Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-05-05


Quaker family in the State OF New York, and
commenced farming my own freehold In six
or eight years, pcrceiving that there was no
probability Of my having family of children,
disposed Of my property near to New York, To-
Gated myselfin the State Of Pennsy vania, where
for thirty years employed myself in supern.
tending my farm. "a large one) and in discharg-
ing the duties Of Magistrate and Judge Of the
Court Of Common Pleas, in Susquehanna coun.
| ty. had no desire 10 be very rich and the bent
of my own mind rather disposed me to literary
pursuits. which now afford my principal enjoy
ment. Some years since sent TO Galloway for
my sister, her husband, and her three daughters,
their husbands, and their fifteen grand children,
all of whom arc now settled on three valuable
farms, with stock and everything they can rea.
sonably want. II they are industrious and pru.
dent, they and their descendants are placed
where, if poverty reaches them, it will be their
own fault
My sister deceased few weeks since. aged
80 years. In 1886 my wife deceased. She con.
fded to my protection an aged maiden, her SIS
ter, who had lived with us IS years also her
niece, girl of IL years. which she had adopted.
l married the old maiden, and domestic matters
were conducted without change. Becoming in.
firm, sold my farm and now reside near Bng.
ham,on ITO miles from New York city. While
live thee shall have Cos annually, in Deem
Der, which Mr.. Johnston will remit; and have
made codicil TO my will, by which thee will re-.
ceive f600. Shouldmy life, however, he spared
for few years, ] will remit that sum to thee
myself II the interest Of f600, say Jc3O,
would support thee in comfort, the principal
sum, or part of il, would put it in tiny power to
reward thy duiful child, who has foregone OPP
portunities, no doubt, of lettering her condition,
in order to wait on and comfort her aged parent
When last saw thee thee had three children, a
son in Scot land, and two daughters with thee
enc about three years old, | think, named Mary
and the other a babe in the cradle. How many
of thy children grew up! What year did Cap.
! tain Cunningham die! ! think thee then sale
he was then in Martinique. your hand has be-
come unsteady, get some one to write me for
thee, and give me history of all thy troubles
Are thy brothers and sisters yet alive
am now III my seventv-siXth year, and
well remember there was but few months diff
ference in our ages. hope, my dear Mary
that thee will believe me to write in sincerity
and truth when say, that thee has conferred
on me All obligation, tina, ! can never repay, b.
|, calling upon me in thy distress. Had ! know
J. whereabouts thee was to be found, the ca
:, would not have been wanted for Had know
: thy situation twenty years ago, how much hll
initiation would have been spared tIee. On re
ceipt of this give me a long letter in return
. and write To me every three months. Addres,
. 8 VIM. Thomson, Esq, Bingham'on, Broom
u County, State of New York. Put the letter in
y packet, or steamship bag, day or two befor
>; the time d! sailing, and will received it in abor
u three weeks. Farewell, my dear Mary an
:. beli.'e me to be, at this moment, as sincere!
= thy friend as when we were footing up the Bal
h II together, on our way from school Wit
sentiments of love and affection unchanged
:, remain thine ever. WILLIAM THOMSON
~ One is at loss whether most to admire, tn
:. faith Of Mary Sharpe in her old school iello,
=. OF whom she had not heard for forty years,
~ the answering truth Of that ancient friend.
y, See Mr.. Thomson's letter suboined, where he d
tails the circumstances of his voyage out to Jamac
40 T The following are few particulars of MAJ
~ Sharpss intervening history. Her parents beir
)" poor, she went to service in the house of aunt
" hd Lord Selkitk where she remained Tor year
" and being handsome girl she had several adirer
Is and amongst the rest Mr. Iennox afterwards Of Ne
A. York and the father of Mr., Lennon, who purchase
"a Dalscainh, near Dumfries, some years ago. She
~ moved TO Liverpool, and was soon after married
:. Mr.. Cunningham, Master and Supercargo Of lar
tn ship He died IS or 36 years ago AT Suinum, eav
he his widow with four young children their only pr
l vision being the industry Of The widow. She no,
ever, contrived 10 bring up her family in Respectable,
VI ana whcn they were able to do for themselves, 8
once more went TO service at Stobo, near PEBBLES /
seat OF SIR James ontegomery, whose lady was Lo
Selkrk's aunt. Three of her children having die
and age and nfrmi'y coming upon her. she so,
years ago took shelter in the almshouse at Liverpool
I'M 1t is singular that this Mr. Johnston, 10 who
H. Mr. Rae addressed his letter. shod happen to be
il. only surviving acquaintance which Judge Thoms
~. had in New York
ny He died las appears from Dumfries papers of /,
~ March, iS42') ON The Both of January, lS43. He
bt previously RENTED the first years annuity NJ
,r. Cunningham, in addition 10 the previous remit,nn
~ of TO-
III nProbaby Berwick ishere clerical error and r.
III rich, must be the parish meant by Judge ThomsC
ss. e. T. NJ.