LIZZIE FORBES
1 May 2015
2 August 1862, Lizzie Forbes to Kate Forbes, Edinburgh, NAD Forbes
My dear Kate
I received your long looked for letter last week and right glad I was to see it for I was beginning to think that there was something wrong when none of you were writing…
I hope… that Alick and Jamie have got back bringing with them good returns for their labours. I was glad to see by the last accounts from the Cape that trade was much better in Natal, farms bringing better prices and money easier got…
There is still very sad accounts coming from America (the riots in New York are dreadful on account of the conscription men refuse to be torn from their families to become soldiers… the surrender of Vicksberg will be a death blow to the South…
…Jemima … was very anxious about having no letter for such a long time but I have had no letter from her since she went but I fancy she is well or I would hear…
We are to have the Prince of Wales and his young sister in Edinr tomorrow on their way to the Highlands…
So you have got Alick Forbes out to Natal again I was asking Mrs McTear about him and she knew nothing of him…
I must tell you once more I never heard Mrs McTear or any one else say anything wrong of you so that I do not understand what stories you mean but if you would be advised by one who has lived longer … dont mind what illnatured people say do what you consider right…
I saw by one of the papers I got that they have commenced taking card portraits in Durban so I hope you will send me the children as soon as you wordmissing indeed I would like all of your cards they are so easy to send in a letter but dont forget Nelly and Ackie…
Give my kind love to every one and with kisses for the children believe me
Your Affectionate Sister
Lizzie Forbes
23 January 1871, Lizzie Forbes to David Forbes snr, Edinburgh, NAD Forbes
My dear Brother
I received Kates letter also yours of September I was glad to hear you were all well I get letters so seldom now that I get very anxious about you all between the times I am calculating that I will hear by next mail of Mr & Mrs McCorkindale’s arrival with you…
I have not yet heard from Jamie not have I seen nor heard anything of the box you have so often written me about if it should ever come to hand (which I doubt) I will be sure to send you a report of the composition of the stones we hear glowing accounts from time to time in the papers about the great fortunes realized at the diamond fields in a very short time I suppose they are not all true but in the end it must increase the value of your land…
…times are very bad here this winter trade in general is bad on account of this dreadful war on the Continent and provisions rising in the market daily but the building trade is particularly dull… Condie is one of the fortunate ones who has work to go to but this winter… rain frost & snow he has not been able to work since November…
the little Nelly is a dear little child I am very fond of her
I have not heard of a situation to suit me although I am daily on the look out I think my character is too good or else too long to get readily into any other place I sent you some papers by last mail I hope you get all the papers…
John Macnee… married
Miss MacNee has taken a small house in Blairgowrie… she behaved very bad to me still I am very sorry for her
a very melancholy letter but really I have nothing bright to write about just now
Your Affectionate Sister
Lizzie Forbes
[NB. attached: John Macnee (a coachmaker) marriage, a short notice from a newspaper]
nd but ?1890, Lizzie Forbes to Kate Forbes, no place given, NAD Forbes
[start missing]
Mr Baillie is very careful But he said to me yesterday “Dont let your brother go to London again. He is very weak”… I didn’t press the matter…
He got out of bed today and went into Edinr on some business about his house Mr Baillie again kindly went with him and they will be back for ^tea^.
Mr Baillie went to the meeting and is pleased with all the proceedings Mr Faviell was most communicative to him and every one is very sanguine about the rise on the new shares we are all to get 3 for our present That is very good but not so good as your £5 per share but perhaps better if they take a bond up James asked Farrent to try and raise money for your new shares…
I have your £400 in the Bank to help to take up the shares but that wouldnt go far should it all fail…
Mr McIntosh cost about £4.4 But I think he left them because his money was gone sometimes I cant sleep when I think of James no amount of money will keep him going And his spending is so reckless he gets no pleasure from it and no good or satisfaction…
Nellie and me went to London with him that time But we were no good we only saw him in the morning never again until the next morning… After coming back his stomach was all wrong…
… he must go to London to be sure about Farrant… Mr Baillie offered to go with him… London to see about Farrant raising money to pay this house he has bought and also to take up the new shares Mr Baillie saw I was anxious and offered to go with him saying he wished to be present at the Reef meeting last Friday…upset with the Criterion dinners And who do you think was his companion this time but the reporter… he has been in bed ever since
I think J. is giving Farrant a big commission for what he is doing for him… He also gave James a big Champagne dinner
I understood Farrant to be a unreadable. James said “not a bit so people are hard to know…. it’s so contemptible…
He has bought this house but I dont think he will settle anywhere I wish he had something to do…
This letter is confused there are so many people running back and forward…
About David’s message. I know Mr Thompson will be delighted to get your present There is no cheque here so either Nellie or myself will call with it to honour
I wish you could see your three girls as they sit not far from me at this moment rosy and in the very best of health. For after all what is money…
