The Black Sheep of the Family

This is not a normal post, but a piece of family history. Most families have the proverbial ‘black sheep’, the person nobody mentions. I never knew I had a great uncle called Harry, bother to my grandfather. Recently, going through me mother’s belongings I found an old letter dated 1935, from this relative who was living in Brazil at the time. Then, the country was going through major political turmoil. But this isn’t a history lesson, but rather the story of one ne’er-do-well who had bene living on his uppers in Argentina and Brazil, before finally landing an interesting job on what to us would be a huge cattle ranch. The little details of daily life, the family problems and the repeated calls for his brother – my grandfather – to ‘forgive’ him are fascinating. I wish I knew more about him. He never returned to England, for he is not listed on the family gravestone.

To help navigation I have added punctuation (he seems to run everything into endless sentences separated by commas). Charles was my grandfather and Ethel my grandmother. He refers to Stanley, my Uncle (but not to Patience, my mother, who would have been 12 when this letter was written). I have transcribed it below, with images of the original, yellowing letter as well.

The Miranda Estancia Co. Ltd., Matto Grosso, Brasil

April 18, 1935

Dear Charles, 

I received a letter from Dorothy Lindley yesterday in which she tells me she heard from Doris that poor old Bill had passed away. Well we are sorry the end has come, and we all have to go some time. 

I have not written you before as things have been rather bad with me. When I got back to the Argentine everything was just Hell, could not get a job of any sort, for years I tried to get work, once had a job as painter down in the docks, after that done any old thing even did washing clothes, at last was able (?)  to get relief from a benevolent family their (sic) by helping to wash up the plates and clean up generally got into there (sic) good books and they paid my passage to Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. There I was lucky enough to meet an old friend and he put me in touch with the representative of the above company, who were wanting a manager for their place. I got the job. 

This is a small farm of about 335 square miles. We have about 50,000 head of cattle on the place, about 400 horses. Of course, it is very wild up here, one just carries your life in your hand. We have no protection, all the men are armed with revolvers and we have guards in different places, two at each station and they are armed with rifles. We also have a large dried meat factory also (sic) which comes under my management. We are about to have (?) a journey by train from Rio and what a journey. Matto Grosso means dense forest and believe me it is all forest. Am sitting here in my house and as one looks round all is forest, but it is a nice life if one likes this sort of thing. They pay me about 60 Real a month everything found – a house, food, and anything I like to order, also like Boss to do just what I think best, I have the P.P. to buy and sell and do business as I think best. 

I found my son Harold and am sorry to say that he was taken ill with T.B. of the throat (?) and is now at a Sanatorium and am afraid he will not get better. He is married with two kiddies who at present are with me. 

I have not heard from Ellen since I came out here. I don’t want to, did she haille (?)  you in any way? I hope not. 

Well, old man, what are you doing now? Have you got rid of the old firm and retired yet? Why not take a trip out to see me and bring Stanley with you. It would be an education for the boy. Come out and shoot some tigers, we have plenty here. We lose about 3,000 head of cattle a year only by tigers. You like nature I know. Well, you get it here. You will not want to go to the zoo after coming out here. 

This is an English Company, the Head Office is River Plate House, Finsbury Circus, London. Sir Ernest Bell is the Chairman of the Company. If you are in London at any time go into the office and ask them to give you a copy of the Board Meeting of Wednesday, 5 December, 1934 in which you will see they say they have a new manager, you can tell them you are my brother (if you are not ashamed to), and tell them you are coming out to see me. 

Well, old man, as I have said I was starving in Buenos Aires, but thank God have got a stand again. 

I should like to see you again before the end and often think of the good times we had together and the many kindnesses you have to me. 

I hope Ethel and all the family are well. Please give them my love. 

Bye (sic) the way, do you know what happened to Dunley Hill? I often wish I had never seen the place, and stayed on at dear little “Gaffsland” (?). Have you sold it yet? 

Now get a move on my son and come out to see me. You can well afford it and the trip would do you good. I would try and meet you in Rio, but that would depend on when you came and believe me I have some work to do in running a place like this. The end of the year is the best time for me to get away, that is when the floods are up and we cannot work cattle. Stanley would like to see a lot (?) of cattle of about 5,000 and the time when we have them up to brand (?) and mark them. 

Address to me: Miranda Estancia Co., Miranda E.F.N.O.B., Matto Grosso, Brasil.

Let me hear from you soon old man, forgive me for anything that I should not have done. Take care of yourself. Hope you are well.

Your loving Bro., Harry