| Title: | Patrick Fitzgerald, New York, to Michael Cahill, Quebec |
|---|---|
| ID | 1055 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Fitzgerald, Patrick Jr/12 |
| Year | 1844 |
| Sender | Fitzgerald, Patrick |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | mentions being employed |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Dansville, New York, USA |
| Destination | Quebec, Canada |
| Recipient | Cahill, Michael |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers in law |
| Source | Emigrant letters of the Fitzgerald family, Co. Tipperary, 1829-1907. copyright reserved by Edwina Goddard, 750 san Fernando ST, Sandiego, CA 92106, USA. |
| Archive | The Ulster American Folk Park |
| Doc. No. | 9511089 |
| Date | 26/10/1844 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 17:11:95. |
| Word Count | 674 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Old Irish Letters Letter from Patrick Fitzgerald, Dansville, Livingston Co., New York, 26 October 1844. To his brother-in-law & Sister, Michael & Mary Fitzgerald Cahill, Quebec, Canada. Addressed: Michael Cahill Esq, Lemesuerier & Co, Quebec, L.C Postmarked: Dansville, N.Y. Oct.(?); Queenston, U.C Oct30; Quebec, L.C., Nov 6, 1844. Cream paper in very poor condition, folded, creased, tearing on creases, holes, one piece loose, sealed with red sealing wax. Dansville Oct 26, 1844 Beloved Brother-in-law & Sister The seeming negligence on your part in never answering a letter of mine induced me not to write untill such time as a letter from me may be welcome and answered by you. Even now I would not write had not Eliza told me you would like to hear from me now. The reason that I now write hoping at the same time sincerity is at the bottom of it, which I do not doubt, she has also told me that Mr. & Mrs. O Donnel are well. I am happy indeed to hear and their welfare gives me the greatest pleasure. I wrote two or three letters to them but recd [received] no answer and as a consquence thought that like the rest of my Quebec Correspondence that it was unwelcome, hoping that this at least will be inducive to have them write to me. I shall always have great pleasure in hearing from them or you. In speaking of the pleasure which will naturally arise in the bosom of any individual hearing from those with whom he has once become associated it is a gratifying thought that his friends are doing well when then it is gratifyuing [gratifying] to hear of only an acquaintance doing well, how much more gratifying that pleasure which tells us that those who are most dear to us on earth are enjoying those happy moments through the journey (Page 2) of life which is only the reward of rectitude and the fruits of integrity. On the contrary how is it with those who have ever isolated themselves and kept aloof from those associations which nature itself has enjoined upon them to perform and which a just appreciation of duty should impel us forward to that eternal goal of happiness, Life Immortal. Even temporally speaking how much sweeter the consolation is when we know that we have never neglected our duty to our friends, be they what they may, I cannot possibly avoid complaining of your neglect, though God knows I do it most unwillingly once. Just consider it yourself to be now for almost 5 years without ever having a direct word from you. Under some circumstances this may be excused, but as a truth, and I regret to say it, I can see no reason which could prevent you from writing if only one line to say you are well. But yet you have only reasons of which I know nothing which I hope you will be so condescending as to give immediately on receipt of this. How long ago it is since [I?] you heard from me verbal or otherwise I don't know so to give you a long history of my "ups & downs" with the world in this much paper were to be more than I could do. I suppose you are aware of the business I follow. I have (Page 3) I have been out of my time about 18 months and have been attacked with the billious [bilious?] cholic, or more properly as inflammation of the bowels, twice which took all the money I had spent I have hired out to the man I am to work for at present for one year for 275 dollars and boarding, or very near 23 dollars per month. I have now been to work about two months for hire and thanks be to God my health is very good and hope if it continues good to lay up some of my wages but at present it is impossible for me to do. I will expect a letter from home in a very little while for I have written home. I hope you will not delay answering this as I shall be very anxious to hear from you. I am much hurried at present and must excuse the writing as well as some of the dictation. While I remain Your &c &c P. Fitzgerald (with rubrica flourish) P.S. Direct your letter to me Dansville, Livingstone Co., N.Y/ Dont forget to write, best respects to all enquiring friends. This letter is in the possession of Edwina T. Goddard (Mrs. W. R. Goddard). 750 San Fernando Street San Diego, California 92106 |
