Life History

Other facts

Notes

• [Good Robinson Ritchie Lee et al.FTW]
  
  Sarah McCambridge (Mary's mother) wrote a letter in 1868 to her son and daughter in Canada telling them of family and friends back home in Ireland.
  The original letter in on file with the National Archives of Canada in the "James Ritchie Fonds" Ref. #R3203-0-0-E (new) or MG24-I199(former). Copies have been obtained and are in the possesion of David James Lee. There is a matching envelope with a six pence stamp postmarked Larne Au 17 68 and addressed to James Ritchie, Forresters Falls, Co. Renfrew, Canada. A transcription of said letter follows, and the spelling and grammar are exact copies.
  
  
  "Carnlough Agust the 16
  
  Dear son and dughter
  i reCived your letter and was glad to here that you ware all well you will think it very strang that i did not write to you sooner but i had a good dale of truble sinCe your Brother Alexander took bad at the time i got your letter and i wated week after week to see if he would be better But he never got better in this world he died in July the 9 after a long and savere illness.  Dear Mary i would awrote sooner to you but i have been in suCh poor helth sinCe Alexander's deth for he would not want me when he was bad so i had agrat dale of fitage so i have bee very poorly ever sinCe he was with all the doCters in Ballymena and glenarm and Carnlough but all of now use the said it was aliver Comeplent that did him and there was now Cure for him he has left 8 Children 5 Boys and 3 girls But the are all able to
  do for themselvs my other 3 Boys is living at home with me John  and his famley is living with us he has 5 Children 2 boys and 3  girls.  Eliza and famley is well NanCys daughter Elizabeth is living in Carnlough hotel you wanted to know my age i was eighty eyrs old inaprel your aunt mally is ded my sons bired hir deCently.
  there is very poor Crops here un aCount of the dry seson marcets are very high your Brothers and sisters Joins in sending there love to you all wee are living in Carnlough now and has a very Comfortable house write soon as i am in suCh poor helth i will be thinking long for aletter from you let me know how farres you and all the Children is getting along. nomore At present But iremains your afeCent mother to deth sarrah McCambridge "
  ___________________________________________________________________________________
  
  
  A Tombstone at Beachburg Union Cemetery reads :
  "James Ritchie died Feb 8 1887 AE 76 Years
  Also his wife Mary McCambridge died Mar 21 1878 AE 68 Years
  Natives of Co Antrim"