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Title: Thomas Hay, England to "My dear Cousin Bella"
ID1377
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileHay, Thomas/66(2)
Year1900
SenderHay, Thomas
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationsoldier
Sender Religionunknown
OriginCanterbury, Kent, England
DestinationCastledamph, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland
RecipientSmyth, Bella M.
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipcousins
SourceCopyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com
ArchiveMr & Mrs J Smyth
Doc. No.508009
Date6/11/1900
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 19:08:2005.
Word Count644
Genre
Note
Transcript[Page 1]

(1)
6/11/00
Cavalary Depot
Canterbury
Kent

My Dear Cousin Bella
I am pleased to have the
pleasure of answering your
kind and welcome letter
you dont know how glad I
am when I hear from my
Friends in Ireland but I
was thinking you were thinking
me mean for not answering
to you sooner Dear Cousin

[Page 2]
(2)

I dont think I know or heard
of James Ballantine but I
would have liked to been
over there with you to be in
the fun especially when the
courting time came round.
Dear Cousin I was thinking the
hard work for the year was
very near over and I suppose you
all are not sorry but I can
assure you Cousin I like the
work of course it was a change
for me I also enjoyed myself
well the time I had over with
you all in Ireland I

[Page 3]
3

have never felt content since
I left I feel as if I could walk
back at times when I think how
happy we were at Aunt
Mary's I only wish I could see
her more often I am looking
forward to getting over again
at Christmas for a short
time. My Dear Cousin I dont
know who ever could say I
always had whisky when ever I
went to Uncle William for I
dont remember ever having any
thing with him except on the
twelth of july and that was

[Page 4]
(4)

in our own house with Aunt and
the day we went to Bendoran
and I dont see as he ought to
find fault with me speaking
to Tilda I think if any body
should have had any fault
to find Aunt Mary would
have spoken to me about
it and I dont think Tilda
can be blamed for her Sister's
bad conduct do you Cousin
but never mind I dont think
much about it now perhaps
he is sorry and I shall never
feel ill against him only
I did not like him saying what
he did in Gortin but I

[Page 5]
(5)

hope there wont be any
disagreeableness through me,
Dear Cousin I would like
to hear of Uncle Charle being
settled down with a contented
mind I think he is worrying
himself too much I hope he is
in good health also Aunt and
Lizzie. Dear Cousin I am very
sorry to hear of Mr Houston
being very ill I liked him very
much he was such a sensible
man and a man you could
learn something from I liked
to be in his company I have

[Page 6]
(6)

often thought of writing a
line to him but I do not
know his address

Dear Cousin you cannot
expect poor Mary to sit down
and write after walking home
from the Plum [Plumbridge?]
at night and standing on her
legs all day I know well you
people at home have to work hard
enough feeding etc I wish I
could give you all a squeese
and a kiss before going to
bed and put nettles in

[Page 7]
(7)

with you I never get any
drinks of milk now I should
like a bit of your bread and
butter for tea I am getting
a better appetite now
I think I should get it
alright if Dear Aunt would
be kindd enough to send
a bit I should enjoy it
Dear Cousin I have not
heard from Cousin James
yet I am sure I vexed him
when I wrote to him from
Africa b [but?] he has never
Answered

[Page 8]
(8)

the letter I wrote to him
while I was home with you.

Dear Cousin
I think I have said
all this time hoping
these few lines will find you
and Dear (Aunt) Uncle and
Cousins in the best of health
give Liza a kiss for me
remember me to all Friends
give them my best wishes

I remain your
ever Loving Cousin
T [Tommy?] Hay
with Love and Kisses xxxxxx



Transcribed by Gordon Drummond