cary letters - historyofdonegal€¦ · web viewcary letters 1750-1818. page 48. dear sir, please...

Cary Letters 1750-1818Page 48

Dear Sir,

Please to send me one Gallon of Sower the same sort you sent me and send it in four Bottles (wh [which] the Bearer takes you) a quart exactly in each Bottle. Charge it to the account of sir,

your humble Servt

Geo Cary

Donagh Novr 28th 1750__________________________________________

Ballymony 31st March 1786

Dear Sir,I have received the [far?] your letter of the 23rd. I should be very happy to be instrumental in getting the people you recommend their whisky back upon reasonable terms; there is not yet any time fixed for its sale, nor can I find out our guager to gain any intelligence from him when it may happen. When it takes place I shall certainly render them every service in my power if I can make it at all convenient to go to Coleraine where the Whiskey is stored.

We flattered our selves with the pleasure of Miss Jane Hamilton and your daughter’s company to spend some time with us at last Xmas young Mr Cary gave us reason to expect it. My wife joins my request that we may be gratified in it some time in the course of the ensuing summer.

The best wishes of this family always await yours I long much to see the friend of my youthful days your lady. It would give my wife and I sincere pleasure if you and her would take a jaunt this way in summer and spend some time at my house.I am dear sir very sincerely your Obnt H SntJohn Caldwell

Note - SEDL 2013 – Jane Hamilton was sister to Mary Ann Hamilton wife of Micah Cary.]________________________________________

1

From Ann Ashe to Micah Cary

Before 1789Dear Sir,

You will perhaps be surprised at receiving a letter from a person who has not ye pleasure of being much acquainted with you tho a near relation. I am induced to address you by letter to make a request to you the granting of which request, will I think be as much to yr own honour as to ye advantage of ye person for whom I solicit. Yr case is as follows. I find Sr you took poor unfortunate George Hamilton’s farm from L Abercorn. I suppose you had good reasons for so doing tho. to the world it has the appearance of much cruelty. I also understand that L Abercorn left orders with his agent that if you were satisfied George Hamilton should have his farm again, but that the agent requires you should leave it under your hand you were content to renounce the bargain; the request I take the liberty to make is, that you will write to Mr Hamilton the agent that you desire he would give George Hamilton his farm, as I understand he only waits for that under your hand to determine him in his favour and that you also say you are content he shall enjoy his own farm but will not have it under your hand to Mr Hamilton. Perhaps you will say you were provoked to the steps you have taken by bad usage from George or his family. They deny that is the case but allow it to be so, does not a generous mind feel ten times the pleasure in forgiving injuries as in resenting them, especially when the resentment must involve a helpless family in ruin and misery. I knew your father well he had high notions of honor and probity; his heart was humane and generous, nor do I believe the wealth of the Indies would have tempted him to do a dishonorable or a cruel action. His father, my uncle Cary bore full as good a character. Then my Dr Sr let me intreat you as a near relation and friend to do the thing becomes you as a gentleman and generously give up the poor little matter. It’s surely not worthwhile to have your name brought in question for it. Let your father’s virtues prompt you to follow his example of generosity, benevolence and compassion. The real friendship I had from your father has induced me to take the liberty to make this request to you, as much as my pity for the poor suffering family. I assure you Mr Ash has no right to expect you would be the means of distressing a nephew of his, for to my knowledge he said many kind things of you in this house to the Bishop of Derry when you were about to renew your Lease. I shall make no apology for troubling you with this letter as it’s done with a very friendly intent. I request an answer and I sincerely wish for your own sake it may be a satisfactory one.I am Dr Sr, Yr Affte kinswoman and humble servant.

Ann Ash ____________________________________________________

2

From George Cary to his sister Mary AnneDrogheda 24th December 1795

Dear Mary Anne

I take this opportunity to thank you for your kind letter to me. I would have wrote before, but I do not like putting people to the expense of postage. I mentioned in a letter to William that my shirts and stockings were all pretty good which is rather odd after wearing them so long a time, but I have no opportunity of taking exercise and that must be the reason. Never was there a more unpleasant life for a man who was always his own master. I have time .......... which Indeed I do ......... do not like us .... sent away which if the peace does not take place shortly it is thought they will do and then we are to go to Dublin, where the duty of an officer is mighty troublesome, along with being very expensive. Tell my mother to give me her advice, whether she would really wish me to go home or not: let her consider whether my living here or at home would be most extravagant; for on my honor as to seeing the world, I could not be in a worse place than Drogheda. No balls nor public places of amusement; no more than in Carn. We never even ..... out with any ......... confined to .............. is a very p......... sent home and that for want of my ......... exercise, I am growing a great deal fatter than I wish. I expect my mother will send me the money I wrote for. God knows I am sorry to be obliged to call for it, as I think every half penny of my patrimony that I lay out here, thrown away on damned nonsensical epaulets, grenadier caps and a variety of other useless things.

[The signature and some other portions of this letter have been torn away - John Norris Thompson - 1883/4]

3

From Miss Jane Hamilton to Miss Bess Moore at Bridge Cottage, Carndonagh

My Dr Bess,

Send by John who will be at the fair thread for 10 pair of stockings which I’ll knit. As to selling the cow, whatever your mother thinks right let her do and I will be perfectly pleased, we surely need the milk of a good cow, I wish we could always have it. As to glebe, your mother must be the judge likewise, but to me it does not appear so well, the times are far from settled and clergymen are no favourites, the place is lonely and if my Dr sisters spirits are bad, I fear they will not mend in so retired a place: for my own part I like the Carn neighbours and hope to spend this one winter amongst them whether rich or poor. There is another cause, we ought to have our winter’s fuel provided and our potatoes made properly, and more than all our little house cold and comfortless to come into. You bid me speak my mind as you wish I do now by again reminding. I’m worn to death by flitting and wd rather live on a meal in the day than be tossed, my head is always the worse, but let Rose do what she thinks best, but this is my opinion. In that I will go so far as to say it’s best not to go to Glebe tho perfectedly thankful to good Mr & Mrs Kennedy. I had some hopes lately of getting into some way of business in Carn that none in the town wd dislike and have given up the prospect. I must say it’s a pity to stir one, for I am so willing to sit still. My Sr I got shoes for you to day but think them not half neat and must have them returned. She sends you old pair to slipper about in till someday next week .... will go to you. She sent you by John a silver thimble of our dear Jane’s, which, tho old, you will take care of. The m.... petticoat that went down was hers but is now mine, but you may take the use of it. As to the soldiers you have, you need fear no bad treatment from them, there is not a better behaved Regt in the three Kingdoms. All the Scotch Regts are so, but the Aberdeens uncommonly brave and well conducted, was it a little or a big man, the officer Donnell is the little one’s name. Burns the big one’s, the latter the best of men. You may be glad to [see?] but I’m not pleased with John ...... his uncle made your cousin as poor as your father made my sister. I wish ...... that for surety he got a [large?] fortune with Miss Moore. There is a Captn here a namesake of yours a charming fellow and so properly conducted. I have not said a word of Bess Mary Anne can tell you. I have writ a very long letter by John. There goes a bundle for your mother.

[No signature to this letter - John Norris Thompson 1883/4] ___________________________________________

4

From Miss Jane Hamilton to Mrs CaryStrabane 5th Decr 1798

My Dr Sister,

On my way to Bond’s Glen, I stopped a few days in Derry, from that I wrote a short note to Mary Anne but got no answer. Indeed it was as well she did not write as Mr. Bonds is at this season of the year so very sequestered a spot that I wd scarcely have got a letter, they have so abundantly every comfort laid in, that they have very few errands, and I could not think of giving trouble to so kind and quiet a family by writing when I must almost make a servant go only on my affairs. No souls could be kinder than Mrs B. and the two girls, and himself as attentive and polite as possible. I stayed two months with them and could only get away when I assured them it was business brought me. The girls are very good. Mrs Bond talked to me continually about her brother your old favourite and friend, not I do assure you with my will, but she wd have it so, gave me his letters to read and asserted that had he lived to come home, it was to me he was coming, what do you think of that. In one of his letters there was a message to me, indeed it was rather late of being told me, the truth is I would not now be sorry it had been the case. I probably wd not want a habitation in my old days. You know I promised you all the news of Bonds Glen and I suppose I give you news from the dead I can go no further, he had not forgot the last night he spent at Mr Balls in Drimeny. I suppose you will laugh at all this and think it silly, but at the age of fifty seven it’s pleasant to imagine what might have been, so enjoy your joke. As to a house for you I was not idle so far from town. I had written to Mrs H and Mr Keer and meeting with Mary from this town at Mr B’s I did all in my power but could find none, the place is so overrun with the military. I will now that I am on the spot use all diligence for you, but let me request my dear sister that before you ..... you will have your affairs so settled that you will regularly get your income paid, otherwise you know not the ..... and the pain of borrowing or going in debt: do your part that way for yourself and my exertions will be unremitting until you’re fixed. I had a letter from Robin last Monday, his wife was delivered of a girl the 11th of last month, the young lass is called Anne Jane for his mother and sister. Write soon and give me your orders and tell Mary Anne to write often but not by post as my purse is not weighty. My love to her and same to Willy and if you think George will not be angry say anything taken for me.

Yours most affectionatelyJane Hamilton

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1 From George Cary of Tiernaleague to Thomas Colhoun Esq Atty

Donagh 3d Novr 1799Dear Sir,

I shall be glad to see you in this Country at the Spring Assizes when we will settle the business you wrote to me about. Mr Rankin is very much mistaken, when he supposes that I want to defraud him by not signing the mortgage. I still think it hard that my property should pay a debt which ought not to have been contracted. Thank you for your good advice.

Yours sincerelyG. Cary

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5

From Thomas Colhoun to George Cary of Teirnaleague

Dear Sir

As I came here in the Derry Coach, and have no horse, it will be totally out of my power to wait on you at Donagh to see the mortgage to Mr. Rankin executed by you. I hope you have business that will bring you to the Assizes where I shall have the deed in expectation of seeing you or if it be more convenient to you I will meet you any day you appoint in Derry prior to the Assizes, letting me know at least a week before, altho it will be attended with inconvenience to me having no horse - I intend being in Ramelton next week - I will not probably return here until the beginning of the week following - our Assizes commence the 14th April. I am Dear Sir with respects to your mother and the family.

