| Title: | Maggie Black, Chicago, USA, to Annie Hall, [Loughgall?], Co Armagh. |
|---|---|
| ID | 211 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Black, Maggie/57 |
| Year | 1890 |
| Sender | Black, Maggie (n. Hall) |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | housewife |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Destination | Loughgall, Co. Armagh, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Hall, Annie |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | D2041/13: Purchased from J.A. Gamble Esq., 44 Taunton Ave., Belfast 15. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N. Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9403032 |
| Date | 25/09/1890 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 08:03:1994. |
| Word Count | 1230 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | To: Annie Hall, Eden Cottage, Loughall [Loughgall?], County Armagh, Ireland From: Maggie Black (nee Hall), 342 Winchester Avenue, Chicago, U.S.A. September 25 1890 342 Winchester Av [Avenue?] 25th Sept [September?] 90 [1890?] My dear Annie As you have given me three letters in succession I must write you this week but I'm afraid I shall have to make it short as I find I have only half an hour before mailing Well we were very glad to find by your letter that you were all well and evidently doing well. Your last letter was sAatifactory as it contained more matter so Mr Walker went off without you really that is too bad after all these years of devotion on your part I would advise you to pull his hair for him next time he returns Tom had a letter from George this week he seems to have enjoyed his trip very much & feels better, I had a "courier" from Mrs T Wilson & Mrs Warnock has got a young son. I also had a News Letter from Alice & Lytle one from Dada so we are well done for. we do enjoy reading the home news so much now. The folk here have a queer idea of the "Irish" but I think that is because so many of the ignorant low-class Romanists come from the "Green Isle". I was paying some visits yesterday & the lady, a solicitor's wife Mrs Gault told me she thinks there must be two distinct races of people in Ireland as to judge from some of the specimens she has seen & heard of compared with us & some other Irish folk she has met. I tried to vindicate my Fatherland by showing her how much things were exaggerated & poor "Paddy" got credit for more than he was guilty of. I did not convince her however There is a good deal of bitter feeling here too against Romanists & they seem to be strong body here as elsewhere. We are to have another social to-morrow evening in connexion [connection?] with the Ladies Missionary Society & the Ladies prayer meeting is to-morrow afternoon. I did my sweeping & cleaning this morning to get out to both to-morrow if spared & so left myself very little time to write with only ourselves to attend to you would wonder how it keeps me moving. when I wash iron bake & clean the house it takes up a deal of time & one must be constantly cleaning & dusting here & the folk are very particular as regards cleanliness both of the house & person I had two students in to see about rooms this week but they did not decide. I am in hope every week of some taking the front rooms you know it is heavy to pay $22 1/2 dollars per month for rent & $9 dollars a month we pay on the balance of the furniture so there is not much over when that amount is taken out of it and I feel as if I were doing nothing towards housekeeping when I don't have anything coming in from the rooms. If we are not able to let them we shall try & find a cheaper house even if it should not be so comfortable or respectable still I hope we shall be able to let them think anything of shifting here. Lytle is getting on very well & is making a good trade for himself & seems so hopeful but he & I want if can to save something & not be using every dollar that comes in. somehow rent seems to swallow up everything & its no wonder people try & build as soon as they can. since I came here I have often thought if any one who has money enough to invest in lots as they call them were to come here & do so it would treble itself in a short time that is the way so many here have amassed large fortunes in a short time The city is growing so Arapidly that ground is invaluable it is more reasonable in price but grows in value as the city extends the half hour is up so I'm afraid you will have to wait until the next mailing day __ The girls are at school every day & like it. Tom is working away he bought a pair of boots for himself on Monday evg [evening?] at $2 the first paid out of his own earnings. Edna got a pair the week before at $1. 75cents the boots we had with us wore very badly __ gents hats are very expensive two dollars & a dollar seventy five is the regular price for hats that would cost 3/6 or 3/- in old country. the people are beginning to prepare for winter now getting their stoves in order & their stocks of coal &c &c They have gasoline stoves which they use in summer & scarcely light the coal stoves at all some stow them away in the basement until the change of the season __ these are now being taken up & put up for winter use, of course we have only the one kind as we could not buy every necessary in the one year. during the hot weather I allowed it to go out after every meal you see it heats the house so you not bear it in summer except washing or ironing days __ the very poorest seem to have so many conveniences beside they would have in old country nearly everything is to be had on time and is therefore within reach of any one earning money. you will even get your clothes that way jewelry [jewellery?] sewing machines furniture & everything you require Almost. so many dollars deposit & so many weekly or monthly until balance is paid __ lots & houses can be purchased in the same way __ so you had better come & try your luck with that legacy of yours!! I was glad to hear that Harriette is getting along well & also Cindie & her kids I am sure they are not pleased with me for not writing I have not written the Co[w?]anaghan or Cookstown folk yet either I'm sure they are mad with me. I think Margaret is getting along very well before now you will have got her ring I am sure "friendship ring" that kind is called here. she bought Edna one nearly the same for her birthday she is to be round this evg [evening?] to see us. i have not added to my stock of jewelry [jewellery?] yet I have just spent 25 cents on myself since I came that was for a pair of blk [black?] silk mitts to wear during the hot weather as I could not wear gloves on account of pespiration [perspiration?] __ Now I have given you a long yarn after all but have been too late for post I hope Dada & Mamma will take a trip to Dublin, it will do them good to get a change of air I suppose next season it will be Chicago I hope so at any rate. My cold is better & we are all in first class health & not bad spirits either considering everything. With our united love to all I am dear Nancy your fond sister Maggie Remember me to Martha & tell her I am glad she is better I suppose she misses old Henry now!! |
