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dated August 1762 to July 1819 The following eleven letters, excepting the last written by John Harvie (1730-1822), were from relatives in Aryshire, Scotland to him in Newport, Nova Scotia. They are reprinted here from Rev. McLeod Harvey's circa 1945 booklet titled: From Old Scotia To New Scotia : A Family Of Harveys. Some of the originals are understood to be (in 1998) in the Harvie Family memorabilia collection of Robert P. Harvey of Nova Scotia.
Dalry, August 7th, 1762
Dear Brother
This to let you know that I received your letter dated Nov. 16th, 1761, about March last and was very glad to hear of your health and welfare. I am very well at present and your mother and brothers and sisters. I wrote to you last summer and your brother Francis last winter which I expect you will have received and I have taken all opportunities to let you have word from us and desire that you would use the same diligence. You wrote that you have gotten a settlement on that country of Eight hundred acres of land. I wish you would send us a more distinct account of kind of land it is and whether it is wooding, moorish or laborious ground and after what way you have it, whether by tack or feu right and what you pay either in hand or yearly, and what kind of climat it is, whether hot or cold, and what kind of religion you have or none at all, and send word how you manage so much land for I think one hundred acres might serve you, and let me know what the principal grain is that your country abounds in. You write to me to come to you and advise my brothers, but I cannot come nor advise any till I know better of the country and what we are to come too, but your mother still thinks you would have been better at your trade, since you had a way of living than going such hazards. We have sent you a fuller account of friends and acquaintance in our last letters which I hope you have got, and so shall not stay on that now, nothing remarable having happened. I have nothing further to mind at the time only I am glad to hear of our uncle's welfare and I want to be remembered to him and tell him to send a trou account of every one of his family and if his wife is alive or not, as he never speaks of her and tell him that old Taylor is well and is now settled on farm at Lochmunnonch with his son Robert and that Mary is dead abour Mar Mass last and likewise let your uncle know that his son John is very well and is working his business at Greenend Master and is very well and Captain Blair is very well pleased with him and refuses to want him and swears that he is much better to work to him than to go to his father and be scalped by the savage Indians, he likewise tells him that you have nothing to live on in that country but Cabbage, Cale and Potatoes, himself seems to be in a swithering of mind whether to come or not, so with my best wishes for you and your prosperity and that you would mind the things that are of more consequence than the things of this world, I rest your loving brother, James Harvie. Send a particular account of John Chalmer and John Orr if dead or alive for their friends are still enquiring at me about them and how they are framing. Send us word distinctly how to address our letters for you and be sure to send us true accounts and not lies and nonsence. (On the reverse side - as folded was written - I received this the 13th of June, 1763 by the hand of Mr. Mosher). Compilers Note: ‘John Chalmer’ would have been the John Chalmers who arrived with the Harvie party in Newport on the Sally in May 1760. The writer James Harvie had three sons - Gavin, Robert & James. Robert was taken by the French on his way back to Scotland after visiting his uncle in Nova Scotia - see letter #5. To John Harvie Wright, at Newport near Halifax
Irvien, March 23rd, 1782
Dear Brother. After may respeke to you and all friends
I take this opertunitie to let you know that I and all
your relations hear ar all wiel at present Blessed be
God for it hoping this will find all your relation in
the Sam. I reseived your letter dated June 8th 1781
and again I reseived your letter dated at Halifax 11th
Jan 1781 which I was glad to hear your weelfaier and
your prosperity. I was glad to hear that the troublesome
time has not come to your dors as yet which you ought
to be thankful to God for it. I take this opertunitie
to let you know that our honoured mother is yet alive
and is remarkabl fresh she can come to Gorges hous
in Kilwinning on foot without being any the worse James
kepes her aside him she is a very old woman and wie
ought to be in good erlest for her in her old age as
she has been a doutiful mother to us. James and his
familie dos verie wel Geen and her two sons do verie
weil. They are both married at January last Andrew
married Jeanet Daton a farmer's daughter. Thomas
married Gean Harvie in Brekenhills. Mary and her
familie dos wiel. Georg and his familie dos wiel and
desiers to be reckemended to all friends and
partickuliarly to his father if alive. I have let you
know the steat of my Familie. I have a hansom wife.
