Bhreatunnach o'n Talla Dheirg
Uaisle 'shliochd Albainn do shloinne

Galbraith from the Red Tower(1)
Noblest of Albannic race, thy pedigree.

The name of Galbraith or Galbreath is rendered in Gaelic as Mac a Bhreatnaich - the Briton's son - and they were almost certainly of British not Dalriadic stock. They flourished in the Lennox and about 1210 Gillescop Galbraith "nepote nostro" (our nephew or grandson) witnessed d charter of the church of Campsie by the Earl of Lennox.

Galbraith is a surname well known in Kintyre. Most of the name derive from one of two sources.

In its Gaelic form Galbraith was well known in Gigha from an early date and the Old Statistical Account stated that the majority of the people of Gigha were of the names Galbraith and Macneill. Sheriff Macmaster Campbell in The Story of Gigha suggested that the settlement of Galbraiths in Gigha may have been due to a friendship of the notorious bandit Allan nan Sop and the Earl of Lennox in their support of a proposed marriage between Mary Queen of Scots and Prince Edward of England. Allan nan Sop had caused great destruction in Gigha and would have needed new settlers.

However this article deals with the other branch whose members arrived in the train of the Lowland Lairds who were given leases of substantial lands in Kintyre by the Marquis of Argyll in 1650. The first Galbreath to appear in the Lowland Church Register was Archd Galbreath, Taylor in Trodigal with Margaret Johnston his wife, whose son James was baptised on 3rd April 1659. Trodigal and Machrihanish, an eight merkland, was let to John Cunningham of Hill of Beith.

At the same time the Laird of Dunlop got a lease of a quarter of Ardnacross, and the lands of Drumgarve, Laggan, Peninver and Altinerve while the remainder of Ardnacross together with Ballochgair, Kilkeddan and Gartgreithan were let to Master Cuthbert Cunningham of Corsehill and brother-in-law of Laird Dunlop.

James Galbreath and his wife Mary Nielsone were apparenly first in Ardnacross, when their son John was baptised on 22 August 1672 and thereafter in Kilkeddan when the following sons were baptised: Patrick, 28 October 1674; Archibald, 17 July 1678; John, 30 May 1680; and David, 1682. At this point between 1 January 1684 and 18th June 1686 there is a gap in the register but thereafter Mathew appears on 15th March 1691.

John married Mary Mitchell and they had apparently thirteen children between 1708 and 1726 among whom was John born on 9th December 1721 who married Agnes Langwill. On Mary Mitchell's death John senior married Katherine McCallum who gave him one son, Archibald. There is something of a mystery about Agnes Langwill. The Lowland church register gives her name as Agnes four times but in one of the letters hereinafter produced she signs herself Janet Langwill. This discrepancy was noticed as long ago as 1895 when the late Mr Archibald Dunlop Armour was in touch with the family. Like him, I can provide no explanation.

Among the four children of John Galbreath and Agnes Langwill was Alexander, baptised on 25th June 1753, who, on 28 December 1779 married Agnes, daughter of Daniel Fleming, a Campbeltown merchant, and Isobel Johnstone. Alexander with his family emigrated and landed in Baltimore on 1st September 1785 where he carried on his trade of master tailor. On 7th August 1787 he got a grant of land in Harford County, Maryland, just south of the Mason-Dixon line, which he named Galbreath's Delight. In 1796 he acquired more land from the heirs of William Penn. This land was in York County, Pennsylvania, just north of the Mason-Dixon line and five miles west of the Susquehanna River. This large farm of several hundred acres remained in the family until 1939. The house he built in 1819 just before his death is illustrated on the front cover.

When in 1992 I went to York County in search of information about Hugh Henry Breckenridge whose family had settled in the same district only some thirty years before the Galbreaths I was most courteously conducted through the district by Joe Galbreath, sixth in line from the emigrant Alexander. While there was no memory of the Breckenridges I feel sure the settlement of two families from within five miles of Campbeltown in the same area within thirty years is more than a coincidence. This Galbreath family has been more assiduous than any I know in keeping up the family connection in the States. Periodical family reunions are celebrated and a family record which has reached the ninth generation from Alexander is carefully maintained.

Most interesting of all is the fact that somehow a bundle of late 18th century letters from relatives at home has survived, One of these letters was published in Number 14 of the Magazine, (and repeated here- 21 july 1791), but in view of the very considerable amount of genealogical data which they contain and of the picture they give of life in Campbeltown two hundred years ago I have thought it worth while to publish them all.

