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Hillbillies in the White House |
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The diary of James Black
12 January 1839. On the night of Sunday 6th this country was visited by one of the severest storms of wind ever known here. The house I occupy shook to the foundation but no injury was sustained although there is scarce a house in Holywood that is not less or more uprooted, several blown down and many trees uprooted in the neighbourhood. It has made great havoc all over the country, but it has been much more destructive to the southward and in England. The accounts from sea are truly distressing. A heavy fall of snow succeeded the wind, that remained a few days, but is now quite gone, and the weather very mild and pleasant.
7 February. Since my last notation, I offered Lord O'Neill the whole of the Randalstown concern for £2,000 or £1,000 without the machinery; I have a reply from his agent, saying "if his Lordship would think of taking the place at £1,000 without machinery would I pay £200 forfeiture for the place being formerly sold without his permission". To this question I have not fully replied; requested a little time to think of it, as I had negotiations in Scotland regarding the premises. John Brown of Randalstown has failed in £7,000 and only shows £2,000; he owes me £200 borrowed money.
4 March.The weather has been very stormy until two
days ago. It is now dry and pleasant and farming going on
briskly. We find ourselves very pleasantly situated here ( in Holywood) and will like remain another year; it is a
comfortable place and agreeable neighbourhood.I have not yet been able to dispose of the Randalstown property; Lord O'Neill is looking for it but I fear he will not come to my terms, £2,000.
4 April. The weather has been remarkably cold for a month past; wind generally east and today a heavy fall of snow. We have been at several parties lately and very pleasant. sometimes clergymen of different denominations, that took their wine, and some of them played cards and took their whisky punch.
9 May. For a month past the weather has been remarkably fine and the spring more rapid than I ever saw it and the country looks beautiful. Removed from Mr. Hodson's house last week to one of Stuart's, nearer the shore at £26 per year, furnished.
12 June. This day thank God I enter my 61 year (after many changes in circumstances, trials and difficulties) in good health and many comforts with my wife and daughter Jane at Holywood. My daughter Margaret and son Robert are in Charleston. I have been in negotiation with S Courtney about the Randalstown Mills for Lord O'Neill without any prospect of agreement. I have written to John Gaussen about joining me in the flour business, also Robert Mcauley but yet without a reply. The Melbourne ministry is tottering and we are likely to have a Tory administration very soon.
12 July. All appears to be quiet on this day regarding Orangeism and both parties attend to the order of the Lord Ebrington (the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland).I am quite idle and very unhappy, spending money can be no way useful, my property at Randalstown unemployed, and I am obliged to attend to it and leave my Charleston Business.
31 December.The last five months have been spent by me in a very unsatisfactory manner, every day expecting purchasers for the Randalstown property but all without effect. I am now about to try a Joint Flax Spinning Company, but have little hope of success. The corn mills are now in my own hand and I fear will not be productive. Randalstown is going to wreck and cannot recover unless the mills are occupied.
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