Jessie M DUNCAN [2264]

  General Notes:

Image 163
*married 16 Sep 1885
First page/s missing.
No address or date but guess would be c1885
and are very agreeable & happy. Mr Young (Leith) is always busy he has got 6 of a family last were twins, so you see thire is nothing but changes.
Henry Murdoch got married to a very nice young lady with money but I suppose the money is all spent and of course we never hear anything about him.
We had a visit of D. Strachan last summer and Mother did not know him he has got so very stout. You know he is married and has a son 6 years old. He was asking very kindly for you.
There is a Mr. Hislop who used to be in the office with you asks Father regularly for you and we always give him the papers to read after we finish them. He seems to be very fond of reading about Australia.
Mr. Strachan who stayed in the same stair with us was killed a Gogar Station some time ago he was crossing the line to meet Bella coming out of the train when the express came up and passed over his body death was instantaneous. Mrs. S. & Bella are now back to the Crescent staying.
Now John you know when you left you said that I would be married a long time before you came back well I'm engaged to be and you'll not guess who too. Well I better just tell you; it is Mr. Duncan Stalker, now does'nt that surprise you. I'm sure it does. Well he has started a place of Business down in Dundee sometime ago. And he think he will be all right when he gets married so he came to Edinr. on Saturday and left this morning and it is arranged that we are to be married in September. He says he would like awfully much if you would take it into your head and come home so as to be present at our marriage and I was to be sure and write at once and tell you also that he hoped you were enjoying good health as we all do, so you see I've lost no time. Now Dear John you might write a few lines when you get this and give us all the news about you. We have waited patiently for a letter this long time so I do hope to have one long before September; and I'm sure you won't disappoint me. Everybody seems quite pleased and of course we are very happy. Only we would have liked if you had been nearer us. Now Dearest John no more but that we all send our warmest wishes to you.
I am, every your loving Jessie.

Image 161
HOUSE-PAINTING & DECORATING ESTABLISHMENT
63 & 65 Nethergate, Dundee.(printed)
62 Commercial Street,
14th February, 1886
My Dear Uncle,
At last you see I have got commenced to write you. There is a slight change since the last letter you received from me. You see it is just the way we all go and get married. Don't you ever weary to see us all. Duncan and I are always talking about and I have been to write you this long time but always get so much to do that time always passes away; indeed everything is so quiet that there is nothing to write about.
Duncan was always telling me to get started and surely I would find something.
We had a very quiet marriage. It took place at two o'clock and we left for Dundee at four so you see we did not put off much time. Mrs. Stalker was here to receive us. Maggie Scobie & Betty Henderson were Bridesmaids also Mary Helen (Uncle James' Daughter) from Glasgow. There were very few present. Grandma was there but Mary & George would not get on account of the children. Fancy you having two little nephews and not to have seen any of them. How is business with you? Here it is something dreadful hundreds going about with nothing to do, suppose I am happy to say that Duncan has had a pretty good season. We spent a week in Edinr. at the New Year and found every body looking well. Henry & Agnes were quite delighted with the cards you sent. I was also pleased with mine but would be only to delighted to receive a letter from you it is such a long time since I had one. Mother sent us the last two papers you sent her and Duncan was quite interested in them.
I have not had any word from Grandma since we were up in Perth (New Years Day) but they were all looking well then. No doubt Grandma would tell you of Mrs Brysons death. She had a shock and died very sudden. At this moment Duncan desires me to say that you might send him a small piece of the tobacco you smoke knowing that it came from you he thinks it will taste better than the stuff he smokes. Duncan says that you might take a run over to see us all. Perhaps the first cheap trip.
Alex & George Cassie are always enquiring about you very kindly. Now John you must excuse this scribble & trust that the next letter will contain more news.
Mother, Father, Duncan & I send our warmest love to you trusting that this will find you well & that we may soon hear from you. Duncan will send the Weekly news along with this letter.
Now Adieu for the Present, Your Loving Niece,
Jessie M. Stalker.

Image 160
A Spring Gardens, Stockbridge, Edinburgh.
2nd Aug. 1900.
My Dear Uncle & Aunt,
The Photos arrived all safe many many thanks for same we were all delighted with them.
Father & Mother are both well. Mother and I at Perth last Friday everything is much changed there you would not know the old close now.
We did not see the Roy Family but we heard they were all well. Jim has gone to the Engine sheds to learn to be an engineer. I suppose you would see by the papers that Gpa. Gma. Stalker were both dead. John Henderson has allowed his business to go and I suppose he will be living on M.A. till his mother dies then he will have the property. Mrs. H. Senr. has been staying at the Bridge of Earn for some time. John & M.A. stay in Albert Place now. Peggy is quite a young lady now.
Nearly all the old faces are away from Perth now. Duncan is still working with Moxon & Carfrae Painters & Decorators. At present he is up at Laurencekirk this month at some work for them. Agnes gets her fortnights holidays on Saturday and goes to Belfast to enjoy them. I shall send a photo of Bill and I with this mail. He is named after Gpa. Stalker and is a very restless little fellow always into some mischief. I don't know how Aunt gets on with so many boys they must be quieter than the one I have. We get a letter every week from Henry. He is in the Telegraph Office, Nowshera, Punjaub. We are looking forward to him getting home soon. Now we would be delighted to have a letter sometimes from you to hear how you were all getting on. We often talk of you all.
With fondest love from your affect. niece Jessie Stalker.

  Research Notes:

Image courtesy of R Filsell

  Other Records

• Census: Scotland, 2 Apr 1871, 9 Greenside Place, Edinburgh, Scotland. Jessie is recorded as Daughter age 4y Born Sandrus Scotland and described as Receiving Instructions at Home

• Census: Scotland, 3 Apr 1881, 3 Caledonian Crescent, Midlothian, Edinburgh. Jessie is recorded as Daughter age 14 born about 1867 and described as Message Girl.

• Census: Scotland, 5 Apr 1891, 5 1/2 Princes Street, Perth SCT. Jessie is recorded as Wife age 24 born Perth.

Jessie married Duncan McGregor STALKER [2265] [MRIN: 761], son of William STALKER [2269] and Margaret McGREGOR [3987], on 16 Sep 1885 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. (Duncan McGregor STALKER [2265] was born on 20 Nov 1857 in Perth, Perthshire, SCT.)

  Marriage Notes:

This couple separated c 1902