Perhaps the most distinguished member of the family who remained in Kintyre was John Galbraith (1809-1861) who was Provost of the Burgh from 1860 till 1866 and whose daughter married the ill-fated banker James Nicol Fleming (Magazine No. 28). He too was descended like the emigrant from John in Kilteddan and Mary Mitchell, but through their oldest son Archibald. Mr A.L. Mitchell, author of that article, informs me that John's older brother Andrew (1799-1888) was Lord Provost of Glasgow, from 1857-1860. He was also a founder member of the Kintyre Club and three times its president, including during the 50th anniversary year, 1875.

I am particularly indebted to the late Wm. W. Galbreath Jr of Lynchburg, Virginia, a nuclear scientist, for originally making the correspondence available to me and to Mr Ralph W. Sloan of Westminster, Maryland, the present archivist of' the American Galbreaths. I hope that local members will appreciate that the footnotes to the correspondence are much more detailed than they might find necessary. This is for the benefit of American readers who do not have the same local knowledge..

(1) Probably Dumbarton

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THE CORRESPONDENCE

Campbeltown, Decr 20th 1787

Dear Brother,

I Long much for a Leter from you haveing had none since you wrote concerning James McNairs ⁽¹⁾ subject I have not the letter just now as it is in Moy ⁽²⁾ I wrote you in May last with A M Hendry that was home from Virginia disposing of Duncan Hendrys ⁽³⁾ houses We had a letter from John Fleming ⁽⁴⁾ from London about a month ago and he is gone for Virginia from that you may posible see him before he Returns all friends is well & John Paterson ⁽⁵⁾ has another son whose name is James you Did very ill to have mentioned anything concerning John in your mother's Leter as you may be sure all the Leters are seen by us all I mentioned in my last letter Concerning Archd Mitchell & your mother in Law but it has not hapened Yet I am afraid she has too much Regard for that fellow still but if you mencion any thing about be very Reserve as it must be Seen as I mencioned before I have nothing particular to Write you But Long much to hear from you I payd the draught but would not allow your mother in law to pay that money Due to the Brownlies & him but if you can raise Jas. McNairs' I will obtain payment of it to his friends & hope you will think of coming home we had a cargow of herrings per the Eliot this season with which I was at Liverpool and sold at 22/per barrel

I have been 9 weeks from home this season our brothers Sloop was put Ashore in the Highlands & Willm Watson ⁽⁶⁾ & I was geting hir of & home she suffered a Good Dall of Damage we have got a Lighthouse at the moull ⁽⁷⁾ & Big Willm Harvie ⁽⁸⁾ is to have it & £40 pr. Year with House and other perqusits. Big Baldie ⁽⁹⁾ is married to Robert Langwills daughter we heard from London that Jenat was going to get married I wish her a good Husband and will be Glade to have advise of his Wellfare Bety is Nigh her time & You may Expect to here from me soon I have nothing more partiqular I remains your Brother
While James Park ⁽¹⁰⁾

• (1)James McNair was a farmer near Campbeltown. The McNairs and Galbraiths were intermarried.
• (2)May was a farm about 1 mile west of Campbeltown.
• (3)In 1782 a petition was presented in Campbeltown Sheriff Court by Jean Hendry widow of Alex McKay, planter in N. Carolina to find her heir in general to Daniel Hendry her brother's son.
• (4)John Fleming, a sailor, was married to Margaret Galbraith.
• (5)John Paterson was married to Mary Fleming. The new baby James in 1830 took to do with the estate of his aunt Margaret Fleming, widow of David Ferguson, Smith in Campbeltown.
• (6)William Watson, a very prominent Merchant & Shipowner.
• (7)(8)The Mull of Kintyre Lighthouse first shone on 1st November 1788. The Keeper's salary was £30. 18.6d. He appears to have had 40 acres of land. His son Mathew succeeded him. See No. 2 of the Magazine.
• (9)"Big Baldy" was Archibald Galbraith, the son of William and grandson of Archibald, the oldest brother of Alexander Galbraith's father John. His first wife Margaret Longwill died aged 20. His second wife Jean Corbet died on 2nd August 1861 aged 90. By his second wife he had ten known children.
• (10)James Park was married to Mary Langwill. He was, in other words, a brother-in-law of Alexander Galbraith. Along with William Kerr mentioned in another letter he witnessed the Will of Margaret Fleming Ferguson on 8th December 1783. In the Duke's Census of 1792 he is shown as living in Kirk Street with his wife and children John, Mary, James and Betty. The son James died in August 1793 as mentioned in a later letter.

