Letter #1.
(Transcription by Jade's Gramma, 16 October 2003)
From Frederick Burrows in Sligo Town, County Sligo, Ireland to his sons in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
Address: Mr. Frederick Burrows
No. 20 Lot Street
By Ship Toronto
Sligo 16th January 1843
Dear George and Frederick
Blessed be the Lord I am still alive and well to write to you both again—it is of his great Mercy that I am spared so long in the land of the living. I received duly the letter that George (his son) wrote to me dated Toronto the 23rd of October 1842 and I could have answered it sooner only that your Mother and myself concluded that as the Old Year was nearly gone we should answer it at the beginning of the New Year. I received that letter on the 18th November last about 26 days after it was written and a most welcome letter it was to us to know that ye were both well and doing well when we compare and contrast the distress that prevails here among all classes of trades men now notwithstanding that all kinds of necessity’s of life are now cheaper than they were these 40 years yet there is no employment or earning for the 10th part of the middling classes, which makes them poor and needy—now we rest satisfied and content that we consider ye can earn a decent livelihood what could not be got in poor Sligo—now I would consider it criminal in myself if I did not answer your letters so that I will write to ye both whilst life and health permits indeed I am now so advanced in years that all I can do to either of ye must be in the way of advice or admonition or parental duty above all things I would urge the necessity of practical Religion on hearing the Gospel as often as convenient for as the poet says “let the witting argue all he can”. It is Religion still that makes the man.” This World at best is vain fluctuating and perishing but the hope of the Gospel, or the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and the blessed and sanctifying influence of his great salvation will continue with the Christian when this World shall be no more--I now occasionally receive the Communion in the old Church here and hear the Gospel both there and at the Independent Chapel for my sense and my reason both tell me that here “I have no continuing City” and therefore that by Faith “I should look for one that is to come”, therefore at a Throne of Grace I pray to be weaned from this evil world and be resigned to the will of my Heavenly Father that will do all things well, this makes me cheerful on my journey heavenward, although to a superficial observer I might appear as a worldly minded wretch but thanks be to him the nearer to the Grave I go the more heavenly-minded I feel—now ye both know me well in all my manner and way, and certainly considering the way that providence placed me in the World for the last 40 years
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of my life my Domestic Oeconomy might appear to my family to be hard, tight, and austere in the highest degree and so it was, but circumstanced as I was and am, let my days be many of few with my employer, no other kind of System or domestic oeconomy would do or answer but that of minding strictly and faithfully the Man’s Money and properly committed to my Charge for this was the Grand Secret that enabled me to maintain my ground so long with him now more than 30 years, and that was to mind his money for him, the neglect of that was what shipwrecked others under him—indeed I now look upon my life and health, and Situation as the most uncertain things in this world, and although Matters in my family and situation just are as ye both left them, yet I cannot now tell the moment an Explosion of Situation or circumstances may take place with me if I may so speak, for now the Age of my Employer and myself is so great that no one can tell the moment a Change may take place for the worst—well welcome be the Will of providence that does all things well—Our affairs are all in his good hands—Now an Individual is like a Nation, when a Nation is too populous it must Emigrate when a poor Man like me has many Children he must part some against his Will to look for Bread in a foreign land, but even there it is a happiness to know that our friends are well and doing well—Your Grand Mother is still alive Uncle Frank lives with her and works there, Aunt Anne is well, James and Wm Burrows (his sons.) are well William has two sons and one daughter lately, we are all at present in health thanks be to providence for it—as I wrote 3 letters to Mr. Kirloghair (?) and he did not deign to answer any of them our correspondence now ceases, indeed any object I had in corresponding with him was partly to know about the Sligo people in New York and how they got on but as the Wests are all out of New York I am now not anxious about affairs. You may let Pat -?- know that there is nothing to mention of his friends here they are in health, Tom Belford & his wife (stays?) at present with some of the James’s the Smith’s he talks of expecting help from his friend in New York, Vain hope! The Mill Men are All as ye left them the two Wm Mack’s are well no person of Note has died here lately but many plain people,--the Ganly’s are well Jamesy Gallagher lives with his father I told you his Brother died—the grass is growing in Scots’ Yard the coopers all distressed—
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You ask about Eliza at present in health and just as you left her—Tommy keeps to School and Charles thriving fast and often speaks of his poor Brother George and Frederick and indeed I can make no difference for I have as great an affection for one of ye as I have for the other (his children. Frederick (ours) and George are in Toronto.) Mr Hawksbys family are well, I hope Frederick’s Wife and children are all in health and well. (Frederick’s wife is Martha Potts, whose mother was Jane Hawskby. “Mr. Hawksby is her brother, Jackson.)
