Eckford and Haldane letters

These letters are written from and to various members of the Eckford and Haldane family, between 1834 and 1857.

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Letter from James Haldane to his son, Robert

I can't read the signature of the letter. , but the envelope of this letter has written on it: "Letter from James Haldane to his son Robert about seeing his (Robert's) sister Catherine off to India." Presumably James and Robert Haldane are both in Britain. The letter is dated 1834. Catherine Halden married George Eckford in 1836, in Calcutta cathedral, a couple of years later. It seems unlikely that Catherine was travelling out to marry George Eckford and then waited two years to do so. However, Catherine's sister, Mary, had married James Eckford, who was George's father, and they were in India. So perhaps Catherine had gone out to visit her sister. It still seems like a long journey to do so, especially as her relatives seem a bit worried about the journey.

17th Febr 1834

My dearest Robert
I received yours this morning. I am happy that you have got things so well arranged. Had you not gone up, I have no doubt some of Cattie's luggage would have been lost.
I observe that you were to go to Gravesend on Saturday morning, and I suppose the ship would get under weigh that day for the Downs, but if the wind is the same as with us, she will probably remain some time. You would see Catharine settled in her cabin. It is my heart's desire and prayer that the Lord may be with her and bless her. It seems they are to go to Madeira. She will like to see it. I was there in 1785 and again in 87 or 88. I hope she will be comfortable with her fellow passengers. All is done for her comfort which we could do, and now we can only commit her to him under whose control all things are.
Till I received your letter, I never observed a mistake I had made. The receipt as you suppose was from Sir James Ferguson not Dander. The top of the F looked like a D, and although it is plain enough now, at first I thought it was Dander.
Robertson has written to you about the house in George's Square. I sent your letter to him which we received this morning, and afterwards saw him and told him if he wished to write I would forward it tonight; however he did not. He brought a note from Hay, wishing me to give him all the receipts, as people frequently call for them. Hoever I only gave him three of each kind of 1/01/6 and blank. I shall deliver your message to Mrs Wilson. Collie sent an order by you for the delivery of the Magazines by Holdsworth. If you have lost it, another can be sent. Your uncle had his greatcoat, cloak, hat and umbrella taken from the lobby last night. He was sitting in the dining room and was upstairs. I think it is better to insure the £200. I suppose you did not go round in the ship to the Downs, but if Cath is detained there, as I think very probable, you might go and see her. It would be a comfort to her and I will pay the cost. You would hear how all is ging on and it might be useful to her. Do not travel outside.
Mrs H, Elly, (who is dining at Captain Tait's today) and the children write kindest love to you, Alex, Maragret and all at the cottage. Most affectly your ?

Letter from Emily Eckford to her mother

This letter was written by Emily Jane Eckford to her mother, Catherine Eckford (nee Haldane), the wife of George Henry Eckford.

Emily later married Andrew Geddes. See also Letters from Andrew and Emily Geddes from abroad.

This letter is a little confusing. It seems to be written in two parts, with the second half dated before the first! It must be the second half, since the first begins "Dear", which surely must start a letter. The second half quotes at length from a sermon, and reads rather oddly. I wonder this was done to fill up space!

Note in different hand writing): From Emily Eckford (afterwards Geddes) from her school in London to her mother in London, 1863. The year is confusing. Later on, Emily herself gives a date of /56, which is more reasonable. She was born in 1839, so in 1856 she would be around 17.

October 29th

My fondest of Mothers
Finding I have no other Sunday for this mail, I must finish this epistle on a week day. I am longing to see you once more, my fond one. I am heartedly sick of Great Britain. You will say, I know, "Oh! Emmie, dear, sick is not a lady-like word." I know it is not pet, but then it is very apropos and expressive though I cannot say I would just like to use it in Society. I have not heard from Helen for a long time, but the reason is, I hear, she has a sore finger, poor girl. It is in her right hand so it is no wonder she has not written. I heard the other day from Aunt Margaret, Emily and Maria. They do not like Edinburgh and want to get back to London, that they might have me to come and see me, and get me to come and spend the evening with them. We have got such a funny little governess here, much shorter than myself. She is a German, a very queer little creature. One of the girls here goes by the name of Ma, for when we were acting one day, she called the mother of us all, and she was very cruel to one of her children, and beat it so unmercifully that it called out "Oh, save me from Ma, from Ma." So she is never called any thing but Ma. What is more, she is a very queer girl and says and does very funny things. I think she is rather odd, poor thing. If she does any thing out of the way, it puts us in fits. Maggy Stewart is getting a lecture so I must finish or perhaps it will be my turn next. Your fondest and loving child, Emmie Eckford.

