Note that parts of these letters have still to be deciphered.
Dumfries, July 21, 1871 My dear Son and Daughter and Grandson: I sit down to answer your kind and welcome letter and was very sorry to hear by it that you were so poorly but I hope by this time that you are got better again and thank you for your kindness to us all and I received the letter and the money all right and may god bless you all for dear love to us.
And Mother is very frail just now. But we had a visit of your sister Janet from the (trinch) and she not looking so well and feel rather discontented. And no word of Jacob this long while back for two years now and all the rest of them are about their old way. Kind love to one and all and we never have got a letter from Brother George this seven month and more, so I have wrote and over again and never received an answer from them so I can't tell you what you may think of it.
And your Sister Girvan are well and had a visit of her son. Hugh were home seeing his Mother but he never call to see his Grandmother neither pass nor pass so his time are very scarce getting. So that is all the news.
John Throth and Mary Findlay husband was at Edinburgh and the Mary N. Muir and (meant) her to come with them to Glasgow but she thought no and this was a great day on the Thursday the like I never saw in Dumfries with people 2 3 thousand on the sulam ground but I was not there, and Mary N. Muir has been ill for month or so and could not come to Dumfries but thinks that she will be in a few months or so, so I feel rather well myself, so I hope you better again if it is god's will write soon. No more at present but remain your loving mother till death.
Dumfries, August 1 Mary and Jacob: I write you a few words say that your brother George called that night at night 5 o'clock till this Thursday morning 7 o'clock. Them and his sister at Sanquhar they came on Thursday after this all on Wednesday and asked me to (wash) we arose 4 in the morning so I must say he (paid) the toner is paid and the (landlay) is till no so and he says they pay the house if I have none but myself but if I am going to keep my lass in the house with me he will not pay it so don't now whether he has or not got the (........) money or not for I had very little of Miss Craik so I think you will n all about or long for he said little or nothing to me about the money. He gave me a pair of boots and one pound and he and I think you have got all the news from me he will not (money) untill he go to Maryport so after all he will send us more about and when are you coming for the ship or what way will get it so I could surely write it with (heavy) (....). Write soon by a night.
Dumfries, July 10, 1872 My Dear Brother Jacob and Sister, to say your Mother are breathing very fast so I think that there's no mistake of her (passing). Would like to see her dear son one more for this is her desire to you, for me to send you word and I hope that he will come to see her all that likes, and I hope that Mary's legs are better and I had a letter Brother George today and send him a letter back to come and see his old Mother but he is left Maryport (live) at Dublin so I think (...) so I think you will or write or come as quick as you like all your people are about their old way.
Kind love George Mary and the childer. Likewise to Charles and his and Catterin and hers and all their family so I of little else at (...). No more at present but remain your loving mother and sister. Excuse this scrawl of mine. Be sure and come
Dumfries, July 22 My dear Brother and Sister: I sit down to answer that all you make no delay but come for your Mother very distressed all night and breath very hard so she hope you will all come every one that can come for the last time and if Jacob can come hope sister Mary will try and come if you come tall. So I have wrote for Uncle George when I sent this to you. I hope this will be the last letter for you for Mother. Write by truner of post.
Make no delay but come. Write soon as this come to hand. No more but remain your sister.
Jacob's mother, Mary Mitchelson, died at Dumfries on 27th July, 1872
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1999-01-10