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Knockrioch ⁽¹⁾ 21st July 1791

Dear Sir
I wrote you at very great length in June last & put your letters wt my own hand on board a vessel at Greenock but in case of my last's misscarrying I shall repeat what I can mind. I sent you 106 newspapers which I thought was the only medioum to convey the greatest intelligance I could. No More words of peace or war than when I wrote you.⁽²⁾ Your friends all well Jas Park's step Dr married two weeks' ago to a William Greenlees⁽³⁾ a skipper. Wm Ferguson's old Dr married in winter last to a Jas. Greenlees⁽³⁾ a skipper. Many vessels fitted out for the early fishing but hardly as much money as will do it by this days post a great fishing in the north. Lands getting dearer and dearer Killounan people like little Lairds, Chiskan at above 180£ yearly rent Strathmore £60 yearly A fine bleatching mill on Little Strath⁽⁴⁾

Was I sure of your having got my last letter I need write you nothing more. Horses is got to an amazing hight as an instance Robt Smith sold a horse to one of Calliburn Culbertsons⁽⁵⁾ for £14 who carried him to Beith and sold him at £26. A robt. Ker who bot hi at Beith sold him in a few days at £30. Alexr Craw bot a horse last year at £12 & sold him lately at £18 so great is the rise in horses. Black cattle sold very dear at May last nothing is more common hear than 6 guineas for a tolerable milk cow. When I went to America I sold a cow to Shankly then grieve to Col. Campbell at £4.4 on my return I bought the same cow at £4 and sold her the same cow to Lionel Mitchell at May last at £4.17.6. I sold a 2 year old cow to Mr. Porter Who lives now where Capt. John Campbell lived & is married to Miss Betty Campbell who formerly was with Col Robertson at 6 guineas. This was last month & I believe Mr. Porter would not take 7 for her now

Meat sells with us at 9d in summer and 2½ at Slaughter time there is just now not less than 600 cows feeding in Kintyre Askomill more the high part of it is under cows 50 in number these belongs to Mathew Mitchall Jock Dunlop and the Porters In Crossibeg Ned(?) Ryburn's Kilwhipnach grasses 20 Cows belonging mostly to David Ferguson Lagnicrag grasses 20 Do belonging to Lachd Brolochan &c &c Ballegregan is all under fatt cows. Robt. Blair was one grocer and seedsman. he is now carter & innkeeper & married again⁽⁶⁾

The Canall is to be finished this season. Crichen is still going about but very frail; we are still at law⁽⁷⁾

Your old friend David Black is here just now collecting his tobacco duty. Glasgow & all the country around it was never in such a Flourishing state. The Cotton Manufactory is come'd to a most amazing pitch. It is not uncommon to a gentleman there to be clothed in muslin from top to toe except his hat & shoes. I was lately through a good dail of that country and to me it appeared almost like on (sic) bleachfield particularly to the south and west of Paisley.

This goes with little Flora who sails tomorrow for Paisley to remain there for some time under the care of a Mrs. Hume a particular friend of mine I determine to give the girl as good as education as I can & therefore I send her wher I think she can be better than at home. I wrote you from Greenock that I had it in contemplation to go to that country in order to Reside. I have in invitation from a Company of Gentlemen who has a Coalwork in the neighbourhood of Paisley & if they come up to my terms I know not but what I may accept the offer, my terms will not be less than One hundred of your pounds yearly worth £60 sterling.

I wrote you that And'w Harvey, Butcher Was dead. Alex'r Crawford lost his reason in spring and was drounded while bathing at Smerby in June last. A new highland Church of £1400 value is soon to be built. a school house is a Building which cost £470 so great is Campbeltown become⁽⁸⁾ we have had so much of the summer as is past but very precarious weather altho there is a good appearance of every kind of grain but not of potatoes. I heard that old bridgend has got 2 letters from his sons who are in virginia. his sone Rob't is married to Jas Hervey Parks old daughter. Jas Park had a child of about one year old who died a week ago. The small pox has been pretty mortal this season. My young ones which consist of 2 boys by my last marriage has both had it the youngest who is now 54 weeks old is just recovering I wrote you that your brother J. Fleeming was married to Robert Colviel's old daughter⁽⁹⁾

I have no newspapers of a later date than the 5th to send you. you have 15 in number. Mr. Allen is to take a reading of them as they pass Philadelphia. the French king is still in confinement but no particulars as to his fate.

