| Title: | Charlotte Grimshaw, Wilmington USA, To Her Uncle [Ireland?] |
|---|---|
| ID | 1279 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Grimshaw, Charlotte/13 |
| Year | 1858 |
| Sender | Grimshaw, Charlotte |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | teacher |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Wilmington, Delaware or N. Carolina?, USA |
| Destination | Ireland |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | niece to her uncle |
| Source | T 1116/52: Obtained from Miss Duffin, Summerhill, Stranmillis Belfast. #TYPE EMG Charlotte Grimshaw, Wilmington, U.S.A. to "My Dear Uncle", 8 July 1858. |
| Archive | Public Record N. Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 8905002 |
| Date | 08/07/1858 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | 22:05:1989 LT created 08:11:1990 CD input 14:11:19 |
| Word Count | 952 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Wilmington July 8 1858 My Dear Uncle Could you see me now you would not recognize the little child to whom you bade farewell. Years have brought some joy more sorrow, our dear Mother left us a helpless band of orphans but our beloved Father cared for us all, we were never rich, but we always had enough for a respectable appearance. First, my eldest Brother William went to the then far West; he prospered and was happy: years passed, trade suffered and, to relieve my dear Father, I came here to teach. Jackson joined William in the West, where he is rising to eminence in his profession. James, you know, has gone where sorrow comes not. Of our dear Father you always heard, for dearly did he prize your letters, they were a cordial to his spirits amidst many trials. God took away this best of Parents, my heart's idol as with a stroke, three short weeks and we were left alone on earth. Days only add to the sorrow, I know he is happy but we have lost love and care which earth never can replace. I sometimes feel as if I could not live without his love and wisdom to guide and cheer. You have always seemed so like a friend even unknown that I wished to see you and love you for my dear Fathers sake. Oh! how he mourned when one of the loved ones was taken. I often begged him to visit you but the oft promised visit was delayed, you will meet where parting is unknown. Could you not write to me tell me of all my dear Parent's relatives of yourself. Mrs Smith often speaks of you. Dr Smith's death under very afflicting circumstances crushed her once buoyant spirit; she has since lost two brothers, the last by an explosion of a very sad character. She has been a firm friend to us. My Sister Harriet is married and has five children; she lives near William. Arthur and his wife Isabel Eliza and myself live together. My dear Mother's only sister is dead, her husband married again and they all live in Middle town Connecticut. You know my Father married about four years before his death. I believe although his wife was not highly educated or refined she was affectionate and kind, and since my dear Father's death I have visited her and been always received with affection. She had two children of her own. Robert, your namesake was 16 months old when our dear Father died: Mary was born about two months after, and never claimed a Father's love. I named Mary for your Mother, of whom our dear Father always spoke with devoted love. Robert has lived with me since he was two years old, the last words my dear Father spoke were to commend him to my care and receive my promise that I would care for him, as my youngest Brother: he possesses bright talents and warm affection and, if rightly managed and educated, will be a credit to your name; he is now eight years old. I often speak to him of you and endeavour to make him worthy of you and of his Father Many times I have thought of writing to you and giving you these accounts. Little Mary resides with her Mother in Camden, New Jersey: with the money my dear Father left her, she purchased a small frame house, and supports herself and another daughter, a very good girl, besides Mary, with the profits of plain sewing, which are very small; both children attend the Public school. Mary is very pretty and resembles my Father and brother Jackson; she is very delicate, I fear the place is not healthy and she does not get nourishing food. I have always given her warm clothes but our climate in Winter is very severe and the situation is bleak. Her Mother's relatives cannot assist her. I feel as if it is my duty to do all I can. God knows I wish it were more. The financial embarrassments of the last year have affected our business we have not lost, but we have not realized any thing, we will only clear our expenses, prospects are not much better for business next. Arthur works hard, and succeeds but he is a beginner, his health is better; he used too much exertion for many years. I received last evening from Camden a letter so distressing that I determined to make this statement to you without delay. Mary is very sick, the Dr [Doctor?] orders a change of air and diet which her Mother says she cannot procure. Could you, my dear Uncles, for I will, through you, appeal to all, give me a small sum for these children a little would aid me much and God would reward you. I know had it pleased God to spare our dear Parents he would have supported these little ones, and aided his brothers had it been necessary. Will you write to me, when you receive this and grant my petition not for me, but these helpless ones, their Mother writes to me her eyes are failing, she cannot sew much more. I wish you would visit our country, you would admire the grand and beautiful scenery, the difference of manners would please you, but alas! our dear Father could not welcome you, his voice is silent in the grave. Tell me of all our dear relatives. I cannot remember my island home but my heart is with her, I am but little of an American. I would welcome the sight of my native land. May that God who rules all nations watch over and guard you, is the prayer of Your most affectionate niece Charlotte Grimshaw. |
