Bad writing by the Rev

[your pete]

I am having great difficulty working out what the attached note says. Suggestions welcomed.I will post after this a "negative" copy, which is sometimes easier to read.

I know that there is connection with this Fetherstonhaugh family to a James Fetherstonhaugh who was a minister of Knockbreda Church for many years, dying in June 1800.
There is a marriage (c1820’s) in the family to a Thomas Taye or Toye who is a Minister.
The three male persons I have in the possible family are James, Richard Charles, & Adam Vance.
The rest are girls. When I look at the males of the previous generation there are Jas or James, Thomas Boyle, and Richard.


My reading is as follows –

Mr James? Fetherston H (This is an abbreviation for Fetherstonhaugh) is the Grandson of the late Rev James? Fetherston of Knockbreda Rectory in the County Down in the neighbourhood of Belfast. I understand? that he discharged? his little property by unknown unknown unknown  "do"  "do" (under the word property in the line above)

signed by ….. Thomas Toye
                        Presbyterian Minister
Belfast October 29 : 1851


Many thanks

Peter

[your pete]

Negative copy

[trish18]

I have looked at the letter several times and am seeing 'I understand that he destroyed his little property'.

Regards

Trish

[GR2]

.... by horses hounds sporting &c &c. 

[TimothBStard]

.... "discharged" might account for the dot, not that it makes much difference to the overall message!

[your pete]

GR2 - you have cast a new light on this church going gentleman - but in everyone there is a weakness. Very interesting and perhaps explains one of the reasons the note has survived
As others have noted destroyed or discharged does not really take away from the main message.

many many thanks all.

peter