I hope you will excuse the scatteredness of this epistle as I did it in a hurry & put everything down as it came to hand. I know not but something may be in it twice I hope you will favour all my friends with a reading of the 106 papers I formerly sent you as also of 15 which Mr. Allen will send you When you send these formerly sent you to Mr. Allen please desire him. to send them when read to Mr McPharquhar and Mr. Stubbs where I hope you will send these Mr. Allen sends you. I was in town since I began to write this. I seed your father and stepmother a day or two ago as also Mrs. Mitchail. I seed Jas. Park today. John Fleeming & he goes to Tarbert Fair with me next week. Excuse hast. I hope youll not forget to write if you do you are much to be blam'd for I do not forget you. I shall write if time permits by a vessel which sails for Maryland soon in [TORN] may not be disappointed Archd Mitchail [TORN] ... ply that he is determined to make a pus [TORN] on's farm of Craigs. James Raside & family well Young P. McMaths Cattle was all sequestrated at last May. He is still in the farm but how long - Old Pate McMath is dead, so is Angus McBridan some years ago Lachd Aros is Landwaiter⁽¹⁰⁾ & as fatt & rosey as any son of Bacus, but owes me his last years beef acco' In case I forget to finish this I signe

William Ker

I almost foregot to tell John Alexander that Alexr McIver weaver was in my house today & tells me that 30 weavers has subsrcibed for a musslin web each of 120 ells to be sent from Glasgow so that in all probability we shall soon share in the Low Country's gain. We have upwards of one hundred Tamboorers in town into two schools.⁽¹¹⁾

W. K.

Old Lacd Wylie is dead. I almost foregot to bid you remember Flora and me to James Clark's family All his brother's people is well. I seed his two youngest sones this day on the 21st but this happens to be the 22nd and the letter not finished. I seed Curly last Munday being the Munday of the Sacrement. Moy people and Balloch is well. We have now an assistant at our Sumer Sacrement a Mr. Thomson from Beith who John Ryburn allows to be the best and ablest in the Relife interest he is very well liked here Youll see by the papers sent you that Mrs. Buchan⁽¹²⁾ after announcing herself to be the real mother of our Saviour is dead. I have not heard what has become of her deluded followers but suspects they are all dispersed.

Munday 24th July. I am this moment returned from Southend & was in your sister's house viz A. Ralstons⁽¹³⁾ they are all well and has 6 or 7 fine children. I tould them I was going to write you they reflects on you for not writing. I am this evening going of to Tarbert. I foregot to tell you that old John McNeill at Knocknahaw is buried today. I seed and spoke with John Fleeming at the burial. W. K.

Addressed to
Mr. Alexr. Galbreath, Farmer,
3 miles west from Slateridge Meeting House,
near Peachbottom Ferry, York County.

• (1)Knockrioch, a farm about 2 miles west of Campbeltown.
• (2)Greenlees, a prominent family in Campbeltown in the 18th and 19th centuries. R. Wallace Greenlees was Provost during the 250th anniversary celebrations of 1950.
• (4)Remarkably Britain and France were formally at peace between 1783 and 1793. War was resumed in February 1793 ten days after the execution of the French King.
• (4)This became known as the Lintmill (or Linen Mill). It went out of production many years ago and was demolished prior to 1939. It was about 2½ miles west of Campbeltown. The nearby farm is now called Bleachfield.
• (5)Calliburn is a farm a few miles north of Campbeltown. The male line of Cuthbertson (as Culbertson later became) is now extinct.
• (6)All these names are farms in the vicinity of Campbeltown and their tenants. Colonel Porter was a Provost (Mayor) of Campbeltown and commanded the Argyllshire Militia. His name is remembered in a local place name "Porter's Glen",
• (7)A canal, parts of which still exist, was cut to carry coal from the coal mine at Drumlemble, four miles from Campbeltown. It was later replaced by a light railway which was abandoned in the 1930s. "Crichen" was Charles McDowall of Crichen who owned and operated the coal mine and the adjacent salt pans at Machrihanish. William Ker the writer of the letter was the Overseer or Manager at the mine.
• (8)The new Highland Church is now the oldest Church in Campbeltown and is in constant use. The schoolhouse is also still in use, though not as a schoolhouse.
• (9)That is James Hervey in the farm of Park, not to be confused with James Park, Margaret Fleeming (a sister of this Galbreath) and her husband David Ferguson made special provision in their mutual will dated 7th December 1783 that Robert Colvill in Trodigal and his heirs should be debarred from inheritance. James Park and William Ker, writers of these letters, witnessed the will.
• (10) Lachlan Aros was Lachlan McNeill the son of Neill Oig McNeill of Machrihanish who was the youngest son of Lachlan McNeill Buidhe of Tirfergus (see article Mount Pleasant in No. 25 of the Magazine). He was, apparently, a worshipper of Bacchus. In 1771 his cousin Neil McNeal of Ugadale sent him an account for time and money spent in relieving him from confinement in Captain Duff's ship at Greenock, A land waiter was a customs officer who observed movements of ships from the shore.
• (11) Tambourers embroidered silk or muslin stretched on a frame - a tambour. Does anyone know of any other references to this industry in Campbeltown, or what happened to it?
• (12) Mrs. Elspeth Buchan, 1738-1791 merits an entry in the Dictionary of National Biography. She was the daughter of an innkeeper near Banff in the north east of Scotland. During a visit to Greenock she met and married Robert Buchan, a potter. They separated and in 1781 she moved with his children to Glasgow where she heard the Revd. Hugh White of Irvine preach. She was so impressed she moved to Irvine and persuaded Mr. White that she was a saint specially privileged by Heaven. Mr. White declared from the pulpit she was the woman mentioned in Revelations while she declared the Minister to be the child the woman brought forth. Mr. White was deposed and the magistrates of Irvine exiled the sect. She settled eventually in Dumfries-shire with some 46 followers. Robert Burns heard her preach in Irvine and reported "their tenets are a strange jumble of enthusiastic jargon; among others she pretends to give them the Holy Ghost by breathing on them which she does with postures and gestures which are scandalously indecent. They have likewise a community of goods and live nearly an idle life carrying on a great farce of pretended devotion in barns and woods where they lodge and lie together and hold likewise a community of women as it is another of their tenets that they can commit no mortal sin." She died in May 1791 and her death disrupted the faith of most of her followers.
• (13) In the 1792 Census Andrew Ralston, (My third cousin five times removed- HR), and Peggy Fleming with a family of six are shown in Knockstaplebeg off the Campbeltown-Southend road.

