| Title: | Henry Johnson, Smithville to Jane Johnson, Antrim. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1556 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Johnson, Henry/7 |
| Year | 1849 |
| Sender | Johnson, Henry |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | shop assistant |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Smithville, Canada West |
| Destination | Co. Antrim, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Johnson, Jane |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | husband-wife |
| Source | T 2319/1: Copied by Permission of The British Museum, London WC1.v |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9404130 |
| Date | 03/03/1849 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 20:04:1994. |
| Word Count | 130 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Letter 6 Henry Johnson, Smithville, Canada West to Jane Johnson, Antrim. Undated, but postmarked 3 March 1849. Saint Ann's Township of Gainsborough Smithville Post Office Canada West My Dearest Jane I received my Uncle's letter enclosing one from you on the 21st. February and I assure you it was welcome although it might have been longer and Contained a little more information. I think it was a very foolish speculation your commencing business again in Antrim untill [until?] you Knew whether you would come out to America or not. But I expected something of the Kind from different Circumstances although you did not confide it to me before I came away. But no matter I am sure you done it for the best and there is an end of it. Since I wrote to you last I met with a Mr. James Barbour who was at one time well acquainted with My Uncle MacKay in Antrim and is cousin to James Philips. He keeps store in this place and I have been assissting [assisting?] him in it now two months and although not securing a Salary in the meantime yet my prospects are getting better. He is about removing in the Summer farther up the Country and he proposes to take me into partnership with him or else allow me Salary as an assisstant [assistant?] I have made him acquainted with all the Circumstances relative to us and asked his advice about you Coming out in the Spring. He gives me every encouragement to bring you out and to resolve to Settle myself permanently in the country and my own opinion perfectly corresponds with his, that is if you come out for without you I will settle myself no place. There is no question, My Dearest Jane, as to which of the two Countries is the best for parties Situated as we are. Here every Kind of living is four times cheaper and at the same time work of every Kind is trebly paid for. A family of children has infinitely better prospects of being provided for and receiving an excellent education free, but independant [independent?] of these considerations it would be only involving us in further difficulties my returning to the Old Country and resuming debts which I think I have had sufficient trouble about already. My Dearest Jane, this paper would not contain all the reasons I might urge for the determination I have Come to of making Canada my future home unless Something occurs of which I am not at present aware. At the same time I am determined to be united to you again here or there let what like be the consequence. I wrote to Wm [William?] McKeen and Isabella but have not yet received any reply. If I had known Sooner I could have called to see them as I was up near the part where they live which is a very excellent part of the Country and rapidly improving. I expect to see them shortly as it is up near that Mr. Barbour is going to remove. I have had an excellent opportunity of Seeing and judging of the Country Since I came here. Mr. Barbour and I drove through it looking out for a suitable place nearly 500 miles. It is very essential before Settling down to look out for the most healthy part and on these accounts I do not regret so much not getting a place Sooner. With this letter I would have sent you Some money to assisst [assist?] in Bringing you out, but there is no Merchant or Bank near this having any communication with those in the Old Country. But I hope, Jane Dear, you will be able to do that and more - prepare yourself well and write immediatly [immediately?] when you receive this and also before you leave. Name the Ship you sail in and to what port and I hope and trust you will get Some one of your acquaintance to Come with you. When you land write immediatly [immediately?]. To the Care of Mr. James Barbour the directions you will see at the head of this. It is such an important step and involving So much trouble and change of Circumstances to you that really, My Dear Jane, I feel a little confused in this writing and Cannot So fully explain myself as I could wish but you will excuse me and having your own good sense and feeling to assist me. I have given you the best view I can take on the subject and without any colouring but truth. Judge well for yourself. In the hope and prospect of meeting you Shortly. I pray God to protect and direct you and am yours ever faithfull [faithful?] and [?] Henry Johnson P.S. The letter I sent from Liverpool was sent to the Care of Jas. [James?] Philip. I am Sorry you did not receive it. Give my love to your family and remember me to my Mother and Uncle. Inform me in your next how all parties in Antrim are going on. Jane Dearest you did not fulfill my wishes about the house. Has Beck [paid?] [?] you. Tell me fully and plainly and without reserve your thoughts and feelings and Jane Dearest anything I can do Shall be done to make you happy and forgive anything wrong in the foregoing and receive my love till death. H.J. [Henry Johnson?] Kiss the Children for me. If possible get Letters to some person in the place you come to here. On no account neglect that. I would say this much that those who are doing well at home and a prospect of continuing to do so ought not to come here. Those who are not it is just the place for them although there will be great difficulties to overcome. The place I live in here is about 500 miles from Quebec. You Can Come nearly all the way by water. It is about 80 miles up to London where Isabella is. Wm. [William?] McKeen about 30 farther. Dearest I can say no more. I am thinking great long to see you write off at once. (On the outside of this letter is inscribed 'Bring the gun') |
