LETTERS TO AND FROM JAMAICA

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Letter from the Colonial Secretary

 

Colonial Secretary Office

��������������������������������������������������������������� Jamaica, 13^th Oct^r. 1884.

Sir,

I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter dated the 10^th Ultimo for information in regard to an Estate left by the late Mary Gregory, called Cedar penn in the parish of St. Catherine and in reply I transmit herewith a copy of a report on the subject, by the Crown Surveyor of this Island. I should add this is not a matter in which the Government can undertake to furnish information and if you desire to prosecute further Enquiry into the matter your best plan would be probably to secure the services of a Solicitor, the following are some of the leading firms of Solicitors in Kingston,

Messrs. Harvey & Bourke,

Messrs. Ceyblon & Garcia,

Messrs. Burke & Gray,

 

��������� En Walker

�������� Colonial Secretary.

 

 

Jamaica

A report by the Crown Secretary.

Cedar Grove pen in the parish of St. Catherine contains 180 acres and is situated near Gregory Park station on the Kingston and Spanish Town Railway but the railway does not go through it, many years ago it was in possession of Thomas Barnes who, on going to England, left Mr. So. Wortley nominally in charge. On Mr. Wortley leaving the District he interfered no more with Cedar Grove and I believe some Coloured people were left there living in the house and then the place became totally neglected and it grew up to a bush. Some years afterwards, that is probably 14 years ago, Mr. Jacob DaCosta took possession of the place but I cannot say by what authority. Mr. DaCosta had it some years and sold it to Mr. Richard White of Kingston who is now in possession of it and I believe it is in fair order and cultivated in Grass.

7.10.84

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Dingwall Letters

 

Letter 1

 

 

Date	12th Jul 1801
From	John Dingwall, Vere, Jamaica
To	George Dingwall, Millbank, Dingwall, NB
Relationship	Father
Content	A money� order to pay him (via Roderick) �30 Sterling
[Also] To	Patrick Hay, Shop-keeper, Dingwall
Relationship	Informal Banker
Content	Cashing a money order for John�s parents

 

 

 

My Dearest Parents������������� ���������������Vere� Jamaica� 19 July 1801

At long last, I have to own receipt of your much awaited letter under date 29^th July 1800 I might no doubt have answered it� long ere now but knowing its being attended with unnecessary expense on your part, I declined it day after day till now and to the writer of your letter I return my most sincere thanks for his friendly advice therein given, an answer to which I wrote him in May last under cover to my brother at Glasgow and which I sincerely hope will come safe to his hands. I am convinced of what you mentioned respecting my writing too many letters to be [...] and from several reasons hitherto understood, you may rely upon my writing to Great Britain as few letters as possible, and from what you say you have paid William Macniel double postage for my letters the postage of a single letter from Jamaica to Dingwall is only 2/10d by which you will be henceforth regulated, and I must observe to you that you should be more candid in your sentiments as from your present situation I am well aware you need a little assistance and thank god I am happy to say that I am able so to do, and you know very well that it was always my will and intention bettering your circumstances if possible let me therefore after this period have no such foolish hints from you. I have now to acquaint you that I ordered my Brother Donald paying you on my account the sum of �10 sterling out of the net proceeds of 250 gallons rum consignd to him by me by the may fleet and annexd I ordered my good friend Mr Hay to draw upon him for said amount who will chearfully pay you the money am confident out of which sum please give my sister Mary a Gown & Coat, and if she behaves well to you in your old age she may rely upon being rewarded handsomely from me if I am spared, and if possible keep the boys in school and I will annually please god assist you I sincerely hope the whole of you pays all attention to the means of Grace the which will no doubt increase your annual allowance and I wish to know what benefit you reap from your attendance of the Gospel its a blessing not enjoyed in Jamaica but I am glad to find that there is now every appearance of it breaking forth in Kingston and other places, a great number of Blacks and people of Colour desire to be converted No people on earth are more affectionate than the Blacks if treated well and I do believe that I will be soon fix'd with a Black woman to which I hope youl not object as in this dreadful country its the greatest blessing, to have one of these persons the want of which cuts many thousands in Jamaica The [...] and the best nurses on earth to a sick person. If I am spared, I will write word again respecting this matter I am now sorry to inform you that my employer died in America the 29^th of November last, and I am now conducting the business to a brother of his, a very respectable Gentleman and of immense fortune including his Brother's property by whom I am treated as his son, he commonly sends himself 30 miles from the situation on account of the ?charge