(To be continued ... )

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THE GALBREATH CORRESPONDENCE
( From issue 36 page 19.)

Campbeltown Augt 25th 1791

Dear Brother Alexr

We received yours of the 8th Aprile about Six weeks since & we are happy to hear of all your wellfares as we are all at present your mother writes you along with this Leter & has given you a state of John's Settlement & hiss the sum given hir by John for hir part of Kilownan⁽¹⁾ was £140 Sterling in full of all demands I wrote you before that John Was Married to Robert Colvin's daughter in trodical & Roberts old son John has got Married about 2 Months ago to a girl in Sligo not to the satisfaction of his parents & Andrew Armour in trodical son to William got Married about six months since to Ann Armours daughter in Belewilling & Ran off with her the Day that she was to be married to Willm Culbertson & since he and her have parted & he will not see her. ⁽²⁾ My Daughter Agnes has got married to Wm. Greenlees of the Dan about 2 months since there has been a grate many Deaths of Children with the small pox this sumer I had my younges child Margret of nine months age & Robt. Duncan had 2 carried of by them I wrote you of Robert Mitchel having his young child carried of about 3 months since Daniel Ballantine is dead some time since. This town is very Dull this season & scarse of mony as Ever I have mine to see the Cupars has Litil or nothing to do this 2 years past oweing to our bad fishings but wee have the prospick of a good fishing there are Leters in town of our fleet being Nigh served & hopes that times will turn better Carpender is very Dull Robt. Duncan has a brige Ready for Lenching this Eight months past & cannot get her sold She is above 100 tun burden, I carrie on the Distillery & have built Jas Armour's Kiln which I wrote you of purchasing some time since in compy with James Elder all your Acquaintancis much the same as when I wrote you only the General complaint of scaresety of mony.

I think I wrote you before of the death of Andw Harvie malster we have the prospect of a fine Crop this Season but late Cattel of all kinds is very high, this scroll will be forwarded you by John Fleming who is now at Liverpool & I am surprised that you did not write by him as you must know that he was Coming to Britain we have not Received a Leter from you this 14 months past & this is the third I have wrote you in that time. I have not answered your order in paying the McNairs mony nor cannot do it owing to my Losses this Last year. I wrote you of the Loss of a new Brigantain belonging to me and others which cost me £100 Sterling of a total Loss but you might draw upon Andw Ralston for the mony that he owes to Isbal & you might pay hir Their. You Need not mention of my ordring any such thing as they would be Offended at me. I have non of Isbal's mony in my hand be shure when you write me not to inclose any Leters to my Care but your Mother and Brothers in laws or I will Not Receive Them. I expect on Receipt of this you will Write us & inform us if you have Got your plantation Clear & if you think of coming home your mother in Law will still pay your passages & I conclude with all your own families Compliments to you and wife & Jonat is all from your loving brother

While James Park.

You will forward the above
to Alexr. Galbreath.

Dr. Brother John,

I am surprised at you being so nigh and not to write us I am glad to Hear of your well fare and hopes Next Season to have the pleasur of seeing you as I understand you are to be this way. Robb Mitchel & John Paterson has wrote you to whome I Refair to particulars. Mall Joins me in hir Love to you & as you have the above for news I remain your Brother.

While James Park.

Mailed to Mr. John Fleming, Sailor on
Board the Ship Edwart of Baltimore,
To' the care of
Messrs. Rathbon & Benson Merch't,
Liverpool.