Yours sincerelyThomas ColhounSt Johnston Derry 22nd March 1800 27 March 1800

Wrote this day to Mr Cary by his brother Tristram to the same effect as the above. ________________________________

6

From Rev. William Rankin to Thomas Colhoun[NB - Against the beginning of this letter John Norris Thompson appears to have written Important and circled it – SEDL 2013]Dear Tom,Mrs Rankin gives me the following information about the family affairs. She says that at the time of Micah Cary’s death Jack Cary held Maghrearnett and the mountain in Do. [Donagh or Donegal] that he gave up both; that Elder took a lease of Maghrearnett: put cattle on it which were houghed: assigned his lease to Jack Cary with Mrs Cary’s consent: that Elder was wealthy and able to pay the rent: that Mrs Cary about this time grazed it; that it is good land and sufficient to fatten a considerable number of cows. Mrs Rankin can find no date to these transactions; knows not whether there was any tenant on the mountain between Jack Cary and the present tenant William Cary nor when Wm. Cary commenced - Mrs R says that Frances Cary pay two guineas a year for her holding from the famiy. Respecting the Bonds passed by Mrs Cary, she says by Mrs Cary, she says. She never heard she gave a bond for money to pay off another bond, but that Frances gave Thomas Doherty an order on Micah Cary for £50 or thereabout: that this order did not come forward till after Micah’s death and that she believes that Mrs Cary not having money to discharge it gave James Doherty the executor of Thomas Doherty her bond for it. [Quere?] is not this the bond for £57 9s 11d and is not the money credited in Frances Cary’s account.Mrs R says that George Cary now of Derry came to Donagh and asked Mrs Cary for James Cary’s share of what was left by his father, Tristram Cary her 1st husband to send him abroad: that Mrs Cary desired George Cary to give him 50 guineas and that she would reimburse him [Quere?] is this not the 50 guineas which appear to have been paid to George Cary and has the family any concern with money so applied. [This was crossed out in the original letter - John Norris Thompson 1883/4. I presume JNT meant the whole paragraph was – SEDLane - 2010]. Mrs Rankin says that Frances left her holding at Micah’s death and did not return for a year or two - If Jack Cary gave up Maghrearnett and Mountain at Novr 89 and did not come into Maghrearnett till Novr. 93 this will be an interval of 4 years, for which it is to be considered how far Mrs Cary is accountable, whether for Elder’s rent - who was able to pay or what she may be supposed to make by grazing it. Mrs R does not know how Thorpe’s bond was paid - Mrs R joins me in affectionate compliments to you and expects to see you here this day tonight or some day soon after. I am dear Tom sincerely yours

William RankinRamelton September 20th 1801Mrs R says that James Cary got from his mother an order on George Cary now of Derry for 50 guineas which she heard her mother say was part of the money left by Tristram Cary her 1st husband. Quere if this order should appear to be for £50 perhaps there might be one or two more orders besides to make up £57-7-11 the sum for which the bond was passed. _________________________________________________

7

From Mrs Cary to Thos Colhoun

Donagh 25th September 1801 Sir,I have been carefully trying to find out that affr (affair?) of the waste you mention of Maghrearnett, two years, I find it was in my possession when thrown up by Mr John Cary. In the year 1792, there was a lease granted to Richd Elder. he was to become tenant in 1793 but from a desperate houghing of his cattle, was obliged to transfer the lease to Mr Cary: for the two years it lay on my hands I purchased a few cows and put them on the grass wishing to make the most of it; the produce was but little good can I ascertain it, but will leave the account to the gentlemen appointed. Respecting the bonds, I refer you to Mr McGrath who can very well inform you, the different purposes for which they were granted. As to them passed by my husband he was the best judge for himself.

Your humble ServantMary A Cary

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[Note: the following letter was somehow overlooked when I wrote the above copies of letters it should come between the two letters above - John Norris Thompson 1883/4][I have inserted the letter in the correct place as directed by JNH - SED Lane 2010]

Peter McDonagh (Attorney) to Mrs Cary of Tiernaleague

Dear Madam

Mr Colhoun and I yesterday settled all accounts between you and Mr Rankin and found after giving credit for every allowance which you will see by the enclosed accounts that you are in Mr Rankin’s debt £29-16/6. The awards speak for themselves and are easy understood.

I expect to see you next Thursday. In the mean time I will thank you to send for Bryan the bailiff to go among the tenantry to come in with the May rent on that day.I am dear Madam with best respects to the ladies very sincerely yours.

Peter McDonaghDerry 28th September 1801

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8

From Mrs Cary to the Revd William RankinDonagh July 18th 1802

Dear Sir

I recd (received) a letter from Mr Colhoun this day in which he mentions that I got credit for the 20 guineas given Matty at the time of her marriage and £5-16/9 previous to it, if, so I am very well satisfied, but both Mr McDonagh and Mr Cary gave me to understand it was not so. Now if Mr Cary says it was alld (allowed) me I will acct (account) with you for the money awarded you, but if not - I cannot think of letting so much money go for nothing - I send a rent roll which I think may satisfy you, if not you are at liberty to make one to your own mind. As to the half year’s rent, I think you are pretty safe when you deduct your part of £100 paid Miss Cary the 8th of May last, however let the matter be looked into every justice shall take place on my side. He also wants to know the amnt (amount) of the arrear due, which is out of my power to ascertain until Mr McDonagh is here - I thought that at the time of the settlement all matters concerning the woods and lands (As Mr McDonagh styles it) were finally settled and from what Mr McDonagh told me both by word and letter I am pretty sure it is. So I hope I will not be called any more to acct (account) about that.

I did not think I should have had such trouble as I seem to have in my old days, but I know who to thank for it. The manner in which I have struggled for my family god knows and to him I refer my case.I am with love to Matty and the child your etc etc

Mary A CaryP.S. The Rent Roll was forgot to be sent by M.A.

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9

From Jane H Cary to Mary Anne Cary at Clermount (About 1802)

My Dr (Dear) M.A.

My mother requests that good Mr H will allow the girls to come over with you, and if Mrs McNeill has taken the two girls with her, as I fear she has, perhaps now our good old Matty will consent to accompany you to those parts by way of inducement - There is a party of soldiers coming to Carn, and a very nice Kilty officer with them: On my honour this is truth Mr Kennedy this day gave the news. No place will do but sweet Carn. General .... must have them quartered there as being the centre. I hope for the felicity of dancing a scotch reel with this nice young lad. I think I see Matty and us jigging round him I must match him in a kilt, and then we will dance a highland walloch; that’s the fun I think!! Now surely coax well for Matty; she may ride single on her father’s mare or one of John’s horses: but M.A. this is the smart Kilty officer that I dreamed so much about; you may remember I told you of. My mother is quite in a panic, lest my dream should come in true. Mary Ball is most assuredly married and gone off to her own house, her place is in the County Antrim it is called [Portlenone?] it once belonged to our family and sold by some of our old forefathers. No letters from either Ramelton or Tristram. Mr Kennedy thinks the regiments were ordered back to Egypt as the Turks were not behaving so honourably there. All the officers who fought in Egypt are to get as a reward for their bravery a gold medal from the Grand Seignior and they are to have another from his British Majesty. Only think of all this honor - Yours with affte (affectionate) love to Mrs H and any of the girls that are with you.

Yours trulyJ H Cary

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Accept my best thanks My Dear Mary Anne for the pens etc tell your brother I’m extremely obliged to him for the trouble he was so good to take in making them, they are just like himself ... the thing, you are very kind in saying you wish so much for my being with you: I assure you you can’t wish it more than I do myself but there is no help for misfortunes. Plague on the rats say I - I am not able to write much more as I have got a terrible cut in one of my fingers and am hardly able to hold the pen. however I would be (..?) when I would not write to you. My love and best wishes as due to your mother sisters etc and believe me ever most truly your affte (affectionate)

Catherine Young(Ch Peter R?0Oh he wants a word of youDid you even hear of the wee bit Bill - (gil?) it be a (mavish?)

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10

The death of old Mr McDonagh has broken off the settlement of your account with Mr Rankin, before it was concluded, as credits are claimed on your part for the bonds mentioned on the other side and for many other credits for which those bonds might have been passed. double credits may be given to you. You will therefore please to answer this, mentioning for what purpose each of your bonds was passed directed to me at Derry so as that I may receive it before the next day appointed for Mr. McDonagh and me to meet which is Saturday the 26th instant. Your Attendance, had it been at all convenient, would have added much to my satisfaction in this and many other parts of the accounts which happened previous to Mr McDonagh being concerned.

Your obedt (obedient) Humble Servnt (Servant) Thos Colhoun

Derry 18th September 1801

Copy letter to Mrs Cary on which all the bonds of Mr & Mrs Cary claimed credit for [R..?] in the account are mentioned T. C.

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11

From Geo. Cary (Flute?) to the Rev. Wm Rankin

Derry 28 February 1804Dear William

I am sorry to find I cannot even at this length of time, answer yours of 13th inst (instant) in a more satisfactory manner by being able to make you some remittance of your property from the lands of Donagh, however altho (although) not able to remit you it is the least you should be informed of the situation of things there. You congratulate me on the appointment to the rect (receipt) of the rents of Donagh, and have informed me you had a letter from Mrs Cary the day I left you desiring to have your and Mary Anne’s opinion respecting a receiver etc that I was wishing very much myself for the rect (receipt) of the rents, as I thought Mr Chambers could not attend to them himself, which is the fact I am sure he could not, nor have I any particular wish to be receiver, were it not that I have, I fear rather injudiciously put my money into that property, and having done so I know no person better qualified to receive my own rents at least, and if it is the wish of the whole or any of the rest of the family to appoint any other receiver for their proportions, I am sure I will have no objection, but I will certainly receive for myself, being the only way I have of employing my time to advantage, besides Mrs. Cary informed me the last day I was there that my proportion of rents could not amount to forty pounds per year that there had been a mistake in the calculation of forty pounds which her son Robin could point out that would reduce it to less than forty and now the present Bishop has advanced the fine upwards of twenty pounds per year for the present year and we know not what he may demand in future, as I had a very great deal of difficulty with the agent to prevail on him to take so little, and he would not receive a single guinea in bank notes and of the whole £159-1s-0 which I was obliged to advance or want the renewal for this year as after the 1st of Feb. (February) no renewal would be made the rent is included in the £159-1s-0. William Cary from being left without a penny to support him begged of me to purchase his proportion of the property, which I have done: this George seemed to have a great objection to and insinuated that he could not sell or that he was mad or insane and that his sale was not a good one. He had nothing else for it, as he was refused money and the people in Carn that had advanced him a little tea and sugar were refused payment of a three pound bill and told there would be no bills answered for him in future. George has been receiving the rents as well as me and as there was no regular list furnished me by Mrs Cary, nor no regular power of atty (attorney) given to me, only her ordering the tenants to pay in to me, which some did and some did not but paid to George I can only say to you that things are in so unsettled a state, that I think it would be wise thing in you to come here and assist me to have some regular plan fixed on, so as I may be regularly appointed to receive the rents or to let George receive them, which, I fancy he wishes, and his mother is so much afraid of him, that I think she will act just as he pleases, for, I think, if he is satisfied all is well with her and the wants of the others are not taken into consideration and his idea is that the whole property should have been his own. I have had double the trouble that was necessary in consequence of his receiving along with me, as he took a part of the rents from some which made it necessary for me to enter what he received as well as my own. As near as I can judge there does not now remain in the hands of the tenants to discharge all their rents and arrears up to up to the 1st of last Novr (November) above thirty or forty pounds and you shall have herewith the amount of my receivings and the disbursements on acct (account) of the family, by which you may form some idea how things are going on and you will also perceive how many journeys I had to Carn in receiving what I got, as I have given you the amount of each days receivings and the length of time appointed from day to day.

