Letter from a Jacobite soldier to his wife, 31st October 1745 (SP 54/26/122, no.18 (f.378)).
Transcript
My Dear Life, Edin. [Edinburgh] 31st October 1745
I received your letter with very great pleasure and I am glad to find that you, the children and all friends are in good health, as blessed be God I am at present and since I saw you and nothing will give me such pleasure as to hear that you keep good courage, and if all our friends come up I do not believe we shall have any more battles, though we march for England in a few days. As for the two men you want, I can only spare one, who goes along with the Bearer, James Grant, by whom I send three guineas, though I left myself on five and I was resolved to send you some necessaries, had you not debarred me, and as for the labouring, I begg you be not concerned as God willing I shall see you ere that time, when I hope to give you pleasure and satisfaction for all the trouble & uneasiness you suffer at present. I hope Duldreggan will assist you all he can to whom I beg you give my service, and to his wife and all other friends. I have sent home the gray horse. Sanders my brother and all your friends here desires to make you their compliments and to all your friends and wishing you health and good courage I’ll see you I am,
My dearest life,
Your most loving husband, Pal Grantt
P.S. Give my service in particular to my mother and carefully deliver the Inclosed to Shurgly as it is from his son Sandy who sends you his service. The Bearer will inform you more fully in everything to whom you may give faith.
Letter from John Fraser, Jacobite soldier to his wife, 10 November 1745 (SP 54/26/122, no.21 (f.381)).
Transcript
Musellbrough, November 10th 1745
My Dear
Blessed bye [be] God for it I am Recovered but had a Great Sickness it was my inclination to see you before now but could not for fear of afronting [offending] My Captain but however for the time to [come] I shall Done [do] as I think proper my Dear soul take special care of the few moveables [possessions] & especially the horse and I am hopeful that Alexander Grant will [do] for me as I will [do] for him If I was there & he heare [here] We are gowing [going] forward to Ingland [England] which the Regiment [don’t] like. You’ll give my service to Mrs Grant and to all other friends that asks for [news]
We heard that [that] there was a horse stollen [stolen] from John McFarcher but Glenmoristone promised to pay him for the same. John is very well in health
Thy [Ever] Loveing housband [husband]
John Fraser