Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 5 January 1789
![](https://ciim-data.nts.org.uk/media/iiif/3/pf%2F2%2F1%2F39%2F694%2FNTSBRNp06537.ptif/full/!640,640/0/default.jpg)
Key details
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/04/494
- Alt. number
- 3.6084.w
- Date
- 5 January 1789
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Syme, John (Author)
- Recipient
- Cunningham, Alexander
- Archive number
- NTS/02/25/BRN/04/494
- Alt. number
- 3.6084.w
- Date
- 5 January 1789
- On display
- No
- Creator
- Syme, John (Author)
- Recipient
- Cunningham, Alexander
Description
Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, dated Barcailzie, 5 January, 1789.
One of a series of 30 letters between John Syme and Alexander Cunningham, collectively known as the Cunningham Collection.
John Syme (1755 - 1831) was a Collector of Stamps in the Excise and became a friend of Burns when the family moved to Dumfries in 1791. He visited Burns at Brow Well on 15 July 1796 and again a few days later in Dumfries, where he was horrified at his friend's deteriorated condition. After Burns' death a few days later, Syme and Dr Maxwell organised his funeral. Syme also worked with Cunningham in raising money to help support Burns' widow Jean and remaining children.
Archive information
Place of creation
Themes
Hierarchy
-
Correspondence and other documents relating to Robert Burns
(
a sub-fonds is a subdivision in the archival material)
- Letter from John Syme to Alexander Cunningham, 5 January 1789
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