12

I am Dr (dear) William with love and best wishes to Mary Anne, Mrs Rankin and the children.yrs (Yours) very sincerelyGeorge Cary

You will perceive by the amount on the other side there is still due to me £44-2s-9d therefore altho (although) I have been the receiver: my own proportion still remains due. I would recommend it to you to take the beginning of the week and come over to me, so as you and I could go to Donagh and have some regular plan fixed that I may either be regularly appointed to receive the rents for as many as choose to appoint me those that do not wish may appoint may appoint any other person they please.The Estate of Donagh to Geo CaryTo my proportion of the rents computed at per year ending at Novr 1803 42 “ “To cash advanced to Mrs Saml Rankin on Acct. of her proportion 17 13 7½To do to Wm Cary 10 4 91804To cash paid a year’s rent and fine to Mr Ball for a renewal of the lease 159 1 “To interest due me on the balance of an acct. by the family

£176-4-7 for one year 10 11 5239 10 9½

To balance due as per the above acct. 36 4 1

To receivers fees on £202-14-8½Deducting my own 42-00At 12 per pound £160-14-8½ 7 6 8

44 2 9½________________________________________

13

From George Cary (Flute) to Revd (Reverend) Wm Rankin

Derry April 2nd 1804Dear William

Yours of the 29th Ulte (ultimate) I recd (received) and am much obliged to you for the good opinion expressed of me and the mode you recommended for me to state my account, which I think is certainly the proper method of doing so but the account I transmitted to you was merely to show you there was no money remaining of the family’s in my hands, or any that I could remit to you who I consider better entitled than those who lived on the spot and were daily receiving some part either in occupying themselves a part of the property or receiving rents from the tenants or raising money from a sale of turbary or timber of the wood: and with respect to the fees you mention my charging on the money Geo. (George) rec. (received) I told him I would charge double fees, as it would give me more than double trouble keeping with each tenant a double acct (account) examining and entering all his payments in addition to my own and I now assure you I would not receive the rents on any account in conjunction with any other person for when I attend in Donagh for the purpose of receiving it is is as easy for me to receive a payment of ten pounds from a tenant as a payment of five shillings but if I am to receive ten shillings the remainder of a tenants rent who produces me Mr Cary’s receipt for nine pounds ten shillings, I have to take up that receipt and keep it as a voucher and also to keep an acct (account) with Mr Cary of the different sums he receives from each tenant: in short I am of your opinion to receive only my own rents and to let every one who wishes it do the same as I plainly see that if the whole family could be soldered into one individual it would answer very well as that one could receive without any disturbance.

I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in a few days as I intend going down to Rathmullan about some business with a friend of mine and we will then talk more of matters. I am with love too Mary Anne Matty and the children.

Yrs(Yours) very affct(affectionately)George Cary

[Note: In a post script he mentions the death of Tom Chambers - JNT Bridge Cottage 30 th May 1883]

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[Some letters of 1804 which should appear here may be found at pages 223-224-225 - JNT 1883][I have inserted the appropriate letters in their proper place as advised by JNT above - SED Lane 2010]

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14

Ramelton Oct. 29th 1800

Dear Madam

I have the pleasure of telling you that your daughters Jane and Matty and the child arrived safe here Last Sunday. If Miss Fanny Cary’s demand be found to be lawful, and she is not satisfied with the intst (interest) but must have the principal, she must be paid, if you had occasion to borrow more than that, which, I understand does not amnt (amount) to £200, the property of Donagh wd (would) be good security for it, but the nature of this debt is such that any money borrowed for the paymt (payment) of it wd (would) be payable before any debt affecting it that was contracted since Matty’s grandfather’s death, on this acct (account) the money will be the more easily got, and this I think is the mode of paying Miss Cary that ought to be adopted: the income of your children is too small to be able to spare any part of it from their support for the paymnt (payment ) of debts: Read my marriage settlement and you must see the unreasonableness of calling on me for any contribution for that purpose. You will be pleased to pay me as the rents are got in. I give up the pen to Matty.

Yrs (Yours) Wim RankinMy dear Mother & Mary Ann

I got safe here on Sunday. Mary Ann is not all the worse for the journey. I have been very uneasy about my darling sister, god send she may be better. I hope soon to hear from her, there is a lodging really for any one that wishes to take it. I cannot just tell the particulars yet but so soon as I get time I will examine them and let you know all about them. Write often and let me know how you, your aunt daughter & sister

Matty Rankin

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15

Ramelton May 19th 1804Dear Robin

It gives us all here great pleasure that you have been able to dispose of your Commission without sustaining any loss thereby. As the purchase money is lodged I do not see any bar in the way of bringing the purchase to a close and I think that you ought to let Colnl H know what you have done and the time at which you think you would be in readiness to accept the appointment which he was so kind as to say he had no doubt of being able to procure for you.

If you do not think it already sufficiently certain whether Colnl H means to procure you this appointment without purchase, I think you ought to be very explicit in letting him know your expectation; this I think the more necessary when I consider the value of the appointment which if it be equal to a cornetcy in a Regt (Regiment) of Horse is 1200 guineas, I have no doubt of his inclination to do you a good office, but whether he has interest sufficient to procure you an apt (appointment) of such value without purchase he himself is the best judge.

Your sister and I will be glad to see you here, as soon as you are at liberty to come to us. All here are well; your sisters join me in love to you and Mr & Mrs M.

I wish you success and am Dr (dear) Robin.Yours truly

Wm RankinMy dear Jane,

I fear you are angry with me or you would I think have written on the back of Robts (Robert’s) letter. I may thank god I did not go with Mrs Colhoun as I took so violent a headache and cramp in my stomach, that had I been travelling I must have dropped off the car. I am told Tristram intends coming soon for me. Surely if I could visit at all I wd (would) go to you before any one in this world, but I dare not venture - Biddy is gone to Donagh. I hope for good news when she returns. My affte (affectionate) regards to Mr M and Robt Yrs as much as ever.

M A Cary________________________________________

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Ramelton October 11th 1804

Dear Robin

I received your favours both of this and last month: I did not answer your first because I expected you here every day after my receipt of it. I shall at all times be glad to see your mother here; her promised visit at this time will be particularly acceptable as we shall have her assistance while you and I are settling the long account now subsisting between her and me. This acct (account) must begin, where the account settled in Derry ended, as it must have a reference to that acct (account), you had better bring it with you tho (though) I am now very very much in want of money and the paymt (payment) of the 20 guineas you have for me would be very acceptable, I shall bear with my distress, till you come here, which you say will be before the 1st of Novr (November). You say that you will by that time be able to make an adition (addition) to that sum, I hope a considerable one. A year’s interest is now due. I can no way account for your rental falling short of Mr Mcdonagh’s but by supposing that you have made some mistake or omitted something, I therefore advise you to revise it, and endeavour by a diligent search to discover the omission if there be any. The increased rent of Carney’s farm should make yours exceed his. At what are the Customs of Carn let. Have you taken the duties at the old valuation In your rental I hope you have specified the duties payable by each tenant.

I wish your mother and you a safe journey to us.I am Dear Robin truly yours Wm Rankin

[Note – sincerely is written & crossed out before the truly – SEDL 2013]

My dear Mother

I cannot tell you what pleasure Robert’s letter gave me. I hope you will not disappoint me. I think you will be pleased with my Sam, he is grown very entertaining; he was not so well since my Aunt left me, but he is recovered and has got a tooth, he is a little thinner. You bid Robert tell me Catherine [McGle..?] would come to me, but I fear she would not answer me, as she would not know how to iron and do-up my things, and I have not time to do any thing of that sort I think if Biddy goes I will try Betty McSwine, as she knows how to do all I want she is somewhere near this.

My Aunt Fanny said she would come with you, tell her I hope she will keep her word I cannot promise you much amusement but what you will have with the children but you will have a hearty welcome and see me very happy.

Mary Anne Cary is better than when my Aunt left us. Give my love to my aunt Fanny and George. Give my love to my dear Robert and tell him I hope he will be good and keep from low company. Believe me your affte (affectionate) and dutiful daughter.

M Rankin________________________________________

17

[I presume this letter is to Robert Cary or Cary it is out of order and I am inserting it here rather than later where JNT seems to think it should go - SED Lane 2010]

Your feathers were sold for the sum of three pounds eighteen shillings Irish currency. It was not in my power to sell any thing else, therefore whenever you send, the remaining articles shall be delivered to whom you wish. The bottles mentioned in one of your letters, could not be had complete, in the way desired, for two shillings and sixpence each, therefore did not order them, as the one made under you own direction cost more.

Paid for Mr R Cary to Q W McArthur 79th Regt - £2-13 6 do for do to G Sharks 11½ do for do to J Ross 79th 3 3 do for do to W Ross ___ 3 3

£3 0 11½Cash to Mr R Cary 6 August 1804 £2 10 0

£5 10 11½Balance due to Mr R Cary __ 12 6 ½

£6- 3 6

By Cash from Mr R Cary August 1804 £2 5 6By Feathers sold for Mr R Cary to Captn Stuart £3 18 0

£6 3 6

The bill of Mr McArthur I got a receipt to and will deliver it with the balance of twelve shillings & six pence halfpenny due by me to you, to any you advise should receive it, With love to Mrs Cary & Mr Cary. I remain Dr (Dear) Sir

Yours truly T.L. Metcalfe Lieut. 79th Regt.

ps Lieut. A Cameron has offered six guineas for you jacket & epaulettes, write if you will take it.

