Letter, August 11, 1844

Downie August 11, 1844

Dear Brother and Sister,
I would have wrote sooner but the chest was bit forwarded till yesterday. I got notice that John Burns was arrived at Haysville. I got the notice from a man that came up with him that day and I went and saw John Burns 24 hours after he had anded at his son-in-law. He was in good health and spirits. We had a Paisley crack till morning and him and his wife came up to Haysville with me and give me the chest, which I left to be forwarded. He said he would not write till he got his house up. I expect him here in a few days to see us. We was all very sorry to hear of Ann McCaig's death and of my mother's londiness. We think she might have taken the three pounds and come out with John Burns. There are older women than her comes here and I am sure she would and we would be far happier for my family all regrets the want of their granny. We always thought that Ann McCaig and the Doctor would fall out and that my mother and her would come together but that is past, but we think she might come with some other and I would meet her in Hamilton. We would all try to make her as happy as we could. John and James is down the country at the hay and harvest this 6 weeks. We had a letter from them last week and they were well. We expect them home next week to our own. We have the appearance of excellent crops here. Our wheat in fact is rather too heavy and our oats is excellent and potatoes is abundant and the indian corn is beautiful. I expect we will have a 150 bushels of wheat to sell and have plenty for seed and flour. Last year I sold 70 bushels of potatoesat one and three pence per bushel, that is sterling money. We made two hundred and twenty six pounds of sugar this spring. We sold one hundred at 5p per pound which paid our boiler and bought some things for the family.