| Title: | Jane Ellen Orr, Portaferry, to John M. Orr, Chicago. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2013 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Orr, Jane Ellen/91 |
| Year | 1847 |
| Sender | Orr, Jane Ellen |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Prob. Protestant |
| Origin | Portaferry, Co. Down, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Recipient | Orr, John M. |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by John McCleery, 80 Circular Road, Belfast,BT4 2GD. |
| Archive | Ulster American Folk Park. |
| Doc. No. | 9702149 |
| Date | 06/08/1847 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LTE |
| Log | Document added by LT, 10:02:97. |
| Word Count | 724 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Portaferry 6th Augt. 1847 Friday My Dear John Tom Maxwell has just been bidding us "Good byes," he is leaving this in the morning for New York, and has kindly offered to take a letter for you, and try and find out your address, and have it posted in America. This is now the fourth letter that has been written to you. I received yours of the 15th July and on that day wrote you a tremendously long one addressed to Chicago, but I much fear that there is very little chance of you ever receiving it, we were much annoyed that you did not receive either of Dada's letters, I can't imagine how they had gone astray. Should you go to Chicago, I suppose we will not hear so regularly from you, as I believe letters going or coming so far inland are very apt to go astray. Surely you have seen Tom Warnock before this, I am sure you would be astonished to see him landing. I wonder how he likes America, he has seen a good deal of it by this time, I daresay. I suppose you have seen the "Falls of Niagara", I should like to know what you thought of that splendid scene, for splendid it must be from all accounts. I am sure sailing through all the lakes to Chicago would be delightful. We are all very anxious to know what you are about, whether you have got a situation, or whether you have commenced on your own account, or if there is any chance or your succeeding - all these things we would like exceedingly to know, but I suppose we will have to wait some time yet before our curiosity is satisfied. We received your two last papers from Caledonia. I hear Uncle James of Belfast got one from you also at the same time. Anna & Mary McCleery are still with us, they leave on Monday morning, they have been a fortnight here to-day. "I guess" you are "summat" of a Yankee now, I am sure you cut a great swell in America. I would like very much to get a peep at you, particularly when you have got the breast pin in. When you and Tom Warnock would meet I am sure you would have a wonderful lot of things to tell each other. He would not be able to give you much P'ferry [Portaferry?] news, as he left this about a week after you, his friends will be anxious until they hear from him. Miss M. Warnock is still in Scotland, I fear she is still continuing very poorly. all the others are quite well. Rachel and Sarah are just gone up the street this moment. I believe E.A. McCleery sent you a paper by the last mail, my Father sent you one also. John McCullough is here now, he came last night to Dr. Filson's, his eyes are very weak, he has come for the benefit of the salt water, and I believe intends remaining for some time. Isabella and Mary F [Filson?] are not home yet, they have been in Belfast more than two months. John F [Filson?] is growing very fast, he will be a very nice lad indeed. He intends going to America when his education is finished. This will be a sad deserted place, it is bad enough as it is but after some time it will be worse. I wish we were all going to America. James McDonnell has been improving his house very much, he has built a kitchen backwards & has made the old one a parlour. Joe Wallace has raised the lower part of his house, and made it the same height as the part his ware-room is in. I hear of several others that are going to make improvements. What is the American Music like? I suppose you have heard a great deal of it. Do you know many young ladies that play on the piano? I think I must have done as Maggy is anxious to finish this epistle. I think I have not left much room, but she can write next time. We are all quite well. With love to you, in which I am joined by all here I remain dear Johnny your affectionate sister - Jane Ellen Orr Remember me to T. [Tom?] Warnock |
