| Title: | William D. Riddle, U.S.A. to John Wallace, Ireland. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2282 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Riddle, William D/28 |
| Year | 1853 |
| Sender | Riddle, Willia D. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | commercial agent |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Drogheda?, Co. Louth? Ireland |
| Recipient | Wallace, John |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | old friends |
| Source | D 1859/12: Presented by Dr. J. T. Anderson, 16 Ashley Gardens, Banbridge, Co Down, Ireland. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9401014 |
| Date | 30/11/1853 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 22:02:1994. |
| Word Count | 1292 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Pittsburg, Pa [Pennsylvania?], United States November 30th 1853 Mr John Wallace Droghead [Drogheda?] Ireland My dear old friend and playmate, My Uncle John Riddle who has recently arrived here informed me that you still remember me and sent a message with him to that effect. I thank you for bearing me in mind so long, and take pleasure in assuring yu that there is no one whom I left behind me of all my boyish companions, who has been oftener in my memory, or kept nearer my heart than yourself. I am glad to learn John that you have become a stout and hardy man, and I am glad also to know that you have grown up with habits of industry, and principles of truth and honesty, such as your worthy and honest mother taught you to reverence, and such as I am sure she will be pleased and proud to see you possess. Truth, Honesty and Industry are the qualities that enoble a man, they raise him far above the petty distinctions of wealth or the brief titles of an hour, they confer more real happiness in life than either wealth or rank, and a satisfaction in the hour of death that worlds could not purchase. I have much in my mind that I would like to say, but have little time to say it. Only a week ago, I returned home from a long trip of several thousand miles in the West and this is the first evening since I came back that I have had to converse with my Uncle. He is sitting beside me, and while we are interchanging questions and answers, I am scribbling off these lines to you. I always try to do a thing while the purpose is fresh, even if it should not be as well done, I prefer to send you a hurried letter to-night rather than risk neglecting it a month by putting it off for more leisure. Now what shall I tell you of all that crowds into my mind ? You will naturally wish to know something about myself and my mothers family. You are already aware that my father died several years ago. My mother is still spared to us and enjoys as good health as those who knew her twenty years ago could expect. She remembers your good mother very well and often speaks of her, and desires you to present her kindest regards and best wishes for her health and happiness. Sister Matilda is married to a man in the State of Indiana and lives about five hundred miles from this place she came home with me on a visit and will go back about the middle of December. She also remembers you and your mother & sister very well. Samuel is a larger man than I am and is what you would call a pretty clever, good natured & off-hand sort of a fellow. He learned to be a printer when young and has tried his hand occasionally at Editing Newspapers as well as printing them, but is at present engaged in the same business as myself, travelling all over the country visiting customers, settling accounts and collecting money. The post would be called in England or Ireland that of a "Commercial traveller" or a "Commercial Agent". Some would think it desirable for the opportunity afforded of seeing the world at large and the people in it, but now after an experience of four or five years it seems to me that the privilege of staying at home would be prized above all things. I have had a fine opportunity of seeing more than one half of the great country comprised in the United States, visiting nearly all the towns and cities West & South of this once a year, and if I had you beside me could answer you a good many questions regarding the condition of the country & people. The remainder of our family, Mary, Jane & Robert are all grown up, and all living at home. Robert is a clerk in a store, I really have forgotten what wages he gets, but think it is 20 or 25 Dollars a month, = £4 or £5. I am so much of the time away and so short a time at home at once, as almost to be a stranger in my own house. This is all I have to say about ourselves; Holland & family & William John & Family are all well and making a comfortable living. Uncle & the rest of his arrived while I was away, they had a pretty good passage and good health, and are now all as well as they could expect to be, and pleased with the country. I wish now in the few remaining lines to say something about yourself and your mother. I remember your mother with very kind feelings and do not know anyone in Ireland whom it would give me more pleasure to render a service if in my power. I am much pleased to learn that she lives near & enjoys the protection of Wm [William?] Anderson, my father's best & most esteemed friend. I remember Mr Anderson well, and remember too that there was no man of all my fathers circle of neighbours whom in my boyhood I respected so highly for dignity of charactor, & noble qualities of heart.I hope his kindness to your mother may be repaid twofold in Heavens choicest blessings upon him and his family. Give him my kind regards, and say I would like to hear from him. I have been pleased for several years whenever I heard of you, to learn that you were living with our highly esteemed friend and former Pastor Mr Brown. You have done well John in remaining in a good place when you had it. I always advise a friend to change about as little as possible he always makes more by it in the end of the race. I would like to hear from you and learn whether you intend to spend your life in Ireland, or whether you have any thoughts of trying your fortunes in a new country. If you have, and would communicate to me your views, I would take pleasure in furnishing any information in my power to enable you to form a correct judgment for yourself as to how the country would suit you, and how you would suit it. Many come to the U. [United?] States with erroneous views and have the mortification of struggling against disappointment for years or until they can outlive it. This is a country where men work hard, quite as hard as they do in Ireland, but at the same time a man of intelligence and enterprise and who possesses also the qualities of industry & integrity, takes a worthier position in society and is better rewarded for his labor [labour?], than such men generally are in Ireland. A poor man here if industrious, can hope to place his family in a position of comfort & independence, in Ireland he can not always be sure of attaining to this. If you should ever think of coming to this country,I would say endeavor above all things to furnish your mind with useful knowledge, employ every leisure hour in improving yourself in reading & general knowledge, and in any effort you may wish to make in this line. I am sure will find Mr Brown a willing & very competent advisor. Send me a long letter as soon as possible so that it may reach me before I leave home again, and tell me all about your plans & prospects, and if I can render you a service rest assured the opportunity will give me much pleasure. With best wishes for your health, Yours truly, William D Riddle. |
