James and Mary HARPER (General)

by Sheila Snuggs, Friday, October 17, 2008, 05:53 (5892 days ago) @ Carol Hansford

Hi Carol,
Here goes re my interest in the Harper family. It's a long story, so hope
you have plenty of time.

My friend, Yvonne [nee Harper] was clearing the attic of her father's
bungalow this summer. She came across an old leather suitcase full of
photos, papers, etc. She told me about this, saying, don't know when I'll
get around to looking at them. I'll put them in my loft. So I volunteered.

I have had a fascinating few months.

After sorting photos & more recent letters, I came across about 10 letters
written from San Francisco in 1870s & 80s. The letters started Dear Mother &
were signed H.P.Harper. I looked on 1880 US census & found the family.

The letters are interesting in that many are over written & need
transcribing. The writer has written his letter, then turned the paper 90
degrees & continued writing on top of his previous script.

I have found lots of snippets of info from the letters & been able to trace
them to Newland.

1841 James Newland & widowed mother Hannah living at Scatterford Farm or
House.

1851 James, wife Elizabeth, son Henry Paglar, daughter Maria living at
Scatterford.

No sign of the family in 1861 but 1871 Elizabeth is a housekeeper in
Sussex, married not widowed.

In one of the letters Henry states he would like to return to England, go to
Gloucester Asylum & pay his father's debts.

I looked up 1881 & there is a Harper in Gloucester Asylum, transcribed as
Jno but on original image looks to me more like Jas. However his occupation
is given as butcher not farmer, so think this is not my man.

Have searched for info about James & his demise but found nothing. So would
be really grateful if you could throw any light on this family.

Thanks for info on Scatterford Farm. Am suggesting to Yvonne that she stays
a few nights there B&B to soak up some of her family history.

Sheila