Graham Letter - John Graham 1854

Although the signature us missing from the next letter, it is quite certain that it was written to Joseph Graham from his brother John since it is in John's handwriting. By this time, John has another daughter but does not mention her in this letter. Perhaps this news was in his March letter which we do not have. Durham Record Office ref D/X 1035/9 Burnt Hills 1 August 1854 Dear Brother I forward you another letter which I would have send sooner has I not been delayd by expecting an answer from you to my last letter which I wrote to you on the 11th of March which I have not recived no answer from yet for we long to hear from you again, I received a letter from you on the last week of March to answer to the one I sent before which astounshed me very muc to hear so much disencouragement from you of us going to America for I am led to think that you are in the worst state thair is in America for the labourien Man for a great many men cannot get no father for want od money which make a heavier weight on the labout market which give the employers a great advantage over the labours. For I am led to think so for because thair is a greate number of families in America now which has goin from Weardale and many of them Neighbours to us which writs very encourageing letters back to us again. And I will give you as many of thir Names as I can at prisent. Jonathan Emmrison Burnhope, Walton Elliot Seadlon, Joseph Thompson Burnhope, Samual Elliot Seadlon, John Featherston Burnhope, Watson Lowe Copthill, Wm Patison Wearhead, Jane Walton Cornriggsgate, Joseph Hodgson Wearhead, Jos Wearmouth Tlaverlsrest, Walton Gibson Wearhead, John Fleaman Blackdeen, Featherston Phillipson Irsupburn, who was one of Thomas Millburn's partains who left hear for America this spring has sent a letter back saying that he has bought a portion of land in Upercanada Weast of Hamelton near lake Erie which he say he can live very well on without the assistance of any other work. Fleaman and Wearmouth has bought 100 acres of land about the same place and speaks heightly of the pace. Thay say that thir is plenty and flourenshing Counteys thay ever saw. We had a man the name of John Featherston who went from this Countery Twenty years ago who is a relation to many a one in Weardale who is very rich in properity now and when thay went first thay wair a great Familey of them, thay had not a penny left when thay landed and I think that is encouragement and all the names that I have menshed over has goin into Upercanada and a great deal more not menshed for thair was above a Hundred of Men Women and Children left this spring all for America John Feathirston who went to America about a year ago write thay will very soon have a little Weardale thar. And thair, is a vast more prepairen to fo this Autaum Jos Thompson who I have menshed before was married to besse Emerison of Wellhope and John Emerison her Brother too all cam to America thay have goin to Upercanada. And thy comrade John Peart's sister Hannah has got landed to Newyork I understand for we had John's sister Mary over in Killhope tow or three weeks ago and she said that that thay have had a letter from her and she had landed to Newyork and that she had company to you and I understanf that the vessel that she sailed in made a pasage of eighteen day over the Atalantic Ochen and I know nothing more about her, you must let me know the next letter you write if she has landed or not and wether John Dawson and Jane has landed or not and how they are geten on. And I have not don with the Emergration yet for we have had a great many goin to Australia this spring again and a few of thir names I will give you over. Prehaps you may know them. Wm Crage St Johns Chapil, John Milburn Burnthills, Thos Peart Westfall, Edward English Burnt Hills, Joseph Peart hightgreen, Jonathan Featherston Lanehead Weardale and we had a party got back again after an abstence of Thirteen Months from home and I understand with A furtune of 12 or 1300 each which has encouraged a great deal to go so I must leave of that new this time