Youl address me at William Rose Esq, Vere Jamaica. Thank God I never experienced better health than I do in this country, which is not generally the case among its inhabitants. I sincerely hope this will find you all well together. With all my affectionate friends and acquaintances to whom (without entering on particulars) remember me most affectionately you know very well those I mean I will look for your long letter by return of this packet wherein mention what my poor Brothers is doing, my intention is if you keep Roderick in school to send him a short time to Mr Hay and then bring him to this country, any situation of life Poor Kenneth may wish for comply therewith which will be at my expense, not only him alone but the whole. If I can accomplish my wishes. What is John Dingwall at Assint doing Now, Donald Dingwall I understand is gone to Demerara tho what a fool in not coming to Jamaica where carpenters soon collect money, any virtuous young man wanting to come to Jamaica I will soon find employment for them of which I wrote Jamie MacNeil for whom I have now a situation open in my employers business and of which I hope he will accept. I am now getting a cargo of goods from Glasgow which I hope with my yearly allowance will augment my salary to at least �200 Sterling not including the profit on the Rum gone home and as I got no [.....] of my life more than other people, should providence be pleased to cut me away, I calculate my property at the later end of this month including the rum sent home �150 sterling, for which my friend John Dingwall will account to you, who is very well like his friend, I cannot get him to write altho daily speaking to him. this need not discourage you in the least an thank God I never enjoyed better health, only its proper to mention these things,

With every good wish towards your spiritual and temporal welfare my Dear Parents, yr most affct son All blessings to my dear Brothers & sisters��������������������� Jno Dingwall

(I am enclosing some of the negros hair)

���������������

Mr Hay������������������������� ���������������������Vere Jamaica�� 12^th July 1801

Dear Sir

I wrote you under date the13^th of March last to which I refer� (to his Majesty's Cutter Sir Sidney Smith) as yet I have not heard of her arrival at home and the Princes Charlotte packet which sailed seven days after her departure is safe arrived However I still hope being a Cutter it will get safe home, and conform to which I will in due time expect - I now begin on a particular favour (being the only person I could think of Applying) to draw upon Messr Ross of Dingwall at Messrs Miller & Ewing Glasgow for �10 sterling, Which please pay to my Father and Mother, advancing postage... and the value of a Gown and Coat to my sister Mary, of this I wrote them annexd, and by the [...] late Packet� informed my Brother send Mr David Ross thereof to whom I have Consigned two puncheons of rum to be poinded�� On my account, please [..] at 10/0l� in the event of them not being ready to pay at sight, Knowing too well your inclination to oblige me I will defer saying more on the subject I am Sorry to� understand of Mrs Mackenzie Hilltouns death, and the dreadful accident happened at Inverness in March last, your late Copartner Kenneth Mackenzie is now Captain and� Paymaster of the 5^th West India Regiment stationed at the Bay [of Hon-]duras, he was in this Island from whence he sailed [missing] poor unfortunate man Please inform John Urquhart that his brother lately gone to America for the benefit of his health is now returned and much better, In colour And he wishes very much to better Jno's circumstances being on no account [...]. Imagine he will send home a Bill soon. He seems very anxious to relieve him. When you Write send John and be as particular as you had been in your Last letter, as no doubt you'l be my only correspondent in N Britain from reasons known only to myself. I am very anxious to get Roderick brought up in the mercantile line pray say your lesson for 2 or 3 years not longer as I intend bringing him to Jamaica as soon as possible . Sincerely Hope his parents keep him in school � am happy to inform you that I continue in good health, Jamaica agrees with me Remarkably well, I hope this will find you and family well to whom remember me most affectionately. We have relished very much the late grand news from the mother country Bravo Nelson's doings & Abercrombie's which I hope will be the means of bringing sound and honourable peace much wished for in Jamaica You may conceive from this letter that I am getting rather cool towards my home acquaintance which will not [...] me, but It may be the means of inquiring them hereafter, ten to one, you may have the perusal of the annexd letter from which you may seek further information, How does Mack come on in Dingwall any new hope of commissioning business there, Lord Seaforth is floundering on Barbados as usual, he had great rejoicing on his receiving the late Grand news, his lady is arrived some weeks ago. I must conclude with offering you my most sincere thanks for your kindness and attention� hitherto� experienced a continuance of which will truly oblige. my dear sir