She has born six sons as pritie boys as ever you set
your eyes upon. Andrew the oldest dyed when he was 7
quarters old. James, Robert, William, Francis, John
all alive blessed be God for them. Th's troblesm time
is likely to stop all tread hear but I have reason
to be thankful that I have as mouch ado as any of
this pleas I have a gentlemans hous todo in Dendonald
Mr. Alexander Farlie of Farlie, Esq which will take
three thousand pounds sterling to finish it and I
wrought the last year at it and this year and it will
serve the next year too. I have contracted for the
finishing of the hous it is thought to be best hou in
This country sid. I have 8 men and 2 Sawers emploied
at present. You Onukel in Dilgarven and his Familie
dos wiel. He has boult a new hous on the far end of
the Cell Ridge at the barn. Concerning your son I
have spok to the master of the grammar scholl.
He thinks the mony will do well but he ask me his age
I cold not tell him he is afraid that he is two old
for he Loves them young that he may train them up in
his method he has gentlemans bairns from all quarters
No mor at present but concludes Your deare and
efexonet brother. Francis Harvie Compilers Note: The above letter indicates in mid 1781 John Harvie had been desirous of sending his twelve year old son Andrew (1769-1861) back to his Aryshire homeland to be educated. Perhaps, but not so likely, the son involved was the then almost sixteen years of age James, later known in the family as ‘Jimmy in the Woods’. Of the six sons of Francis named in this letter, Robert was a Master mate in Nelson's fleet and William was the mate of a vessel from Grenoch taken by the French - see letter 7.
at Newside 11 June, 1784
Dear BrotherThis comes to let you know that I am in good health at present and I hope these few lines will find you in same condition when they come to your hand. I would let you know that I received your letter dated the 19th of August 1783 at the first of May 1784. I was very glad to hear such news of your weelfare and that your children had got over the measels very easily and I likewise heard that your oldest daughter (¾ of page was lost from here) I will let you know that Cozen John Harvie is in good health at present and all his familie are he is in very good circumstance in the world. He desires to be recommended to all fiends his father and brethren and sisters - and I want to hear from all our countrieman that went along with you as formerly for I heard that all went along with you is yet alive and in good circumstance save John Orr. We hear that you think he is no more. We hear from history the climate is very different from what is hear for we hear the winter is excessive cold and the summers exceedingly hot. I trust you will let me know the truth of this in your next letter which you send me and I hope you will write to me as fequently as possible and can have opportuntities for I am at a loss sometimes to get opportunities to send to you. I hope you will take the time to write all that ......... desired so I can add no more. from me James Harvie
My eldest son wrote this letter and the last likewise
you know. I trust you will tell me in the next letter
where to direct my letters which I send to you.
from your affectionate brother,
Compilers Note: This letter establishes beyond reasonable doubt that the unknown sixth member of the Harvie party listed in passenger records as arriving in Nova Scotia on the Sally in May 1760 was another daughter of James Harvie Sr. who was still alive 23 years later in August 1783! Thus it follows that the wife of James Harvie the Elder was either deceased or for some other reason had became separated from her husband prior to his arrival in Nova Scotia with their children. LETTER 4: (a fragment from an 1797 letter from brother James Harvie) ....... three letters to you of late but I suppose you have not received them as you say you have received none this long time. I would be very glad to hear from you more frequent. You tell me your markets is very dear but ours is far dearer our cows selling at from 6 to 20 pounds and horses from 20 to 50 pounds sterling and cheese at 9 shillings and upwards per per stone. Butter at one shilling the pound and meal at one shilling the peck and land is generally about one pound per acker of yearly rent which makes a high rent for a big farm but as markets are high people make a good way of living in general. Your brother George is in the