| Title: | Sarah Shaw, Mississippi, U.S.A. to "Dear Richard." |
|---|---|
| ID | 2455 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Shaw, Sarah/1 |
| Year | 1852 |
| Sender | Shaw, Sarah |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | tutor |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Lexington, Mississippi, USA |
| Destination | unknown |
| Recipient | Richard |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | nephew-aunt |
| Source | Donated by Mr. W. Shaw, 4 Coolreaghs Road, Cookstown, Co.Tyrone. Transcribed by Dr. Ruth-Ann Harris, U.S.A. |
| Archive | Ulster American Folk Park. |
| Doc. No. | 9702266 |
| Date | 10/01/1852 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 24:02:97. |
| Word Count | 885 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Lexington, Holmes County Mississippi?] [January 10 & 15, 1852?] My dear Richard I wrote you on the 4th October that on the 30th said month Matilda was to change her name to that of Bell, he is of [----?] [f----?] [----?] habits but poor which was a great Objaction [objection?] with me, if she was of a strong constitution with his Industry the [they?] might do well. Farming when you have to hire all your help is not a money making business in this family, as negroes hire is very expensive, but, I trusts the Lord will bless their endeavours and with that if the [they?] are not rich the [they?] will be happy. Mr Bell speaks of moving at least one hundred miles from here, if so it will nearly kill me to part with her, as I have never been more than a few mile distance from any of them, for the last two years. I have been teaching in Judge Perry's family, which is only 7 miles from Sarah & Alicia and 5 from M. Jane, so that if any of them is taken sick I can and am with them in a few hours. I assure you Aunt Sarah is a great somebody with her Nieces, we are truly happy in each other. I intend to suspend teaching this year for the purpose of Visiting Edward, (whom I have not seen since he left Ireland) and dear George, Matilda and myself made our arrangements before she thought of getting married which has put a stop to her going, but I intend, if spared life and health to start in March. I cannot get any of the girls persuaded into spending twenty or thirty dollars on a visit. You see how Economical the [they?] are, dear Richard. Enclosed is Edward's letter which contains news of the most painful kind. The death of dear George, I fear he was heart broken, but when I learn the particulars I will write you, in the meantime it will give me pleasure to hear from you. I would write John but I do not know his address. I have written him several times and have not received a letter in return which caused me to suppose he had moved. I hear of you all through E. Mowritz who writes often. Mary Moats has a houseful of young ladies and young men. I wish I could see you all, all young [---?] are well and unite with me in kind love to you, Mary & Robert & all the family and believe me dear Richard your same Old Aunt Sarah Lexington Holmes County Mississippi January 10th 1852 P.S. I have just rec'd [received?] a letter from E. Mowritz, she is most anxious for me to send for her. Poor girl she little knows how hard it is for females without a father to get along in this Country, close hard work and in many instances looked upon as hirelings. None but the assuming have any share in this little place. The [they?] talk about the equality of the South but I assure you the Lexington folk are as aristocratic as the [they?] know how, it would take at least one hundred dollars to bring her here and what would I do with [her?]. To pay board would be out of my power it is true I have saved a little but I am advanced in life and may not be able long to do for myself and to be thrown a dependant on friends I never will, She says if I send for her she will pay again that I would never look for if I had any prospect for her when here. I have paid eight dollars per month for very indifferent accommodation. My bed room had neither fire nor glazed window in a cold winter morning it was any thing but pleasant but it was the best I could do and therefore must submit. Seasons are much changed here. The winter fully as cold as [---?] them in Ireland but not so long. Kossuth is making a great sensation in this country. He seems to have superseded Jenny Lind. The [they?] are perfectly carried away in behalf of him. Dear Richard I wish you to write and give me your [advice?], will I or not make an effort to bring E. Mowritz out here. I have stated my Situation to you precicely [precisely?] as it is but poor Orphant [orphaned?] child my Heart Sympathizes for her if I had her here might take a school in the Country and have her as an assistant which would be [ve---?] [---?] but it would be doing a duty. Every letter I receive [from?] her makes me unhappy for a length of time. She said in her last she could get L16 [œ16?] per year in Dublin. That is nearly as much as I am now receiving for teaching (say one hundred dollars?) and it takes it all to keep me genteely [genteelly?] dressed as I am Obliged to be amongst such people as I live with and every article double the price of what it is at home. Dear Richard this is rather an uninteresting letter but I struck on a subject that interests me at present and you must excuse me May the great god bless you all is the prayer of your aunt Sarah January 15th 1852 [Enclosed with her letter was a letter from her nephew, Edward Shaw?] |
