Dr Reid on the Family of Sir Isaac Newton. ^95 
Newton, desiring to know the state of his family, what children 
he had, particularly what sons, and in what way they were. 
The old proud knight never returned an answer to this letter, 
thinking probably that Sir Isaac was some upstart, who want- 
ed to claim a relation to his worshipful house. This omission 
the children regretted, conceiving that Sir Isaac might have 
had a view of doing something for their benefit. 
After this, I mentioned occasionally in conversation what I 
knew, hoping that these facts might lead to some more certain 
discovery ; but I found more coldness about the matter than I 
thought it deserved. I wrote an account of it to Dr Gregory, 
your colleague, that he might impart it to any member of the 
Antiquarian Society, who, he judged, might have the curiosity 
to trace the matter farther. 
In the year 1787, my colleague, Mr Patrick Wilson, profes- 
sor of astronomy, having been in London, told me on his re- 
turn, that he had met accidentally with a James Hutton, Esq. 
of Pimhco, Westminster, a near relation of Sir Isaac Newton, 
to whom he mentioned what he had heard from me with re- 
spect to Sir Isaac’s descent, and that I wished much to know 
something more decisive on that subject. Mr Hutton said, if 
I pleased to write to him, he would give me all the informa- 
tion he could give. I wrote him accordingly, and had a very 
polite answer, dated at Bath, 25th December 1787, which is 
now before me. He says, “ I shall be glad, when I return to 
London, if I can find in some old notes of my mother, any 
thing that may fix the certainty of Sir Isaac’s descent. If 
he spoke so to Mr James Gregory, it is most certain he spoke 
truth. But Sir Isaac’s grandfather, not his great-grandfather, 
must be the person who came from Scotland with King James I. 
If I find any thingtothe purpose,Iwill take care it shall reach you.” 
In consequence of this letter, I expected another from Mr 
Hutton when he should return to London, but have never had 
any. Mr Wilson told me he was a very old man, and whether 
he be dead or alive I know not. 
This is all I know of the matter, and for the facts above 
mentioned, I pledge my veracity. I am much obliged to you, 
Dear Sir, for the kind expressions of your affection and esteem, 
which, I assure you, are mutual on my part, and I sincerely 
sympathise with you on your afflicting state of health, which 
