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Title: Rosa Marshall, Belfast to W.J. Campbell Allen, New York
ID2360
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileRothwell, Rosa/222
Year1838
SenderMarshall, Rosa
Sender Genderfemale
Sender Occupationunknown
Sender ReligionProtestant
OriginBelfast, N.Ireland
DestinationNew York, USA
RecipientAllen, Isabella
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipsisters
SourceD 1558/1/2/33: The Papers of William John Campbell AllenDeposited by the Late F.D.Campbell Allen Esq., 15 London Road,Harrow-on-the-hill, Middlesex
ArchiveThe Public Record Office, N. Ireland
Doc. No.9911041
Date16/09/1838
Partial Date
Doc. TypeLTE
LogDocument added by LT, 02:11:99.
Word Count1725
Genre
Note
TranscriptBelfast September 16th 1838


My dearest Sister
I do not think I am breaking the Sunday
by sitting down to write to you and consoling you for my
absence from you. I trust you are now half way across the
Ocean and enjoying this Heavenly morning, we are kept in
good spirits about you by the delightful weather which has
been most favorable since you sailed, the barometer still
rises and gives hope of a continuance of this great blessing,
the harvest is coming on well and every thing looks bright
and beautiful; I hope my dear sister and her happy partner
feel as light and cheerful as I do this morning; and that
they look forward with confidence to a joyful meeting in
Spring, the winter will seem very short in consequence of
this charming weather. You are no doubt surprised at seeing
my hand writing instead of Eliza's, the fact is the young
lady has run off, and left me quite alone she could not stay
behind her Scotch friends, and therefore accompanied them.
I leave you to conjecture, whether Elizabeth, Dr Thomson,
or Johnie, formed the attraction. I cannot make up my mind
which it was, but the fact speaks for itself, she had but
two or three hours preparation, never having thought on the
subject till a few hours before the boat sailed; I can
scarcely tell how the affair was brought about, but her
friends were most urgent, and the prospect of visiting
the beautiful scenery once more, filled her little heart
with delight. She is promised a trip to the Highlands,
and altogether I think she will enjoy herself very much.
I had a note from yesterday, she left us on Wednesday at
four; they had a most delightful passage, the sea like a
mirror, and not the slightest sensation of sea sickness:
the weather was bad, on Thursday confining them to the
house all day, but there can be nothing but sunshine now.
she will remain about three weeks; I felt very miserable
the first night after she left me, but I am now quite
reconciled, and happy to think she is enjoying herself.
My father was greatly delighted with your letter and
exclaimed every sentence that was read, "Well now! only
think of that, she is the fine writer!!!" I must close
for the present dear Bella and take my bath, and prepare
for meeting, I feel all the better of this little
conversation with you. Monday morning; another day is
gone dear Bella and you are so much nearer the end of
your voyage, we have heard nothing of you, since you were
passed by some vessel on Sunday morning, after having just
cleared the Bristol Channel; we thought your progress must
have been much slower than you expected, as you supposed
you would be passing Cork at the time it is reported, you
were only opposite the coast of Wexford, the wind is now
however favorable and I doubt not you are steaming in grand
style. Mrs Allen did not dine with us yesterday, being
afraid to come out on account of a slight cold which she
had for some days, she is now quite well but afraid of
encountering the night air. Mamma, Margaret, and John,
with William spent last night at Uncle John's where they
were delighted with the bride, and bridegroom, who returned
from London on Saturday and proceed to Cookstown today.
Nancy was delighted with the great City, and will be most
anxious to return to it, the weather was most favorable
and they saw every thing to advantage. We have had Satan
Montgomery preaching here during the last week, my father
and I went to hear him, and certainly enjoyed a rich treat,
it was the most extraordinary senseless tyrade [tirade?]
I ever heard from the pulpit the doctrine of the Trinity
never seemed to me so ridiculous and absurd: he attacked
the National board, Popery, and [Socialism?], and made
the Arch Enemy his favorite theme, he seems
particularly well acquainted with all his actions
and speaks of them with the certainty of historical
facts. He is not quite so vain in his manner,
and appearance, as I expected, and his hands were
only used when energy of action required, he is far
from handsome, and the only thing remarkable in his
delivery is great rapidity, and energy, with the
most extraordinary changes in his voice, raising
it to the highest pitch, and sinking it suddenly
to sepulchral depth. His object in preaching
here was to raise money to defray the expenses of a
new church. he's only obtained 27 pounds in two
collections. John, Margaret, and my [-ath--?] are
invited to dine tomorrow at Dr McKib[torn] I was
