Originals were unfolded, flattened, given acid-free envelopes and returned to donor.
Acquisition Source
Mrs. Gail Manson of White Lake
Scope and Content
From a description of the letter in Peter Hessel's book, McNab: The Township: 'Laird to Allan from Hamilton. The Laird had sold Kinnell Lodge in Arnprior: "I have been making great bargains since I wrote you last, Kinnell I have sold well at £800.00, half cash, half wine, and have already got about the one half disposed of at original cost. I will I think be with you about the first week of next month on my way to Montreal to get matters settled in your quarter ... I wish to see your neighbour William Yuill". The Laird had "bought a very good house and three acres of land with garden and outhouses for the same money I get from Kinnell, so that I may say I sit rent-free within about 400 yards from Sir Allan McNab's Castle, and about the same distance from Captain Stewart's and the Hon. Mr. Hatt's, Sir Allan's brother-in-law" (i.e. John Ogilvie Hatt).
The Laird explained that he was losing money with Kinnell Lodge every year. Evidently he enjoyed living in Hamilton: "I cannot say how kind and attentive every person is to me in this city, what a difference living here to the Blessed Township of McNab." He was sorry to hear that John Fisher had given up his interest in the sawmill "after his trouble and expense completing it". He sent "kindest wishes" to Allan and his mother and hoping that "before this time you have got the roof on your castle".
Notes
The originals were returned after scanning.
Related Material
See Peter Hessel's book, McNab: The Township for a broader history of the Laird's settlement and occupation of the area.