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Colonial and State Records of North Carolina
Letter from Thomas Pollock to Robert Pollock
Pollock, Thomas, 1654-1722
April 03, 1717
Volume 02, Pages 276-278

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[From Pollock's Letter Book.]
COPY OF A LETTER SENT TO SIR ROBERT POLLOCK BY CAPT HENDERSON'S KINSMAN


North Carolina April 3d 1717

Hond Sir

It being very natural for all people who are absent to have a great desire to hear of their relations, and I being here settled in a remote corner of the earth, far distant from my native country, and having had no letter or certain news concerning my relations these many years last past, and not knowing whom I can write to that can inform me; therefore, out of the certain knowledge I have of your generous and virturous nature, and the acquaintance, neighborhood and small relation I had with you before I left Scotland, presumed to trouble you with these few lines, humbly entreating the favor of you to favor me with what account you know of my relations.

I have been informed that my brother mr James Pollock of Balgray, deceased many years since leaving two sons his eldest son Thomas, (who succeeded to the estate) I heard was married to a daughter of Dunlop of Houssell, and has had several children by her: and hear that he coming over to america, is either lost at sea, or taken by the sally sallie? men, which I hope is but a false report. As for his brother James I have heard nothing of him. My sister Hellen Helen was married to David Robe, minister of Erskine: and here that upon the revolution, on King William's coming in, remove himself and family to Ireland. And my sister Margaret was married to one Mr George Pollock, then minister of Ballantree, afterwards removed to Kilmarnock, and since I understand is dead. Now what your Honor can inform me concerning my aforesaid relations will be a very great kindness, for although I have commonly an account of all the public news, it gives me no satisfaction as to my relation. I have another favor also to beg of your Honor, which is when I came from Scotland I had several debts due to me, all which bonds I left with my brother Balgray, taking his receipt for the same, a copy of most of which is here inclosed. Now what I would entreat is if you could conveniently know of the men that owed me the money, (being most your neighbours) whether they paid it or any part of it to any person For I understand that one Mr Robert Hamilton late of Glasgow now of London merchant hath received most of it, without giving me any account of it.

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Now when I came from Scotland this Robert Hamilton being my intimate acquaintance, by his importunity pursuaded me to take about thirty three pound sterling money of his in venture with my own, which money in my first seven or eight years, (by my often trading from one place to another, unacquaintedness in trade of America, and a considerable loss I had by the Spaniards taking New Providence, and low markets was brought to a very little, of all which, from time to time acquainted Robert Hamilton, and in the year 1689 I wrote to him that, altho the stock was brought very low, yet that I was unwilling he should be a loser by me, and therefore enclosed in his a letter to my brother, Balgray, to pay him his principal sum and interest; of which I never had any account of my Brother. And since then. Mr Hamilton having an attorney here, I gave him a particular account of his stock, which was about forty pounds our country pay here, offering him his money, which he could not then take his vcssel being loaden. And shortly after I had a letter from Mr Hamilton desiring rather to have his principal stock and interest in Scotland than take the produce of it here, this being about the year 1698, and pressing upon me that if I would be diligent and careful of making the most of what I had in Scotland, and the overplus he would faithfully and honestly send me in here, or pay to whom I should order him. Upon which I (having a great opinion of Mr Hamilton's honest,) sent him in a power of attorney of all my concerns excepting the debt due from my brother. In some short time after I had account from him, that he had employed one Mr James Dunlop a writer in Glasgow, to act for him as concerning the recovery of my debts and other concerns, but, my brother being dead, my sister in law would not deliver up the bonds and other papers that I had left in my brother's hands; and by several letters after complaining that he had been at considerable charges, and although his uncle Mr Colin Campbell of Blithwood had been a great assistance, yet had scarcely recovered so much as to satisfy himself. And yet I understand the stone house I had in the Trongate of Glasgow, a few duty duety I had out of the land where the eastern sugary stands, and of some land of Walter Nilson, and of one William Sterling, late writer in Glasgow, is disposed of, and, I believe, three or four acres of land I had at the bromelaw at Glasgow; all which, before the year 1701 (at which time I heard he had disposed of most of it) with the debts due and interest due untill then could not amount to less value than six or seven hundred pounds sterling; and his thirty three pounds, with interest from the year 1682 to the year 1701 could not amount to upward of seventy or eighty pounds at the most; which seems to be a considerable

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difference. Howsoever I should not have realised it if my Relations had got it. I could add a great deal more concerning Mr Hamilton his writing and promises to me, but I doubt have been too troublesome already.

I was hartily glad to understand that you were not concerned in their late troubles in Scotland, and that you were safe in your command at Inverlockie, and it would be a great satisfaction to me to understand the welfare and prosperity of you and your family.

I have had intentions these many years past of my returning once more to my native country, but several matters unexpectedly falling out have hindred me; especially some differences here amongst, the people of the country, and a long, civil and expensive Indian war, and now being old, and not able to endure the fatigues of such a long passage, and being (praised be God) indifferent well settled here and having three hopeful sons, Cullen, George, and Thomas, doubt I shall not have the happiness of seeing any more my beloved native country. I your Honor can spare so much time from your public business as to enquire a little after the afore mentioned matters, and honor me with some particular account of it, it will be a great satisfaction to me, and infinitely oblidge me: and albeit I cannot propose any ways of retaliating such kindness, yet it shall it shall be imprinted in indelible characters in his mind who most sincerely is

Hond Sir your most obedient Humble Servant.

Hond Sir

If you favor me with an answer, please to direct your letter for me in North Carolina to the care of Mr William Wellsteed, Merchant in Boston in New England: and letters for the place often miscarrying if you send duplicates, by other oppertunities some may come to hand. My most humble respects to yourself and family; which also please to accept from my sons,

Hond Sir Yours
THOMAS POLLOCK