Yrs most sincerely,

��������������� ���������������������� Jno Dingwall

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Letter 4

 

Date	25th Jul 1805
From	John Dingwall, Clarendon, Jamaica
To	George Dingwall, Millbank, Dingwall, NB via HM Ship Vanguard
Relationship	Father
Content	Order to pay him (via Roderick) �30 Sterling�

 

Duplicate

�30 Sterling�������������������������������������������������������� Clarendon Jamaica

������������� ��������������������������������������������������������������6^th July 1805

Sir

Thirty days after syte (the Original not being presented), please pay to Mr Roderick Dingwall or to his order the Sum of thirty pounds Sterling and place The same to account of Mr William Dallas, No 64 Hatton Garden, London����������������������������������������������������������

Yours & Siny

�������������������������������������������������� Jno Dingwall

���������������

Clarendon Jamaica�������������������������������������������������������������������� 25^th July 1805

Dearest Parents

In case of accidents I have annexd a copy of the order care of the Arabella packet, which sailed the 8^th instant and I make no doubt of its being duly honoured as I The last fleet I send Mr Dallas Eighty odd� Pounds worth of produce to say Coffee, and the Fleet goes under Convoy of the Vanguard of 74 guns By whom this letter will be sent and which sails The 27^th instant conveys three hundred pounds worth Of coffee also for the next fleet which sails the Commencement of October I send one hundred and Eighty pounds worth off with her, and I only owe Mr Dallas twenty eight pounds, a balance of goods To him and this year I am sorry to say that Poor Donald has been disappointed in getting his little produce shipd by this fleet, as he sends to Glasgow and only one ship boarding in this quarter for Leith, now he cannot get it shipd until the Next fleet sails in October, when he intends shipping by the ?Anchor Captain Richmond for Leith by which Ship I also intend sending you about a hundred and twenty pounds of powderd Sugar And a keg tamarinds, also one for Mrs MacKenzie Miln Bank and others, after having them al ready some days ago, the Lady Sinclair for Leith

being full, I was disappointed, I send the packages to William Sibbald and Co. Leith who are the owners of the ship, and at same time I ship powder to pay the expenses may be incurred in conveying them there � Mr Hay or Mr George Mackay who has correspondants in Leith will get them down to whom I will write when they are shipd, and I will also thank Mr Sibbald to forward them the Cromarty fleet Sloop, Sincerely hope this will find You and old friends and acquaintances in the Land of the living and in fine health, you no doubt must be ?happy [missing] in a Country where You can enjoy [missing] precious sound of the gospel of salvation, which is Alas not the case With me since I left Cromarty in December 1799 when I board home [?] Mr McAdam yet there Got no person to blame but myself alone for I was fully bent upon quiting my own country at that point tho the consequences be what it will, and which rash act have often repented, but thank God it is not� worse I am still in the land of the living, a very great blessing, and in full hopes of seeing my own Country once more, and that soon, so long as Roderick is capable of doing any business, I must therefore request and urge you getting him fully prepared against the month of February or March next, as I am in expectation of getting a passage for him in the Lady Sinclair from Leith next year and as [missing] ships are not by no means To comfortable as English ships I will give him a Cabin passage however of all this I give you timely information and as I don�t only believe I will write you again until about Xmas I will beg of you to remember me most kindly to all friends and acquaintances -� still I may write again with the packet when the Sugar is Shipd I formerly mentioned Admiral Dacres on this Station had dispatches from Lord Nelson three days ago saying that poor information he has had he was within ten or twelve hours sail of the combined fleet of France and Spain he certainly has a long hand after them, altho his force is six sail of the line less than theirs, but his name among French seamen is better than six sail of the line - I have only hinted that all Dingwall friends in Jamaica are well, and We have every appearance of a very large crop of All kinds of produce the coming year I will now conclude altho I feel much Pleasure while Communicating with you Indeed I could say accompt but the post is About departing then I must [�] ��I may Any accounts of my old shop mate Mr Andrew Ross in America, if I Knew Where he is, I would go home by America To see him, I wrote him once from this Island By a British Frigate, but not I imagine Having his proper address it miscarried Or perhaps his answer might be missing�������������������������������������������������������������������������� ?In a dash� With sincere regards

B your [..] to���������������������������������������������������� My Dear Parents