Cleverland Square
Sunday October 26th /56

"Luke 22" 42 - It is the duty of every one of us to say "Not my will but thine be done". Christ thought not of pain or suffering. He thought not of himself, he gave himself wholy up to God. Is there no difference between a real and a nominal Christian. If you feel that Christ is the only way to heaven, that his footprints lead to heaven, & if you wish to follow him, bear witness of it by your entire subjection to his will. We may best see what his will is by looking at Christ who fulfilled it so fully in his dutiful obedience to his earthly parents, and in every way. Is it not true that instead of trying to find out what that will is; we try to find out how little of that will we can execute without incurring the censure of the world. We think of what the world thinks, not what God wills. The rich man we read of, this morning, did what would be praised by the world. He pulled down his barns and built larger ones, but that night, his soul was required of him, and what account could he give. However much our will, through the help of the Holy Ghost, may be conformed to God's will, we must not look to ourselves. We must look higher to one who is interceeding for us, but that interceeding will avail nothing unless we ask for the Spirit with child-like dependance and then it shall never be held from us".

This was Mr. Stevernson's forenoon sermon and a very beautiful one it was. We have had our Bible lesson class. We had to learn some verses from Revelations 21. We read every morning in the Corinthians. We have finished the first epistle and are about to commence the second epistle. I must now say, adieu, my fond one, I am your loving child, Emmie.

Letter to Catharine Eckfort by her siblings

This letter is written, in 1857, to Catherine Eckfort (originally Haldane), the daughter of James Haldane. It is written by two people. I think they are Alexander Haldane, her brother, and Elizabeth Haldane, her sister. It seems that Catherine Eckfort, and her husband, George Eckford, were in Gwalior during the Indian Mutiny in 1857, when it was attacked. Gwalior was relieved, and then they went to Agra. Various people are mentioned in the letter. The "poor daughter" is Emily Eckfor. "Anna" is, I think, Anna Eckford, the daughter of James Eckford and Mary Haldane, another daughter of James Haldane. Anna seems to be in Agra, too. I assume that she is with her mother. Mary and her husband are mentioned in the letter (he is the General). I suspect that she has just given birth, the child died, and "her health too is much impaired". In fact she died in 1857. I don't know who "Aunt Margaret" is. There is another sister called margaret, but surely she wouldn't be called an aunt? I don't know who Ethie is at all.

2 Nov 1857
118 Westgrove Terrace
London

My dearest Catherine
I received yr kind message from the fort at Agra, and rejoice to hear that you have been mercifuly preserved with your husband during this terrible season of trial in India. Our thoughts have often turned with anxiety to your beleagured fort, and the thoughts the Gwalior force and the Gwalior guns often made us fear for the security of the little garrison and its crowds of women and children. But the Lord has mercifully encamped around you and defended you, and the glory we will give to him. It seems very remarkable that the force which threatened you was not able to make a second attack until the arrival of Greathed's column which so nobly fought from Delhi. The previous action in which the little garrison fought so bravely had no doubt produced a good result, and I was happy to see that Arthur Cocks had, as usual, distinguished himself with the Volunteer Horse.
Your poor daughter Emily was at first much heart broken when the news of the mutiny reached England - but she went to her uncle Dr Eckford at Jersey, when I hear she was very happy and much valued and this I hope helped to divert her mind. She seeems to be a very nice, good girl, and I trust will be a comfort to you. Her conduct seems to be always well regulated and while she is very cheerful and pleasant, there is no boisterous levity. We were very happy to see her here, and she never gave any trouble.
I hope your husband's health has not suffered any more harm from CWL(?), although he must have had a hard time of it during the mutiny. I suppose when the troops come up the country, all will well, through God's Blessing. May the best of blessings belong to you and yours
Yrs very affectionately Alex Haldane.

Dearest Catherine. I hope that you may receive this line of love; but Anna's letters are so uncertain from Agra. We must put more here that you will read in from our heart, more of our thought towards you, than our words (even if you receive them) could convey. But the days of your anxious seclusion are I hope well nigh accomplished, so that soon you may be permitted to go forth from your "Fort" in confidence and safety.
I think you have found great comfort in reading the Psalms while you have been in a position so permanently to realise many blessed promises and encouragements which they contain. The "Strong Tower" and "The Hiding Place", "The Fortress", the Place of Refuge are terms you will understand. I think you were fresh from Church, when you fled instead to your new strange abode and the Lord's presence in your hearts, has I am sure, made it a Sanctuary to all whose trust has been in him. It is a great comfort your Husband got in also. How much greater would have been your sufferings had this not been the case. We deeply sympathise with our beloved sister Mary and the General. I fear her health too is much impaired. With the deepest anxiety, we wait every post, and earnestly trust the approaching letter may bring good tidings. When I was in Bury a young curate. Mr Shachall was just taking his leave and will now in a few days be on his way to Agra. Possibly you may have left before he arrives, otherwise you may learn of him. I wish we had not missed dear Emmy but you hear of her doubtless in every letter you receive from Aunt Margaret. Ethy wishes me to say she hopes to write next mail. She is much devoted to your dear child, and she has always been so welcome here. Earnestly awaiting good intelligence, Your very affectionate E Haldane

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