Letters of Mrs. Jamima Allan – 1882-88
Letter from Mrs. Jamima Allan to her Son Colonel William Allan
Hillside Crescent
Edinburgh
19th June 1882
My dearest Wm,
You wd receive my hasty line on Saty morning. I hope there is no cause for anxiety about dear Louie’s eyes – the effects of the thawing cough being very common. I have heard of various cases since. It is well that the dear boy is in good spirits and the warm season coming on is all in his favour. We had a charming expedition to West Linton on Friday, the day very favourable. It is a pretty church and churchyard, where Peter Walker the beadle was busy weeding, and at once showed us the family tablet. The earliest name John Younger dated 1672 and the last my uncle Archd’s death 1819. Some of the letters are a good deal effaced but easily made out and I think the engraving shd be deepened otherwise time will obliterate the inscriptions. The interior of the church is well worth a visit. The woodcarving executed by Miss Ferguson of Spittelhaugh and Mrs Wardrop (Miss Beresford) being unique. There is nothing like it except at Windsor Chapel from which it is partly copied. The gallery, which is panelled with scripture emblems, took 7 months, all done by Miss Ferguson’s hand. There is a beautiful wreath with groups of ivy round the roof which is very graceful. The pulpit and chairs were Mrs Wardrop’s work. We had hoped to have seen Miss Ferguson as Mrs Aitchison knows them well but the house was under cleaning operations and they were from home. There is a great deal of elaborate work in the drawing room. I hope we are now about to have settled weather. We have given up the idea of going to Cromarty and intend dividing the journey to Oban by a short stay at Callander en route, without our servants, that they may get on with cleaning operations before closing the house on 15th July. If you want anything out of back closet if must be before we leave. We have made no inquiries about a cook as you gave no particulars as to when required, duties expected or wages, &c. It wd be useless seeing parties and be unable to give such information. Father keeps well. No special news. Much love from us all – hoping to hear better news of the dear boy and that his cold is gone.
Yr affectionate mother
Jamima Allan
Letter from Mrs. Jamima Allan to her Son Colonel William Allan
Hillside Crescent
Edinburgh
Friday Evy 8.30
My dearest Wm,
Our thoughts have been much with you and darling Jennie all day and many days back and tho’ warm congratulations have already been telegraphed and forwarded by letter from Mima from us both I cannot let the day pass without a line from Grannie to assure you of our thankful joy on this happy occasion and how we are longing to have full particulars of dearest Jennie’s state and description of the precious treasure – and how all is going on. You must be very careful to follow out all Nurse’s cautions as to quietness, and not indulge in being too much in the room with yr darling however well she may appear to be. Any excitement is so bad for her and quiet repose most imperative for at least a fortnight. You will have had a busy day sending the good news to so many scattered members and interested friends. Lewie I daresay will not be taken by surprise and I am sure will long to see his little brother. Our neighbours here are very pleased but I am still a prisoner to my room (tho’ out of bed now) and have seen no one, but getting on well – and hope to keep all right; and Mima is looking forward to being with you on Monday as I have such a good nurse in Mary. What joy the news will give to all in the old home and with thanks to our Heavenly Father for all this goodness. Kiss the dear Mother and Babe.
Ever yr dearest Mother
J.A.
Letter from Mrs. Jamima Allan to her Daughter-in-law Jennie Allan
5 Hillside Crescent
Edinburgh
22nd Feb 1888
My dearest Jennie,
From the cheering news of you and the darling babe which continue to reach me, I can no longer refrain from sending direct to your dear self a line to tell you how much I have been with you these last few weeks, and how truly I rejoice in your joy and thankfulness that all has gone on so well and all our prayers so preciously answered in your behalf in being spared to be the mother of such a precious darling. From Aunt Mima’s description of her nephew he must indeed be one of the best and most interesting of babes. She never tires in relating on his charms which makes old Granny so long to have a peep of Mother and child nestling together and by and bye we shall hope to have a photograph of the pretty picture! It is so pleasant to hear that Nurse is giving you satisfaction and we must hope her successor will do credit to all Mrs McCallan has said of her. I think Wm mentioned that she is coming on the 27th so she will have some time with you before Nurse Dudgeon leaves. And now dearest I think I shall like the name proposed for the darling child and hope you and Wm will excuse my old fashioned ideas that the honoured name of grandfather and great grandfather should take precedence of any fancy name. I am glad however that Alexander is to be one of the names and I must ask you both to look upon my notion as an “infirmity” by which I have always stood fast tho’ peculiar to the former generation. I have had numerous inquiries after you and babe. Alice Aitchison was here yesty much interested in hearing all particulars. Now dearest I must not tire you by writing more.
With much love
Ever your devoted
Grannie Allan