[�] letter I fully�������������������� �������������������Yr most affectionate

Expect and whither

I write you or not, If������������������������������������������������ Jno Dingwall

You stand in Want

Of any thing Command

Me at once

 

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Letter 8

 

Date	25th Mar 1806
From	Donald Dingwall, Clarendon, Jamaica
To	George Dingwall, Millbank, Dingwall, NB
Relationship	Father
Content	Sending money home

 

Dear father & mother���������������������������������������� Clarendon Jamaica 25^th March 1806

I would have sent you the ten Pound promised longo last year but John Informing me he has sent you more than That he said I had better defere mine Till the beginning of this year.� I [...........] You will Receve an order on my freinds In Glasgow for ten pounds sterling which Is drawn thirty days after sight You must then send it to them for Acceptance when you receve it they Ar very respectable people in Glasgow I could not have drawn it on sight As it might not be so agreeable to To them. I am convinced it will Be paid whether they have property Or means in their hands or not I must� imagine my father must be very unfit for work I therefore hope he will Decline working any more if he has not already Done it if I live I will doubl the Sum Sent next year & if not there will be Ten times that Sume coming to you at All events if justice will be made & John is able to give a greate [........] Than I am. At all events betwin it I Should supose we might keep you hapyer than ever you have been I Think about �35 a year might keep you Hapy all your days in that quarter of The country & that would be no Object for us both, to say John �20 & me �15 � I therefore hope you will retire Immediately from work I expect writing Mr McKenzie Millbank [crossed out] To that purpose who I am hapy to Here is still your friend personaly I understand by a letter from Mr Hay to John That Roderick is still in his shop What is poor Kenneth doing. I must Send him something as soon as I can again [.....] on my� correspondence in Glasgow Which cannot be the case un till I remitt Some produce to them � Mr Hay I supose Will convey the inclosed order on to each For you My fathers name must be wrote� On the back of it which Roderick can do Or any other person I hope you will� acknowledge the inclosed by [...] [.....] When you receve it as also when It will be paid � With my best Respect to all enquiring friends Particular to Mr McKenzie Millbank & all his family I remain Dear Father your dutiful If in my power

��������������� Donald Dingwall��������

 

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Letter 11

 

Date	13 May 1807
From	Roderick Dingwall, Alley, Vere, Jamaica
To	Kenneth Dingwall, Millbank, Dingwall, NB
Relationship	Brother
Content	Safe arrival of Roderick in Jamaica, news of brothers Donald & John

 

Alley, Vere, Jamaica� ��������������������������������������������������� 13^th May 1807

Dear Brother

At long last I am Exceedingly glad to inform you of my Safe arrivel at Jamaica after a long and Severe passage of seven months. I have been Very unwell since I wrote to you from Cork in February last and indeed on my passage in the Main ocean I fell over board in the Sea but They soon got me up again with the Boats But thank god I was quite well in a few days Afterwards and since I arrived at Kingston on The 6^th day of this month I never enjoyed better health In all my life time. I remained there for 6 Days until John came for me with his Horse This Cuntry is monesters hot but it Agree with me very well as yet but god ����������� Knows how long � I have been very expencife To John in first proceeding he has now in advance� For me �80/18/8� He lends 12 pounds with Mr Hay but he will soon pay all and In Couple of a year I will pay all that To him myself because Clarks Charges Very Dear in this Country� Donald gives his Clerk 100� a year bed board and washing And it is to be supposed that I will get the same From John left Clarendon some time ago ���� And carries on Business now in Alley Vere And Donald is in Clarendon in the place that John had they are Both of them Soldiers and In a few Days I must inlust like wise I saw James Macniel & Duncan McLea I deliverd there letters They are quite well I do Not know if they will write by this packet George Hay is quite well he lives near our Place now he is a Book Keeper to one Mr Cameron his plantation is quite near us Making sugar every day there is fields of Sugar round our place. Donald writes Along with me but his letter goes by a Ship of war having Charge of the fleet From this Island and mine goes by the Packet which I suppose youll have Mine before his he is to send you a Bill by next packet of 15 pounds Which I suppose he mentioned in His own letter as to that John Delivers His best Respect to you all he is quite Well and is happy to understand by Me that [.] you are all quite well when I left Scotland I informed Both ����������� Dond & John of your Situation all [.] my Father & Mother in particular he will Write you soon but because Dond and I wrote at this time he need not write I have no more news to inform you of ������� As my time is but short in Jamaica But inform all friends and acquaintances Of my safe arrivel Remember me most Affectionately to my [.....] Sisters & brothers Mill Bank & Family my Cousin & Janet MacNeil which I expect is married by [this] Time and if not married you Cann Sho her this letter and I will expect a A letter from her If not married by the Next packet and If she is I wish a well Mar�d with all my heart, let me know If Alexr Mill Bank is at Edn as I intend writing him by next packet I will expect to here from you in Course Of packet Remember me to all enquirers Friends and acquaintances about the Place while you will expect the same

