(From Shirley Winston Johnson a visit to Scotland, to
his mother in St. Charles, Missouri)
Blairgowrie
June 3, 1909.
Dear Mother:
You missed something by not coming over here, for the Scotch kin are
very interesting. They have certainly given me a hearty welcome
and done everything to make my stay pleasant. They are keenly
interested in everything about us.
I have visited my great-grandfather Glenday's grave in the old kirkyard,
and seen the little house where he kept an inn. He was a man of
substance and good standing. Today I was at Kirriemuir, Barrie's
town, and saw the "Window in Thrums", and also three little
cottages that my great-grandfather bought at auction in 1809.
Mr. Butchart still owns them. The rent from all of them is seven
pounds a year, $35.00. Cheap, isn't it?
This evening I went to tea at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Bisset.
she was a Lindsay, an aunt of the Lindsay girl who visited us.
She first married a sea captain who died, and now she is married to
a man in the government service in India, - did very well.
Our blue blood came through the Lindsays, who are a clan and have a
tartan and a coat of arms, with the motto "ENDURE FORT". The
head of the clan now is Earl Crawford. We are also connected with
the Ogilvys, who also are a clan with a tartan.
These people live simply, but nicely. We have breakfast, coffee
and tea, scones, and eggs, at eight. Dinner at 12.30. Tea
at five, and then at nine Mr. B. and I have a bowl of porridge each.
I will have oceans to tell you. They all send kindest regards.
Love to all.
Your affectionate son,
Shirley
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