Scottish Archive Network Exhibitions
 
Other Exhibitions
Helen Guthrie 1663
Jean Cuthbert 1680
Christian Speid 1760s
Margaret Scott 1770s
Anne Anderson 1770s
Anne Wyllie 1782
Margaret Speid 1840s
Jemima Hay 1873
Miss Dick 1873
Hannah MacEwen 1882
Isa Cunningham 1916
Betty Jamieson 1931
Business Woman 1948
 
  Isa Cunningham - Brechin, 1916


Image of letters written by Isa Cunningham

Isa Cunningham lived in the Clydesdale Bank House, Brechin. She was engaged to Charles Jamieson, a Brechiner who worked in London. They conducted a long distance engagement and the romance was kept alive by the mail. Isa wrote Charles 30 page letters almost every week. She kept him informed of local events and friends plus the progress of arrangements for the wedding.

Isa reassured Charles on 20 January 1915 that she did not care whether he could buy her expensive presents or not "You know I am not fond of much jewellery. I think I have about enough to last me all my life. I like a few things and I like them good. I don't like a lot of showy things. And I have got such a beauty of a ring that I can never be ashamed of".

Many of the letters informed Charles of wedding gifts received. Isa became quite obsessed about the lack of a toast rack and salt and peppers.

"I have written thanking her [Mrs Stark]. It was most kind. But this is now my 4th case of afternoon tea knives. Why does no one think of a toast rack or salts and peppers!! for a change."

Charles and Isa married on 1st June 1915 in Glasgow and honeymooned at Lake Windermere. They spent the rest of their lives in London but continued to visit Brechin regularly with their children, Betty and Willie.

Angus Archives MS 473