| Title: | James Horner, Maryland to Thomas Horner, Bovevagh. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1469 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Horner, James/38 |
| Year | 1807 |
| Sender | Horner, James |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | private tutor |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Maryland, USA |
| Destination | Co.Derry, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Horner, Thomas |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | son-father |
| Source | T 1592/17: Copied by Permission of Hugh Conn Esq., Limavady, Co. Londonderry. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9006136 |
| Date | 30/10/1807 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 09:02:1994 |
| Word Count | 1888 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Near Easton Oct 30th 1807 State of Maryland Dear Father & Mother Having neglected writing you for some time past you are impressed with the Idea that it's want of natural affection, or that I am offended it is neither; for you must know, that though at a distance I may be transported yet the flight of my mind can never be stoped [stopped?]. but living a distance from any sea port [seaport?] town it was not in my power to write you so often as I could have wished. I had one consolation I received letters every year from you. I got two this year one in June, and the last the 4th of this month it came by Wm [William?] Douglas but I have not seen him I am thankful to learn that you and all my friends are well; you may rest assured that it would be a plasing [pleasing?] sight for me to see you all again and partake of the love that arises from true friendship. - I thank the Author of my existence that [torn] have enjoyed good health ever since I came to this country. I have not been an hour sick, which in my opinion is preferable to all the wealth we can possess. This fall has been extreamly [extremely?] unhealthy; scarse [scarce?] ever known before half a [as?] much sickness. In this climate the air is very changeable some day very warm and other cold. We have had rain in abundance this year the farmers have made excellant crops of Wheat and Indian Corn which is the staple article of this country Wheat sells from 9s 4 1/2d to 10s per bushel equal 5s 7 1/2d to 6s sterling but our market fluctuates own [owing?] to the demand abroad. I suppose it would sell very well with you. But from the present prospect its thought we will have a War with England which I would be sorry for. I will give you a short account of the present grievance. Our [frigate?] Chassapeake [Chesapeake?] Capt [Captain?] Barron was going to the Mediterriane [Mediterranean?] and not supposing that the British ship Leopard Capt [Captain?] Humphries would be guilty of such a thing was not prepared to give battle Capt [Captain?] Humphries ordered Capt [Captain?] Barron to call up his men on deck saying that he was informed he had 3 of his men deserters on board. Capt [Captain?] Barron said he had none of his men nor would he call the rolle [roll?]. without any farther questions Capt [Captain?] H. [Humphries?] gave the Chassapeake [Chesapeake?] two or three broad side Capt Barron struck and offered his vessel as a prise [prize?] to the Leopard Capt [Captain?] Humphries took 4 men. Our President Jefferson has ordered all British armed vessels to depart from our coasts and prohibited any supplies to be given them. so that our country is in an uproar Jefferson has ordered 100 thousand Militia to be raised and since that time we are preparing to defend ourselves. Congress are [meeting?] but they have had no dispatches from England the result is not known, Except concessions are made for this outrage it will be a war. If she declars [declares?] War she will loose [lose?] her possession in Canada and north America as the Citizens of the United States are enraged and formidable by land. The war near having disturbance among ourselves [Major?] Burr [?] having been put out of office on account of his conduct has been trying to subvert the government of the United States by separating them States. He #PAGE 2 thought to have made himself Emperor of Mexico but our Government has put a stop to it. He was taken and tried for treason of which charge he was acquitted. Tis thought that the judge was in favour of him he is to be tried for misdemeanor the result is not known. This is the case almost with every nations Designing ambitious Men that are not satisfied with any Government except they are at the head. Burr, two or three years ago filled the second station of honor and trust in our country and in such a short time tried like a fellon [felon?]! I am sorry to hear that disturbance is [?] in Ireland again. They will only get themselves destroyed; experience ought to teach them better and if they would only take a retrospective view of France and consider for a moment who is the greatest tyrant or usurper they will find the Emperor of France after all his fair declarations of republicanism, sent himself and all his friends on the [?] [?] you ought to cultivate peace and harmony among you. Let not religious principles put a desention among you Bigotry and prejudice has reigned long enough [torn] I hope the Lord will send peace to all nations. Land sells here from 30 to 40 dollars pr [per?] Acre but I am informed you can purchase land far preferrable [preferable?] in the back part of the country at 2 dollars. A great number are continually moving out and they give a very plausible account of that part of the Country the State of Ohio, Louisianna [Louisiana?] and the Missippi [Mississippi?] Territory. I would recommend all young men that are not satisfied with their native place to come to this country and I am confident they will not repent their migration they must not think to accumulate a fortune in two or three years but if they act with prudence they may live much better with less trouble than ever they can do in Ireland there is a little qualification necessary For a man to live easy he ought to be a scolar [scholar?] though there are many [ways?] of making a livelihood. I am very cautious in giving my friends an invitation; as they too often flatter themselves that their fortune is made when they come here but it requires industry and [?] diligence in you [your?] profession to accumulate wealth to Brother Thomas has commenced business in Newtown I will not advise him to come here as times appear to be troublesom [troublesome?] and as he is fixed convenient to his friends who will contribute as much as possible to assist him. - If he had not began business I was intend to have written for him this fall but under the present circumstances I will not encourage him, however if he finds that he cannot do well let him prepare and come over in spring but he must not think of getting back so soon as a days journey. If a war breaks out he will be best at home neither do I know when I shall have the pleasure of seeing all my friends and acquaintance. But let this not render any of you unhappy God is universal. When I came to this country I did not think of staying so long but time is like the flowing stream glides swiftly past. I am very well pleased with this country the longer a man is in it I believe he is the fonder of remaining. - I have only one wish if I had all my friends here as they are in Ireland I should think myself happy but that never will be therefore we never ought to render ourselves unhappy with things that are out of our power. Religion and Politics are the two principle subjects the first I shall inform #PAGE 3 you as [?] I know. The Methodists are getting to be very numerous. last Augt I was at a [?] meetting [meeting?] which lasted ten days and nights. They formd [formed?] a circle in the Woods perhaps 100 tents or upwards and some days they were upwards of 10 thousand people of all classes and denominations negros [negroes?] and whits [whites?] I suppose you are acquainted with their doctrine they hold out that you must be converted or born again and they are like the Montonists [Mennonists?] they get inspired but they cannot explain what it is. you will see them leaping and shouting and some times [sometimes?] get you would think into fits and lie as if dead and after they will rise and clap their hands and sing untill [until?] they are tired. repent and you will have your sins forgiven &c........ Now I shall let you know how I am situated at present after I left Chester town [Chestertown?] I went to Talbot County about 50 miles from Chester [Chestertown?] I taught a large scool [school?] there for 18 months and last month I have agreed with a Gentleman to instruct his children I have only two or three, and I have £100 and found in every thing [everything?] I never was as happily situated he is a member of Congress and a very wealthy man. I have every thing [everything?] that can render me happy here I have the liberty of an excellent library and other things that are necessary I have not an opportunity of seeing my Country men. Mr Samuel Douglas is well - you have heard of the death of his Brother he lost a friend when he lost him, he lives 300 miles from me but I here [hear?] from him by letter - Samuel Blair is well, James [Purstry?] of Belly Kelly [Ballykelly?] is well [When you write direct your letter to the care of Edward Lloyd Esqr and write your direction with care] Dear Mother I hope you will be content when you read this letter I have put down a few heaty remarks however it will give you to understand that I am happy and well and I wish you the same till I see you again J. H. [James Horner?] Give my love to Grand Father [Grandfather?] and Mother [Grandmother?] I am thankfull [thankful?] to here [hear?] they are on the land of the living - also to Unkle [Uncle?] Thomas and Aunt McCracken and family Aunt Rose and cousin Nancy Clark & Mrs [Milican?] Unkle [Uncle?] John Horner I hope he is well Aunt Horner and family I hope they are well also to Unkle [Uncle?] and Aunt Jackson and family. to Brother and Sister Jackson and to all my relations and enquiring neighbours as if I had named them. Brother Jacob I should be glad to have a letter from you to put us in mind of each other &c I intend to write to Brother Thomas - I hope the rest of my Brothers and sisters are living and well. I suppose they have forgot me by this time. Excuse this letter as I have written it in heste [haste?] May the Almighty God Bless you all whilst I remain your affectionate Son James Horner Mr Thos [Thomas?] and Jane Horner Remember me to Unkle [Uncle?] and Aunt Wallace and family I suppose they are living in the same part of the country also to Cousin James [Irons?] and #PAGE 4 family. I suppose all my old sweet hearts [sweethearts?] are married by this time, I think least I should be disappointed in not getting one I had better take one with me The ladies are very numerous here and they have a number of good qualities, among them they have that natural gift of Loving.... J. [James?] Horner Annapolis Oct Mr Thomas Horner near Dungiven Bovugh or Bovevagh County Londonderry 3/ Ireland Post Master [Postmaster?], please to forward this. 30 Oct 1807 |
