Two letters from October 22, 1876 from Hugh MacCulloch, Ballyarton, Ireland, to Col. Robert Campbell, St. Louis, MO.
A great letter for any fans of The Campbell Quest! Hugh MacCulloch is married to Robert’s niece, Margaret Campbell MacCulloch. The two live in Ballyarton House, which still stands in Northern Ireland today. These two letters are primarily concerned with business, specifically Robert selling property in Ireland. However, they also mention Robert’s family, their visit to Ireland in 1867, and Hugh and Margaret’s family. Hugh and Margaret MacCulloch are the great-grandparents of Patrick Campbell MacCulloch, author of “The Campbell Quest”. The house they lived in, Ballyarton, is also featured on the postcard which first began Pat’s search for his family history – it can be seen on the cover of the book. Read the first hand accounts of Hugh and Robert, whose respective legacies would lead us to today!
Ballyarton 22nd Oct 1876
Col Campbell
Dear Sir
I have received two letters from your solicitors since I wrote you which I enclose and as requested write you all particulars
Upon receipt of your letter I mentioned to several persons of my acquaintance likely to purchase that it would be sold. Mr. Graham brother in law to Charles Dunn who bot. [sic] Aughalane promised to give me an offer. He told me last week why he did not. Mr Dunn intended to purchase I hoped not for no reason but sake of peace and Robert told me the day I was up he was not intend to buy it. I there valued your property at Three Hundr. R Dunn and people I was talking with thought I was too high. I advise your solicitors to sell by publik [sic] auction but after enquiry finding there was no papers to prove title and your name not being in any writing (yet knowing certainly the property was yours) but others would not risk full value and I was not offerd [sic] above Two Hundred pounds with those views my opinion was to either purchase myself to pay say 5 &c — or you to hold on and get name entered in rent book and rents pain in your name (Margaret thought you would prefer selling to a stranger) I was desirous my very generous friend would realize the full value of your property and I am now happy to say after some delay all will be perfectly cleared up for publik [sic] auction and every difficulty set aside. I thought there was a want in the will not being forthcoming.
That is all arranged upon receipt of Mr. Andersons last letter I wrote Mr Dunn Mr Kings manager in office to write me how it was held I have yet no answer. I wished to keep from them the fact we had no writings. I sent for Old Dennis McKenna a tenant of yours and on Saturday heard from him there was a joint deed taken by your father and others about the year 1786 of one quarter of Glencoppagh that the deed I should have been
in possession of Charles McCauley and supposed to be in possession of the Grahams I mentioned I was very much rejoiced and wrote your solicitors that I would hunt up more particulars soon as possible. He gave me other particulars as to quantity 13 lots about 34 Cunningham ________ in all about 18 arable and meadow & I will send all those to your solicitors and I can assure you Dear Sir it has given me the greatest pleasure to do even the smallest kindness and could wish I had it in my power to show any gratitude for your great kindness to us and as _________ is very low here at present I expect a good price will be obtained _______ _____ ______ is considered a safe instrument in ___________ land in this country for some time, being in several lots is rather against it.
I am glad to say that Margaret is improved in strength but grieves very much still about her dear Aunt. I often think of her and also think it is well she has entered into her eternal rest and to be away from friends she loved though erring [?]. I hope to have headstone railing & complete this week. Margaret joins in kindest respects to you and Mrs Campbell Master Hugh James & Haslett [sic] also to Mr and Mrs Hugh Campbell & Miss Kyle how well we remember you visits to Ireland such pleasures are passed away but not forgotten by us if ever I can in the smallest way serve you the favour [sic] will be dome to me in being allowed to do so. Believe me your sincere and ever thankful friend
Hugh McCullagh
PS please kindly excuse my letters being often called off by customers
H Mc
Ballyarton 22nd Oct 1876
Col Campbell
Dear Sir
I have
Received two letters from your
Solicitors since I wrote you which
I enclose and as requested write
You all particular
Upon receipt of your letter I
Mentioned to several persons
Of my acquaintance likely to
Purchase that it would be sold
Mr Graham Brotherinlaw to
Charles Dunn who bot. Aughalane
Promised to give me an offer
He Told me last week why He
Did not, R Dunn intended to
purchase I hoped not for no
reason but sake of peace and
[next page]
that is all arranged upon
receipt of Mr Andersons last
letter I wrote Mr Dunn
Mr Kings manager in office
To write me how it was
Held I have yet no answer
I wished to keep from
Them the fact he had no
Writings I sent for
Old Dennis McKenna a
Tenant of yours and on
Saturday heard from him
There was a joint deed
Taken by your Father
And others about the year
1786 of our quarter of
Glencoppagh that the
Deed should have been
[next page]
Robert told me the day I
Was up He was not intend
To buy it I then valued
Your property at Three Hundred
R. Dunn and people I was
Talking with thought I was
Too high I advise your
Solicitors to sell by public
Auction but after enquiring
Finding there was no papers
To prove title and your having
Not being in any writing
(yet knowing certainly the
property was yours) but others
would not risk full value
and I was not offered above
two hundred pounds with
those views my opinion
[next page]
was to either purchase myself
to pay say 5 H – or
you to hold on and get
name entered in rent book
and rents paid in your name
(Margaret thought you
would prefer selling to a
stranger) I was desiring
my very generous friend
would realize the full value
of your property and I am
now happy to say after
some delay all will be
perfectly cleared up for
publick auction and every
difficultly set aside I thought
there was a want in the
will not being forthcoming
[next page]
in possession of charity
McCauly and supposed
To be in possession of the
Grahams I mentioned
I was very much rejoiced
And wrote your solitary
That I would hunt up
More particularly soon as
Possible He gave me
other particularly as to
quantity & 13 lots about
34 Cunnignham being in
all about 18 arable and
meadow & I will send
all those to you solicitors
and I can assure you Dear
sir it has given me the
greatest pleasure to do
[next page]
Even the smallest kind
Ness and could wish
I had in my power to
Show any gratitude for
Your great kindness to
Us and as I sit here very
Low here at present I
expect a good price will
be obtained 4 &
count is considered a safe
investment in perpetuity
land in this country
for some time, being in
several lots is rather
against it
I am glad to say that
Margaret is improved
[next page]
in strength but grieving
very much still about
her dear Aunt I often
think it is well she
has entered into her
eternal rest and to be
away from friends
she loved though
erring I hope to
have headstone railing
& complete this walk
Margaret joins me in
kindest respects to you
and Mrs Campbell
Masters Hugh James
& Haslett also to Mr
and Mrs Hugh Campbell
[next page]
& Miss Kyle how well
we remember your
visit to Ireland such
pleasures are passed away
but not forgotten by
us if ever I can in
the smallest was serve
you the favour will
be done to me in being
allowed to do so Believe
my your sincere and
ever thankful friend
Hugh McCullouugh
Ps. Please kindly excuse my
Letters being often called off by
Customs H.M.