Close window to return.
This letter was sent 24 May 1822 from Clonmel to Greenfield, Glasgow. No mention made of the unit that Major McNair belongs to, but an intriguing mention of a relative getting sorted with the East India company. Unfortunately there is damage to the letter at this point where the seal was removed.
I haven't traced Major McNair or his mother although I did find that the McNairs were a prosperous family that owned various lumps of real estate in and around Glasgow. They were involved in coal and sugar refining. This page refers Glasgow Zoo - Now closed.
One difficult word, double click the thumbnail to enlarge it.
The spelling is as per the letter. Note the arcane use of the f style s where there is a double ss as in addrefs. I cannot replicate this on the computer.
Richmond Barracks
24th May 1822
My Dear Mother
I take up my pen once more to return your thanks for having so kindly
come forward to promote me to my present rank and I shall feel myself indebted to you for it, I have entered into office some days
ago I like it much, the Epaulets become my shoulders I think very much, and I
have mounted myself upon a very nice little blood horse that belonged to Col.
Kowan and purchased most of the appointments, so that I am equipped --I shall require to keep another, we have at last got the
route to march
on Monday the 27th, for Clonmel and bashed (based) in the County of
Tipperary, the regiment will be a good deal scattered I fear otherwise we should
transfer Country Quarters to Dublin – I was much pleased with my Residence at
Wicklow but it was too much to my taste to be allowed to remain long in it fine
sea bathing and sea air, I will be much or rather I am much disappointed
I will not have the pleasure of entertaining you in my humble barrack room this
summer and giving you an opportunity of criticising my furniture unlefs you think
it will be worth your while to come as far Clonmel, which I understand is a very
fair place and the country about it is beautiful – I am surprised I have not
had a letter lately from the Doctor – I expected to have heard from in answer
to one I wrote – Tho’ I see myself Gazetted Major I have (not) yet been
informed either by the Doctor or Col Kowan whither he has yet received his money
and that all was finally settled and all parties satisfied – I fully expected
he would write to me before he sailed which I suppose he has not yet done. I hope you are by this time reconciled to his
trip, I am fully convinced in my own mind it will do him an infinite deal of
good, it will [letter damaged] off that indolent lazy [letter damaged] which he had acquired
from [letter damaged] nothing, and by society and keeping his mind employed he
will enjoy both better health and we may expect him home with a great many East
India monies and anecdotes in the course of a twelvemonth
I condole with the Laird on the Sandy hill misfortunes and
beg you will remember me to him and to all inquiring friends. Believe me ever my
Dr Mother your affectionate Son
J McNair
Next letters direct to Clonmel Tipperary.