________________________________________

18

Dear Cary

I recd (received) yours of the 24 inst (instant) and sincerely trust your brother has made a change for the better. Jane returns thanks for the trouble you had in making out her accts (accounts), but from the amount of the fees of agency there appears some error in regard to her yearly income, therefore, desires me to say she will be much obliged to you for an acct (account) of the different deductions from the property such as the Bishop’s rent and fine, interest of money or any expense incurred; and also for a correct rent roll. With respect to the charge against her in the acct (account) sent, of the sum of sixteen pounds four shillings and seven pence halfpenny due to Mr Cary of Derry, she wishes to know whether Mr Rankin of Ramelton has granted it. Have you heard of any place that would suit me; if the house belonging to your late brother is to let Jane thinks it would do for a short time; if it is to let, write word and let me know your opinion and how many acres can be had with it. Your jacket and epaulettes shall be sold to Lt A Cameron according to your wish, for six guineas, but if you are likely to go into any corps, they would save a great deal, and would probably only require new buttons; the sword will not easily be disposed of, as there is not any officer, who has need of one. In your answer let me know the day you will be in LDerry (Londonderry), and any place you appoint I will meet you at, and bring the money that Lt A.C. (Lieutenant A Cameron) pays for the jacket and epaulettes.

Jane joins me in love to Mrs Cary and Mr Cary.I remain Yours Truly

T.L. Metcalfe Lt 79th Regt

My Dr (Dear) Robin,

I hope you received my letter, as I am very anxious about having some place of my own in case this Regt (Regiment) is moved; it will most certainly leave this quarter early in the Spring and it wd (would) be a disagreeable thing if I was wanting a home; so if I could have that place lately occupied by poor Wm I should like it, let me know what repairs it wants and the rent wanted for it, write by return of post. We intend going down before Christmas if Metcalfe can procure leave; let Tristram know that we shall not trouble him for his car, as we shall take a carriage. Metcalfe will not allow me to go on an open car at this season with the child; She is a fine little fat thing like her father. Metcalfe says if you want a sword, you and he may make an exchange; if his Stafford one will answer your corps, you may bargain when you meet; if you wish it let him know as he wd (would) bring it with us, if it does all your things will be taken safe to you. This place offers nothing new. Metcalfe joins in affte (affectionate) love to all friends - my good mother in particular. I remain yr (your) affe (affectionate) sister

J H MetcalfeLifford Coney [Bar?]Have you any idea of what Mr J Cary will be asking for Maghrearnett, let me know if you do.

________________________________________

19

My Dearest Mother,

I long very much to hear from you, I think it strange not having received my accounts; Robin said he would send them but has not done it, I fear I must have recourse to law which will grieve me much but sooner than lose my legal right, I will do it, I am certain there is not one of the family has kept off as I have done therefore I expect to be well treated. Mr Metcalfe has met with so many disappointments and serious losses that I really think it hard not to assist him at [...?] in coming through life and with truth he is worthy of me and more than I can bring him. I trust I shall never have cause to regret the happy day I was his wife. If my good little husband and I could settle ourselves in Donagh properly we would gladly do it; and I flatter myself Mr Metcalfe would set an example to some of our county [...?]. I trust one day to settle on my part of Donagh and to live comfortably and with contentment on it if Mr G Cary will have his part divided off, I think we may have ours and build a neat house for ourselves, and be neither an encumbrance or dependant to any one but both of use to the family and a comfort to you in your old days to have us near you. You once loved me near you and would you not be happy to have my husband and child neighbouring with you. I think you would. I had letters from Ramelton some days since. Mary Ann is pretty well poor Fanny and her little ones are gone to White Castle, god grant her comfort; I long to hear from her how she is fixed, write me how they are, and all about Tristram and his wife and child and I wish to hear all about them. You say you will send us some money at November. There will be two years to settle for and I would like to be cleared up to that time if possible and that would put an end to all confusion again.

My little daughter is coming on well, she this day got the infection for the cow pock. I hope she will be very well - I am doing all I can with Mr M to go down to Inishowen for two weeks, but he will not consent to it without a pressing invitation from all friends, perhaps he is very right. Write soon to your Daughter who loves you sincerely Mr M joins in affte (affectionate) love with

Yours J H MetcalfeLifford Oct. 19th

[The above letters have been inserted now return to the order as in original SED Lane 2010]

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Robert Cary to Revt Wm Rankin

Decr 10th 1804Dear Sir

I send per bearer 40 gs. (guineas) which is near the balance due you of rent and interest at May last any delay in sending the money was me as I intended getting Mrs Brown’s interest, and making one journey do both: however as you cannot wait till then I send the bearer express with it. You see by the amt (amount) I send that there is a balance of rent due you at Novr (November) of £11-17-6

Interest 39- 0 - 0 50-17- 6

Cash herewith 45-10- 0due 1st Novr £ 5 - 7- 6

The amt (amount) I believe is just, and any objections you make I will endeavour to clear up. I could send you the remainder and also some to Mary Anne but cannot get change of six shilling pieces which I have. I send a rent roll which I hope will please you.

The strand is set for six pounds only so you must deduct from £768 - 13 - 8 1 - 19 - 3£766 - 14 - 5

Add a house in Carn since set 1 - 2 - 9£767 - 17 - 2

This is the gross rent of the property and I do not think any person can make it more.I am Dr (Dear) Sir with love to all yours sincerely

Robert Cary

The house in Carn is a tenement and the tenant’s name is Widow Dougherty, it is a very small cabin. Mr Cary intends to collect his own part of the rents himself and I have made him out a return for this purpose 1/6 from each tenant. I will soon be able to pay M A and you in full but I must now make the renewal.

________________________________________

21

[A letter of 1805 which should appear here is at page 226 - JNT 1883/4][I have moved it and put it in as directed – SEDL 2013]6[My Dearest Mother

I long much to hear from you I wrote from Enniskillen and had no answer I fear you forget that you have such a daughter, I write now to put you in mind in hopes to soon get an answer: when we were leaving Enniskillen Metcalfe wrote to Robin; he thinks it strange not having a letter from him. My dear little Maria was nearly dead since we left Enniskillen, with a stuffing in her lungs. Captn Brown’s son died of it and many other children. Maria was five days that her life was in danger, but thank God she is recovering fast. We came forty miles the first day the child was extremely ill all the way and fortunately Metcalfe got leave to travel with me so we got all safe to White RocK Barracks very safe. Part of the Regt (Regiment) is quartered in the town of Longford and three companies at White Rock Barracks two miles from Longford. I like this country very much. I am happy as possible out of any town. We have got a cabin near the barracks for which we pay ten shillings per week. Lodgings are very high, any of the Elders houses are much better than the one we now have only two rooms stone floor. We did not like going into a barrack with so many officers, I think we shall find comfort here this summer if another move does not take place. Sometime since Metcalfe was gazetted Captn so I trust we may look forward to better days. There has been great promotion in this Regt if Robin could have paid he would be now Lieut but I hope it is all for the best, I long to hear of my Ramelton friends, write me something of them. I often think of Mary Ann but fear she seldom thinks of me. I did not hear from her since I saw you. Bess Moore is the only friend that honours me with letters.I intend writing to Ramelton by this post. I wd (would) write oftener but that postage is so high and my letters so [...?] I have little more to say than that this is a cheap place and fine weather I like it much better than Enniskillen.Write soon my dear mother. M joins in affte (affectionate) love with yours

J H MetcalfeWhite Rock BarracksMay 13th 1805

Dear Cary

I wrote to you from Enniskillen the week before the Regt marched for this place which is nearly a month ago but suppose you have more to do than to answer my letters in less than a quarter of a year, therefore I shall look for an answer to the last in the course of two months hence there has been a great promotion in this Regt but whether I shall remain with the 1st Battalion or go to the 2nd I cannot yet inform you of, however direct your answer to that letter to Longford & I will write on the receipt of yours an account of all the promotions etc. With kind remembrance to Mrs Cary and compliments to all friends. I remain yours truly. T L Metcalfe Captn 79th Regt

ps Has your brother got a wife yet having heard a report of his having thoughts of getting married.

Longford 13th May 1805. ________________________________________

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From Robert Cary to Revd Wm Rankin

Tiernaleague May 3rd 1805Dear Sir

My mother recd (received) yours of 26th Ult (Ultimate) and in answer desires me to let you know that she is satisfied to have the acct (account) you mention settled when you please. On looking over the settlement made in Derry I found there is a mistake in Dan McColgan’s interest but could not see anything with regard to Mrs Brown’s. I do not see that there is any occasion for settling this acct (account) by arbitration, as I am sure we will do it ourselves. When I get in as much of the May rent as will pay your half years interest I will go with it and then we will put an end to this acct (account) and I will take money with me and pay you the balance - there is also the same mistake in Mary Anne’s acct (account), when I pay you I will pay her likewise, this I will thank you to let her know. The place which my brother William held for £3 per annum I have let for £11-11s-0 since Novr (November) last. This will make a change in the rent roll I have also set ground for a house in Carn at 2 guineas per year and there is the year’s rent of that now due. This along with the other makes £10-16-6 more than last year. You may depend upon it that I will lose no time in getting in the money and having the acct (account) settled.

I am dear Sir with love to all friends Yours trulyRobt Cary

The lease was renewed last Novr (November) and all the interest paid up. Mr Cary still has the bonds.

________________________________________

From Robert Cary to Rev. Wm RankinMarch 9th 1806

Dear Sir

I recd (received) yours of 3rd Insnt (Instant) and acquainted my mother of the contents. She desires me to answer it viz As to that part of your letter respecting Mr Cary’s debt. She wishes me to inform you, that when the family accts (accounts) were settled she got credit for the amt (amount) of his accnt (account) and each child was charged with their proportion of it therefore the accts (accounts) then furnished you will show for themselves and you cannot be charged a second time. Tristram has agreed to leave the settlement to Mr McDonagh and Mr Tom Colhoun; he is now at his farm near Strabane and when he returns the gentlemen are to settle the accts (accounts) I will then use my best endeavours to get the Bonds from Mr Cary. Jane has not got any of her last year’s rent yet. I am now getting in some money for her. So soon as I can command as much as will pay the Dr and you it shall be done. Our lease was renewed last Jany (January) and all the interest paid up. My mother intends paying Mrs McColgan when she gets money from Tristram. The Dr and you shall have separate accts (accounts) in future.I am Dr (Dear) Sir with love to Matty and all friends.

Yours trulyRobt Cary

________________________________________

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From Robert Cary to Revd William Rankin

Dr (Dear) Sir

I suppose you think I do not mean to send you any money this year. I have not language sufficient to make an apology for my breach of promise. The bearer will tell you the cause of it as I have not time to write a long letter.

I send in gold £9 -13- 4½Notes 3 - 5 - 6Tokens 14 - 8 - 8 1/8 mistake only £14-7-0 being sent

27 - 7 - 6½Interest 19 -10- 0Paid of all balance 7 -17- 6½Mistake 1- 8

7 – 15-10½

I will soon have your rents and the remainder for you. For God’s sake let me know how Matty is I wrote twice to you but got no answer.


