Iter Boreale Saint Georges Jamaica 14th
February 1829
Sir
your respected letter dated the 22nd October last has been
handed to me by one of the executors of the late Revd. C. Donaldson
that Gentleman died in September last.
Mr Robert Catanach of Cowa place in this parish died in may
last he had been long Complaining, and his complaint, it is beleived (sic)
Arose from Uneasiness on account of his Own private affairs
he having been involved in a ruinous chancery Suit for many
years, On account of the Estate of One Daniel Tooney who
died and left him one of his Executors, jointly with a person
of the name of John French KillKelly, who Kept it from the
Knowledge of Mr Catanach that he was an Executor, on the
death of KillKelly, which happened many years after the death
of Tooney, Mr C. discovered he had been named as executor
of Tooney and his affairs not having been settled by KillKelly
Mr Catanach, very unfortunately, Qualified on Tooneys Will
And Acted on it Rather incautiously, the Heirs of Tooney by their
Attorney James Simpson Esquire, required Mr C. to tender an
Account of the estate, which could not be done in a satisfactory
manner. Mr Catanachs Own affairs became completely in
volved and it is impossible for me to say how matters may
End. Aware of these circumstances I declined acting as Executor
And was Only persuaded to do so by my Solicitors promising
to bear me through harmless, I have advertised for all demands
Against the Estate to be sent in as soon as pofsible and
when I see into them, clearly, I will then be able to
furnish a statement of Mr Catanachs affairs, nothing shall be
wanted on my part, in endeavouring to bring matters to a favourable
Issue for the benefit of his Sisters to whom he leaves the principal part
of his property, the whole if clear would not ammount (sic) to more
than about ten or twelve hundred Sterling he had no houses or
land the place he resided upon, he had only a life lease of, he had
thirty five Slaves young and old two Horses a mare and (fallowes?)
And an old male, and home book debts and a little trifling
house hold furniture the whole has been valued on the Oaths
of two respectable persons and the Value Returned into the Secre
tarys office, I hope this information will be Satisfactory untill (sic) I
can see further into the deceaseds affairs when a Copy of his
Last Will and a true Statement of his affairs shall be sent to
you, I would have wrote immediately on the death of Mr C
but at that time I had almost determined not to act on his
Estate at Same time I Knew Doctor Cobhan was writing
the information it now appears he gave.
I am
With due respect
Sir
Your Most ob Servant
Adam Gray
To
The Reverend Alexander Reid
Minister of
Kildrummy
Near Inverury
Aberdeenshire