This page is in process of being updated, as of January 2008. Although I've not yet discovered what happened to George Mitchelson (who wrote the letters below), I believe I've located him in the 1871 Census, possibly with a wife named Eleanor Clark. I've also discovered an Agnes Mitchelson in Liverpool, who may be George's daughter.
Of interest is the mailing address which George gave in the letter below, namely, care of a Mr. R. Tedcastle of No. 19 and 20 Gt. Brunswick Street, in Dublin. A recent search of the Internet has revealed the following:
"Among the best-known Dublin businesses occupying this site was Robert Tedcastle’s Coal Merchants, which began trading at 19-20 Great Brunswick Street ) etc." Also: "Marlay was sold in 1864 to Robert Tedcastle, the well known Dublin coal merchant." Property owners City of Dublin circa 1870 - Robert Tedcastle and Co. 19 and 20, Great Brunswick-st., Dublin one acre.
Letters from George Mitchelson
Glasgow, February 12th, 1857 Dear Brother and Sister, With pleasure I sit down to write these few lines to you to let you know that George and me got safe through to Glasgow and is quite well. Hoping this will find you all the same as it finds us both here. And he seems quite contented so far, but I have him learning the multiplication table long side and we have got our cargo to and about ready for sea on Saturday morning if all goes well, please God.
And we will not be long now until George knows what the sea is like. He was little sick the first day that he came on board but he says that it is nothing about being board a ship in the harbour when it blows so he sends his kind love to his father and mother and all his brothers and sisters and he says he likes it well. He says that I have to tell you that he won't be home this (...) but I will be able to tell you how he likes it agin we get through to Dublin.
Brother and sister, remember me to all the family. I think Kathy and Elisa would be surprised when they came to know that George has commeth away with me. So I think no more at present. I remain yours truly Brother and Son, two George Mitchelsons. I don't think you will have time to answer this back before we leave but I will give you my address to Dublin. Capt. G. Mitchelson, Schooner Benjamin Franklin, Care of Mr. R. Tedcastle, No. 19 & 20 Grt. Brunswick Street, Dublin, and I will get it when we get there, please god.
Part letter (undated) ....his head again for home and then he would only be leaving me into more expense. You see, as soon as I paid the other boy off, he would leave too. Where I would given him wage for cooking, but as soon as he had to cook, he give it up. So he don't like much work, but as long as he was a gentleman he was all right.
Dear Brother and Sister, I am in good health. Hoping this will find you all the same as it leaves me at present, thanks be God for all. Give my kind love to all the family and Janet and the Husband. Inquired at the lad James Henderson about advising George, but he says that the Sunday they were up at Dumfries that George and John McCollester was going to engage him for to lead peats. If I would not give him money or let him go home, he would run away for he had as much money left from what I gave him to go up to Dumfries on Saturday as would carry him up to Dumfries again. And then John McCollester was going to give him work so as he could make as much as would carry him up home.
Dear brother and sister, I think I have no more to say at present. I remain your affectionate brother, George Mitchelson.
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1999-01-10
This page now contains 2008 Update