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Dec
31st 1888
Geo. F. Laird Esq.
Kingston, New Mexico
Dear Sir:
I received your letter of Nov. 26th from Canton Ohio, in reply
to mine of former date enquiring [sic] if you was the Geo Laird
who has been mourned by his people, in Scotland, as dead, and
who would be a full cousin to myself.
That, dear sir, was my reason for writing you, and which I
explain, as in this age of sharpers you may be inclined to
believe I meant to practice some game of confidence on you. If
ever you entertained any idea I had any sinister motive you must
dispel it, and thus establish confidence between us.
In my former letter to you I think I mentioned somewhat as an
introduction. I came from Scotland nearly five years ago with
the intention of going to western Texas to invest in the stock
business, stopping here, the land agents talked me into buying
and I invested in property here. My oldest brother John, who was
a practical chemist, and assayer in London England wrote me to
look out a location for him in this country. I did so. He came
here about 18 months ago, and has a druggist business here. He
married here, while I enjoy single blessedness. He is 41, and I
29 years of age, both total abstainers .
My Grandfather John Laird emigrated from Scotland in 1860, and
died two years ago in Postville Wisconsin aged 102 years. My
Grandfather on Mother’s side died about the same time aged 98.
He was a Waterloo veteran.
My people are still living and reside in Aberdeen, Scotland. My
brother John who is here with me, while he was in England by
chance unearthed the real history of the Laird family, and which
had remained previous unknown to us.
We
had an idea that we belonged to some good stock, as our
Grandfather had told our family that the land he owned in
Aberdeen had been in the family from very remote ages. This land
I believe is owned by the Earl of Aberdeen. The instance
relating to the finding out the true genealogy of our family is
an interesting one, and which will no doubt interest you. My
brother John was for several years the manager of a large drug
and assaying business in Shrewsbury England, and was while there
the incident I speak of took place. While enjoying a half
holiday by the bank of the Severn alone, the daughter of Sir H
Harnage (whose father owned the adjacent land,) was fishing in
the river, by accident this girl fell off the log
she was standing, and as my brother heard her cries, she was
disappearing. Being a good swimmer he immediately swam to her
rescue and after reaching shore carried her to a farm where she
was cared for.
From
that day none stood higher in the estimation of the father or
daughter as he. The girl and my brother finally became engaged.
The father who was also a commissioner in the national Heraldric
Office, and had access to all manuscripts of families there, set
to investigating the family history, as evidences pointed to my
father becoming his future son in law. From there we got the
family history, and through him was redeemed the family crest
and arms, which had lain in Chancery for nearly 500 years. Our
family after examination proved themselves to belong to the main
stem of the Laird family, and the British government through
this gentleman at great expense, allowed us the original crest,
arms, and motto of the original
family and which my brother still retains. I may here mention ,
the girl I speak of suddenly died in France, and thus never
filled her engagement, while the father remembered my brother
sustantially.
In your recent letter you say you do not know much of your
family origin, and as you ask me to inform you I have wrote the
above remarks in length so that you may realize I do not inform
you on heresay
[sic] but on truth and
facts, and which I am able to sustain. By your letter I see
evidences that I believe you to be a gentleman, or I should
certainly not trouble myself about writing this long account of
your family history, and which information we believe alone to
possess. After receiving your letter I informed my brother , and
he immediately gave me access to the facts which I impart to
you.
(Family Origin)
The origin of the Laird family is very ancient. The earliest
record of which is found in Saxony in Germany, and where the
family was known as ‘Hlawford’. and also held the position
as Counts among the Aristocracy of Saxony. Count Hlawford had
about 4,000 retainers, or fighting men, and had four castles or
strongholds, his principal castle, which he made his permanent
home was on the banks of the Elbe. He had 15 vessels manned by
hardy sailors, and thus with these on sea, and his soldiers on
land, he soon possessed himself of immense territory. This was
about the year 1,000. In the year 10, 15, [sic] he set sail on
one of his expeditions, and
encountering heavy storms he was driven on the shores of the
eastern
coast of Scotland, near a small Caladonian [sic] town
whose inhabitants were of Pictish origin of the name Aberdour.
Most of his vessels were destroyed, or rendered unseaworthy, so
much so, that he had not the means of going to sea again, also
most of his men were drowned. All that remained was himself, his
wife, four sons, and two daughters and 100 retainers out of 4000
which left Saxony.
He built a large Castle on the edge of a cliff 150 feet from the
waters edge. (This Castle is now in ruins although the
foundations stand. I have seen it) At that time game of all
kinds were plentiful, and they spent their time hunting, and
fishing. As time went on he made war on the natives, and being
successful he soon acquired large tracts of land. He was known
among the natives as Laird, or Lord of the Manor, or estate. I
could go on and recapitulate the history of the family down to
the time of Covenanters, but it would take a small volume to
rehearse the adventures and vessisitudes [sic] of
the family. So in that case I will curtail the account and
mention that the year 1600 which was then about the most
troublesome times in Scotland, part of the family (for the
family was then in three divisions) fled to the north part of
Ireland, the head of which branch was named David.
The other branch under James went to the south of Scotland, to a
place called Galloway, while the other or oldest or main stem
John remained in the place of their origin, Aberdour. Of this
stem we claim our origin, and to this section of the family
alone do the British government allow the right of holding the
crest and arms. The David part of the family emigrated to North
Carolina, U. S. in or about the year 1730, and thus you can see
distinctly you belong to a branch of the old and genealogical
stem, although of a younger branch.
You understand the honors, and rights, always belong to the
oldest, or principal stem of any family. One scion or branch of
the same family, but on your side, was an Admiral during the
American war of independence. During this war he must have
amassed considerable wealth so much so that in the year 1785 he
bought the large estate of Strathmartin in Scotland and which
lands was in the hands of his son David Laird the last time I
was through there before I left home. A member of the Laird
family was the Birkenhead shipbuilder who built the Alabama, and
raised such a racket between this country and Britian. [sic]
His son is at present member of Parliament for Birkenhead. This
Congressman Jas Laird of Nebraska, who is at present dying I am
unable to say of what stock he is. You will now see from what I
have explained evidences are that you belong to a good branch of
that noble and aristocratic family of which we all should feel
proud.
From History I understand their land was confiscated as they
took an active part in rebellious war and piracies. This however
is no degradation to us. The crest and family arms are little
use to any of us as we have to work for a living, but then on
the other hand they are the substantial evidences we belong to
an ancient family of no mean origin. So now dear Sir I feel you
will cherish and enjoy this account of the Laird family. If ever
you should go to Scotland, and circumstances occur I could go
along. I would take pleasure in showing you very interesting
evidences of the Laird family, and I think a trip of research
and pleasure would well pay you. I intended visiting the south
west some time ago, but circumstances are I can not do so for
some time, I am however negotiating for a good situation in San
Diego, Cal. which I expect to go to in April, that is if nothing
better turns up and I get my property sold here. If I should go
west I should very much like to stop off at Kingston and see you
on my way through. I like this country [scratched
through] state well enough, but I believe a young
man can do better in the west if he notices himself and attends
to business. If you have a N. M. newspaper which you would
kindly wish to send I should be glad to receive.
So
now as I have given you all the information, abbreviated, I can,
and as it is getting bedtime I will conclude with hopes of
sometime meeting you. So with the wish this may reach you in
good health and that the New Year may be happy and prosperous to
you, I remain
Yours very sincerely
W. T. Laird
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