Frederick (ours) has the Names of two Grand fathers and great Grand Father, as my Father’s Name was James, then he has, George, and Frederick after good old Stamps(? not (? not Gramps)—I paid Nothing for the Newspapers they came to me free—but if they put you to any expense or trouble in getting them you need not mind them as I am at no loss
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you know for Newspapers. I am getting easy about News- party work in politics run very high in the Canadas I see Sir C. B. (Charles Bagot) has a hard card to play I see in Canada indeed it is not easy to govern when there are two great parties struggling for political power, it is much the same in Ireland, Mrs. Hodson is well if you have not written to her yet, direct for her to my care as I will pay the postage for her—I have still peace and Quietness in my little family. Mr Kernaghan Built a Brig here at the Ballast Bank as large as the Brig “Alicia”. On her first voyage from this to Glasgow the Captain, (Capt. Little) and all Hands perished
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Her Hull drifted to the “Isle of Sky” on the Coast of Scotland but Capt. Little, Tom Vernon, “Lehy the Sailor” Finlay McIntosh”, the Sailor, John Higgins from the island a Mate from Sunderland a Cabbin Boy and two passengers all perished. She was called the “Lady Anne Wynne”, and cost between 2 and £3000 in Building no one can tell how she was lost. She left Sligo in the beginning of the month of November and never made her voyage. Now write to me as soon as you can for I am old and my life uncertain—Young Dan McKenzie the Cooper went to America in December last.—Mr. Martins daughter Miss Anne was married to her friend Jas Wood Esqr of Woodville.
Poor old Peyton is still alive but so feeble he cannot come out--I suppose you heard nothing about his Son for Captain Vernon. John West told me sometime ago that Mr. Jackson Hawksby was to write for his sister to bring her from New York to himself (this is Jane Hawksby Potts, mother of Martha)—Ask Pat Nisset (?) does he know is Tom Kelly the pensioner alive. This was requested—Now write as soon as ye can for nothing of an earthly Nature gives us more pleasure and comfort than to hear from ye both it matters not which of ye write the letter it will be eqally welcome to us. May the Lord Bless ye both with wife and children and I remain your affectionate father till Death
Frederick Burrows (Senior)
Sideways on the paper:
only that you both know my Hand so well ye might have some difficulty in reading this letter I wrote it with an iron pen that did not please me, ye will say my father is failing in his writing no doubt Age will cause it too. By the New Corporation Reform Bill Mr. Martin Madden the Grocer and Porter Brewer has been appointed “Mayor of Sligo” the old provosts were done away with—Mr. Harvey is well—Jack Bremans family are just as ye left them a Steamer trades regularly from this town to Glasgow once a fortnight. I do not touch on politics as ye see the papers there yourselves, by the last paper I see that Sir Charles Bagot is very unwell in ‘Canada”. Write as soon as ye can for we know not what today may bring forth as Solomon says. FB.
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Letter #2.
