MC1603: McIntosh family fonds: [1851-1858,
1878]
Dates of creation: Photocopied [before
January 1989]
Physical description: 1.0 cm of textual records
Biographical Sketch /
Administrative History
Little is known of Margaret McMasters McIntosh
[MacKintosh, MacIntosh]. She may have emigrated from County Down, Northern
Ireland, to New Brunswick in the 1840s, but this is unclear. On 29 November
1850, she was living in Portland, (now part of the city of Saint John), New
Brunswick, when she married John McIntosh. John had immigrated from Kilkeel,
County Down, Northern Ireland, to New Brunswick in the 1840s. Immediately after
their marriage, they made their home in Portland. John McIntosh may have worked
for Samuel McCavour, a tailor, as their mail was directed to his home.
John McIntosh died accidently in March 1851, probably by drowning. Margaret
McIntosh possibly married Francis McCoach on June 9, 1859. She may have
lived in Pisarinco [Lorneville] for a time.
Scope and Content
This fonds consists primarily of photocopied
letters from James and Jane McIntosh [MacKintosh, McIntosh], of Kilkeel, County
Down, Northern Ireland, to their daughter-in-law, Margaret McIntosh, of Portland,
New Brunswick. The letters offer information about John McIntosh's siblings,
particularly Nicholas and Kenny, who had immigrated to North America.
Nicholas, a sailor, sailed for Lima, Peru, and later to California in search
of gold. The letters discuss his adventures with press gangs and ship
captains. There are also reports on friends in Ireland, potato crops,
and prices of "victuals," matters of keen interest in the years immediately
following the potato famines.
There are also letters to and from William McMaster,
who was probably a cousin of Margaret McMasters McIntosh. In 1853 William
McMaster was living in Sydney, Australia. He gives an account of his adventures
in Australia, particularly, with press gangs and ship captains. Lastly,
there is a photocopy of a deed for land in Lancaster, Saint John County, from
James McMaster and his wife, Margaret, to James McMaster, Jr., dated May 1878.
INVENTORY
MS1
John McIntosh and Margaret McIntosh correspondence
A
Letter to John MacKintosh and Margaret MacKintosh, c/o Samuel McCavour, tailor,
Portland, Saint John, N.B., from his parents,James and Jane McIntosh, 24 March
1851. Congratulates him on his marriage, reports on family members who have
moved to New York and elsewhere, and sends news of family and friends.
MS2
Margaret McIntosh correspondence
A
Letter to “Widow” Margaret MacKintosh, c/o Samuel McCaver, tailor, Portland,
Saint John, N.B., from her mother- and father-in-law, James and Jane Macintosh,
Kilkeel, 12 June 1851. Offers condolences to Margaret on the accidental death
of her husband and their son, John Macintosh, in March 1851. Reports the potato
crop is doing well.
B
Letter to Margaret MacKintosh, widow, c/o Samuel McCavor, tailor, Saint John,
N.B., from her mother- and father-in-law, James and Jane Macintosh, Kilkeel,
22 March 1852. Reports that their son, Nicholas, a sailor, had left Ireland
in 1849 for Lima and may be in California. Says they are waiting for his return,
but have had no word. Also recalls John’s death the year before and reports
potato crop is doing well and people are leaving for America.
C
Letter to Widow Margaret McKintosh, care of Mr. James Youart, Saint John, N.B.,
from James and Jane MacKintosh, Kilkeel, 23 August 1852. Reports that they have
received John’s chest, that the Youarts have arrived, that the crops are good,
and that Nicholas and his comrades are in California at “the gold digging” [gold
rush].
D
Letter to Margaret MacKintosh, from James and Jane MacKintosh, Kilkeel, 11 November
1858. Reports that the ship has arrived carrying Kenny’s effects and mentions
illnesses at home. They state they are sad to learn that Margaret’s house burned.
MS3
McMaster family correspondence and deed
A
Letter to William McMaster, Saint John, New Brunswick, from [?], New York, 21
August [185-]. Says that he heard his cousin John McIntosh was drowned, but
hopes that this report is false. He has been looking for him [John] and
his wife for five months. He also wants to known where his mother
is now living. The writer is living with his sister Susan Gibson, in New
York.
B
Letter to Father and Mother from William McMaster, Sydney, 8 December 1853.
Reports that he has arrived in Sydney, Australia, that he is in good health,
and that he had a hard time getting away from the ship. Note attached to the
letter reads “This letter was from Uncle William McMasters in Australia.
He was never heard tell of again. He was mother’s brother; his home was in Ireland.
Thos. H.Galbraith.”
C
Deed, James McMaster and his wife, Margaret, to James McMaster, Jr., all of
Saint John, land in Lancaster, Saint John, County, May 1878.
D
Registry of deed, James McMaster and his wife to James McMaster Jr., 3 May 1878,
by James Galbraith, Justice of the Peace for Saint John County and City.