| Title: | William Montgomery, Manchester, to Joseph [Searight?], Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| ID | 1830 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Montgomery, William/45(2) |
| Year | 1858 |
| Sender | Montgomery, William |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | linen merchant |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Destination | Philadelphia, Penn., USA |
| Recipient | Searight, Joseph |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | D 2794/1/2/109: Presented by H.H. Montgomery, 4 Kensington Gds., Belfast 5 |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9510166 |
| Date | 07/09/1858 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LET |
| Log | Document added by LT, 20:10:95. |
| Word Count | 842 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | 16 Plymouth Grove Manchester September 7 1858 My dear Joseph, When in Ireland two weeks since,I was [grieved?] to learn that you had been called in the [---?] of a Divine,but inscrutable Providence [to?] [mourn?] [over?] the loss of one of your dear children. Under such trying circumstances, there can be but one consolation that they are not lost but gone before that we mourn not as those without hope. If the having dear relatives in heaven is any inducement for us to follow in the same path they trod, you can share many inducements to run the same race they ran, that at least we may with them be found [Pure?] than any means through him who has loved us and [washed?] us from [our?] [sins?] in his own blood.The past 12 months have been months of trial, and suffering to many indeed I think there are few who have not had their own share of mental, and bodily suffering.I have not been exempt from severe trial and long continued & deep anxiety away from the commercial crisis and the consequent stagnation of business indeed for months visions of expansion, and consequent Insolvency floated before me, but I am deeply thankful to the Providence of God which has led,and guided me thus far,and has with every difficulty made a way for my escape. I trust I may be enabled by his grace to devote myself and all I have to his service. This season of trial and suffering has not been without its good and salutary effects on myself and my dear wife. Although not at any time utterly indifferent as to our souls salvation, we had not made any decided stand to serve God, and had many prejudices to be overcome. In mercy there have all been swept away, and though the means used have not been as gentle as [our?] [past?],[-----?], & weak nature would have liked, yet they have been such as our heavenly Father has seen fit to use, for the purposes of his grace concerning us. We have joined the Methodist body here and it is in earnest of prayer that He who has began the good work in us will perfect the same even to the end. I hope in your trials you are enabled to recognize the hand of [your?] Heavenly Father and to say "The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away,and blessed be the Name of the Lord." Since I last wrote you we have had another added to our famley [family?],making in all 1 boy and 2 girls. our responsibility is yearly increasing. Passing however from these present matters I cannot give you much Irish news. Robert & Anne Jane [Mo--e?] are as well as usual an have had an increase of another boy to their family within the last few months,but of this I suppose you have heard. Wm [William?] & Anne Thompson's eldest daughter has been married to one of Jimmy Malcomson's sons who might be her Father. family. [Hannah?] [Capper?] who was seriously ill most of the winter is now nearly recovered. There is no change in my Fathers family. Rachel is at present staying with us and [Alicia?] I believe is going on a visit to Scotland this week. My father I think enjoys as good health as he has done for years past. Mrs [Montgomery?] is [constantly?] [annoying?] & fretting herself about her Aunt [Kelly?] who has completely lost her mental faculties and is almost in a state of dotage. Business in this city has not yet [recovered?] that terrible crash of 1859 and we have had to struggle through a horrible period of depression and stagnation. We are however I believe slowly,but steadily recovering and regaining our footing on firm ground; and with a good harvest secured I hope we may have a good seasons business.The Americans came into the markets very cautiously, and [busy?] working [stained] for immediate wants. For that we are again at Peace with China, and the Indian Mutiny nearly suppressed I think the prospects are bright for the future I trust there may be an abundant harvest [gleaned ?] on your side of Breadstuffs, provisions & cotton Manufactured goods I am told are at present dearer than even they have had before I mean cotton goods and all other are advancing gradually we are threatened with a very short crop of flax on the continent and yours are very much advanced in the last 2 months so that you may look for higher prices in Linens. I have been appointed about here for a very respectable [house?] in Belfast. Wm [William?] [Ewart?] [---?] [opened?] Muslin & Linen Manufacturers & Bleachers they are however I should think known to you. If there is any way in which we could do more business to mutual advantage I would be very glad to do so as you know the market with your products You could suggest something I like. Be glad to hear from you soon and with kind and sympathising love from my wife Your affectionate [Cousin?] William Montgomery |