(Transcription by Jade's Gramma, 17 October 2003)
From Frederick Burrows in Sligo Town, County Sligo, Ireland to his son George in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
Address:
Mr. George Burrows
At Messrs. Jacques and Hay’es
Corner of King Street
Toronto Canada West—North America
Sligo 4th July 1850
Dear George
Without waiting for an Answer from either William or Thomas (his sons.) I now take up my pen to write You a few lines, nor can I say whether you will view them in the light that I do and intend of not—mind this! We naturally get uneasy when we are too long without hearing from any of ye the distance is so great, and this World and all it contains so uncertain that no one can tell "what a day may bring forth" as the scripture says, about the 1st of last March I wrote to Thomas (a long letter) and and on the 1st of April I wrote to William, as yet got no Answer from either—Now the Employer and Myself are both so very old, that I someway think it my duty to let you and Your Brothers know the exact state and Position in which we stand here at present, so that if anything happens unexpectedly Ye will be all able to form a just opinion of how matters stand here, about 2 years ago after the distress began here, I made up my mind to sell out that House at Lungy to Mrs. Hodson, she was satisfied. But her Attorney or advisor told her it would be necessary that my eldest son (James) should sign and join me in the Sale, as it was a hereditary property and a Lease in perpetuity for Ever—I spoke to J. B. (James Burrows.) he consented if I would give him half the purchase money £40—But after she went to the trouble with those that had her Money at Interest, he kicked up and would not consent, so the Matter was broke up and remains so still—after that he wanted to do it, but I told him it was enough for people to be made an "April fool" of once, by one person for that we could not depend on him the second time, after deceiving us at first what caused me chiefly to think of selling out was the dreadful injury that the "Board of Works: done there by hindering or stoping up the open and over ground passage of the Water, and causing and making a subterraneous or under ground passage for the Water from that House to the Sea, and which under ground passage will ultimately drown and flood that House so as that no tenant will, or can live in it,--it may be during my life to be sure But by the usual course of Nature that cannot be very long—Well then more, yet, the Nominal Rent Mrs. H. has that House for is twelve pounds a Year but out of that I pay one pound Nineteen of poor Rate, I pay County Cess twice a Year, Eighteen Shillings. I pay Labour Rate five and four pence halfpenny, and Ground Rent I pay 7..5 a year, I pay Borough Rate four Shillings. Mrs. Hodgson pays only one tax more called Town Cess to James Taylor I believe something less than, or about a pound, yearly—so that my profit yearly after paying all the foregoing taxes is about £8..6..2 ½ a year then out of that take Yearly Repairs which cannot be avoided it would leave only about £7..6..2 ½ a Year and this is now all I am worth in the World—as on the 5th day day of April last after mature deliberation and consultation with my Well Wishers I surrendered and gave up to my then Landlord
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Mr. Kirkwood of Woodbrook Carrick on Shannon (here) the Lease for Ever that I had from a Mr. Blest of the 3 Small Houses in Waste Garden here in this town—Mr. Kirkwood Ejected by Law Mr. Blest Mr. Carter, F. Burrows and all the tenants, by the Sheriff on 1 July 1848—so that Between the enormous taxes, Ground Rent and Repairs all the profit I had by them last Season was only about fourteen Shillings, so on that account I threw up the lease to him nor am I sorry for the Ground rent, taxes and Repair swallowed up all the Yearly profit and left Nothing worth Naming this is the case with all petty Landlords Now in Ireland, tenants are not able to pay as usual, and petty Landlords are not able to stand Bad tenants Head Rents and a Weighty taxation—so now You see how matters stand with us at present here—Should I be able to hold the spot at Lungy (for we are not certain of any thing in this World) Mother and J. B. (Mary Carty Burrows and son James ) gets each half at my death—she will have trouble if she lives and trouble to go through Now. from the way things are going on a change cannot be very far off but all we can do is to live in Hopes for we can neither foresee nor prevent what is in the Womb of time or futurity but sensible persons in the Employment has sagacity enough to see and know that things cannot long remain as they are a change must come and appearances are very gloomy—if Mother is spared she has fortitude enough to go out to "Toronto" for her heart is there, (she did, and son Charles went with her) and no blame to her, for if anything happens me what would she do here in this miserable place, where thousands are half starved for the want of employment, not for want of food, for that is plenty enough, but the poor has no Earning nor no Money to buy food, and Numbers going the Streets like Walking Skeletons and Shadows—I have no object in writing this letter to you now but just that I thought it my duty to give you a fair, honest, and true account of our present State and condition in case that anything happens me, for indeed every day that passes I reflect on death and the uncertainty of my poor old life. The legs are a great annoyance to me they continue so inflamed round about for 4 or 5 inches round the low part of the legs and Ankles. Doctor Lynn tried his skill with them there is no open Sore or Running on them but swelling and inflammation and itching and pain and so much so that to the post office, the Lungy, or the office now is as much as I can accomplish, and even that with pain. Religion now is my comfort I have got a good long life, and the Most High has been good to me, I never got want or distress Blessed be his Holy Name—Since January I have sent out to ye all 25 Newspapers and I am sometimes thinking that perhaps it is not quite right in me to send ye so many for fear that it should interfere with the working Hours of 3 of ye whose time of working is your Employers, But when Working Hours are over and each at his House or lodging there is the time to draw a Newspaper to one when it can injure none
