| Title: | Mary Parks Ross to her uncle John Caldwell |
|---|---|
| ID | 2066 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Parks Ross, Mary/14 |
| Year | 1832 |
| Sender | Parks Ross, Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Naas, Co. Kildare, Ireland |
| Destination | New York, USA |
| Recipient | Caldwell, John |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | niece-uncle |
| Source | T 3541/2/4: Deposited by R.V.T. Edie |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9309355 |
| Date | 05/11/1832 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C. R., 30:09:1993 |
| Word Count | 1474 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | LETTER TO JOHN CALDWELL FROM HIS NIECE MARY PARKS ROSS (d. of his sister Flora C. Parks) " 5 Nov. [November?] 1832 Rec'd [received?] 26 Jan. [January?] 1833" "Naas"(Ireland) Addressed to "John Caldwell. Esq. Care of John Chambers, Esq. White Street Newyork [New York?]" Naas Monday the 5th Nov. [November?] 1832 My dearest Uncle Thank you a thousand times for your kind letter which made me very happy on receiving it to hear such a pleasing account of friends so very dear to me. I should have told you all this long since, but the truth is that in this outlandish place I had no means of forwarding. My thanks to you, but I have now discovered that I can at any time send letters to New-York, as Mr. Chambers (my cousin) has been kind enough to promise to forward them for me - No doubt we have been mutually anxious for each other's safety during this season of pestilence, but my mind has been much relieved that as late as seven weeks ago, my dear friends in Newyork [New York?] were well, and all united together, instead of flying like Wild Geese probably into the very danger so much dreaded. The cholera is quite on the decrease on our side of the Atlantic, also, but many terror- stricken persons prognosticate the return of this most unwelcome visitor, as soon as winter sets in-. This unfortunate country, which we Americans are happy to disclaim all connexion [connection?] with, is as usual torn to pieces by that gnawing Wolf, party spirit. Now that the driving for (?) tythes (?) [tithes?] is going forward - the peasantry are becoming even more distracted than heretofore. Two clergymen, and the son of a clergyman have all three been shot dead within two months, merely from having been obliged to drive for their tithes, as the clergy are almost left in the starving condition. The names of the two murdered clergymen were Messrs. (?) Whitly and Houston, both of them near us. Mr. Houston's Rectory where he was shot, is Rathlagan, within six miles of Naas. No person could be found who would venture to send a hearse for Mr. Houston's body, so a neighbouring gentleman kindly lent his own carriage to carry the body to its last home, and for that small mark of regard, he is looked upon as a marked man; which means plainly speaking, food for powder. A Rev'd [Reverend?] Mr. Preston in this neighborhood has made himself obnoxious, by attending all the tithe sales, so now he is looked upon as a dead man. - the unhappy man drives about the country in broad daylight in the most unclerical style imaginable, in a little Phaeton: his coachman sits on the front seat with his Pistols loaded, one each side of him. Mr. Preston on the seat behind him with a cocked pistol in his hand. and one on either side, and his servant behind bearing the same lamb-like weapons. This is not exaggerated for it was told me by a friend with whom he had been on a visit; and it is unfortunate that these are not singular instances, in every sense of the term. #PAGE 2 The Major and I spent a charming time with my dear father and Mother in the (hole in paper) between, Cheltenham and Bath----- (hole) My father is, I am most thankful to say quite well, and in high delight at seeing his lovely grandchildren so well, and their parents so happy and comfortable. James and Harriet continue to reside at Ryder and to be pleased with their situation. James came to see me during our visit at home, and looked remarkably well, and is, strange to say growing fat; he is one of the happiest and most contented dear creatures in this world. Nothing improves man or woman so much as being married, for it makes all look so good natured and sweet tempered.. We are invited home again in spring to stay a month or so, if the Major can obtain leave so long: but it is difficult for him to get away as he has the command of the Reserve of the Royal Welch [Welsh?] Fusiliers - Our service companies still remain at Gibraltar, but we expect their return in a few months - We are within 15 miles of Dublin, so that we often fly into town to see my old Aunt Margaret etc. etc.- The dear old Lady is uncommonly improved in many respects, which is to be attributed to having two such amiable companions as her nieces Miss Hamilton and Miss Baldwin. We have been knocked about at a sad rate since I enlisted into the Royal Welch [Welsh?]