Sept 8th 1806________________________________________

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Robert Cary and Mrs Cary to Revd William Rankin and Mrs Rankin

Dear Sir

I have left £12-5-9½ at Dr Hamilton’s for you £9-5-9½ of which in gold. From your letter to my mother you seem not pleased with me you had sufficient reason but I hope when we meet I will convince you it was not my fault. This pays the arrear and part of the May Rent: the remainder I will send next week. I have got all Tristrams Accts (accounts) settled this day. I came here for that purpose and Mr Cary is paid he has given a rect (receipt) and will give up the bonds next time I see him.

I am with love to Matty and the childrenYours truly

R Cary

Derry 31st Octr 1806

My Dear Matty

I trust you still continue better and that Mary Anne Hamilton is well. I came here to meet Tristram to get our accts (accounts) settled which is done and Mr Cary is paid off. Let Mr Rankin know I had a letter from Jane. She was well at Colchester the 14 th Sepr and Fanny is well at the Bridge House with Sam and the three children - I will write to Mary Anne and will tell her and you all all that I have and am getting done - I am with best wishes to Mr Rankin and you and to the children

Your truly affte (affectionate) MotherMary A Cary

[Letter of 1807 which should appear here are at pages 228-230-231 - JNT 1883/4][I have inserted them at this point - SED Lane 2010]Page 230

Dear Cary

I recd (received) yours of the 26th Novr about ten days since but not having any intelligence worth communicating did not attempt answering it until this day. Jane and I are happy to hear Mrs Cary and all the family are well. I return you many thanks for your care of my little bull ....... I am glad to hear that matters are amicably settled between Mrs Cary and your brother Tristram and also yourself and sincerely hope if may turn out to the satisfaction of all parties. Should you have an opportunity will be much obliged if you will get two books of mine from you brother Tristram. One of them is entitled “The Complete Farmer” the other also a large book on farming by Columella; they are both very large books which you must very well remember when at Lifford; take charge of them with the rest; they are well worth your reading and you will find much useful knowledge in regard to farming and Natural History contained in them. If you can get the bag from Malcolm McNeill Esq, Salt Pans, Corram, Larne near Antrim it would be so much the better as there is more than two guineas worth of seeds and other articles worth about four more; if the unfortunate bag comes into your possession before the spring you will get a capital collection of flowers and vegetables which the gardener’s calendar that is among the books in Churchtown will inform you when to sow or plant and properly cultivate them.

25

Jane wishes to know what is doing about the property and when the division takes place and if the tenants are paying their rents well It will oblige me much if you will inquire of John Carlin whether he took back the two tea kettles to Messrs Harvey and George of Derry as they denied having got the kettle which they said they had charged according to our directions but which we never received, and let me know what Carlin says, as I believe him to be an honest man, who would not tell a falsehood about it, as he told me he would not at the time bring the iron tea kettle from Derry nor took it from Messrs H & G’s shop therefore there must be some mistake about it which I wish settled as I promised Mr H to inquire concerning it: let me know the result when you write again. 1st Jan 1807 Jane and I wish to know if the Renewal for this year has been made and in whose hands the lease is to lodged. I have purchased a sixteenth part of a lottery ticket for you and me as you expressed a wish to go shares with me some time since in a 16th the price is £1-6-6 British, half of which falls to your share, the Number is 10391 which I sincerely hope will be drawn a prize of £30,000, of which I shall give you timely notice when drawn, it commences drawing 13 January 1807 mind if it is drawn blank you must bear your loss with patience and if a £30,000 prize you may come and receive your share if worth coming for and do not grudge the expense in that case and we shall be happy to see you and give you a hearty welcome and a comfortable quarter. As you was born with a hood of fortune I thought it would be lucky to be a partner with you in a lottery speculation otherwise should not have sisfied (?) 13/3 principal money at this time as it might have been lost to me and my heirs for ever. Regimental news. Captn Milne is married lieutts Nathan and Ewen Cameron have got companies Lt Hugh McGregor has also got one - When the property is divided have the goodness to write to Jane as she is anxious to know what part falls to her share. Jane wishes to write therefore no more at present from yours truly Thos L Metcalfe.

Weely 9th January 1807________________________________________

Page 231My Dearest Mother

How truly happy did your letter make me to find that you were all well, as I feared much that there was something very wrong in Enishowen. I grieve to hear poor Bess M is in so bad a health and also I feel much for Mary Ann losing her little son, I trust it has not hurt her health. Write me how she is and if she is in the way of a having another little one. I am happy to see by poor Fanny’s letter that she is so snug and that Sam is doing as he ought. God grant they may be long, happy and comfortable. My sincere thanks both to Robin and Fanny for their good care of our cow and calf if the cow has another calf I wd (would) wish it kept alive if it can with convenience as M is so fond of a large flock of such cattle. I long to hear how Mrs Kennedy has got over her confinement. I have made every inquiry respecting a governess for her. M wrote twice to his mother and sister but as yet have not been able to find one. The English ladies do not like to venture to Ireland at present as there are very disagreeable accounts from that quarter. I hope you are as usual perfectly quiet in your part. There was a report of the 2d 79th being sent to Ireland but at present there is nothing of it, if we went to the North I should like it very well, but not to any of the Counties where the threshers are so busy. There is very little news of any kind here at this time, we go on very happily: the ladies of the Regt are all very attentive to me. Both M and I have been healthy since we came to England though there are numbers complaining. Now my dear mother write soon and tell me if you are all well and happy. How does George go on at present; has he given up thoughts of going into the Militia or what is he about as to Robin I have no fear for him; I always hope to hear his conduct will be free from reproach. When did any of you hear from Tristram and his family and our

26

Ramelton friends for though they may not regard me much I still recollect them with sincere affection. I ought to inquire affectionately after poor Mary her kindness to M and I shall not be forgotten. She sent her servant and mare half the way with us to Derry and certain I am had it not been for her tender attention I should have been very ill after, as the car was so small and bad, that we had not room on it, so was obliged to walk from Mr Allen’s into Derry but that’s over now and thank God we are well and happy tho not burdened with wealth. I hope my Aunt Fanny is well and Ray, M is making every inquiry respecting an ensigncy for him but as yet has had no great encouragement, however he will still persevere if Ray approves of it, but perhaps my Aunt would not like him to go into the army. Metcalfe just this moment received a letter from his father wherein he mentions a lady, who he thinks, will answer Mrs Kennedy; he will write again in a few days to say whether or no she will accept the proposals and I shall let Mrs Kennedy know. I am glad to hear that you have settled with Tristram but still I consider it is hard your losing so much; as to Mr C, M dreaded your not being able to get the bonds out of his hands but if Mr McDonagh has taken it in hand, I trust you are in no danger of losing by him; how is he going on now, has he got his part yet I fear he will distress the poor tenants much. Does Fanny ever write to or hear from Anne Stewart if she does I wish you would mention the unfortunate bag as Ann promised to make inquiries about it and if it is in her charge, I am sure it will be very safe. If Fanny will write to Ann S. it wd (would) oblige me and let me know what answer she may receive from her respecting it. This letter is very barren of news, but I know it will give you pleasure to hear we are well and comfortable so must conclude with sincere and affectionate remembrances to our good friends in which I am joined by M. I remain my dear Mother your affectionate child

J H Metcalfe

Many thanks to my dear sister F for truly [Aff.... ?] now since I began to hear you are so snugly fixed long may you be happy is the true wish of my heart I long to hear from you again write me how my poor Bess M is and my Aunt Moore how much I feel for her she has had severe trials for many years back and if poor Bess is not spared to her I fear she will end her days in misery. I hope to hear my little pet M A is coming on well with her books and that both her and Johnny are good children and obedient to you How does little Micha come on Metcalfe often speaks of him he was a great pet with him. M joins in love to you all with your affectionate sister.

J H Metcalfe Page 58Robert Cary to Revd William Rankin

Dear SirSome days since there came a ship into Malin and was all broke to pieces on the rocks her cargo consisted of sugar, cotton and coffee. I went there to the auction and bought some of the coffee it is as good as can be and if you wish for a few pounds I can let you have from 9lb to 14lb at 2/0 per lb. There was some sold for 20d but it was a little wet. I thought the best was the cheapest, write by return of post and let me know if you wish to have it. Nothing but the badness of the weather prevents me from going to see you and settle the last Novr rent, but I am sure you could not expect me until the storm is over, so soon as it is I will go.

Give my love to Matty I am Dr (dear) Sir yours trulyRobt Cary

Feby (February) 26th 1807

27

229My Dr (Dear) Robin

It will oblige me much if you will spend an hour or two in collecting my scattered accts (accounts) from November 1800 to the present time out of your book, putting down what money was paid to me, that which was disbursed for me, including what debts have been paid on my account and what my income has been yearly and if increased this year or diminished. The trouble I am giving you must pardon as I claim it in return for sometimes plying my needle for you. In our last we expressed a wish for some money being sent us, and since that period we have settled matters in such a manner as will render it much more certain and safer for us. Mr Boldock has given us the cash here, for the many charges that have taken place and still taking place make it necessary for us to have a little money in hand and in fact this country is so extravagantly high in point of eatables, that we are not able to save one farthing. Metcalfe has therefore given Mr Boldock a draft on you payable at Sir Andrew Ferguson’s and Co Derry, forty days after date which Draft was dated the eighteenth of May 1807 for twenty seven guineas, I request you may not disappoint us, but answer this letter by return of post. Therefore you can pay it in Bank of Ireland notes, and if there is any discount to be made you can have it for your trouble. I should like to know how the cow and little bull are doing and if my cow has got a calf yet.

Now that I have finished my letter on business I wish to make some inquiries after all our friends, write us how you are all going on. I am giving up the pen to M he will give you some news of the Regt. (Regiment).

I remain my Dr (Dear) brother yr (your) affte (affectionate) SisterJ H Metcalfe

Landguard FortHarwich

Essex20th May 1807

Dr (Dear) Cary

It is a long time since I heard any of or from you therefore we feel curious to know how Mrs Cary and you all are. I recd (received) a letter from you sometime ago letting me know our money was ready, which we are now calling for in a much safer manner than having remitted to us and also without the loss of exchanges which would have taken place by that method. We have been here a month last Monday and no doubt the public papers gave you an account of the melancholy accident which took place the 18th April when Captn Dawson and part of the 1st Battn crossing to Harwich from this place (about a league distant) were upset by a sudden squall or gust of wind about half a mile from this side and Capt Dawson and about eighty men, women and children perished, only about forty three of the bodies have been found, but not Dawson. Several changes have taken place in the Batn part of which 400 men have been drafted to the first Batn which is now as fine a Regt as I ever saw being 1000 strong Lt Col McLean has three months’ leave one (gone? - SED Lane 2010) to Bath on account of bad health; also leave to sell out which he intend doing the two Majors Fulton and Hamilton have given in their names for purchase but which will get it is not known. Cooksey has got the Company vice Dawson and is therefore come to this Batn Captn Petrie is also I understand to purchase a majority in this Regt (Regiment) and will be in 2d Batn. L Col Philip Cameron is gone to command the 1st Batn, Captn Mackie was married just before we came to England, and is a loving Husband and affectionate father of a fine girl which he is very fond of nursing. Acct

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(Account) of 79th Regt of L Col Barnes has got the L Colonelcy of the 46 Regt Lt Bruce has exchanged to the 38 Regt..