About the Condies I have the 2 little girls here and they are a great acquisition to Maggie…
I told James today to ask Nellie Condie on Saturday first to spend the last week with us Lizzie and even Susie are so well and strong again I’ll use some of the £50 if they require anything but in the meantime they don’t…
Mr Baillie will be leaving Westhill Gardens in May they couldnt afford to keep that house…
I think you will like James new house by the Bye he asked me to tell you that he expects the coal business to go thro any day now the Brokers told him in London last week…
I’ll find something useful from Jim to Kitty one of these days. I cant think of any more gossip today…
And wishing you & yours a happy & prosperous new year is the prayer of
Your Affectionate Sister
Lizzie Forbes
19 November 1884, Lizzie Forbes to James Forbes snr, Edinburgh, NAD Forbes
I had a letter from Kate this morning and she tells me you are now at Athole and likely to be for sometime… I was very glad to get your letter some months ago Before that I thought you had forgot home and all your belongings. I have been expecting David Kate and the three girls home every month since March last… And you must try and save and come when they go back and bring some of the boys with you…
I am glad to think that your gold reef is likely to turn out well you must not let any more strangers into the concern else you will make your own shares so much less… I should think now land will rise very much in value…
Kate is very good in writing me so often and so fully but you might sometimes
Your Affectionate Sister
Lizzie
Do not be so long in writing…
1 September 1899, Lizzie Forbes to Kate Forbes, Edinburgh, NAD Forbes
My dear Kate
Last week I wrote a sad letter but little thought I should have such news for today but dear Lizzie died suddenly last Saturday night The telegram come on Sunday morning just as Mr Baillie was calling us for prayers It was a terrible shock When we thought the matter over It was arranged that Mr Baillie & Susie should drive down to Leith and tell Nellie. Meantime poor Nellie arrived here to see Mrs Baillie… but she had to get into her uniform and attend to her duties till nine at night with her heart breaking
On Monday morning Nellie Susie and me went off to Perth and brought home all that remained of our dear girl
The Dr said she died very suddenly when the nurse was giving her egg flip… The Drs here say say that it was meningitis or inflammation of the brain… she was nearly three weeks from the time she was seized first They think she should not have been sent into the Institution… she was laid beside her father on Wednesday…
The next morning (Thursday) Mrs Baillie passed quietly away but her death was no shock it was a relief for she had been dead to the world for some time…
Nellie went back to the hospital ?Thursday morning Her work keeps the mind fully occupied. Susie will remain here with me for the present…
I took her [Susie] along last night to get Dr Arminer to examine her. He says she is a bit bloodless…
Mrs v.d. Merwe wrote me today from London asking for Mrs Baillie They leave on Saturday for S.A. per “Dunvegen Castle”
I am very upset today so cant write more hope to write next week…
I am torn with anxiety about you people I sincerely pray nothing may happen to any of you in these troublesome times I hope it isn’t Davie who was fined £100 for buying the dynamite
Love to you all
From your loving sister
Lizzie Forbes
Mrs Baillies coffin just came to the door
14 July 1904, Lizzie Forbes to Nellie Forbes, Edinburgh, NAD Forbes
My dear Nellie
Not having a letter the week before I was glad to get your letter this week I hope Kitty and your father are all right again We have all been quite free from colds this last winter
Susie Condie Mr ?Ballie and me were to go to Inverness for a week And Susie was to arrive here late Saturday instead of which I got a wire to say she couldnt get away now. Mr Baillie and me are going on Monday…
Then Nellie Condie thinking it a good chance (when Mr M’s room was empty) she asked Maggie Fraser’s boy for a week… Then today a wire came from Broughty Ferry for Nellie to join a young lady there on Monday first to travel with ^her^ for six weeks. The lady is delicate…
…but awkward for the boy coming and us both away Nellie Baillie must take charge of him till I return…
The news is just in of Paul Krugers death it will make no difference now but he did plenty of mischief in his day. I also see Lord Milner is now in Swaziland… and he promises to put the Concessions right so we shall surely get one dividend soon…
Love to whole family
From Aunt Lizzie
9 September 1904, Lizzie Forbes to Kitty Forbes, Edinburgh, NAD Forbes
My dear Kitty
I had a letter from you and one from Mother by last post… I am glad the house is nearly finished now It will be a comfort to all to get into it – You speak of papering be careful not to paper too soon else the lime in the plaster will eat all the colour out…
I went down to ?Minners and spoke of the careless way the box was tied – He was sorry and said it was one of the men who tied them. I said they ought to have known better Its well they weren’t spoilt.
Tell Mother I haven’t heard from Mrs Carlson… Mr Baillie and Nellie are down in Lockerbie for the past week… so Nellie Condie Susie and me are having a nice quiet time together…
I see from the “scotsman” that they are to begin cotton growing in Swaziland I hope it will be a success You need something to spread money through the country Its disappointing about that frozen meat Co if it stops the sale of your cattle I thought the cattle would be worth a great deal more now After the war one never knows whats to turn up next – Have you Cold Storage near you? I thought it was only at Cape Town.
… Love to all from Aunt Lizzie
Last updated: 1 May 2015
