We have six letters all to do with the Simmey/Reid/Cameron family, and have had them for more than 30 years, so it is about time that they were written up. They must have been included in an old auction lot, but we cannot remember exactly when or where we bought them. One of them is already on our website as it is earlier than these letters, so it is in the pre–Victorian section, and the link is the first one at the bottom of this page.
The people in these letters have not been followed up genealogically. Helen Reid was in Dundee, William Cameron (Helen’s uncle) was in London at this time, her grand uncle Robert Simmey in Aberdeen, who wrote the letter, and Mr Stephenson and Mr McNicol were in Cincinnati USA. There is an American link which runs through these letters concerning property and business.
The first letter was addressed to
Miss Helen Reid, Da Field Walk, Dundee.
A websearch for this address brought no results, which was a surprise, as it is such an unusual name. The second letter has the same address, so it is obviously correct, and was delivered.
The letter inside was dated Aberdeen 8 Decr 1840
and this should have had a 1d red postage stamp on it, but that seems to have been removed. There is a boxed 3-line Aberdeen date stamp, and two pencilled notes written on the outside, 8 Dec 1840 R Simmey and
8 Dec 1840, Mr Simmey to Helen Reid abt John Camerons affairs.
The paper is a thick cream colour, and has the Watermark WHATMAN TURKEY MILL 1839.
The spelling in the letter is phonetic and if read out loud, it would need to be with a Scottish accent.I have transcribed it as it was written with the spelling, which is different from what it would be nowadays.
Dear Helen
We recived your letter this morning was well plaised to hear you and your Ant are well wee are in our ordinary steat of health.
I have not hard from London this long time wee niver was so long of hearing from him as for Amelea wee niver hear from her and Robert has niver wrot sinces his Brother Johns Death for as much as wee did for him. I am surprised William has don nothing in his Brother Johns affairs there can be nothing don without sending a powr of attorney to some person out ther but ther must be something don soon and as soon as I hear any thing I shall let you know I recived about six wicks ago Johns Goald watch the Trustees sent forward that says so much for the Trustees a Gentelman brought it forward to me. I can do nothing in the Business before William and Amelea do somthin. as soon as I have said befor I shall let you know.
Mrs Simmey joins me with kind Love to you and your Ant, writ soon and fuller and what you are doing,
and I remain your grand uncal,
Faithfully
Robert Simmey.
Letter No.2 similar to the first one, same postmarks and the stamp has also been removed. The pencil notes this time are
11 Dec 1840 R Simmey and
11 Dec 1840 Robt Simmey abt John Camerons property.
The paper is the same, with the same watermark.
So now to the letter, in which the spelling is also phonetic, but is still intelligible, so I have transcribed it as it was written.
Dear Helen
I recived a letter the other night from your uncal William London informing me he was getting a powr of attornie mead out for you and him and your Ant Amelea in favour of a Mr Loyle who went out from London about the time of your uncal Johns Death.
Now, Helen, as you was to be directed by me I say I know nothing of that Mr Loyle, I was for William giving the powr of Attornie to the two Trustees your Uncal John left the management of his property to most honarabel Gentelmen Mr Stephenson and Mr McNicol men of Law in Cincinati. When the powr of attornie comes to your hand you should teak some Gentelman advise whether you should put your nem to it or send out a powr of attornie in your own nem. I have a coppey of your uncal Will by me I meen by all this that ther be no reflactions afterwards upon me as soon as the powr of attornie gos out there is 3000 doller of cash which will be payd by the Trustees but the property may not be disposed of for some time.
Now as I said as above teak some Gentelmans advise and niver have any reflactions on me. If it be thought proper to me to go to Dundee I should do so, if I can do any good but I supos that is unnesersary. Let me know soon how you are advised. Your Ant joins me with kind love to you and your Ant, and I remain your Grand uncal Robert Simmey.
He then adds a couple of notes, as afterthoughts.
N.B. I supos you will remember I was left a Trustee but I cannot act and have nothing to do with it as I am in Scotland.
NB William will send directions to you proving your age and that you are the indevidel
He is obviously trying to do the right thing by his niece but is a long way away and does not know the gentleman concerned. The next letters are written to Robert Simmey by his newphew William Cameron, who is living in London.
(Click on the link below for the fourth letter).