��������������� From you Yr Rodk Dingwall

 

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Letter 12

 

Date	2nd Feb 1808
From	Roderick Dingwall, Vere, Jamaica
To	George Dingwall, Millbank, Dingwall, NB
Relationship	Father
Content	Death of Jamie McNeil, money worries, fear of slaves

 

Vere Jamaica �������������������������������������������������������������� 2^nd Febry 1808

Dear Parents

I received a letter from you as well as one from Donald McDonald at Mr Hays� on the 15 October 1807 under date July 1807 by which I was truly happy to understand that you and old friends and acquaintances were there quite well acquaintances of which I sincerely wish, altho it has not been the case with me here since I wrote you in May last, I have been very ill with the fever who is very severe on young men just come to the country always in my bed almost but am extremely happy to inform you that I am now getting better but still am very week indid I have sufered a great dill of seekness but thak got am still in the land of the living altho in a horid wild country without Gospel or any thing but this world trying to make money, Sunday is the commonest day in this country for Making Business and Sunday I am myself working in the shop as well as on Monday its the case all over Jamaica, Some people goes to Church on Sunday the Minister gives a Kind of prayers when they come out Some playing at Cards some Drinking wine getting drunk some Dansing and the Minister as wild as the reast, O how shocking a Country this is.� O happy you may be living in a place that the Gospel in every quarter about you besides being in Clymate that is Grave to thousands but thank god for his merchy to all of us as yet.� Every white man in this Country is at preasent under heaviness for fear of the black people because they are trying to get the better of us all in Different parts of this Island the Negros are Killing the white people, a few Days ago there was a white man Killed his wife & 3 children murdered by his own negros in the parish of Clarendon where Donald my Brother lives the next parish John & I lives in the parish of Vere there is nothing of this took place where we are as yet thank Goad I trust the almighty will put a stop to this; I Suppose before you will get this you will here of poor James MacNeils Death he departed this life 15th November last at that time John wrote to Mr Cameron in Dingwall about it in December I wrote to Don. McDonald� who would inform you of this melancholy news, he Dyed with John & I the Day of 15^th November in Company with Some other gentlemen dined with Us in tolerable good helth and foreby Chereful during the� after noon he went to rest at night between the hours of 8 & 9 pm: and truly Shocking to Relate found dead next morning his room It being so sudden a death John immediately got an inquest held on the unfortunate body and the verdick of course was dead by the visitation of god the poor fellow no doubt died in fit, I am sorry to inform you that his Estate won�t benifit his freinds much he was very unfortunate like many others in Jamaica;

Donald my Brother I understand has wrote you in December last covering a small order in Glasgow which I hope was come safe to you and I think there is no doubt of it being accepted, Poor Donald is coming on prity Well now� John has not wrote for some time now I think but you must excuse him he of leat has bought another place and not yet all paid for but he will be able in short time to pay all the place he had in the parish of Clarendon he has left it to Donald to hire the Carrier on his own bussiness as well as a part of Johns