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Mrs. Hodson and her Sister sometimes make me a present of an English or Dublin paper, and then I send it, and sometimes I buy one and send it to ye in your turn—at present there is not any News of any importance here, a dead calm! None of Your acquaintances died since I last wrote, Friends are all well at present—numbers of persons left this for America, be on your guard when persons from this find ye out, for some gone out that pass’d for decent persons took in and ungratefully treated here at their going off those that obliged them and were kind to them, so let each of ye be on your guard and let into one ear and out of another what they say—except those ye knew some of their friends and that that Ye would direct them to them—at present the crops look pretty well, if no Blight comes on the Potatoes they will be the first relief the poor will get and they want relief very much indeed Markets are reasonable, but Money scarce no Work for the poor—William’s Wifes friends are Well so is Frederick’s for aught that I know.(his other sons in Canada. Frederick is ours. EB)—I before mentioned the death of Captain Shuttleworth, James Gallagher, old Mrs. Edwards, Gilla Smith the Cutler was married the other day to a daughter of the late Doctor Murray he is to get a fortune when her Mother dies—Mother wrote to You and Thomas about the 20th of June Thomas told me when I would write not to pay the postage I did so and would be curious to know did he get my letter full as safe as if I paid the postage for it they told me at the post office that to the British possessions it would go as safe without paying the postage as if paid here We are uneasy always when we are long without a letter from some one of ye, and we think it must be the case with ye there on account of the uncertainty of life and all its enjoyments—when I was sick in August last and my death expected-J.B.-his Wife and Mother (eldest son, James, wife and mother-in-law) had in private conversation below stairs where I live about my Circumstances. J. B. and his Wife thought indeed that it would be no Wonder at all if I had realized 100 or 200 pounds a Man having a property and a Salary and what Not! The whole three seemed to be of this opinion. But what was their disappointment and Mortification to find the truth that I had no Money at all—and when I took my Sickness I could not command a pound of Money in or out of my House, and during my Sickness Mr. M (Abraham Martin, his employer) was kind enough to send me my Wages and a Doctor "Lynn—") and there might have been as much due as would about Bury me so much for people calculating without their Host—to be sure I was always hard, and as my Bread, living, and Character depended on my Honesty and good Conduct to my Employer who was pleased to entrust his money into my Hands, I was and is obliged to go on with "fear and trembling" every day as I was and is obliged to settle and Square up my Cash account every day in the Week, this made me always look sharp to Money Matters, and only that I did so never would have held my Situation as long as I did—I keep an account of all his ‘fishery" and the charges
Written up the side
You will see in the Newspapers a few days ago the Iron Steamer "Orion" left to Liverpool for Glasgow with 200 passengers she sunk and between 40&50 perished
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Attending it, also of all his Flour, also of his Bakehouses and the Charges attending it, also his Bran, pays every Friday and Saturday all his Men in Town and Country—and must Square up and Balance all money every Week, to the farthing So, if this is not Work and drilling for a poor Old Man now on the verge of 80—(77 past since the 12th of April last) (so born 1773)let the Reader judge—Now any one here of the middling class that has any means of keeping out of the "Poor Houses" has a right to be thankful and the terror of this fate makes us tremble and fret—if I have No Money I trust I have what I esteem far Better than Riches, an honest Character and a Clear and clean "conscience"—I am handling money going on 60 Years, has handled an immense deal of Money belonging to my good Employer, has peddled a little with Houses &c, and No man can say or call on me for half a days Wages, either Mason Slater, Carpenter, or Labourer I paid all debts dues and demands and this accounts for me not having Money now at the end of a long life—if William or Thomas has not written to us let some of Ye write as soon as convenient—our love to Fredk, his wife and Children—to William his wife and Children—to yourself and to poor young Thomas, and we hope you will always give him good advice and that he will take it—at the present moment we are in health young and old—our Blessing to ye all—I remain Dear George Your affectionate Father
Frederick Burrows
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Letter #3.