I think I wrote you sometime since that Black Han got a company in the 8th Garrison Batn. He is at present the 4th Capn in it. Captn Brown has two brothers you will perceive both with him in the 1st Batn MLach has also his brother and Captn A Cameron also, and Adjt (adjutant) Cameron has also a Brother in the Regt you can easily distinguish those who have their brothers in the list by the same mark opposite their names. En (Ensign) Lepper is Mrs Cameron’s brother. Dawson’s body was washed on shore near Harwich yesterday evening with a gold watch in his pocket and some money also his sword and greatcoat on. I have given you all the news which came within my reach therefore expect a return of news in your letter to me, and any information respecting family arrangements wherein Jane is concerned; With affectionate remembrance to Mrs Cary, your sisters and all friends I remain Dr (dear) Cary yours truly

T L Metcalfe Captn 79th Regt.

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79th

Col A Cameron Lt Col McLean

P CameronJ Murray M.G

Majors FultonHamiltonHarveySullivan

Captns McDowallPetrieDavd CameronA Cameron - 3BrownMcNeillLawrieDouglasDond CameronDond CampbellMalachMylneMetcalfeInnesJs CampbellNeil CampbellN CameronE CameronHugh McGregorCooksey

Lieut John Cameron Adj. MarshallMat FrazerDavidsonChristieMcOrutumJ C CameronSinclairHugh CameronWilliamsonE CameronJ A Brown Adj 2nd

Alex McLean

J McNeillCalderMcIntyreMcRoryAlex CameronD ? CameronX CameronJ CameronArch FrazerM. Barnet (?)Js CameronE CameronAlan Duty (?)D Do (?)D MalachGrant

Ensigns Ths P BrownG CampbellJ McLeanMcDonaldOldCarmichaelLepper

Paymaster J BoldockW Moffat

Adjutant J Brown LtJ Cameron Lt

2nd M Ro McArthurMcInlyre

Sunflons (?) G CaskellR Flume

1st (Isnt?) A WaldJ C AtkinsonDavid WoodR AytamAgent Lawrie

30

My dearest Mother

Since I last wrote we have been moved to this fort which is about thirteen miles from Weely and what makes if very disagreeable is there is a water to cross; something in the way of Fortstewart Ferry. I never was so much alarmed in my life as coming here, it was the day after so many of the 1st Batn were lost and that was a most melancholy accident. I find this place by no means pleasant on account of so many bodies of the poor men being found so near us; it has really made me very unhappy. My little boy is coming on well he is as large as Maria was at his age and a much stronger child, but not so pretty as she was; he is a fine stout fellow but not handsome, if he is good I don’t mind that much. In your last you mentioned both M. A. and Matty’s being in the family way; I long to hear how you all are. I hope poor Fanny is not in the way of increasing her family she promised to write to me but never has done it but I hope to have a long letter from you all giving me all the news of my sisters in mention also Tristram and his wife and children, Aunt Fanny, and Ray, Mr and Mrs Kennedy, Mr M, Captn and Miss Young. I had nearly forgot to inquire for my Aunt Moore and poor Bess. I long to hear if she is recovering and how Charlotte Cary and her family are. You may tell Robin that the first Battn is going on service they are to get double lieutnts and are now one thousand strong Major Fulton comes to this Battn. The first Battn has recd (received) orders to hold themselves in readiness to march to the point of embarkation. Thank God Metcalfe is not in the first 79 th at this time; we are out of the scrape. The ladies are all in affliction, I pity some of them much. Now in the course of a fortnight I shall expect a long letter from you and Fanny if she is not lazy, she once could and wd (would) write to me with pleasure. I wish to hear how my pet Mary Ann is going on I hope she is improving and also little Tommy and Micha she must tell me all about Sam and family I hope Sam is doing as he ought and Mary Anne is going on well with M(?) (Possible Matty – SEDL 2013). My dear Mother give me a true account of your own health. You said in your last that you had not been well for some time I trust you are quite stout and well and also happy and comfortable. Is George still at Tiernaleague, how is he doing. Not married yet I suppose. I long much to hear all about you and how things are going on with you. Does Mr G Cary visit you often, how is he doing - I will thank you to tell Mrs Kennedy that we have done all in our power to procure a governess for her, but to no purpose. The lady M Tak (?) applied to changed her mind on hearing of such disturbances in Ireland. The English ladies do not like to venture out of their own country.

Metcalfe joins in affectionate remembrances to you all with your ever affectionate childJ H Metcalfe

________________________________________

31

(Robert Cary to William Rankin - insert by SEDL - 2010)Dear Sir

In you letter to my mother you mention my having promised to send your rent and interest on a certain day, which promise I did not perform. I confess that I have treated you very badly, but I assure you it was not in my power to do as I intended, the weather being so bad for a long time past that could not be anything done - I hope you will pardon me for breaking my promise, as to any other neglect, I must say that I am not guilty, as I have done every thing in my power for the family’s interest since I began to do the business. I assure you that there are not any other tenants in this country that have paid their rents yet. I have left your last May rent and half a year’s interest with Mr A Brown of Derry, and will pay you the other half year’s rent and the interest due in October soon after Christmas but I must make the renewal first. In case you can not take your rent as I get it in in future I must give up your agency which will grieve me very much for many reasons.I am ready and willing to show my accounts to your attorney or any other person you may appoint.

I am Dr Sir yours truly Robt Cary

Decr 22nd 1807R Cary to the Revd Mr Rankin Dr

To 1 year’s rent due 1 Novr 1807 £38 0 2To 1 year’s interest due Octr 1807 £39 0 0

£77 0 2Cr £ s d

By 1 Stone Coffee 1 8 0By cash in gold (16 guins.) 18 4 0By Tokens 15 0 0By Bank notes 4 0 0

-------------------- £38 12 0Balance due 1st Nov £38 8 2

This sum you may depend upon it shall be the first paid after I make the renewal. I hope you will overlook what is past and be assured I will not make a promise again without performing it. I thank you for the advice you give me in your letter.Please write to Mr Brown when you send for the money. I will pay what amount is right for the notes.

32

Robert Cary to Revd William Rankin

Dear Sir

In your last letter you mention that I had charged you with the coffee twice, which I find is the case the amt (amount) as now due you stands thus

Over-charge on Coffee £1-8-0Discount on 14 gns (guineas) sent you in notes 9-7Bad money sent 5-0Due Novr 1807 £2-0-7

This sum and your last half year’s interest, I will, I hope, have for you in a week or two but I will not promise any of the May rent until the people get some relief; however you may depend upon it I will do what I can. If you find any other error please point it out to me.

I am Dr (dear) Sir with love to Matty and the childrenYours Truly

Robt CaryJune 8th 1808

________________________________________

Page 59Robert Cary to Revd William Rankin

Dear Sir

I recd (received) your letter and am under many obligations to you for your kind offer to let your money remain in my hands for six months. Enclosed I send a note as you desired and when I get the lease renewed I will call on you for your part of the fine. I have paid the Bishop’s rent in full up to the first of Novr (November) last. I am getting the land cut up in a manner which will, I am sure, be good for the tenants and I think will meet with the approbation of all concerned. I have not yet told any of the tenants what they are to pay. I will, as soon as I can, go to Ramelton and let you know more fully what I am about. The money due you is as follows

½ years rent due Novr 1809 £19 - 0 - 1½ years interest due Octr 1809 19-10 - 0Your proportion of one year’s fine 10 - 2 - 6

£48-12 - 7I hope you will find this correct.

My mother is rather better. She is sorry to hear that Matty is not well. She also desires to be remembered to you all. We have not heard from Jane lately.

I am Dr (Dear) Sir with love to Matty and the children yours trulyRobt Cary

Churchtown Jany 23rd 1810_______________________________________

33

Robert Cary to Revd Wm Rankin

Dear Sir

I have left with Mr Saml King Ferry Quay St - Derry your year’s interest due in Oct. £39 in bank notes and the discount at 5d per pound. I have got a number of Scotch notes, let me know if you will take them in your rent. I will, I hope, get the lease renewed next week. Write me on receipt of this letter and let me know if Miss P is at her father’s now, and any thing that may have occurred since I saw you respecting the matter. When I get the lease renewed I will go to Ramelton and pay you a long visit. I am determined to make an attack on Miss P then. I am with love to all Yours etc

Robt CaryDerry 27 Decr 1810

Page 232Ramelton 20th January 1810

Dear Robert

If you wish to keep at interest my money now in your hands amounting to somewhat about fifty pounds, you will be pleased to send me your promissory note for it on the proper stamp payable to me or my order with lawful interest six months after date - if you keep this money on these terms it will be necessary for you when you have agreed for the renewal of our lease with the Bishop to call on me for my share of the fine, if there be not a sufficiency for that purpose of money due to me at that time out of Donagh. When you were letting the lands you no doubt, had the precaution to enter into the bargain with a proviso “if all concerned were consenting” I hope you will have everything settled with Mr Cary 1st Feby according to your expectation.

I am Dr (Dear) Robt with complt (compliment) to your mother yrs (yours) trulyWm Rankin

________________________________________Page 59Revd Wm Rankin too Robt Cary

Ramelton 4th Novr 1810Dear Robt

I am willing as a proprietor particularly circumstanced to bear my proportion of the loss of rents on the lands of Donagh, according to those circumstances. At the same time, I expect, as a creditor particularly circumstance, that all the proprietors will make good to me all losses of rent which I as a creditor particularly circumstanced may have hitherto sustained or shall hereafter sustain.

