that we was all well.  I had not been well with cold.  She did not need to come home to keep me.  We do not agree so well as to make me write for her so soon. She was nearly sent back again.

Historical Note:
We think James was writing this with tongue-in-cheek, meaning he was being humorous with his daughters. 
Parents, James and Agnes Archibald were living in Edinburgh, Scotland in the home of their daughter Christian, and her husband Andrew Smaill.

Original Transcription:
to fullfil her Sirves but thinks be to God that she is much better and that you are all will your Antay Mary Campbl Cam in to keep the the Children on Thursday last.  She is will and I am happay to Say that thes lives us all will onely I am complining with the cold and thinks be to God for all hes mirces to us all.  Jassea Mr. Thomas Giddes the Carerr Saes that the Hamper had been with a Woman and She is mied yous of Sum of the Artickles but if he fish the riest to you See what you get and what is wint… befor hem for I mad out an account to hem of all the artickerls that are in the Hamper So I gave hem a Bill for Robert Murray and a Bill for David Karr and you Both have your Bills So you will know how you Stand on Thursday when he cals.  So no more at present.  But remans your Loven Father and Mother.  James and Agnes Archibald.  plaes give our kind loven to your toou Husband and to your Brothers and Sisters.
 
 
Corrected Transcription:
to fulfill her services, but thanks be to God that she is much better and that you are all well.  Your Aunty Mary Campbell came to keep the children on Thursday last.  She is well and I am happy to say that this leaves us all well.  Only I am complaining with the cold, and thanks be to God for all his mercies to us all.  Jessie, Mr. Thomas Geddes, the carrier, says that the hamper had been with a woman and she has made use of some of the articles, but if he fish [brings] the rest to you, see what you get and what is ……. before him, for I made out an account to him of all the articles that are in the hamper.  So I gave him a bill for Robert Murray and a bill for David Kerr, and you both have your bills, so you will know how you stand on Thursday when he calls.  So no more at present, but [we] remain your loving Father and Mother, James and Agnes Archibald.  Please give our kind love to your two husbands and to your brothers and sisters.

Historical Note:
We aren't sure who "Aunty Mary Campbell" is at this time.  Andrew Smaill owned a grocer and mercantile. The hamper (or basket) and the articles in it were probably from his store....hence the "bills". 

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