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The folks back in Scotland routinely stayed in touch with their American relatives. During the first half of the year, a deadly smallpox epidemic annihilated an alarming number of afflicted Orcadians from Stromness through Orphir, and then swept onward to Kirkwall. Although Mary Taylor's brothers had encouraged her to join them, JOHN's 18-year-old sister chose not to leave Orkney for the U. S. while their ailing father still needed her. In declining health, ROBERT TAYLOR climbed into a two-wheeled cart at his Orphir home in mid-1857, convinced he was making his final visit to Kirkwall. He was "not applying much to any doctor" and had less than a year left to live. ROBERT turned his horse-drawn conveyance northeastward, with the starboard side somewhat turned toward the immense Scapa Flow waters. A mile behind him were the remains of the "Orphir round church," long since fallen into ruin after having been constructed centuries earlier. The vehicle meandered parallel with the faultline and away from Swanbister Bay. In view to the north was the broad meadow of Summerdale, a 1529 battle scene in the valley lying between Ward Hill and Keelylang Hill. The long-ago conflict had been fought between the Sinclair cousins over the earlship of Orkney. ROBERT roamed further, beyond a small peninsula capped by a low promontory called Veness Hill, which rose 83' above sea level. Upon this projection into the sea between Swanbister Bay and Waukmill Bay stood Smogro House, later the residence of a man named Clouston perhaps in some way related to young John Clouston. In Orphir just over a year ago, an angry landlord named Kemp abruptly dismissed John from the position of farm manager, and immediately evicted little Katie and the kids from the rented property. By nightfall on that same March day back in 1856, without job or home, the Cloustons had to go live with John's father. But the view along the road toward Waulkmill Bay was a friendly one. Advancing down the seaside, ROBERT recognized the familiar Loch of Kirbister to his left and waters of the Flow splashing the sandy beaches of Waulkmill Bay on his right. Hobbister Hill was distinguishable nearby. The Orphir road approached white sands at Scapa Bay before directing the horse northeasterly toward the red stones of St. Magnus Cathedral and Kirkwall's grey roofs at the end of the six-mile trip. On Broad Street in Kirkwall, ROBERT met with Mr. Baikie, the wealthy banker whose family had always lived in the huge Tankerness House, and cheerfully picked up money forwarded again from America. ROBERT was pleased to receive the generous gift from his beloved son Magnus. Robert, JOHN, and Magnus had all regularly sent money back to their grateful Orcadian father. ROBERT passed this message along to his son Magnus. The advice was meant for all the young folks in Hawesville: "God is the Friend and Father and portion of those who belong to the holy Jesus. Above all, hear Him saying, 'My grace is sufficient for thee. Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.' "What more can you desire? Jesus always with you. Oh, rejoice in these promises; they are worth more than all the world. Jesus always with you. "Oh, my Dear Children, I am still thinking of you in my mind. May the Lord be with you all, and may we all be prepared to meet in Heaven. It makes me think very much when I think of never seeing any of you on Earth." |
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