If you as a receiver of my rents made over to me for the payment of my nett rent out of Donagh and my family interest money state your acct (account) and at the same time state the losses which you alluded to in your conversation with my daughter. I could the better judge whether the arbitration, which you mention, would be necessary with respect to me. I now repeat my offer of taking your bond for the balance, which may appear to be due to me in the statement of your account if I approve it, rather than distress you, tho I had rather have the money, which, I assure you, I now have much need of

I am etcWm Rankin

34

Ramelton 18th April 1811

Dear Robert

I received your letter in which you informed me that you had renewed our lease with the Bishop. You were too reserved in your communication to me who am a party concerned; you should have mentioned the sum you paid as a renewal fine for the three years that were expired of the lease; you should have stated whether the computation of it was for those three years together or for each of them separately: I hope it was for each of them separately as that seems to me the fair way of doing it and ascertains the fine to be paid each year in future, if your lease is renewed annually which I hope will always be done.

It is now upwards of a year since (I?) suppose you let the lands of Donagh belonging to the family. I say suppose it, for you have not yet informed me that you had let them and you have not yet given me a rental of the property according to that letting or even let me know the gross amount of the rents. Without a knowledge of these things, it is not possible that I can know what income I am entitled to out of Donagh as a proprietor or know whether I get my right.

I now want money very much. I therefore request that you will without delay give me the information mentioned above state your account with me as a proprietor and pay me what appears to be due me.

You will also be so good as to pay me without delay the year’s interest due me on your note for forty eight pounds twelve shillings and seven pence.

The half year’s interest now due me by the proprietors of Donagh, of whom you are one, I must insist on being paid me immediately, otherwise I shall give my atty (attorney) instructions to take legal methods to compel the payment of it. My interest must in future be paid one half yearly as Mrs Brown’s is, immediately on its becoming due.

I am Dr (Dear) Robert with best wishes to your mother yrs (yours) trulyWm Rankin

My Dear Brother

I have been very ill but am now a little better. I wonder much you wrote so often that you would soon be here and always broke your promise, it has made me that I don’t mind you saying you will come but I think you might write and let us hear what you are doing, for really we have been ill off for money, this some time past, and it vexes me that you would not be more punctual in what you say:

Tell my mother I was very ill in the same way she was when old Matthew Belford was at Tiernaleague but I hope soon to be well. Give my love to her, Aunt Fanny and all friends and believe me yours afftety (affectionately)

Matty Rankin

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Robt Cary to Revd Wm Rankin

Dear Sir

I recd (received) yours of 18th instant and must confess that you have great reason to complain of the payments of your rent and interest of your note being delayed. I assure you I have not been negligent but the state of the country at present is such that there is not a gentleman in it who has got in one half of his Novr rent. I have the pound full of cows and let me get what money I will. I will go to you without further delay and settle my acct (account). I will pay you all I get and let you see the list of what remain due so that you may be sensible that I have not misapplied the money. I would have sent you a rent roll before this, but could not be correct in it as all was not set. There is still a great deal of house ground in Carn to set but I expect it will not be long so. I am getting a linen cloth market established in Carn which I hope will add to its value.

The amt (amount) of gross rent at present is about £1120. I will make it £1150 when Carn is all set.

I paid the Bishop for 1808 £131- 0 - 0 1809 180 - 0 - 0 1810 180 - 0 - 0

491 - 0 - 0Interest and fees 69 - 0 - 0

560 - 0 - 0

Our fine in future will be £180 yearly. Please God I will be with you very soon and settle all the matters. I hope you will not entertain an idea that I want to do any thing by your or the rest of the family but what is honest.

My Mother is pretty well and requests a letter from MattyI am Dr (Dear) Sir yours truly

Robt CaryApril 21st 1811

Excuse haste and a bad pen

Page 61Robt Cary to Revd William Rankin

Donagh May 7th 1811

Dear Sir

Since I last wrote to you I have been doing all in my power to get in the remainder of the last year’s rent, and altho I impounded their cattle and tried to sell them I could not get a creature to purchase them, but of £267 15/0 I have got about £60. They have plenty of goods but cannot get money for them. You mentioned in your last that you would put the business into the hands of an Atty (Attorney) if your last half year’s interest was not paid on the day; as Mrs Brown’s was. I assure you I never pay Mrs Brown’s interest due in June until July or August, when I am getting in the May rent. Your interest due in April is also paid out of the May rent and how could I pay you till I had it in my power to get the money.

Your Acct (account) up to Novr last I will state on the other side.36

Robt Cary to Mr Rankin Dr Dr

1810 Novr 1 to 1 year’s rent £65 - 11 - 8 39 - 16 - 1 25 - 15 - 7

Interest on my note to Mr Rankin 2 - 18 - 5£28 - 14 - 0

Contra Cr Jany 9 1810By your part of renewal fine paid Mr Ball

For the years - 1808 and 1809 £25 - 18 - 4By your part of interest and fees paid do (ie Mr Ball for years - 1808 &1809 – SEDL 2013) 5 - 15 - 0Surveying and letting the property total £60 5 - 0 - 0By your part of Miss Cary’s rent for six years

Ending 1st Novr 1810 1 - 2 - 9By your part of costs in putting out Mrs

Dupont of Carn and other bad tenants 1 - 10 - 0By your part of Rent carried off by J Gillespie

and Mary Dougherty of Carn 10 - 0£39 - 16 - 1

The foregoing amt (amount) is to the best of my knowledge correct, if you find any error, I am ready to put it right. The people have promised to make sale of some of their cattle at the next fair 21st of this month, what money I get then along with what I now have, I will divide among you and more is not in my power to do. We are every day harassed by guagers; they have levied several heavy fines off the poor people here. If something does not turn up shortly, I fear there will be little money got the ensuing year. I have the bailiff out this day and will every day until I get in what will pay Dr Hamilton and you out to Novr last. Let me have what sum I will. I will go to Derry the week after the fair and pay Mr Babington £50 which he has my note for being the remainder of the fine. If I have what will pay the Dr and you, I will go up with it: if not I will leave what I have in Derry for you.

My Mother joins me in love to you allI am Dr (dear) Sir yours truly

Robt Cary________________________________________

Page 62Robert Cary to Revd William Rankin

The £10 mentioned in this letter is for the half year’s rent due in April 1811 W.R.

Dear Sir

I recd (received) your letter and allow that you have been very ill treated. I assure you the fault is in the tenants who always disappoint me, when I depend on their promises. I send you half of a twenty pound note and when I receive your answer I will send the other half. I have between forty and fifty pounds in tokens and scotch notes, and will as soon as possible send you a part of your May rent. I am very busy at present saving flax seed and cannot spare a boy for a week or two. It is hard to get a safe opportunity of sending money to Derry. I have your Rent Roll and acct (account) ready the gross rent at present is £1103 10/0 per annum. Your net ret is £64 -4/2 and there is a balance due you at Novr 1810 of £1-14/9 - I will not put you to expense of postage by sending them now. I must go

37

to Messers Scott of Bally Ark and Mr Johnstone of Stranorlar Heath to get their assistance in establishing the Linen Market of Carn. I have been promised a good sum of money already by the gentlemen of the county to pay premiums to Weavers (Vca?). I hope it will take place before the new flax is ready. My mother is pretty well and so is Aunt Fanny and all other friends.

I am Dr (Dear) Sir with love to Matty and the childrenYours truly

Robt CaryFeby 5th 1811

________________________________________

[The letter below 16 June comes before this one begun here and scored out - JNT - 1883/4][I have put them in the correct order - SED Lane 2010]

Robert Cary to Rev William RankinDonagh 16th June 1811

Dear Sir

The weather for sometime past has been so stormy that I could not venture to send any person over the water until now, otherwise you would have got the money ten days ago. I send by the bearer £15 which with your proportion of £50 paid Ray Campbell by me at sundry times and £3 4/6 which I charged myself with in the amt (amount) sent you now more than I should have done would pay you your rent in full to Novr 1810.

I am making out a complete rental for you and will also state an acct (account) from Novr 1809 which I hope you will be pleased with. I have given those tenants who I think able to pay, notice to pay their May rent at Malin Fair 24th instt (instant). When I get in enough to pay Mrs Brown’s and your interest you shall get it and your May rent as soon as I receive it. I also send you £3 being a trifle more than the interest on my note to you.

I am Dr (Dear) Sir with love to Matty and the children.Yours truly

Robt CaryMy mother is pretty well and sends her love. She sends 12 spangles of yarn which she requests Matty will get wove into diaper for her. She wishes two patterns and Matty to have them done according to her own fancy.

________________________________________

Page 63Robt Cary to Revd William Rankin

Dear SirI send you enclosed £20 in part of your last May rent. Money is hard to get here now, as we have five guagers in Carn, and the people can’t get regular payments for their barley. I will pay you a long visit, when I get my potatoes in and am determined to try whether I will get a wife in your part of the world, is Miss Mary Patterson at home now. I always feel a little glow of love for her. I wish she may do so for me. We are going to get a fine Barrack

38

built in Carn which I think will improve the town. Excuse bad writing as I have got my thumb ill cut.

I am Dear (Dear) Sir with love to Matty Mary Anne and SamYours truly

Robt CaryOctr 16th 1811

________________________________________

[I do not find any letters of 1812 or 1813 either in my fathers collection nor among those in the house. The letters below red line at bottom of the page I found afterwards in an old desk - JNT - 1883/4]

________________________________________

Page 233Dr (Dear) Robin,

As we cannot want our rents, it will much oblige us much if you can give us off a tenant who is able to pay us and M. will take the trouble to receive it himself for me. We send the enclosed which we hope you will find correct. It never was our intention to take money in advance but when the rents become due in May I think they may as well be paid as not, as we require them. You promised a rent roll which we would be glad to have as it will make every thing clear to us.

I wish to know how my mother is todayYrs (Yours) truly

J H MPriestfield Tuesday 27th July[Likely in 1813 - JNT - 1883/4]

________________________________________Page 63Dear Sir

I have left with Mr William Dougherty Woollen Draper of Butcher St. £19-18s-1½ for you which pays your interest till April last. I have not received the arrears yet but now that the people have got their new crop I expect to have it for you very soon. I have done all I could, but as the times are bad money could not be got. I am with love to all yours etc

Robt CaryDerry 5th Sepr 1813

[Times seem always to have been bad at least they are often stated to be bad and never stated to be good – JNT – 1883/4

________________________________________

14th Novr 1813Dear Sir

I send herewith £39-10-0 which pays the rent to 1st Novr 1812 and something over. As soon as possible you shall have your interest and May rent paid you according as I receive it. I will send it to you. It is necessary that one person should have a power from the rest to renew our lease with the Bishop and give leases to the tenants; are you satisfied to give

39

me this authority being the principal proprietor: if you are it should soon be done in order that no delay should be. I send a letter to George which you will oblige me by sending to him if he is in Ramelton.On the other side you have account to first of May

I am with love to all friends yours truly

Robt Cary________________________________________

Robert Cary to Saml SprouleDear Sir

I recd (received) your letter of 26th Ult and would have answered it last post, but was from home. Mr Rankin mistakes when he says the amt (amount) due to him last Novr is £99-9/9 it is only £74 14/8½, which will appear on investigating the acct (account). Any objections he can make to my acct (account) must be trifling indeed.