same farm that he was when I wrote you last and is in a better way of living than he was before and has two sons namely Andrew and James and I have three sons myself namely Gavin, Robert, and James. My sons is not in such haste to be married as yours are. There is none of my sons married as yet and I have had my farm these three years in grass one of my sons is a wright and works at his trade and the other two is at service and if you send any encouragement to any of my sons for any of these occupations perhaps they will come over to you and you will befriend them and their uncle in doing what you can procure them a place among the friends for a way of living through this world. (a few lines lost here) John Chalmers thot that all his fiends is alive and well at present you say that you have not the Gospel in such plenty as you would wish which is disadvantage to you. We have no need of such complaints. We have ministers of almost all sorts within a few miles of us which is a privilege beyond comparing. Our time is very alarming. There is an invasion from the French greatly feared which breeds a fear in the minds of our inhabitants and creates a stagnation of our trade. The which if these things take place they will bring this country to poverty and consternation. I have no more particular to write to you but want you to write to me more frequent as I delight to hear from you. I hear of John Mackie a ship mate from Dalry to sail for Halifax and I send this letter by him. You will not neglect to tell me how I am to direct any letters as I got no notice this long time so I have no more at present but remain your loving brother James Harvie in Newside Parish of Dalry. To Mr. John Harvie
Kilwinning, March 1st, 1803
Dear Brother. I received yours of Dec. 25th, 1802 and nothing
gives me more pleasure than to hear of you and your family
being all well and that Providence hath blessed you in
the abundance of the good things of this life. I am happy to
inform you that I and all the other members belonging to me
are well at present thanks be to God for his goodness in
this respect and I have no reason to complain with my
situation. I am pretty comfortable at present. Robert Harvie
whom you you so much lament was taken by the British Navie
upon his return from you, and I have not heard from him these
three years past, with regard to my brother I never was
anything obliged to him, but I have been obliged to my
Cozen John Harvie in the particular manner for his
disinterested friendship. I have 2 sons Andrew and James,
the eldest Andrew is a stout man of 22 years and James a
fine boy of 10 years. My sister Mary is well and her daughter
about to be married. My brother is dead and while he lived
I never saw any of his letters which he received from you
tho 13 years past. He has a son alive. I am happy to inform
you that although he would never help your brother Francis
widow I have been enabled to be a good friend to her and I
take a pleasure to relieve distressed virtue for which I never
had occassion to rue. As I never expect to see yourself I
would wish to see one or more of your sons here that I might
testifie my good will to them. Please be so good as to
write me as frequently as possible and send a little of
your produce and a sample of your product that by the
sample some of my sons or relations may be induced to come
over to your country. I reside in the Par'sh ... in a farm
called the Gold Craigs to the care of Jas. Reid Merchant
Kilwg. John Boag is still alive and has his compliments
to you. I would like to hear the rate of your cattle what
horses and cows sell at with you. Horses and Kine is vastly
high riced here these some years past horses from 20 to 50 pd.
Draught horses per head, milch cows 10 to 20 pounds sterling.
I sometimes deal a little in the horse line and I am pretty
fortunate at some times.
I add no more but remain your dear brother, Yours affectionately, my wife and sons and all the rest of our friends join along with me in our respect to you and your Family. George Harvie Compiler Note: Andrew, named in this letter as the eldest of George's two sons, visited his uncle in Nova Scotia the following year or early in 1805, where he worked on ships transporting the locally mined ‘white rock’ (gypsum), returning home to Scotland in August 1807 to care for his widowed mother who was working a farm in the Parish of Kilwinning - see letters 6, 7, 8, 11. To Mr. John Harvie
Dear Brother.