Transcription by Jade's Gramma, 17 October 2003
From Frederick Burrows in Sligo Town, County Sligo, Ireland to his son William in Toronto, Ontario, Canada:
Address:
Mr. William Burrows
Nelson Street
Toronto,
Canada West North America
Sligo 20th of October 1851
Dear William
On the 14th of this Month I duly Received your very welcome letter of 27th of last Month which gives us great pleasure to find that ye are all well and doing well and that you are able to undertake to Build a New House there, it is a serious Undertaking indeed, to be sure in that country a Man is encouraged both by his landlord and by saving himself from weighty Rent, But here the times are so altered for the worse that none but a fool or a Madman would Build, for House property here at present is like a drug in the Market, I built and peddled with Houses these 50 Years past, and what am I now the better of it only that Old House at the lungy that my father built I may say 80 Years ago and if the Ground Rent was weighty I could not stand it, I now have nothing but that spot (for I gave up the lease of the Waste Garden Houses to the Head landlord Mr. Kirkwood in April 1850—before I gave them up I kept an account of them and all the profit I had by them the Year before I gave them up was 14 Shillings—and after I pay all the taxes and Repairs on Mrs. Hodgson’s House all I can brag out of it is between 6 or 7 pounds a year or say about 4d or 4 ½ d a day and if any thing happened my good Employer it would not be sufficient to keep me out of the poorhouse—Building Beggared James Cochran, James Judge and James Henery’s family up at the Friary here, and Numbers more that could be mentioned when Jemmy Henery laid out £1200 in Building Stores and Houses up at the Market House (here) himself or his family after him could not get 1200 Shillings for their lease, and left all to the Landlord and went to America like Numbers we are glad to find by your last letter that ye all got the little Articles that Mother sent out, Remember me to Mr. and Mrs. Bell and and their Son and daughter and we are glad that they are in a way of earning I told Mr. Bell’s Brother here and Mrs. Monson what You mentioned about them—Mr. Bell’s daughter here Mrs. Slater called on me to know what account from her people, she hopes they will write to her about 6 weeks ago she got another young Son they are poor and trade is very bad with them—Remember me to Sam Moore and his Wife tell them that Mr. Gibson her Father and Mother are well, they know that the Son went to New London—Mrs. Wilson that kept the Book Shop died the other day She was Sister to Capt. Reed that died with the last Cholera. He kept the post office. I mentioned I think that Colles Parke died in April last, Sir Wm. Parke died at Dunally lately a good Gentleman Mr. John Gibson of the Flour office died here last Week of a fit of the "Asthma" Aged 74—his daughter fills the Situation her father held Mr M Kindly allows her the Subsistence and she does the Business steady and correct and we are all glad of it her father was a quiet good christian Man and was well liked, Charles Dolan that kept the Hotel or public House at the Quay here died on the 14th of this Month on the very day I got your letter, his complaint was an Enlargement of the liver or Heart, poor Mother and myself frets about poor Young Thomas going so far from the protection and advice of his Brothers, as he is so young But we hope that the Most High will guide and protect him far away—(Thomas went to Hamilton, Ontario and became an auctioneer.)
