An emigrant’s letter home, 1838 
(NRS reference: GD1/813/5)

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Wilmot 28 Oct 1858

My Dear Uncle

I would have written you before this time to have acquainted you of our safe arrival in this country But knowing that Mr George Gouinlock had written to Greenhil shortly after our arrival here I told him to let you know that we were all well and that I would write you as soon as we got a settlement.  After bidding you farewell that morning we left our native country. we had rather disagreeable travelling till we reached Liverpool it being very wet the most of the way but we were nothing the worse of the wetting we got, we arrived safe at Liverpool on the Wednesday evening about ten o clock, we engaged our passage for New York on the Thursday in an American ship called the Republic, a very fine vessel and nearly new.  We went to the government agent, Lieutenant Low, who is appointed by government to give advice to emigrants and to see that they are not imposed on by ship agents who do everything in their power to get emigrants to engage in the ships they are agents for.  I would advise every one who comes to America to go to the government agent and take his advice before engaging their passage as many one has had to stay in Liverpool for weeks after engaging their passage owing to the vessel not being ready the Agents are sure to say that their ships are ready for sailing when sometimes they will not be ready for weeks.  We were very fortunate in not having to stop long at Liverpool we got our luggage put on Board the Republic on Thursday evening and we were to sail on Friday but the Wind being Contrary we did not sail till Saturday which gave us an opportunity of seeing Liverpool which is quite a Commercial City.  The Shipping is very Extensive, the Docks are 31/2 Miles long and full of vessels of every size and from all parts of the World.  The sheds near to the harbour are mostly all Warehouses.  Waggons are going about in every direction with goods of merchandise drawn by the best horses that ever I saw.  they are very Large Boned well shaped in figure and in excellent condition and generally well mastered.  they generally go with 2 and sometimes 3 in one waggon.  We had to pay £3 and 4 shillings and 6 pence for hospital money we could have got in some of the vessels for 50 shillings but we preferred giving £1 more for to get a good Ship and where we would not be crowded.  we had a fine Sail from Annan to Liverpool on the Wednesday after we left Home we were just 10 3/4 Hours in Sailing 120 miles none of us were sick in the steamer that we got from Annan.  It just cost us 5shillings each for our passage in the steamer but we had to pay for Extra luggage which cost us pretty High.  We got all our luggage free in crossing

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the Atlantic, we sailed from Liverpool on Saturday 23 June at noon but the wind being contrary we had to be drawn out by a Steamer.  We were about 5 days before we lost sight of the Irish coast the wind being contrary, there was just 21 steerage Passengers and 4 children where 100 could have been accomodated so that we had plenty of room and accomodation.  We had Head Winds the most of the way.  we had every accomodation and liberty that we could have wished for in the Ship.  in some Vessels the Steerage Passengers are not allowed to go behind the Main Mast but we could go wherever we pleased.  Robert and I stood the journey across the Atlantic better than we expected I was sick about 6 days but not very ill Jessie was sick about 2 Weeks Margaret was sick for 4 weeks, Jessie’ 2 children were never sick.  George Gouinlock Jun and his uncle were never sick.  We had some pretty high Winds during our voyage but we never had any very Violent Gales.  I believe very few ever had a more agreeable passage as our neighbour passengers were all agreeable and assisted one another when Sick, nothing particular occurred during the Voyage, but we enjoyed some beautiful sights such as a Stormy Sea and the Phosphorous appearance of the Water along side the Ship at night, Our Captain’s Name was Williams he was a very steady and active man, he allowed the sailors no grog it being a Temperance Ship which I think is the best plan in the World as many a Ship has been lost owing to the sailors being the worse of drink and not able to manage the Ship during a Storm.  Our Vessel was well mannd having 2 mates 19 sailors and one Carpenter. We came in sight of the American Coast on 1 Augt and landed at New York on 3rd Our first view of the American Coast was quite enchanting to us who had been so long out of sight of Land.  I think the scenery on both sides of the river for about 10 miles before we came to New York cannot easily be excelled.  New York is finely situated for a Commercial City.  The Shipping is very extensive, there are some very fine and Large Buildings in New York but the streets are badly Kept and the Houses are not so regular in height as one would expect for such a Gay City the Citizens are particularly neat and Clean in their Dress, We saw John Stalker, Helen Smith’ Son and 2 Melrose Men John Chisolm and R Russel whom I Knew at Home they were all well and very Happy to see us.  

