Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of transcripts of letters written between 1834 and 1845 to James Armstrong of Dumfriesshire, Scotland, by his two sons Robert and James, who emigrated from Scotland to Peoria County, Illinois.
James and Robert Armstrong were the sons of James Armstrong. The two brothers were originally from Scotland but immigrated to Peoria County, Illinois, in the mid-nineteenth century.
The transcribed letters in this collection describe life in Illinois and mention the sons' adjustment to American life and the problems of purchasing and working a farm.
This collection was acquired by the Illinois Historical Survey (predecessor to the Illinois History and Lincoln Collections) prior to 1967.