1849 
Edinburgh 19 Charls St. 10 Febr. 
Dear Sons and Daughters 
I tike the opertunety of Ritten to you all and I hop thes will find you all will and I am happay to Say that I am in my ordinary Staet of halth and your Mother is in her ordinary way of Liven and Mary is in good health at presnt.  Andrew and Christon are both will now Christon her Braests is much better ago. The Children are g…and Marget is…. 
 

Corrected Transcription:

Edinburgh [Scotland] 
19 Charles Street 
10 February 1849 
Dear Sons and Daughters: 
I take the opportunity of writing to you all and I hope this will find you all well, and I am happy to say that I am in my ordinary state of health, and your Mother is in her ordinary way of living and Mary [younger daughter] is in good health at present.  Andrew and Christian [Smaill] are both well now.  Christian, her breasts is much better [than it was] ago.   The children are…and Margaret is… 

Historical Note:
Margaret is probably the granddaughter of James and Agnes Archibald, who was living with them; Thomas Archibald and Elizabeth Russell's daughter was named Margaret and she would have been about 11 years old at this time.  Mary and Christian are both daughters of James and Agnes.
 
 
 

I had a Litter from John last week. thay are all will.  I was out at Mussilburgh on FreDay week at Auncel Alexandr. Robertsons Fundrel and I Saw a Number of our frinds.  thay are all will but thay wer much perplexed about New Craghall work being to Stand on Saterday last.   O may the Lord provide for them poor things. there are many one ther that will not get work any other plice being dun from work with old age and Infirmiety but …Lords a rich provieder 

Corrected Transcription:

I had a letter from John [2nd oldest son] last week.  They are all well.  I was out at Musselburgh on Friday week at Uncle Alexander Robertson's funeral and I saw a number of our friends.  They are all well, but they were much perplexed about New Craighall work being to stand [halted] on Saturday last.  Oh, may the Lord provide for them poor things; there are many one there that will not get work any other place, being done from work with old age and infirmity.  But [our] Lord is a rich provider. 
 

Historical Note:

"Uncle Alexander Robertson" was married to James' sister Isabella. He died 5 January 1849. 
 

Page 3,
Original Transcription:

Agnes your Mother wishes Daved and you to let her know if you wish her to be with you when you may be confined and if you both wish her plaes Rett and let her know when She will com and we hop that Mrs. Thomas Archibald is got Sife hom by thes time and if She is give our kind Love to them both plaes give our kind Love to Mr. and Mrs. Murray let her know that I was much obliged to her for the Informishon She gave Me how I was to have com to See you all but the time is past for thes Sisen. 
 

Corrected Transcription:

Agnes, your Mother wishes David and you to let her know if you wish her to be with you when you may be confined [childbirth] and if you both wish her, please write and let her know when she will come.  And we hope that Mrs. Thomas Archibald [Elizabeth Russell] is got safe home by this time and, if she is, give our kind love to them both.  Please give our kind love to Mr. and Mrs. Murray [Robert and Jessie].  Let her know that I was much obliged to her for the information she gave me, how I was to have come to see you all, but the time is past for this season. 

we have hard no word from Robert and William this long time.    I think I have given you all the partickelers so I will bed you all faerwill and may the Blissing of the Lord be with us all and may the Love of God roul in every Haert to God and to Man. 
We Reman your 
Loving Father & Mother 
James and Agnes Archibald 
 

Corrected Transcription:

we have heard no word from Robert and William [oldest and youngest sons] this long time.  I think I have given you all the particulars, so I will bid you all farewell, and may the blessing of the Lord be with us all, and may the love of God rule in every heart to God and to man. 
We remain your loving Father & Mother, 
James and Agnes Archibald 
 

Historical Note:  Robert would have been 39 years old, and William would have been 14.  James and Agnes had moved in with their daughter Christian and husband Andrew Smaill in Edinburgh.  William, the youngest son, must have been living with Robert.