asked for the evening, but cannot leave Mamma
[torn] William goes off on a journey today and
therefore I [torn] not go alone even were I inclined;
he expects to be away three weeks, he leaves the
business in bad hands, all the lads being lazy,
and careless, and their honesty strongly suspected,
there is some prospect of William [-are?] returning
during the winter. The Exhibition of paintings will
open tomorrow it is said it will be but middling.
I have got a fine portrait of Aitkins to copy, my
canvas is ready but I am not, indeed, while Eliza
is from home, I can scarcely spare time. Dr
[To----?] called on Saturday. We are to commence with
him as soon as little Madam returns, taking two lessons in
the week. it will keep us sufficiently busy. My visit to
Scotland is postponed till the Spring which I rather regret,
as the weather is then least favorable for painting being
cold and frosty, but it cannot be helped for the Thomsons
could not receive me till November and this would not allow
me sufficient time to return before Christmas. Margaret
and the babes go on pretty well; Bella is is [in?] a more
amiable temper, but poor little Andrew is very fretful
suffering greatly with his teeth, and not reconciled yet
to the New Nurse, however he will soon become more
comfortable. Grandpapa has been threatening to score the
gums this last week, but has always some excuse for putting
off the operation, he cannot make up his mind to encounter
the child's consequent terror and dislike of him We had a
visit on Saturday from Nixon Porter and the "amiable
Classon" they made kind enquiries about you. Nixon has
had a call to Carrickfergus which I suppose he will accept,
he had however been previously invited to preach at Dromore,
he was there yesterday but I have not heard the result,
all his friends think however that there is too much
opposition in the latter place to be encountered by a man
so young and inexperienced and besides the Congregation
have been thinking of inviting Mr McAlister who has had
a good deal of experience in Hollywood [Holywood?]. John
intended going to Dublin as soon as he can make the
necessary arrangements; his Aunt is worse, and likely
to sink rapidly now, some symptoms having lately appeared
resembling Miss Kelsey's, indeed life is no longer
desirable her friends must be anxious to see her sufferings
terminate, she is still moving about but the swelling in
her arm will I fear soon prevent her doing so. I intend
writing to Jane today. I must also write to little Eliza.
William has just bid farewell he sends his love across the
Atlantic I shall stop for the present and add any thing of
importance before closing tomorrow Goodbye.
Tuesday 9 O'clock my dear Bella. I have only a few
[---?] minutes for writing, having
promised to accompany my Aunt and Uncle Drummond to the Cave
hill. they start at ten and I have yet to dress and prepare,
Mrs Allen was quite well yesterday we must try and get her
out tomorrow for dinner the weather still continues fine and
I think she would be the better of variety. Father and Mother
slept in High Street last night and will continue to do so
till William's return, the former was called up this morning
to Mrs Drew who had a son as also our opposite neighbour Mrs
Stott both ladies charmingly. The Prince of [Oude?] arrived
here last night and is stopping at Cairn's. I shall not have
the happiness of visiting him as I shall be out of town all
day it will I know be a dreadful disappointment. Our party
today consists of my Uncle and Aunt their servant girl and
myself will not this be delightful I suppose we shall not be
home till six Mamma and [Knowley?] will dine alone. Jane
is to spend the evening and sing some new songs She and the
family are well the quarrel between her and Margaret has not
been made up and they do not they do not (sic) speak when
they meet, it is an unfortunate business and poor Margaret
will get the whole blame from some people and her conduct
now, taken in connection with the affair with Mrs Finlay
will tell badly against her however it cannot be helped.
The Montgomerys are all wild about Jane she is
there on all occasions and she and Lilly are inseparable
but I must cease gossiping. Eliza will write the next
letter and can vary it with a little Highland scenery &
she will come home quite a travelled little lady but
will sink into nothing compared with the celebrated Mrs
Allen I hope the book dear Bella will be interesting
now Goodbye dear all send their love my Pere is as busy
as a bee Mamma is a world of troubles about [braids?]
for your table and all the rest of the family much as
usual. Well time is wearing on and in a month we shall
receive the glorious letter, oh dear Bella it will be
devoured, [let?] [it?] crossed and recrossed, you will
have no lack of news, and your pen is at any time ready
kindest love to your dear husband and now dear I must
positively say farewell. I hope this will [visit?] you
both well and happy and believe me your happiness and
health is now the most fervent wish of your
affectionate Sister
Rosa Marshall

*Envelope address:-

W.J. Campbell Allen Esqr
care of N. Lord & Co
Broad Street
New York
By Steamship
from Liverpool