• (1)Killeonan - a farm near Campbeltown divided into small holdings after World War I,
• (2)The late Mr Archibald D. Armour in correspondence with the family in 1906 was anxious to distance himself from these ongoings. He writes: "The gossip about Andrew Armour, son to Wm. Armour farmer in Trodigal is very interresting as revealed by the baptismal records [which record] the birth to this same Andrew Armour and the daughter of Ann Armour, and her husband's name not given but the daughter's name Helen, of a son David, called a natural son, born March 7th 1792. The family of Armours in Trodigal are of the same race [as us] but we have been in the town long before the date here mentioned."

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Knockrioch, 1st March 1793.

Dear Sir,

I wrote you pretty fully about 4 or 5 weeks ago but having a little time & a vessell just about redy to leave Greenock for Phil^a. I write you again. We have had the most tempestious season last winter & this spring that can be remembred, which to the grief of all but the meel mongers seams to conteenue & promises a bad seed time.

War & bloodshed threatens Europe all the other powers seems combined against France for mudring their King. War has in som measure been declared against holand & Britain by france a few weeks ago & many prizes has been taken on both side since, & every day more and more Our Duke of York Comands the Hanoverian & Dutch army agt. France. 6 regiments of fencible men to be raised in Scotland & some says a Militia also & one of these in Argyleshire. they are already begun White boys or some such very trublesome in Ireland. Revolutionists as they termed themselves or sometimes friends of the people over both Eng^d. & Scotland was like to rise to a very great height early last winter, till a few of the heads ringleaders of them were taken to Acct they are now become quiet, and advocate Muir⁽¹⁾ in Edin'r, has yet to stand trial for his procedings on that bussiness, they seem'd to aim at nothing less than a Commonwealth, taking france for a patern. I see a calculation in Yesterdays newspaper making the whole tax paid by the labourer or even farmer 10/- some odd pence annually which I allow is all that I pay. pray who would risque a chainge of Goverment on these terms To Come home we have been very successful at the fishing both early & late one vessel pack'd 40½ lasts of herrings & sold them at 16 Guineas a last but the prospect of war damps all our hopes as to sea affairs. 30 pr- Ct. has been refused on vessels from the Mediterranian, 3 Campbeltown vessels are there just now which will not get insured on any terms short of their real value we are getting our Battries put in a proper state for action. Scipio⁽²⁾ is Commander in Chief

I wrote you that Col'l. Campbell⁽³⁾ died last Apl & has left some-thinks 50 thousand pounds stg of debt. His lands will soon be sold. I tould you I had taken this farm for 2 crops at £120 Stg. a year.

The Young Laird of Saddle is gone to Edinr. in a very bad state of health, it is thought he will not return. he was a most ridged Landlord, he has let his farm of Bellegreggan at £100 guineas yearly to the youngest but one of Kilmahoe barrons. Mr. Porter has taken Lo Knock'. at about £92 stg. yearly. The Colviels and Kellys has the Loch, David Ferguson⁽⁴⁾ and I had the grass of it last summer, Lachie Arros is a Land waiter in town & very fatt Buchanan Colectr Ballie Collen Comptroller & Dr Lachlan's son surveyor⁽⁵⁾ the old Dr is dead fair Hector McNeill lives in Dalintober worth £15000. Mr. Pinkerton⁽⁶⁾ still a widower and going about as usuall the widow of Strath is married to John Muir Bell Langwill's old servant & Dalrioch people is all well I seed Johns Fleeming and Paterson drinking D Ferguson too days ago - I seed Thos Lamb lately he had received Jas Anderson's letter of Novr last, his family is well so is Robert Anderson Jas Raside & Family is well, he wrote Ned when I last wrote viz a few weeks ago Dr Rowatt⁽⁷⁾ as usual, David Galbreath still in L Knockh his son married Peter in Straths sister Wm Foord died last summer Meal 14d. a peck barly 23 or 24/- a boll potatoes 9/6 or 10/- beef for years past 2 ½ p. 1 lb. D. Ferguson & me sold 129 cows hides to a man in Ayr at 18/6 pr hide & 5 years ago I sold as good as 11/- Cotton manufacture exceeds everything but it is feared the present war will hurt these much. There is one hundred & seven thousand pounds sterling subscribed & the first gale of it paid into the different banks for cuting a canal betwixt Loch Gilp & L Crinan⁽⁸⁾ the work will begin immediately A branch goes from it so as to join Loch-how [Loch Awe) such is the spirit of canaling in the highlands A canal is also about to be begun betwixt Edinbr and Glasgow by the Kirk of Shots⁽⁹⁾ This letter has been long by the way owing to my being throng I have seen all your friends since I began it as also Dalrioch people. yesterday being the 6th March we had a roup of judge (?) cows at Barr part of the Cols. stock some sold at 6 some at 7 & one went as high as £8.10.