John did not like to write until such time as he will be able to send you something. I wish I had it in my power to send you some money you might Depend on it but how ever If am long in Jamaica and enjoy my helth better than I have as yet very like I may be able to pay you for what you lend out per me before I left home I will ever remember it, your situation there I have to told both John and Donald off, neither of them has forgot you altho they had it not in their power to remitt you any money for some time now, All of you in the north country thinks that money is to be had in Jamaica like shells, no doubt there plenty of these but let me tell you there is not a penny to be had for nothing now without working very hard for it and grett many of these here even works out there very life for the sake Of making plenty money but what of that what is all this world to a man in comparison of his own Soul, this country is Excessively bad and unwholesome there is plenty of every thing here although very Deer, Exceping His Gospel which I am extremely� sorry to inform you is very scare throug all Jamaica, I am very happy to understand by your letter this Miss Jane MacKenzie of Mill Bank is married to Mr Bethune of Alness I wish her well with all my hart, I wrote to Mr Alexr of Mill Bank I derected him at Edinburgh I thought he was to remain there I suppose the people at Edinburgh would send the letter to MillBank there he would get it its was wrote in November last I am longing much to here from Him. you gow tell poor Betty and Anne MacNeil that the things they sent with me to there poor Brother is still at Glasgow I whill write for them there the people will send them back, if they will write for them. I carried a good many letters with me to this country at that time I thought I will see all the people they were for myself but saw non excepting George Hay Duncan McLea and poor McNeil who now is gone to his long home, G Hay & McLea is quite well in helth they live not long from us, them mentioned is all the Acquaintances that is in this side of the Country I have not found any more of them out as yet,

Now Kenneth I make my [missing] as that you coud be at loss to make [missing] and I hope the next letter you will [missing] dond write so Clos as you did in you[missing] large sheet of paper and make your write fine [missing] you and at last [�] sheet of paper I have so much more to communicate to you at this time but John and Donalds [�.] to you all as well as all freinds and acquaintances in your place particular the MillBank Family, You will remember me most affectionately to all my sincere freinds and acquaintances in all quarters particulary about MillBank to Mr & Mrs Mackenzie and Mr Alexr if he is there his family, and Mack & John & famly [missing]� my best wishes to them Isobella Dingwall [missing] MacNeils Liby McKenzie and all the rest� let[missing] [missing]if they are all still at Mill Bank I suppose [missing] of them il be married by this time I had a letter from a person in Dingwall by last packet who told me that there was two girls married in Mill Bank since my departure from there when you will write again let me know of all the news ��� you can Deaths and marriages and so on.� Remember me to Mary & husband neither John or Donald says nothing about her indeed both of them appears to me not to care for her at attal ����������� remember me to the [�] family Pray how does my Poor Ant at Strath Peffer do now we so [missing] that saild [missing] in November last was [..] and carried in to [missing]sh Island I expected some letters by her from Glasgow [missing] are gon to the bottom they were concerning that things of Betty McNeils, I must now be concluding as paper is getting short, with offering you all my warmest regaird from the bottom of my heart and wishing you al helth and happiness in time of Need and eternity,

And I remain with Sincere regaird my Dear Parnts, Your very affectionate

������������� Rodk Dingwall

[inset] Let me know if you heard my old friend Mr Hay saying some thing about the [�] [�] my dependence ?brother Poor Donald [�] [..] at Dingwall. Mr Hay has it in his possession, he maid me make Out another acct in the name of John Dingwall of Jamaica for his Brother Rodk Bought of P. Hay That one I carried it to this country with me to Show my brothers, Mr Hay took very good care he Would be the [�], he did this in case of John or I would Dye and he would be at you then per this, but Should that be the case its not in his power to maKe you responsible per it and thank God he will Be fair I think by next [�.] from John Excuse this [..]cless I understand has it -----that Is not able to do as a single order in Glasgow I go on horse Back with a help [?] --- to you and I think the morning now soon gets strong To the sea I find it ---- Donald is come

�����������

 

My experience since I left your part of Scotland comes indeed very ?Extravagance but I could not help it, in the first place John Had to advance it per me but If I live be it short and enjoy My health better than I have done as yet in this cursed Country John will adv me more than what he has Already advanced; my� [�] account with my old friend Mr �� Hay in Dingwall �12 there in a very short time be paid to Him. I having nothing more to say at this time, but am Always your sincere affectionate� Ro Dingwall You need not be any ways uneasy about Mr Hays account Should neither John or me be over able to pay him he Cannot m[missing] it, altho before I left his shop He himself [missing] out an account of the things I got He said George Dingwall in Mill Bank for his son Rodk Bought of Patrick Hay� [������.]

 

by Packet - The Duke of Marlborough

 

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Letter 13

 

Date	8th Jul 1808
From	Donald Dingwall, Clarendon, Jamaica
To	George Dingwall, Millbank, Dingwall, NB
Relationship	Father
Content	New business, will send money

 

 

Clarendon, Jamaica ������������������������������������������ 8^th July 1808

���������������

Dear Parents

I received yours & observe What you say I will endeavour To find you ten pounds more In all this years at least when Ever I will hear from Glasgow You may Rely,� I have Entered In to business on a large scale Which will free some time

Mother its hard for me drawing For any money in Glasgow ����������� But as commanded My order.

