Letter from Robert Campbell to Mary Clarke

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Document ID 0903005
Date 19-12-1856
Document Type Letters (Emigrants)
Archive Campbell
Citation Letter from Robert Campbell to Mary Clarke;Frank Collins; CMSIED 0903005
53017
Saint Louis Dec 19th 1856

My Dear Mary.

Your letter to your Aunt and myself duly to hand two days ago and I am glad to learn that you and your husband and little family are all well.

We had the misfortune of losing our second little son Hazlett Kyle who died of Measles on 23rd Nov which was his birthday he was just 3years old and as fine and health a child as could be found- he was ill but a few days and was not considered dangerous until a few hours before his death.  We feel the bereavement very deeply as he had made himself by his sweet deposition, the pet of the house, this is the seventh child we have buried and such bereavement seems to be greater than those preceding.

I send herewith a check for one hundred dollars as a Christmas present which will enable you to procure for yourself and children some extra luxuries in the winter season- you can readily get the money for the check on H & J Campbell  

I am pleased to see you write so kindly about your husband but I regret to say that from other sources his conduct is not favourably spoken. of. This is to me a matter of deep regret that my nephew should conduct himself so as to bring reproach on his family and connexions.

I fondly hoped that being comfortably situated and removed from his former associates he would so conduct himself as to establish a creditable character to reflect upon his family home instead of disgrace. It is with pain that I write this and I hope to hear of his improvement as he has every thing to gain and nothing to loss by this change.

Out two little sons Hugh and Robert are in good health- Hugh goes to school and is progressing well in his studies.

We have Virginias sister Mrs Otey and daughter spending the winter with us.

With kind compliments and love to Andrew and the children and to our relations.

Your affectionate Uncle

Robert Campbell

I have not had a letter from John for some days but learn from others that all are well.

I have no late letter from Ireland.