Marrey Hearvie Compiler Note: Mary Harvie named her four children in this letter as: two sons Andrew and James and two daughters Janet and Margaret. >Mr. John Harvie,
Dear Uncle, I take this opertuinity of informing you of my welafeare and all your relations as far as I know they are well only Jeames Harvie is dead he was mared to a Merran Donald and in perfect health so far as know but in three weackes after mereg he daed of about three days of illness about month of March. Your Anty L Robert Barclay dyed of a short illness your brother frances family is all well only William was meatof a vessel from Grenocke and was taken by the French in the month of March and in french jeale since. Robert is abord of Lord Nelsons fleet in pursuite of the frenche. Leas Steashon is master meat. I am informed James family are all well and your sisters Marey is in good health and all her family. I save her letter from you. Our markets are much the same as when I wrote last we have an appearance of an abundent harvest this year as everything lukes well. I was at George's weados yesterday her otes is but very indefraud but her oter cropes lokes well. She wished her son Andrew to come home and as he has bein in one of the plaster vessels he will have some knoleg of the sea he may get into the uneated Steats and pass for an American saleor and so geat hom eather being prised or taken by the french. You speake that you think that Cpn. John Leas bought the Acengree deare, but the contry is greatly altered since you left it. Since I mind it it was a good acker in land in Dalry parrish that wold yealed six bouls otes but now it is nothen strenge to have fifteen bouls on the acker ther was was twenty faife pounds given for an acker of otes in the neboihdhod of Dalry for one years Crope and in the bealage thear is twell dolors for one fall of ground. I am informed at Stevenson there was reped thes years a field of growen clover at sixty pounds for one years Coleng and everything is in conformetty. We have long thretened from the french of them coming to our cost and we have bein always prepareng for Ther veasel volentyers Malishe Levengmass and regular troupes so That we Think we will geave them as sore drobing if ever They atemp it. Dear Uncle when I reade your letters and heare of your nombrose of spring and your large fetoral estat it puts me in mind of the awld man I read of that went of from his own country and became a great and mighty peopel and heas neam was heald in everlasting Memory and Neashon blessed for heas sacke. When writting to me let me know The neame of the pleaces of Their abod. I desired to write Cosen Andrew but found that cold not git it don in time befor vessel was to sale but you will please let Andrew see this leater, his mother had but very light cropes last years and this yeare is but midlong. Shee sold the twoe horses and bought another and sold also and won obout foure pounds her catell is all in a very Thraiving condishon and amongst a nomber of very helpful nehbors the Leard would have had her to give up the taske but shee wold not and managen very well herself. Shee wishes Andrew home but you may let him know that if he comes home he will have to be a volunture. George Barcle is still swithering as formerly Jeames Allen is mared to Jean Ramsay and leaving the Bairell farme I cold send a few ponds of Musten if I thought to geat a ready market for it or difreand artikels such as Clockes or watches Neifes or any theng that you stod in nead of and wold take wood in return as you have plenty of wood growen. Let me know if you sell any of your wood --- or what you do with it. My famely Andrew, Thos. Elisebeth and Jean and wife joyen with me and brother Andrew in wishing you long life and a hoapful deth is The ernest prear of your most efecnot nephew. Thos Aitken, Dalry, July 1st, 1805. Compiler Note: The referred to participation of John Harvie's nephew Robert (a son of his brother Francis) in the "pursuite of the frenche" by Lord Nelson's fleet, in which he was a Master mate, culminated in the 21 October 1805 Battle of Trafalgar, fought between the Royal Navy and the combined fleets of France and Spain off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coast. The ultimate outcome of Nelson's victory that day was to secure the supremacy of the British navy on the high seas for the next hundred years and end the threat of a French invasion. Mr. John Harvie
Galcrige, August
18, 1807
Dear Uncle. This come to let you know that I am in good heath at present blest be God for it hoping this find you all in the same when it comes to hand. I arrived safe at Salcoats the 4 of August all had a fine passage of 38 days and we saw a man of war after we left the coast of America till we came to the coast of Ireland. We saw one then but it was blowing very hard and they could not put out their boats and they let us pass and I was none sorry. We was boarded by the Halifax sloop of war one day after we left Pictou but they took none of our men as they were all hid but the boys and they consiner and myself. I dressed myself very well and the midshipman took no notice of me. I was never more scared in my life than on my passage but thank God I have got safe home. There is a great many alterasions in This place since I went away. There is a large warf building at the Castel Crags this year and ½ They are going to make a small cannall for small vessels to go to Glasgow. Our markets is now about the same as yours. I was over at Dalry last