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Mother (Mary Carty Burrows. EB) brought your letter to Mrs. McCoy till she read it, she promised to write to Jane, his trade is very bad here there is no Ships coming in the Steamers gets all the coasting trade, Mathew McCoy went out to America Robert Leslie and family are well trade bad, Mrs Tom Smith and husband are well Anne Leslie is with them at present, we are glad that Jane is well and her little daughter—we are glad that you have employment the painters here are doing little or Nothing. James Burrows (his son) Broke up House after rearing a family and is gone to England to look for Work the Wife and her two daughters lodge in a Room opposite the Old Church Gate, the old son working in Ballina with an Employer and does not sent the poor Mother a penny I suppose all he can spare is too little for Whiskey by all accounts, William is working in Dublin and sends her a few Shillings now and then the young son James is in London (in England) these 2 years and his Mother says he sends her nothing I am told that he too had a coal in his throat and is fond of the "Devil’s Eye water", so you may see what havoc the love of drink has done in a family her eldest daughter is Married to a policeman and is stationed in some of the Counties up the Country he is a steady man and she had good luck—(this is his son, James, and family) I told the different persons you mentioned about their Friends being well and they were thankful to you, Pat Hagan and family are well but he might be dead or in the poorhouse only for the relief his Brother sent him some time ago we never speak a word here about the unfortunate "Williams" in the Pene_t_y (as written. Penetentiary) there, we pity him and his people and we do not speak of it here we think no one knows anything about it No one can tell what may befall their own friends and this should make us feel for others, but it is a bad thing to break the laws of our country either at home or abroad, better to beg than do so—Captain Barret and all his family are well I mentioned to him what you said in your letter he was thankful he Built a nice House adjoining where the late Capt. Shuttleworth lived at the end of the Ballast Bank here—the first letter that any of ye send ye will mention how Willy Williams’s wife is and how she is doing, as the Miss Faussetts’ in Castle Street here requested of me to let them know as they were very kind to her when she was here—After a Silence of Six Years I wrote a long letter to your Brother
Frederick which letter George (another son. A painter in Toronto) could get You the loan of to read as there might be something in it that you might be curious to read or know, also let the first that writes endeavour to find out where Ned Goodrichs Son is as his poor father is very uneasy at not hearing from him—Well Natured friendly Mr. Tucker got me to direct a Newspaper to you on the 1st of this Month it was called the "Tablet" as it was full of Speeching and Reading the poor Man thought you might be glad to get it, I had no Stomach for it, but as it was friendly of him I returned him thanks in Your Name—and sent it—on the 29th of July I received a letter from our Poor Young Thomas from "Hamilton" we are uneasy about him being so far away from his Brothers—I told Mr. Clancy the Shoemaker what You mentioned about Mrs. Tracy, he Mr Clancy requested of me to Mention to You to find out if Sergeant Robert Clarke is still alive as he has a property here and all the Clarkes and MacCreadys are dead and no friend alive but Himself his Mother being sister to Jas and George McCready.Page 3
who are both dead, James died here a couple of Years ago and George died at Louisville in the "States" Sergeant Clark lived at some place in Upper Canada Called Gwillensgurgh (probably Gwillenbury, York Twp, Ontario) or some such Name
Frederick or George may know it he is an Age with me (78) we are old School Fellows his Mother’s Name was Burrows, if I am spared I will soon write to Thomas, and Mathew McCoy’s son also went to America, Mrs. Thomas Hudson is now our postmaster here—at this present Moment all our little family are in health, so is Robt. Leslie and family and Mark, Leslie 79 years old so is Mr. Morris, Mr, Tonrs(?), Mr. Tucker, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Gilles, who met me and said he got a paper from you and requested to be remembered to You, Mr Poe gets an odd paper from You for which he is thankful, I received Your last letter free of postage, and I pay the postage on this—I think I mentioned the death of Gowan