Hi Everyone The following is transcribed from a photocopy of a handwritten letter from John and Jane McLachlan, February 1846. It is rather long and sometimes hard to read, but someone might find a relative in their somewhere. It was written to their McLaughlin family in Australia. Regards Heather. Lochaline Villiage February 10th, 1846 Dear Son and Daughter, I received your letter with good pleasure hearing from you and your children that you are bringing them up in the fear of the Lord and still be doing good. I will inform you now of our situation that we are still going about thanks be to God for it. We left Kiel six years ago come May to the Village. We have a house and garden free from Mr Sinclair and may the Lord reward him for his kindness. Your brother Charles is well, but for his situation I will not inform. His Daughter Sally is married in Mull upon a shepherd, one John McPhail at Kilfinicken and has gotten three fine children. Your Sister, Heny went to America near three years ago. She has a daughter called Jean and very like your-self she bought forty acres of ground when they went over. When she wrote me last she kocked 85 barrels of potatoes and she would have been more pleased if she had gone over sooner. Your cousins, McArthur's from Mull are within other three miles of them, and Alex McLachlan are within other t! hree miles of them.. I cannot transcribe for you the kindness that they showed to her, the direction is John McPayer, River Inhabitant, Cape Brittain, North America. Your mother Catherine Cameron lets you know that she is in her ordinary state of health. Your sister, Mary is well and her family, she has got six sons and one daughter. They are living in the Island Oponsay Mull. There is none of your sisters married. Your sister Christy has been in a very bad state of health and was obliged to come home with her mother, but she thinks she will get the better of it. John McPherson is well and the children. Dugald Cameron and family are well he has one son and four daughters, they wishes you all well. Our Minister was over in America for three months, he informed me that he was in your brother, Duncan's house and baptised a child to him. I have to inform you that he has got a new name, he is called the Rev.'d Dr. John McLeod - You will let Angus Cameron know that his Mother, Bro! thers, and Sisters are well. This to let you know about your Mother-in-law that she was happy to hear that you and your family are well. Let my son, Donald know that he has forgotten me and not writing me nor sending me any other assistance be sure and let him know. John McInnes, her brother at Savary has been lying two years ago and cannot move, which is a great loss to her. Allan McPherson, her sister's son died on the second voyage, which is a great grief to here, you will therefore be sure to write to her son Donald and left him know all that I have wrote to you about her. Hugh McPherson is not married as yet and the children is well. Alex Cameron the school master's son is away to Jamica a twelve ago, She is removed from the place where she was, not far from the place where she was before, there is none with her but Neil. I have to inform you that Christy McLachlan, the Porter's daughter, is married at Liverpool. Your Banaghoist Mary McInnes is married to her own cousin Dugald Cameron. Allan McEach! ern is a widowed this two years past and left with the children. He is with his mother Nancy McMaster and they are well. Mr Miller and Mrs Miller they died within eight days of each other and Susanna died. and the rest of the children. I don't know what is become of them. Hugh McLachlan, the Porter's son died twelve months ago. You wrote to me that you saw Peter McPherson. If you see him let him know that his father and mother brothers and sisters are all well and that they would be very happy to get a letter from himself. Peggy McKenzie begs of you if you could find out her daughter Christy Cameron , her daughter who was married to Mungo McLean Gardner. I have also to inform you that Maysie McLachlan died and left three children. Her sister Flory is beside me in the villiage she is well and got five children. I will inform you now of the description of the country. A Gentleman of the name of Solbar Caithness, has bought Ardtoinish, Clarnbead, Stowe Wadle, Acharn, Caraspin, Arginnes, Achnaganna and Innabeg. Mr Gregerson is away to Edinburgh in a very bad state of health. There is not much action in this country since you went away. There is none there but low country people there is none staying here that is doing so well as John Cameron, the taylor's sons, are doing. John is a baker and has a grocery, Hugh follows his own trade. Donald is away at his trade. Angus is a shoe-maker and not married, and they all have free houses - that is all the description of the country which I can give you in the mean-time. There is a great work going on in Brittain at present with railroad. There is one to commence in a very short time between Oban and Glasgow. I add no more in the meantime. Give our compliments to all inquiring friends and acquaintances about you. I have taken this opportunity of writing you this letter at this time. We know not but that it will be the last letter that we well write to you. I hope we will meet again where we will never part in the kingdom of Heaven. We are your dear Father and Mother till Death. John and Jane McLachlan.