Pleas observe that when I speak of pounds I always mean Sterl & when you write if you would do so I consider that you speak of Pennsylvania currency a bull sold at £8. There was at comeing home J. Fleming Andw Breckenridge⁽¹⁰⁾ David Turner Ralf Langlands now Bleachfield & Little Strath and married to Jean Fleeming step dr to Mathew Mitchell Donald Gillie Alexr Craw David Ferguson John McMillan Edward Breckenridge & I We stayed so long at Bellochantuy⁽¹¹⁾ as to make Donald sing Tallie ho all the way down & so made it morning before we got home this was (tho' drunk) but sober work Tell Robert that I understand Mary's mother is liveing with her son in Glasgow. The King of France was beheaded 21st Jany last Remember me to Nancy and all my acquaintances in your place

I am
Dear Sir,
Your Most
Humble Servt.
WILLIAM KER.

p. s. I wrote you that your mother died last Harvest but I have this day seen the old Laird who tells me that it was on the 11th of last March. McAslain in Greenock is fail'd & has at least two thousand guineas of Campbeltown herrings priced in his hands

Mr. Alexr Galbreath near
State Ridge Meeting house
York County Pensalvania
Peach bothom ferry in Maryland
N America

• (1) Thomas Muir (1765-1798): A Glasgow born Advocate. A Kirk elder and member of the General Assembly. He attended and spoke at several meetings in Scotland of the London Society of the Friends of the People. He was arrested on a charge of sedition and fled to France. He was commissioned by the London Society to object to the proposed execution of Louis XVI but did not reach Paris till the day before that event. He later returned to Scotland, was arrested, tried and sentenced to 14 years transportation to Botany Bay. He bought a farm in what is now Sydney. A ship was sent from America to rescue him. He was shipwrecked, captured by American Indians, well treated in Mexico and imprisoned in Cuba. He was sent to Cadiz in a Spanish frigate which was attacked by the British. He lost an eye and part of a cheek in the engagement and was left for dead till an old schoolfellow recognised him by the inscription in the Bible clasped in his hand. He was imprisoned in Spain till the French obtained his release but his wound proved incurable and he died near Paris on 27th September 1798. He is remembered in Scotland by the Thomas Muir Society - a legal fraternity.
• (2)Captain Scipio Campbell: the batteries at Limecraigs had originally been installed to meet the threat of John Paul Jones.
• (3)Col. Charles Campbell of Barbreck - owner of extensive estates near Campbeltown, including Glenbarr. His housekeeper was Catherine Galbreath and among the persons who bought articles at the sale of his goods were William Ker, Archibald Galbreath, James Galbreath, Andrew Ralston and others mentioned in these letters.
• (4)Married to Margaret Fleming.
• (5)These are senior Customs Officers.
• (6)Minister of the Relief Church, Campbeltown.
• (7)Dr. Rouat did not die till October 1826 aged about 96.
• (8)The Crinan Canal still in use. I don't think the branch was ever completed.
• (9)The Forth & Clyde Canal - no longer in use.
• (10)A distinguished general in the war between the States was a member of this family. An earlier emigrant from Kintyre was William Breckenridge, the father of Hugh Henry Breckenridge, poet and politician, who emigrated to the colonies with his 5 year old son in 1753.
• (11)Bellochantuy is 10 miles from Campbeltown. Its name in Gaelic means 'the pass by the inn'. There is still an inn there and the old inn still stands. In 1793 the public road left the shore at this point and climbed the hill by High Bellochantuy farm carrying on along the raised beach to Tangy village and High Ballivean to join the present road line at the Drum. It was still passable along its whole length in 1942.

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Undated.

Dr Brother we receive your Decr 1791 about 14 Days since but had yours of Feby 1793 which l ame happey to heare of your well being & Famley also the Incress of your Familey We are in a thriveing way at home I have Tow Boyes James & Robt verey promiseing childering at present you wrot Repited about Isobell Monay which you know part of the Buseness yourself you that Jenat Recd hire part of Daniel Hendreys money & Andres Ralston his part of the same the Remaineing part of Moy Fathers Andrew Ralston Incisted for it which I pid him as their was every reson to blive that Isobel was not in being but I have his Uncul Davied securitey for it for I Believe of Isobell the which I could not refuse giveing upon security granted, no doubt you will be ancious to know how Matters is coming on with me at home the stock is thriving vere well & I have about 100 Head of black Cattel but Marcats is low upon the Acct. of the Ware but Expecets soon a Rise of Marcats. Meel sells at 1/3 per peck potatos at 10/8 per Boll Butter & cheese at 15/- p. Cuppel Barley 24/- p. Boll Brother I hold a Bout £:100 Sterling of May Mothers subject in Moy Hands which she means to Reserve for the sore Futt as things is not agreabell to hir in Tangey⁽¹⁾ this you will keep to your self as I would not wish to Heare again from you I have no More particulars at present But Jen Joins me in his Love to you and Sister Agness & Family Lttle Jin is at Tangey with his mother and is well.