Gillmor Esqr of Ballyglass I could fill half a letter with an account of the Number deaths here since You left this, indeed the most of the old people are gone, and old people getting very scarce, most old people drop off about my time of life, I sensibly feel the Infirmities attendant on old Age my teeth all gone, my hair falling off, a Noise or Singing in my Right Ear, Cramps, in my limbs during the night, weak Appetite, easy fatigued, all these things serve as warnings to my Sense and Reason and tell me that I must go the way of all flesh soon, and causes me to Meditate on the uncertainty of life and the Value of my Immortal Soul above all things, and the Hope the Gospel gives to poor sinners through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ—Mr. Edward Kelly that Built the Steam Mill in Mr. Martin’s Garden he went to America, so did Doctor Conlon, also Pat Macknaboe (?) the turner, Big Jack Breman that sold the Milk to us died and all his family went to America—the corner here carries the Huxtery on account of his kindness to you when going away we now buy our Milk from his Wifesection at the bottom
I have filled this letter with what occurred to me to amuse You in the way of News, it is as good as a little Newspaper to You preserve it, on account of the Uncertainty of my life We desire to be remembered
Frederick and his Wife and Children, to George, to Thomas, to You, Your Wife and Children and indeed it gives us pleasure to know of your prosperity your Sobriety and good conduct, which we hope will carry youThere is a piece sideways on the page, but I will put it at the end of page 4 as it is really the last written.
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You through Your arduous and difficult undertaking of Building which along with striving to support a weak family is a difficult Matter, but under providence I hope temperence will enable You by degrees to accomplish what You have begun, But Building answers none but a person that had a Waste Plott and some Money to spare, it Beggared many a Man in Sligo in my time, I hope it wont be the case with You—what I am now going to say you will not mention to a Stranger by any Means, Now the opinion of every Sensible and well informed person is this that when Old Mr. M_ (Abraham Martin.) goes there is an end to all Business carried on by him, that M_i_lls, Fis_h_y Bake_e (as written) houses and all will then be set off to some Eng_l_h or Scotch Merchant or Comp_a_y__ (both as written) at so much a year, then one Agent will receive the Rent for All and no further trouble with Mi_l_rs Millers. EB), Bakers, Clerks or Stewards but just get the Rent—The Cap_t_n_ (Captain John Martin) is now going on a Year at Home and never once went near the M_i_lls (as written) –every one sees this, and expects Nothing but an "Explosion" the moment the old Gentleman goes, then the poorhouse are what the poor Men under him is laying out for themselves, these thoughts make us tremble, we expect nothing else, Mr. Cuffs children are in England geting Board and Education at so much a Year but one of his Sons is in Dublin with Miss Cuffs sister to old Mrs. Martin and who will provide for him and leave him Rich—Keep all this that I have here said to Yourselves, as it would be taken ill of Me if it was known that I took the liberty of speaking or writing about the family that was giving me Bread—read this letter twice over in Your own House you can let George read it if You please, I remain Dear William Your affectionate Father
Fredk Burrows
Sideways on page 3
The Wheat and Corn Crops here this season are defective has not the Yield of other Years—a great Blight on the potato Crop, potatoes 4d a Stone first flour 1..6d a Stone Second flour 1..2d a Stone Oatmeal 1..1 ½ the Stone—Beef and Mutton 5 s a pound Remember us to Mr. Young and his family his friends and all well Wishers are well at present—already there is talk of them selling off the Salmon F_s_h_y (as written. Fishery) at or for so much a Year and not be bothered any longer with its cost and trouble, the other day an English or Scotch Agent was here to know and treat about it, they consulted and parted but we do not yet know how it will be—Mr. Denby has not come here Yet—I think you forgot to bid me write, but I think you will have no objection to this—a Hundred Welcomes for any letter, or Newspaper coming from any one of ye four—No political News, No Parliament sitting at present—"Robberies" and "Murders" here and there as usual—Mother Wonders that George did not write to her since she wrote to him in July last—Adieu F. B.