�D McDonald For a small sume will never Be Refused payment of it & You may expect in course Of two month after this Of hearing from me I have no doubt had you Must be in want, John & Roderick is all well when I saw them last. So is George �Hay & Duncan McLea. Make my best respects to MillBank ������� & his family & all other� Enquiring friends

�do you Know good young man In that quarter of the Country who wished coming to Jamaica who is a good clark I could give a good recommendation in every way I could give him a liberall encouragement Who is Roderick ?Hils children coming on� I understood one of them wished Coming to this country

I remain very sincerely yours ����� Mt faithfully

����������������������� D Dingwall

 

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Letter 14

 

Date	12th Jun 1809
From	Roderick Dingwall, Clarendon, Jamaica
To	Kenneth Dingwall, Millbank, Dingwall
Relationship	Brother
Content	Health, friends & family, money

 

Clarendon, Jamaica ������������������������������������������ 8^th June 1809

Dear Kenneth,

A few days ago I had The satisfaction and pleasure of receiving a letter From my old Companion Mr Donald McDonald At Mr Hays under date the 21^st of March last. By which I was truly happy to understand That all friends and acquaintances were at that Point enjoying very good health a Continuance of which is my first wish, I would had Wrote you before now, but being expecting To have heard from you since I received your last letter as I think you said some thing like that in your last letter to me, some time last year, however I am very happy that it is in my power to inform you at this time, that I myself enjoy very good Bodily health since I wrote you last year, and indeed I certainly have much cause to Bless and thank the wise disposer of all things and wants for I ������������� got quit of all my Sickness and ?fever [....] which indeed Continued with me all together for the space of a whol 12 month a long speal of it indeed, and I have now to thank god for it, for I am now very well and able to turn to Business again, I am happy to understand by Mr Donald McDonald�s letter that you are all Geting better times now in poor Ross Shire than What you had of late years, he says that you Had a very rich and plentiful crop last year Of all descriptions, and every prospects of the next Crops to prove well also, and indeed that is a very Great Blessing no doubt. My Brother Donald Informs me that he has remitted �20 back to our ?parents some time last year, at two different times the which I hope is by this time [....] to them, and indeed I wish that it was In my power to send them less or more, for their advance on my account before I left Home, but I am truly sorry that I cannot Help them in the money way, If I could It certainly would give me the greatest pleasure� to do it, however I hope while John And Donald has any thing and enjoy health Surely they must want for any thing, I don�t Suppose that my Brother John has wrot To any of you Since I left him, let me Know in your next letter, whether or not John has wrote to you or to our parents Since my departure from Scotland, I suppose You would hear before this time that my Brother John has sent some money to poor Sandy Dingwall in Dingwall for the first time, of his late Brothers Small property in this Country, I am very sure That Sandy Dingwall is much in want of Money, like plenty others, and I think John is To send him another remittance by this packet or Very likely by the packet that sails after this one.

Donald McDonald informs me also that our little Brother Sandy is doing very well in the School, He says that he can write and figures tolerably Well. I have no doubt but Sandy will be a Complete Scholar if he lives, and provided he is Kept Constantly at the School; and It is since I come To Jamaica I become to know my own folly and Regret bitterly the many idle days I spent about MillBank, when I ought to be at my school Learning my education, and indeed I have no Person to blame for it, just myself and my own foolishness [....] The days of my youth, however I cant help it now Its already by far to late, therefore I must fight through this world the best way I can; but I will hope That little Sandy wont be allowed to spend so much of his time in idleness as I did, and I could never See it myself until it was to late for me to help My ?papa in geting [.....], I beg to Remember me Most affectionately to friends and Acquaintances, and I must conclude with offering You my warmest Regard and wishing you all means Of happiness and prosperity in time of now, and Eternity. And I am Dear Kenneth yours very Truly while I am Rodk Dingwall

