| Title: | Bella M. Smyth, Castledamph to James A Smyth, Ontario |
|---|---|
| ID | 2613 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, Bella Maggie/112 |
| Year | 1899 |
| Sender | Smyth, Bella Maggie |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | farming household |
| Sender Religion | Presbyterian |
| Origin | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Recipient | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0410019 |
| Date | 14/07/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LTE |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 922 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Mr James A Smyth Southwoodslee Essex Co. Ontario Canada [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART PM 10 0 JY 15 99 [Back of envelope] [Stamped] PLUMBRIDGE A JY 15 99 [Stamped] SOUTH WOODSLEE AU 2 99 ONT. [Page 1] Castledamph July 14th 99 Dear Brother We rec [received?] your letter of June 23rd on July 6th but did not mind writing till the 12th would go by It is over for another year but not without leaving a good share of tired people They are going staggering about and doesnt [doesn t?] (sic) like to work much since They left here at 8 o clock a.m and got back about a half past 8 The morning was wet and high wind and not pleasant [Page 2] looking for a long journey but it cleared up at eleven They had a very good day but very fatiguing. after walking to Newtown [Newtownstewart?] they had to walk through Strabane and out to meet Donemana men and then to the field in Lifford The band was very good but very few Orangemen only what in the band I will try and give their names First row Jamie McKelvey George Young David Houston our Wm [William?] 2nd Jamie McKnight A McClelland Bob McKernan A J Campbell 3rd Jamie Gilkison Bob Campbell Jamie Hay our Tom. Drummers Joe Young John McKnight John Charles. Alex McClelland large drum & Willie George Campbell John had to beat constant [Page 3] all the way and had sore fingers when he reached home I dont [don t?] think any of them will be in a hurry for a journey for a while They are invited to Derry on the 12th August but they may not go Jamie Gordon was home for that day. John Gilkison was down but did not come home. John has just brought in your letter of July 2nd it was late for the twelfth but its [it s?] all the same to day [today?] I see you want to know who was present I have told you the band boys so I may tell you the others. James Houston Jm [James?] Campbell. Wm [William?] Barker John Orr Jamie Dunn [Page 4] Thomas McFarland Alex McKelvey [Glenn?] Johnnie Cochrane Wm [William?] Smyth [Glenrone?] Tommy Houston Robert Keys Jamie Gordon & a few others along the road such as Joseph Stack Archie McKelvey James McKnight James Ballantine there was a great crowd coming back but not so many starting. This band is praised for having a good appearance but John says they want a few good drummers. he is very good if he had any help The band all wore sashes except three. John Charles got a rub (sic) on Sat night so that he could wear one They were talking about getting their picture taken but could not manage it that day Im [I m?] sure it was hard enough on you to write that day thinking on what was going on [Page 5] Its [it s?] always the same still we were all up about half past four and a great hurry to get all done before they come John had out the big drum about six & gave her a few claps which made a good many wake from their slumber The flag was put on the bush on Tuesday evg. [evening?] & took down yesterday dinnertime Im sure you remember all that's to be done for you had to do it often. We will send a paper with all the speeches in different places We have the upland hay nearly all up Father & Mary was working at it to day [today?] & they saw Willie Knox & wife in Eden they came to Knox's [Page 6] Trinamaden [Trinamadan?] on Monday & then over to Alex today. They were there a good while before they got over to the other house. I think Aunt was not going to let them in. but they managed in (sic) at last. Im [I m?] sure she is not content to have her lodging in such a place Joe Gilkison is up at home yesterday & today he will be married on Thursday first in Strabane & then start to Scotland. she is a servant in Dr Brittons the name of "Colhoun" Willie is not very well pleased at the way he is carrying on Im [I m?] afraid Strabane spoiled him. he has gave up the Temperance society & he has his certificate for being [Page 7] finished in all the degrees of Orangeism & can wear all the colours. but by appearance its not much good to him The McKernans Plumbridge are home from Scotland. Willie & Robert was (sic) up here yesterday evg [evening?] Willie is into the Black order & Robert is a free mason [freemason?] but they are not so foolish looking as Joe Gilky I suppose you will be in Woodslee by the time this letter reaches you, we will send it there anyway you have some of the hard work over now. let it be right or wrong Its [it s?] worse than going to Lifford for its not over in one day but we hope you will be [Page 8] successful and you will be paid for your labour I suppose you have the money all right now. Though you had not got it when you wrote We are all in good health at present & nearly all busy enough as well Matthew Smyth is nearly all right [alright?] again but he did not walk much yet I think this is all at this time and I hope I will not have to give you an account of the twelfth next year This is very bad writing as the pen got too much to do on Wednesday So Good Bye Your Sister B M S [Bella Maggie Smyth?] |
