Shep's Place Family Tree

Paisley
14th.May 1873.

My dear, dear Sister,

Your Very welcome letter came to hand on the 6th. inst with your son David's card ‎(photograph)‎ enclosed for which we are very thankful. You ask us if we have got any letter from Robert since we wrote you last but we have not, the last letter that came to Paisley was to Uncle Gray and there was not any particulars in it, but I heard from a Mrs. Morrison here that he had left Adelaide and gone to Sydney for his health.

We are still happy to see that you intend coming home about July or August but are a little surprised to learn that your son John does not want to come home with you but we hope by the time you are ready to come away he will have changed his mind and come home to Scotland and see the native land of his mother. You will that after 20 years absence from Paisley that it has undergone many changes, that with its new Public Park and new Free Library and Museum you will be forced to say "all old things are passed away and all things are new". You ask about the trade of Paisley, trade generally is very good in the mean time in all branches.
You ask us who we think your son David resembles, I think myself he looks like Malcolm and my husband says he is a Robertson out and out, we would have been exceedingly pleased had you sent your own card along with it. Aunt Mary and her family are all well and Aunt Mary is in our house every Saturday.You ask us to send you a copy of the last letter we got from Robert but it is nearly two years since we got a letter and we sent you the particulars at the time and not having Uncle Gray's last letter in our possession we can't send you a copy of it.

About Malcolm's two children, one of them died at the time Malcolm was in America and the other we suppose is still with its grandmother. I think I have now given you all the particulars you want.

Be sure when you write to tell us the exact date that you will leave New York so that some of us may come to Glasgow and meet you and also the name of the ship you come with. Cousin Alex. Gray has asked me to ask you how much it would take to bring a rocking chair home with you if you can bring one he will pay you when you come or if you write and tell us the cost we will send you the money. I will now close this letter by sending you and your family the kind love of Cousins Margt. and Annie and Alex. Gray, from Aunt Mary and all enquiring friends. My son James sends his kind respects to his cousins and will be happy to welcome you all when you come. My husband also joins me in sending our kindest love to you and allow me to remain, your affectionate sister,

Mrs. James Clark
Don't forget to write by return of post. I sent you a paper about 3 weeks ago.

The Mrs.Morrison of the above communication was Isabella, wife of James Morrison, threadmill foreman of Bridge Street, Paisley who died 18 Jun 1870. His brother Daniel Morrison married 29 Oct 1841 Christina Stevenson who, was a sister of Captain Walter Stevenson, and the aunt whom RRS went looking for in 1872 at Linton, Victoria and so met Maria Nicholls. The Daniel Morrisons had emigrated to Victoria 1852.