I am preparing to renew the lease with the bishop, and I hope for a few weeks it will not make any difference to Mr Rankin having his rent etc settled. I am determined to drive in all the tenants cattle that I can find on the property and to get the rents in full. Should I be short of cash, I will borrow what will pay Mr Rankin and Dr Hamilton to Novr last, and then I am satisfied to divide the property and to leave the division to the Revd Mr Babington of Derry and any other gentleman Mr Rankin and the others concerned may appoint. As to the money Mr Rankin and the others concerned may appoint. As to the money Mr Rankin lent the family. I can find my part of that sum without his going to the trouble of foreclosing the mortgage, on his giving me three months’ time to raise it I assure you my Dr (Dear) Sir, I have given up the principal part of my time since I was 15 years old in studying how I should contrive to recall the lost credit of a once reputable family, and I now find I have very little thanks for all I have done.

I hope to see you at Lifford sessions on the 12th instant - and will then tell you more of my mind. Be so good as to give my best respects to your father and family.


Donagh Jany 1st 1814________________________________________

[I reorganized the letters on page 63 into date order and inserted the one from Jane Hamilton Metcalfe from page 233. It is worth noting that Mary Ann Cary nee Hamilton died sometime in 1813 leaving her share of the property to Robert Cary. The letter of 14 th November 1813 bears this out – SEDL 2013]

________________________________________

Page 64Robert Cary to his sister Martha Rankin

Dear Matty

I recd (received) your letter, which gave me a great deal of uneasiness, as I thought altho some others of the family had turned their backs on me, that you would not however I must comfort myself with the thought that tho my nearest relations have deserted me I have

40

made friends among strangers of the first rank in society and if you are all determined to shake me off, I must try to live without you. If Mr Rankin would do me the honor to come and spend a few days with me, he would be a better judge of what I have done for the property. I suppose he thinks I have overcharged him on acct (account) of the park wall but the work shows for itself. As to the bog, I got it from Mr Babington and if you pay me my expenses in draining and other improvements I will acct (account) with you for all the money I got for it. As to my servants’ clothes. I have only to say that I am happy they are able and willing to appear decent, but I think whoever carried any news of that kind from here to Ramelton had very little to do. I now leave it to yourself to do as you think right and whether you shake me off or not I am with every wish for you and your family’s happiness.

Yours most trulyRobt Cary

Page 65Revd William Rankin to his wife at Tiernaleague

Ramelton 13th May 1815My Dearest Matty

I received you letter by John, and was glad to hear that you and your fellow travellers had arrived safe at Tiernaleague. I hope you have by this time recovered from the fatigue of your harassing journey. Tell Mary Anne that I expect she will be of all the use to you she can, especially in taking care of Fanny. Tho I long much to see you; and things would go on better here were you at home. I think you had better stay sometime where you are, that you may be in the way of catching the May rents as they come in, which will be, I suppose, immediately after the fair of Carn. You may however tell Robert that you cannot stay longer than the latter end of this month, that you may spur him on to get what money he can for you to bring with you. Indeed you cannot well stay longer than the middle of next month, the car, if not yourself must then come home for the leading of the turf, of which I have cut five darks: heavy rain would make the road into the bog impassible, so that I must begin leading as soon as the turf is fit for it. I have bespoken two stones of wool from Mattman and engaged Cleery to go for it. Both clutches of your chicks are doing well; you have got nine black birds; your potato starch is in hands. Tell Robert that the £30-16/9 which he sent is not sufficient for the payment of half my debts, that I must get money somewhere to pay them and must look for it where it is due me, that I expect that he without delay, at the furthest till you are returning home, pay me the balance of his account £27-12/1½ and my half year’s interest due last April, and that, if he means to accept the conditions on which I offered to take his bond, in lieu of his expiring note, he must do it without delay, otherwise I must, in my own defence commence a law proceeding on his note. Robert could surely find opportunities, if he would take the trouble of looking for them, of sending my money to Derry, without putting me to the expense of a special messenger as he has of late made a practice of doing. I have the more reason to complain of this, as the £20 which he sent in that way and for which he charges 5/0 lay in Derry, by his neglect of writing to me, two months when Doherty found an opportunity of sending it to me - Robert says in his last letter to me that he will write to me a full explanation of his ideas on what I stated in the paper which I sent by you, when you and he have considered the business, I expect he will open his mind fully and candidly on a legal division of the property, or, if that be not at present advisable; the making over to me a portion of the tenants for the payment of my nett rent and family interest money viz £101-11-2 ½ - I have long complained that he writes me short letters and does not answer the question I put to him on the affairs he manages for me. He never, tho called on to do it, wrote to me, whether there was any increase in the rental by letting tenements in Carn, or whether the customs were raised by walling in the Custom park. I had a right to know the

41

length and height from him of the Custom park wall on which he had expended £10 of my money.

Tell Robert that I expect he will pay me without delay the £11-7/6 left for you by your mother, with the interest due thereon, and that I am by law entitled to it, as it was not left you for your own sole use - I hereby authorise you to give receipt for it when paid. You will get the money from Robert as soon as possible to pay your aunt the £3 I owe her - Sam is well and behaving well, the only material fault I find is his staying out late in the evening; he is however generally within call. The only loss I have suffered here, since you went has been by poor Fanny. Some evil minded person taking advantage of her absence has robbed her of her duck.

I hope you are all happy where you are. Give my love to your aunt, whose goodness to you and Fanny, I shall never forget, To Robert, to M. A. and F.

Your affte husbandWm Rankin

Dear Mother

I am very lonely here after you - I was very glad to get my fishing rod - I hope you will bring me a line and some flies - I hope you will write to me every time you write to my father. Give my love to all my friends there, my aunt, Mary A. and Fanny.

Believe me to be your affectionate son.Sam Rankin

________________________________________

Page 66Ramelton 6th June 1815

My Dearest Matty

I received your letter of the 3rd May. I long very much to see you and my dear children. I send Willy Gallagher for you, who, I think, will drive you carefully. I hope your journey coming home will no be so harassing as it was going. Return the enclosed banke note to Robert, which Mr Watt, to whom I paid it in rent, returned to me and got another in lieu of it.Accounts stand thus between Robert and me

Balance of last account sent £27 - 12 - 1½Last May Rent £31 - 5 - 7½Last April interest £19 - 10 - 0Legacy £11 - 7 - 6

£89 - 15 - 3

I hope you will be able to bring this money with you after paying your Aunt £3. You will set out from Tiernaleague on Thursday or Friday if the weather answers. The horse will require no more than one night’s rest. If the day and everything else answer set out on Thursday. Remember me to all. I wish you and your company a safe journey and am My Dearest Matty most affectionately yours

William Rankin________________________________________

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Tiernaleague 22nd May 1818Dear Sir

Since I recd (received) your letter I have been inquiring about money to borrow in order to pay you the amount of my bond debt. I send you half notes for £20. I will send you a full statement of our account and a list of all rent due on the property by Philip to whom I intend sending for shirts etc in the course of a short time. I have applied all the money I could get to the renewal of our lease, and am determined before I renew it again to arrange matters for a final division of the property and to get rid of much responsibility as now annoys me - I am with love to your family


________________________________________

Dear Sir

I send you £10 which is all I can send this post. I have no more except silver. I will send the accounts and more money by express in the course of some days. I have paid Ray Campbell’s account your part of it and the costs is about £9.All here are well and send their love

Yours sincerely in haste Robt cary

Decr 7th 1816

________________________________________Page 67Letter from my mother (ie Mary Anne Rankin - SEDL) to her mother (ie Martha Rankin - SEDL)

Tiernaleague House December 3rd 1818My dear Mother

I send you the only account I could get from my uncle; I know it is not the account you want, but he says the attorneys who have his papers are at present in Dublin; as soon as they return he will be ready to come to a settlement; he promises positively to go up with me at Christmas, when, I hope you will be able to settle everything, and have a final division for I see so long as you have any joint concern in the property of Donagh, you will have little comfort. My uncle says there will be a loss of half a year’s rent: I hope you are prepared for this - I dare say you will think from the sums I have got from my uncle that I have been very extravagant, but, really I have been as little so as possible; I was obliged to get ribbon and a spencer, which with the money you desired me to expend for Miss C. and washing and other trifles soon rose to the sum you see - The last pound which I got was for the purpose of lending to Mrs Cary who asked me for money, and I could not well refuse; that pound is still untouched. I hope you will not be very angry, I suppose you will be a little. With infinite trouble I have succeeded in getting £20 from my uncle. He has so many calls for money that he knows not well how to answer them. I saw him however get this £20 and insisted on having it to send you to pay the postage of my letter. He wanted to take it with him to Derry and send it from that [think it should be “there” – SEDL 2013], but I preferred putting you to the expense of postage to risking his taking it with him to Derry, as you know there are many demands there. I hope you will not add this whim to the list of my extravagances - Moore does not say a word of money, Christmas was the time he promised to have some. I shall speak to him and find out whether he has a prospect of

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getting much and be able to give you some information when I write next. I have not now as much fatigue as formerly I saw no reason why I should attend these military folks and their own stupid daughter walk about (as / at?) Gentlewoman, so I resigned the keys to Miss Jane and commenced the fine lady.

I must write to my darling Fanny, so have not room to write any more to you.

Give my love to my father and Sam, the Sproules, Brown etc

Believe me dear mother your affte (affectionate) daughterM A R

[The most of the signature and the letter to Fanny are cut off - JNT - 1883/83]

Write by return of post and send my uncle a receipt for the £20.

An account of money paid Mr Rankin from the rents of Donagh

£By cash pd on acct of the year 1816 as per acct 13 - 6 - 2½

1817May By cash recd by mrs Rankin as per list 9 - 12 - 9Sepr 2nd Cash sent by post 10 - 0 - 0Novr 15 Cash sent by post 5 - 0 - 0Decr 26 Cash sent by post 15 - 0 - 0

1818Feby 1 Cash sent by Dan Butler 10 - 0 - 0July 15 Cash sent by Do 10 - 0 - 0Sep 16 By Sundries to Mrs Rankin 24 - 10 - 0Oct 26 By Cash to Miss Rankin 10 - 0

Cash pd for shoes 5 - 5Cash to Miss Rankin 10 - 0Cash to do 5 - 0Cash to do 1 - 0 - 0Cash sent by Post 20 - 0 - 0

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cary letters - historyofdonegal€¦ · web viewcary letters 1750-1818. page 48. dear sir, please...

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