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We left New York on Sabbath Morning in a Tow Boat for Albany. Tow Boats are very large Vessels Drawn up the Hudson by a Steamer There was five drawn by the Steamer 2 on each side and one Behind.  The Tow Boat we were in was 160 feet long so that you may think when there was 5 Besides the Steamer that it would be like a floating Island  Moving up the River.  We had a fine view of New York the Morning we left it passing up along side it.  the Scenery in passing up the Hudson is really Grand although there is far less clearance than I expected.  But there are some very fine Houses which have an imposing appearance among the Woods.  there are some neat little towns along the Banks of the River it is pretty Rugged and Rocky which enhances the Scenery.  we arrived at Albany about 6 o Clock on Monday Evening,  and got our luggage put on Board a Canal Boat and left it on Tuesday Morning for Oswego.  Albany is a Beautiful City and Stands in a fine Healthy looking situation The Canal Boats are drawn by 2 Horses.  We had pleasant travelling up the Canal we could gou out and Walk when we got tired of sailing.  we reached Oswego on Saturday evening and left it in the Commodore Barrie Steamer on Sabbath Evening for Toronto.  but we had to across the Lake to Kingston and Stop there all the Monday.  we reached Toronto on Tuesday evening and left it on Wednesday for Hamilton in the Britannia Steamer.  left Hamilton on Wednesday evening in Waggons for Galt where we arrived on Thursday afternoon. we stopt at Mr John Gouinlocks till Monday when we started for Blenheim where we arrived in the afternoon and found them Busy with getting in the latter end of their Oats on 19 Augt which shews what an early Harvest they have had in America this season.  My Uncle had 21 acres of Wheat 3 acres of Indian Corn some Barley Pease and Oats this year all of which were a good crop he had also about 2 acres each of Potatoes and Turnips which were also good.  We met all well and in the enjoyment of good Health and Spirits.  My Uncle since he came out here has had many difficulties to contend with but I think they will now have nearly got over them.  He is now getting into a flock of Cattle He has 4 Oxen 3 Cows and 5 young Cattle and 40 Swine.  He has about 70 acres clear’d now, A good House & Barn He has put in 35 acres of wheat this fall, my Uncle since he came here has conducted himself in a manner which has made him esteemd by all who Know him as a Steady Sober and Industrious man.  Archibald, George, Charles and Andrew are all stout men now and excellent Choppers.  John is doing very well at Berlin My Aunt is a good deal thinner than she used to be but is very Healthy indeed the whole family are as Healthy and contented as they can be. They have got a very fine farm it being good land and well off for Water.  We have Bought a farm about 2 miles of my Uncles of 100 acres 25 acres of which is Cleared with a House and a Barn upon it.  It is good Land and well watered, the improvements cost £40 and We have to pay 4 Dollars per acre for the land and 5 years to pay it.  We have put in 3 acres of Wheat this fall and we will be able to put in a good quantity of Spring Crop if we are well.

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Upper Canada has been quite a peacable State all summer, they have got plenty of troops in the Country now which I hope will be able to keep all quiet, Lord Durham threatening to leave the Country for England has created great sensation. Wheat is selling pretty high this season the price of it at present is 5shillings per Bushel but it was higher at one time since harvest, the crops in general this year are deficient owing to their ripening to fast, the Weather has been very warm this summer. There has been plenty of employment this season and good wages for labourers owing to there being a new Road making between Hamilton and Galt, Some very Good hands at breaking stones made 8shillings per day which is 3 times as much as they could make in Scotland, America in general has a rugged like appearance in comparison to Scotland but in some of the Old Settlements there are some as fine farms as a person could wish to see. When I was at Toronto I learned that John Gray and his Brother & Sister had gone to Illinois, I gave their letters to Walter Scott at Hamilton who said he would get them sent of to them to Illinois.  Walter Scott & Family were all well, I saw John Fairbairn who is married to Margaret Sutton lately they were all well.  The Turnbulls, Welches and all your other acquaintances are well.  Mary Anderson who came out along with us was married to William Watherston about a Month after we came here.  James who was with me is well, but I am sorry to say Walter their Brother died about the time we came here, Mr Gouinlock Mr Oliver and Families are all well.  Mr George and his Nephew are both well, We were all very sorry to hear of their Brother Walter’s death which we heard of lately.  It should be a lesson to us all to prepare for our last change.  My Uncle, Aunt and all the family wish to be Kindly remembered to you all and to Mrs Gouinlock & Family.  Give Our Best wishes and respects to Mr Milne of Falderside, to Mrs Fouinls & Family and to Mr & Mrs Sturrock Mr Sutton & Family and to all Our Other Friends Well wishers, Neighbours & acquaintances which are far to numerous to Mention.  We all join in sending you My Aunt and all your Family Our Best wishes, and although far removed I hope we will often Meet at the Same Throne of Grace, This leaves us all well for which we cannot be too thankful to the Giver of all Good. hoping it will find you all enjoying good health I remain your very affectionate nephew William Knox

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I expect that My Cousins will write me in the Spring by Gideon Goodfellow who is coming home this Winter and coming out in the Spring again.  I cannot tell yet what I think of Canada as a person should be a while in the Country before they be too rash in forming an opinion I am sure that my Uncle could not have been as comfortable at Home by working.  I think Canada is best for a large family, Be sure when you write to let me know all the Changes that have taken place since I left.  I am afraid that many will have past from time to eternity.  Give my best wishes to Walter Gouinlock and tell him from me that nothing will give him more pleasure in the end than discharging the duties of a Faithful and dutiful son to his Widowed Mother and I will write him some time this Winter if I am spared.  Canada in my Opinion is a very healthy Country.  But fever ague has been very bad this Season in some of the States such as Illinois and some of its neighbouring States Walter Watherston whose death I mentioned was over their when he caught the fever working at a Canal he just lived a week after he came to his Brother’s House.  Send me word if you got the papers I sent you from Liverpool and New York.  Thomas Veitch is working at Galt.  His Brother William has a farm about 3 miles from Galt where all the family are Stopping except John who is married at Galt Thomas is getting 5 shillings per day.  William Currie and Family are all well, please tell Mr Currie of Linthill if you have an opportunity that I put the Parcel I got into the Canal office at Albany. All persons who sent out letters by Private Hands should not put America on the back as the Post Masters know from that that they have some with a private Hand, I put a good many of them I got in at Liverpool that had America on the Back except them that were for this neighbourhood Be sure and mind me to Mr White Northfield and all my other Neighbours about Langside.  My Aunt wishes to be kindly remembered to you all and would like if you would let her Sister at Hawick know they are all well, and if you would write how she is when you write.  My Uncle wishes to be kindly remembered to Mr Meikle & Family.

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Please write me immediately and send the order on Toronto direct [to me care of] Wilmot Post Office by Galt Upper Canada via Liverpool & New York