[Letter from Andrew D. Campbell to Elizabeth Upshur Teackle, 1832]

Will you my dear friend Mrs. Teackle, accept a few lines in the mean time as a token of repentance, and an assurance that no very long time will pass before I fully acknowledge my debts and pay time to the best of my abilities. The external symbols of mourning which usually mark the death of a relative will shew you that I have to deplore such an event. My very highly esteemed and valued brother Colo. Campbell has paid the last probate of Mortality. He was a man who held the highest place in the affectionate regard of all his friends. By his Daughter, his Sisters, and myself he was beloved and venerated in a degree far beyond what is usual even in such a connection, for besides the Brother, he was to us the kindest of parents. No heart ached which he did not do all in his power to relieve. no misfortune assailed which the kindest affection, or the most generous application of pecuniary assistance, could alleviate but it was thoughtfully offered. I ought to say anticipated, for it was always in his mind where and how he could best give happiness
to those near and dear to him.

At the

early age of 15 he left home to begin a military life in India, where his abilities and high sense of honor raised him to an appointment of great importance and considerable emolument. He discharged his duties highly to the satisfaction of Lord Lake who commanded the Army and to the India Company. His health having very materially suffered from the effects of great exertions during several very fatiguing campaigns, in which great responsibility indeed upon him, at the close of the war he resigned his situation and came home to recruit his health, bringing with him an independent, but a moderate fortune. After being some time at home he feared his leaving his Mother again would have broken her heart, and not being very strong himself he resigned the Army, and for the last 25 years he has lived, I may say much more anxious to promote the welfare and happiness of his immediate relations than thinking of his own. The Daughter, born in India, became the charge of my Mother and Sisters, and she has most amply rewarded all their care, being one of the most amicable and gentle of her sex.

My Brother often suffered from bad health and last Summer, he broke more than usual. He came to Ash Craig and lived a month with us and recovered a good deal. From thence he went to Cheltenham and Mrs. Campbell

having given you most voluminous account of our progress in our tour through England and Wales and passing some time with my Brother, I will not recapitulate. Soon after his return to Edinr., he had a slight apoplectic stroke which alarmed us greatly. The day after Christmas he had another and after that he gradually sunk until the 31st of January, when his spirit was released and we left to mourn the loss of one of the best of Men. This melancholy event, and the melancholy duties attending it devolving upon me, will excuse my silence for many months but we are again domesticated at Ash Craig where my Sisters and niece are coming to visit us and Mrs. C. and I must do all in our power to comfort them upon whom the blow falls most heavily, his inclination and delicate health having made them his constant companions for many years. I shall soon take time to endeavour to redeem my character and to thank you for all your letters and for all your poems and I certainly was not aware of imposing so great a task upon you. But I am very grateful and am preparing to fulfill your wish of knowing something of our house by sending you a small pencil sketch of it done by my Niece Marion Muirhead and also an Architectural drawing which will teach you better