- from Dublin we were sent to Grumble at Newry, thence to be merry and jovial at B Belfast, then to Naas for ten days, off again to Carlow where we were left in utter solitude, and lastly back to Naas again, for how long! who can say?- Our society with regard to number is most select; entirely composed of three families living within six, two, and one mile of us: Lord and Lady Mayo have been exceedingly kind and attentive to us, and we have dined there quite frequently: they entertain in Princely style, and always have their house full of nobility and principal gentry of this country. Unfortunately for us they will soon be obliged to go to London, where they are Lord and Lady in waiting to the King and Queen- Sir Maxwell and Lady Wallace though 'Militaires' like ourselves have been very civil and have had us often at Newbridge where he has the command of the 5th Dragoon Guards- Major Tandy's family are also very kind, we dined there on Holy*eve, and spent it in due form. The Major is the son of the celebrated Napper Tandy, and is Magistrate of the counties Kildare, Carlow, and parts of Dublin and Wicklow: so you see government does not always visit the sins of the fathers upon the children, but like all persons in his situation - he is outrageously zealous and loyal. I wonder where we shall move to next! My travels have been most extensive since the 31st August 1831 through England, Scotland and Ireland. I have thereby learned to pack my knapsack with neatness and despatch, as a soldier's wife should. My dear Aunt Margaret is very fond of her un civil Nephew, the Major: who has the art of making everyone love him - How I wish you could all seee [see?] him, and become acquainted I hear frequently from Mrs. McNair: she and her family are all well- I shall certainly write to my dear Margaret very soon, she will not forgive me, I fear for being so remiss as not to have answered her entertaining and clever letter long since- I keep all her letters with the greatest care and often read them over & over. They are all so well worded & witty. The latter comes from her fatherland- Will you give my love to her and intercede in my behalf- and pray give my love and kisses to my dear #PAGE 3 cousin (hole) Shapter and Your grandchild of which you are no doubt are a little Proud. Are they with you still? Give many loves from me to Uncle Andrew, and if you write to my Uncle William tell him I hear of him every time I see Miss Elizabeth Hamilton, who is his particular admirer. Will you sense (?) me if I ask you to let me write one line to Aunt Catherine Chambers and then I shall relieve you from this stupid long letter: and believe me dear Uncle, I shall be but too happy to hear from you whenever you can find time to favour me; with a line; in the mean TIME believe me to remain your truly affectionate niece Mary Ross My dearest Aunt Chambers: You are very seldom absent from my thought, then do not for one moment suppose me less affectionate or less your own child than when we were together- Dearest of dear Aunts I love you more than I can express-- Oh. What I would give to see you: but that we must not think of - but if Mr. Chambers would only come and see his son we might meet yet - I have not seen your son..Is not that very odd-! I hope I may see him some day, as it will be delightful for me to know anyone so nearly connected with you- I shall write to you very soon oh Do write to me - Give my love to dear Aunt Elizabeth: and her dear handsome husband. Did you know poor Captain Henner of the Holyhead packet; he is drowned. Give my love and duty to my good Uncle Chambers, and tell him the Major and I often drink both your healths for I have taught my better half to love you both. Adieu dearest Aunt. I shall write very soon but be always sure you are truly loved by your affectionate own MARY [Appended page: Sample of hand-writing! Mary Caldwell Ross typed + filed in black book --] NOTES RE Mary Caldwell Parks Ross Florence Caldwell Ballymoney 1767 - 1/26/1814 m. [married?] John Parks nephew of James Hamilton of Bushbank Co. Antrim John Parks married again c. [circa?] 1816 a Miss Mayiere of Dublin. They were living in England 1832 - see letter of Mary Parks Ross Issue: 1) James Hamilton Parks 1797 - [-----?] 1878 m. [married?] Harriet Deane Hawtry 2) Elizabeth Jane Parks Dec. [December?] 1799 - 4/24th/1813 3) Florence Parks 1803 d. [died?] young mentioned in Catherine Ball's will 4) Sarah Mary d. [died?] 1806 at 2 yrs [years?] #PAGE 4 5) John Parks d. [died?] Bath, England 1816 6) Mary Caldwell Parks in 1832 m. [married?] Major Wm [William?] Ross of Royal Welch [Welsh?] Fusiliers another brother, Hugh Parks went to India + died there (see will) Mary Ross' aunt was Catherine Caldwell 1775 - 1856 m. [married?] 1) James Parks in 1805 (April 3rd) " " d. [died?] in 1813 at 38 June 1820 2) John Chambers (friend of her brother John C. 1769 - 1850) [John Chambers] d. [died?] Feb. [February?] 8, 1839 at 83 |
