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- Agnes Anderson Whitelaw was born 24 July 1834 in Baillieston, Lanark, Scotland. She was the daughter of Archibald Anderson and Agnes Adamson Anderson.
In 1837 the Presbyterian Minister urged Agnes' father to have his children baptized into the Presbyterian Church. Archibald Anderson was concerned about the deterioration of baptism from the biblical times of "baptism by immersion" to the Presbyterian custom of "sprinkling". With much study and thought he decided to let "the dews of Heaven baptize his children>'
Between the years 1840-47 the Mormon missionaries came to Scotland. When Archibald and Agnes Anderson heard their message, they recognized it as "truth" and wanted to embrace this new Gospel. Archibald, his wife, Agnes, their sons, Archibald, James and John were baptized by immersion into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Much to their disappointment, one can be sure, Agnes, their daughter, chose to remain a Presbyterian.
When the family left Scotland for America, Agnes who by this time had become Mrs. James Whitelaw stayed in Scotland to make her home with her husband.
To Agnes and James Whitelaw were born six children: James, Robert, John, Archibald, Euphemia and Georgina.
Several of her nephews and grand-nephews have visited with the Whitelaw family in Scotland.
When her brother John's son went to Scotland on a mission, he found his way to her hom. When she opened the door he introduced himself as a missionary needing lodging. She pointedly told him there was an inn down the road and he should inquire there. Then he asked if she had a brother named John who lived in America. She answered with a little more interest, "Why, yes."
"Well, I am his son, Archibald Robert Anderson."
She threw her arms around him as she ushered him into her home. Many were the times thereafter that her home was home for this nephew. James Whitelaw, Agnes' husband, was always very kind and hospitable to her nephew A. R., and the two of them became good friends. When James Whitelaw died, A. R. was at his bedside.
Other nephews and grand-nephews that became well acquainted with the Whitelaw family were Hyrum Anderson, John R. Anderson, A. J. Anderson, DaMar Anderson and Dean Bench.
When Archibald Jacob (A. J.) Anderson was serving his mission, he was very happy to visit and get acquainted with Agnes' son Archie and her daughter Euphemia Miller. Later he spent two Christmases with the Archie Whitelaw family, taking gifts for all and joining in on Christmas dinner and the celebration. He even remembgers their Christmas dinner as a fine meat dish, brussel sprouts, potatoes and for dessert--pudding and ices. The Archie Whitelaw family lived in a studio-apartment in Shettleston where he was a piano and violin teacher. He told A. J. that his greatest thrill had been to perform for the crown.
Agnes' husband James Whitelaw was born 14 September 1831 in Old Monk, Lanark, Scotland and died 14 November 1897.
Agnes died at the age of eighty-one in 1915. She had had "a wonderfully strong constitution" a son wrote to the family in America, and "she still clings to her old Scotch faith."
Written by Ora A. Dixon [1]
- Archibald Anderson Whitelaw, fourth son, was an excellent tenor soloist. He wrote the following letter (see Archibald Anderson book, B-2):
Mother received your ever Welcome letter and was glad to hear from you, To hear that the rest of you are able to be moving about as usual. I am glad to say that Johns hand is alright now and he has returned to work again. It certainly was a bit trying with the moving, but mother is settled now and not likely to remove again, as she is getting a little feeble, and not able for much excitement. Still she is keeping wonderful for her years. She has a most wonderful constitution considering what she has come through. Of course you know my two eldest brothers, Jim and Bob - are in South Africa and New Zealand respectively and doing well. Money is not easy made in this country and you have got to hustle too much for the amount you make. I may say that competition is very keen in and around Glasgow. Of course you know what Scotchmen are in business, I think the keenest and most shrewd in the world and hard task masters. I think you get it much easier in America. Americans are not quite as selfish, at least that is my opinion. I am pleased that you are having such fine weather and that you have prospect of a good harvest. We in Scotland have had a nice spell of good weather for the last six weeks and there is every prosepect of a good harvenst - Mother is asking very kindly for cousin Grace. She wishes also to be remembered to my cousin Archie. John and Hyrum who were over in Bonnie Scotland. I owe an opology to cousin for not answering his last letter but the fact is uncle, I had alot to think about at the time, which worried me very much. However I hope to answer him when I have time. Please convey to him my apology, and best wishes for his success. Hyrum and myself got along splendedly when he was over here in Scotland. I have still the notion of emegrating myself but it is not easy when you have alot to think about, still my mind is made up to leave Scotland, as I feel I require a change. However, I must just exersise patience. I was over in Ireland at the Glasgow fair Holidays spending my holidays among the Irish Folks. They are among the finest people I have met, and believe me uncle they dont want home rules except the Rapiests, It is the Ulster North Ireland people who have made Ireland, as they are very thrifty and shrewd just like the good auld Scotch. As for the Popiest, they are a lazy long and ignorant no mind of their own. The Priests are dominated by Priest Craft, who rule them. There is certainly alot of good in them, if they were left alone without Interference from those diabol crafty old Humbugs of Priests who go about imposing on their ignorance. We shall see each other in heaven. Mother still clings to her old Scotish faith. With love to all and yourself, Nephew Archie
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