JOHN FLEEMING.

• (1) Tangy is a substantial farm north of Campbeltown.

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Campbeltown, 7th April 1794.

Dr Alexr.,

I Reed yours of a Lettar date then the Las we received which we are happy to hear of your wellfair & the prosperity of your Famley, I wrote you Erley to come home which you sim to pay now Attention so I still will do as I promised to you Formarly in payeing of your Freight or the £40 pound You will be so good as write me Erley before you come that I may be prepared for you at your coming as I ame not may own Mistres now but I still preserve a perrogative in may own powr which I keep I have been in a Badd stet of helth this sumtime past but is better since Halonday Last I could be more Expliset with you but you may Judge from may sentiments how matters is with me. we are coming to the littel Craigs at Whitensday which will be in Favour of me. Jeen is with me and growing verey Bigg & Expects she will soon be of may charge as the air is a great deel of Courtiers. She is a Dematey⁽¹⁾ and thinck a great deal of hirself More than I thinck of her at times I have nothing particular to Writ you but Remimber the above Sentiments better in time is to wish to have don it out of time Campbeltown was not in this Twinty years in so good a way the Vessels was loded Erley and left the herring sells at 30/- p barrel & about 16000 barral caught this season I ame Dr. Son your mother.

JANET LANGWILL. (2)

• (1)I cannot find this word in either a Scots or English Dictionary. Can it be derived from 'demit', one of the meanings of which is 'to put down'? A modern equivalent might be 'snooty'.
• (2)The signature is somewhat of a mystery since the mother of Alexander Galbraith was Agnes Langwill.

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Campbeltown Aprile 8th 1794

Dr. Brother, I Received yours of Decr 3/1791 & Aprile 1792 only fourteen Days since & I informd you of my Receiving one of Febry 1793 & since that time have wrote you two long Leters and embrace this opertunity by Mr. Thomson son to Mr Thomson who lived in Strawmoluch who is going to Philadelfie & hopes it will go save to hand as I find the most of our Leters are miscarried. I was very full in my Last & was as plain in Regard of Isbell's mony Informing you & her that our Brother John Got the half being £13 & Andw Ralston the other half which I supose Jennat is very sensible of & as to the £10 left by your father I refair to John's Leter In Regard of the power sent me by Isabell I do not chuse to Interfeer as it would Distress Andw to pay it & would be Exclaimed (?) by all our friends but as his tack⁽¹⁾ is nigh a Close⁽²⁾ will endeavour to obtain it wholl or part by fair means but will go no further. But I wrote you formerly of my Refuseing to Pay Samuel Galbraith but you might Draw on Andw Ralston in favour of McNairs mony & let them Push for it & as for the old Debts I Never Recovered as much of them as I accounted for when you was here Nor Never Expect to Recover 20/- sh of them evir. My family consists of my old soon & Mary & Betty I wrote you last of the Death of James August Last We are all well at present Unkel James is still alive but has not been out of bed this 18 months but as he is lifted Archd Paterson⁽³⁾is badlie & confined this 2 months past for the most part John informs you of our Sixcess this last Season in the fishing. Wm Greenlees is master of a sloop of war & is gone to Ingland having given up all his subjects to his creditors of which I am one & pretty smart & Dos not expect 1/6 in the pound trade is Dull still with us in the shop way. If you could spare so much time I think it would be worth your while to see the bearer he could give you a fuller state of our affairs than I can put on paper. William Galbreath wished me to Inclose his letter to his brother and left it open for your perusal when you read you will wafer and forward to him I have nothing more to add but wishing you may come home, I remain your brother while,

JAMES PARK

To Mr. Alexander Galbreath, near Slate Ridge,
Hardfoord County,
State of Merryland, America
per favour of Mr. Alexr Thomson from Stramolloch.

If you have any person you would trust to in the Directing your Leters at Philadelpy or Baltimore, I wish yould mention them Robert Mitchell & Betty are well & they are not pleased you never write them. James Anderson friends are all in hope but his brother Robert is very fraill. You need not doubt if your sister joins me in her love to you & familie.

J. P.

• (1)Tack equals lease.
• (2)Andrew Ralston got a new 19 year lease of Knockstaple in 1795.
• (3)Archd Paterson was married to Isobel Langwill. He was 77 in 1792.

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