P.S Inform Donald MacDonald that I will write to him by the very First packet after this, Say in some time in July, I have nothing More particular to say at present, but you will write to me On your receiving this, and give me all the news you can Duncan MacRea Geo Hay Wm Stoddard who you know left Here along with me, and Colin Mackenzie who we used to Call in the School Colin Roagie, Both my Brothers and Myself, are all very well in helth, Remember me to my cousin Jn Dingwall and to Janet MacNeil and all other acquaintances in And about that place, and all those in ?Ferandonal.� Address to Me parish of Clarendon, and I always Dear Kenneth Your very affectionate which I truly am

������������� Roderick Dingwall

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Pray can you inform me whether or not Betty MacNeil ever Received that small box which was detained in Glasgow because On my arrival in Jamaica I wrote to the Gentleman in Glasgow To send it back to Dingwall to the care of Mr P____ Hay their

������������� ���������������������� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� R. Dingwall

 

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Letter 17

 

Date	4th Dec 1830
From	Roderick Dingwall, Vere, Jamaica
To	Alexander Mackenzie Esq, Millbank, Dingwall, NB
Relationship	Patron
Content	Asking him to find Roderick a post with Colin Mackenzie of Mountgerald

 

Parish of Vere Jamaica�������������������������������������������������� 4^th December 1830

Dear Sir,

Its now some years past Since I had the pleasure of taking up My pen to address you, But which I have Done several times since in this Country But whether or not any of them came To your hand I know not, only I Regret much my never having the pleasure Of receiving a letter from your hand Such I can assure you would afford me The greatest pleasure, however I trust You are in good health as well as your Good sisters my kind respects to them If you please when you see or hear From them, I am not aware if either of my Brothers ever wrote you or not When I first came here I lived with both Of them as Clerk for more than 3 years They disagreed among themselves and parted Each for himself, I then left them And turned Planter without any person To Back me but my own conduct

A Planter in this Country let his abilities Ever be so great without a friend he won�t Succeed. John some years back was in Good business doing well indeed but He failed, Donald is very well off he has a fair Sum of business and I am glad to say doing well At present and likely to continue , but I Must say he is very near with it. He had And has it now in his power to help me But such I believe never entered his heart He certainly has been fortunate much more So than John & myself, his trade has been A good thing from at first starting off In business, in 1823 I sent him the sum of �16 sterling after the death of our poor Mother by a Mr Munro from Ferintosh Since which I never heard a word from Ross-shire, nor do I know if either of my Brothers has sent him any thing Both had it much more in their power Than ever I had this time of life allowed Them to sit down in their house where as I have been since 1810 toiling in the hot sun All day and the most of the nights too Keeping watch making Sugar & Rum During crop time which is 6 months in The year, I fear am introdding on your Goodness with such stuff as this but trust You will excuse me - I am almost sure You must know Colin McKenzie of Mount Gerald, who is now in england And to [...] in Ross-shire for all I know When he came to Jamaica I think it Was in 1821 or 1822. I was as the Overseer Over Coley Estate St Thos in East the property Of the late Henry Davidson, his attorney Then; and my employer, was a Mr James Laing a great man here of in years butt he died and another person got The power and of course he had his own friends to service and of course I left however I got Employed and in a Situation until July 1829 when I was forced from a severe fit Of sickness to give up my situation and was Obliged to quit this island for the benefit Of my health, I went to America where I have been several months in care ?Mr Mack But I have reason to thank god I recovered my health Pretty well but will never be the man I Was when I was with Mr Laing it was Then I first saw Mr McKenzie shortly after Mr Laings� death he[?Mackenzie] got to be concerned for Davidson Barclay & Co Estates with many others I understand , [.....] says that he is bringing Out several other powers besides, If so, then one [.......] [....] deserves a better, I understand he has done great s[.....] to the charge he had, he is well liked [by all] classes of people in this quarter ���� [I ...] Mr Sir, to request the favour of� [you] To use your interest with him in my behalf and In person if possible or by letter to him in Spanish Town Jamaica, he will have much in his ��� Power as a planter; should I succeed with him Through your recommendation rest assured I will try every means in my power to give Every satisfaction , I trust you will excuse me For this liberty am taking with you and for Such a scrawl as this is but you will Know I never was a good hand as this pen Nor never will; in regard to my own poor Family If its of no use to me to write them As I am not able to help them, I wish they Will look to again excuse such liberty and

��������������� I remain Dear Sir yours most truly

��������������� [.......]��� Rdk� Dingwall

 

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Some of the letters written by the Dingwall brothers have been preserved in the family in Scotland.� The originals are now in the Highland Archives in Inverness.