York County

State of Pensylvania

Dear Uncle,

This comes to let you know that I am in health and has been ever since I left you. I have been with William Anderson ever since I came to this country and is with him still. You will be desirous to know how time is with us here, as to religion it is much the same as with you but in Pensylvania there is a free liberty for all sects of christians. Land sells from nine pounds to five chillings an acre according to its gooding and situation for market. Cows sells about the same rate as with you, but horses are a good deal higher this countrys produce has fallen to a low rate our trade being so circumscriber by the European powers. There not allowing us a free trade to their dominions. Stills here are of little use, as we have rum from the West Indeas very low. It would tedious to give you a particular accounting but in general, people lives much about the same as in the old country only there is no Dukes, Earls, Lords nor Chamberlains here. I cannot advise any person to come here but as for myself I do not regret I came here. I am sorry to hear of my uncle's misfortune I take this part of the country to be as healthy as Kintyre. Cloathing higher than with you, but our wages is higher to. I have twelve pounds sterling a year, bed, board and washing and is as well as in my father's house. Shoemakyr gets 18 pence sterling for making a pair of shoes and vituals.

Taylors get about nine shilling sterling for making a suit of cloaths. mony is as scarce and ill to be here as with you, but our taxes are much less now. Couper business here is not much better than my own. There is no disturbance here of any kind and from the old country as welkome as ever. James Anderson is now making flour for barrels here as William Anderson and his brother Allan manufacture a good deal of flour for exportation. His mother is yet alive her brother Robert is living in North Carolina and John is dead some ago. Nothing more particular but remaining your nephew.

James Templeton.

1787 December 17th.

Back to Page 1
Page 2: Mary - 150 Years Ago - Part 1
Page 4: The Nature Page - Sika Deer in Kintyre - Part 2
Page 5: The Auld Witchburn - A Song
Page 6: The Beginnings of the Lighthouse - Part 1