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ROBERT TAYLOR had become continuously ill during the summer of 1856 and was unable to participate at the Orphir harvest in the Orkney Isles of Scotland. Somewhat improved during the latter part of the year, he was not yet even "eable to doo the smalest work." The ailing Orcadian farmer was not bedfast; however, he couldn't walk very far. ROBERT stated that on a good day he could ride in his cart "to the post office or any smal event that I have to make." In early December, he mailed an Orcadian newspaper to his blacksmith son at Hawesville, KY, USA. At the middle of the month, ROBERT sent a letter of reply to Hawesville. He praised Magnus' kindly assistance, and told JOHN what a good wife he had in MARY. Later in the month at the Orphir post office, a dispatch arrived from his namesake son living at Hawley, PA. ROBERT would answer that letter in the coming February. At Orphir, ROBERT noted his wife, Eppie, was "still croyling and hosting," although she "goes about through the day fine and hearty." With paternal pride, he would observe the familial harmony Eppie and his daughters presented when they walked down to the well near Swanbister Bay. ROBERT was amused by his little 4 1/2-year-old daughter, who was "very foney and ill tricked and makes a deal of fon on Mother and Mary." 16-year-old Mary chased after little Robina while they played at the edge of the sea. Mary continued to be healthy during the last month of the year, the same as her young sister and all her aunts and uncles. |
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