Thursday. I saw your sister. She was spreiding of hay. She is helthiest old woman. Your friend Mester Barcle is dead some years ago. There is a new melica to be lifted just now 6 thousand in Scotland, 8 in Ireland and 20 in Engalnd, we will be plazed a great deal but I do not care as much as I did. The French and the Russings is about making peace and there is a war expected between us and the Americans but that you will know more of than me. I have nothing more further to write to you now. You will remember me to all my friends in that country. You will writ to me The first opportunity. John Harvie says that he makes 6 per sent of his money out of his farm and 7½ is common interst. I take this opportunity of a vessel bound for Picton. I shall not trouble you any more at present be remen your humble servent. You will let John Chambours know that I saw his brother in Dalry. He lives Cot House there. You will direct to me Galcridge Parish of Kilwinning and Shire of Ayr. Mr. John Harvie
Bridgend of Rye
near Dalry
Dear
Brother
April 12, 1811. I take this opportunity of letting you hear how we are at present. I received your letter of date Nov. last and am very glade to hear of your wellfare and that you are all in a prosperous condition. As for my self I was not wery well for some time past - But I am a good deal better at present. Thanks be to God. As for Andrew he is still far from being well he complains greatly of a pain in his head - Some years ago he happened to get a blow on the head which we have some thoughts may be a cause of his trouble - Before that happened he was a most excellent workman, but now he cannot settle very well at his work - yet we must submit to Providence. Margaret and John Wilson are both very well and their daughter Mary - James and his wife are well and also Janet Fleming - and they still stay with me - Janet Hougton and her family are well and Elizabeth Hay is well so far as we know and her two sons James and Francis. Thomas Aitken and his family are well and Andrew Aitken and his family so far as we know. John Harvie in Achinquee and his family are well. He has two daughters married and two sons unmarried. Trade has been low this some months and the markets are lower. Meal is at 15d per peck, Butter 20d per lb. and cheese 11d lb. I shall be glad to hear from you when you have opportunity. I shall not add any more but remain your loving and affectionate sister. Mary Harvie From Mrs. Mary Harvie at Bridgend
of
Mr. John Harvie
At Dalry,
April 12, 1819
Dear Uncle.
This comes to let you know that I am in good health at present, hoping this will find you in the same. I received a letter from you since one dated 28th of Nov. 1817 to our Aunt Mary and I received one at the same time from Cousin James which told me that you was in good health and in a comfortable way of living. The which I was glad to hear of. You are an old man that has seen a great part of this world by what a great number have seen but what is all that to Eternity into which we must all shortly launch into. Our duty is now to prepare for it as we do not know at what hour our Lord doth come. Your old friend the Laird of Broadlie is still alive and can walk to Dalry and his compliments to you. Your sister Mary is still alive and weel but very feble. Andrew is much the same as before. Her daughters lives both in her houses so that she has plenty of company. Your cousin John Harvie is alive and weel his son Thomas has got a wife one of our friends at Brakenhills near Bath and live in with his Father and his brother John all in one house. Your nephew Andrew is married and has taken a farm but is too high a rent so that I doubt that he will be obliged to quit it to his loss which I am sorry for because he means to do weel and works very hard. We had a fine crop last year and our oat Meal is selliing at 1/6 per peck. Cheese at 3/4 per stone 24 oz. to the pound, Beef 13/, Butter 1/8 per lb. pork 8 per lb. and other articles in proportion. I wrote to you for a name. You said that I would soon get one. You can let me know. you can also let me know the state of your country. I am still working hard at slating houses and thatching and plaistering which is the most of my work. I sometimes make six and eight shiilings per day and sometimes nothing but on the whole I make a good way of living. I have a hardware shop and my wife keeps it and makes a little industry in that way so that we are very happy as we have no family. My mother is alive and well and spins small yarn every day and lives in a room of my house and has plenty to live upon. Our manufacturing work is very low at this time and farmers are very much distressed with high costs. There is numbers failing every year which makes people at a stand which way to go. I add no more but be sure to write me the first opportunity and I remain Your loving nephew,
Dear Uncle,
Gavin Harvie, Slater,
Newport, 17th
July, 1819
Dear Andrew,
I will let you know
that I am in the land of the living and the place of hope.
I am very feble but considerable helthy Glory be to God. I
received your letter the 1st July 1819. I wrote November 1817.
I heard nothing till now. We are all comfortable and healthy.
My Stephen's son John Harvie was buried the first of this month,
sick about three weeks of a consumption, had a great property
of money left to his relations. Return to Top Transcribed from Rev. McLeod Harvey's booklet by J. Raymond, Brisbane, Australia - 2000
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