Description Letter from Thomas MacKay

Letter addressed to Alexander Fraser, Middle River, Nova Scotia

Lairg  2 April 1792

Dear Sir

Your letter of the 2 August last, was sent me by post from Cromarty, as soon as Capt Macglashan arrived there & the Sabbath thereafter, I intimated from pulpit that I had received a letter from you & that your father was then alive & that you wanted to hear about your friends & I desired one should come to me from the parish of Rogart, to inform me about them there.  Accordingly Donald Mackay came whom I desired to draw up an answer to your letter.  In two weeks he returned, with the enclosed scroll, wich I undertook to abridge but my health had soon after taken such an unnatural turn that I was not able.   I have at least --r finished my course & whatever sickness, pain or darkness may interveen, I had & still have the lively hope of the crown of righteousness, the righteous Judge shall give to all that love his appearance.

Your letter came in January, but as Im becoming weaker I send you the enclosed, rather than lose more time, to get Donald to renew it, & you many still write to my care, for your letter, will be received* by somebody.

William Gordon's son is with his mother, a cripple.  Thomas Gordons wife died about two years ago & Capt Donald Matheson of Shiness, my son in law, took the youngest boy to his home & ailments him still.

If your father be alive, tell him I expect to see him, never to part.

Im happy to hear you have the Gospel in purity.  Much good be done by it.

This will be sent to Mr Pagan, Glasgow & hope it introduce* your correspondence with this Country.  I am

Dear Sir

your sincere well wisher

Tho Mackay

 

This letter was discovered in the attic of Stewart House Historical Museum in August, 1996.  The copy was donated by Dr. Willard Fraser.  See file number 97-307c for comments re letter by Dr. W Fraser to identify Alexander Fraser as the son of Kenneth Fraser, Middle River.