| Title: | J. A. Smyth, Ontario to J. J. Smyth, [Castledamph?] |
|---|---|
| ID | 2692 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/5(2) |
| Year | 1898 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | school teacher |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, John J. and wife |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 0410101 |
| Date | 09/01/1898 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 27:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 699 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [No envelope] [Page 1] Essex Ont., Jan 9th 1898 Dear Father & Mother, I received a newspaper from you yesterday and in it part of a letter, Now I must warn you against writing in a newspaper as if it had been opened and that [found?] you were liable to a fine of ten pounds So now, especially when a letter only costs a penny, do not leave yourself open to a fine, I mention this, as you may not have been aware of it and sometimes the [officials?] open letters for that purpose. We are having cold weather here now almost too cold [Page 2] to sleep. Yesterday was a very cold day and to-day is not much better, a sharp Howling wind, a few of us had our pictures taken one day, so as they were pretty fair I took a half dozen of them and so send you one in this letter, We happened to be in the office one day and some one suggested we get a [communal?] picture taken so the result was as you see, You will see [Archie?] [Laing?] shaving [one?] a razor a foot and a half long. Arhur [Gourley?] is to my left you have his photo in H S, picture. The one with [sic] moustache is Geo [George?] [Keath?] B.A. our High school teacher, [Page 3] I have a few more yet, I may send some other of my [friends?] one [ones?], although I would rather send them when I get good ones taken. As far as school is concerned we are all back again and a few new one [ones?] have come in so we are about started again. The elections in the school are on again, nominations took place on Friday afternoon and I am running again for the Presidency, John W, [Batten?] is my opponent and perhaps he may win, [Archie?] [laing?] and Arthur [Goudy?] are two of my right hand supporters and they are busy canvassing for me, The election takes place next wednesday voting by ballot [Page 4] H.M. Cooke was my opponent this time last year and defeated me by one vote. That election was pretty warm and this one appears to make considerable excitement in the school during the next three days. I think [Batten?] will get the majority of the girls votes and I the majority of the boys, no matter how it goes we will have some fun out of it. There is a debate between Essex High School and Windsor collegiate institute It takes place in Essex Town Hall a week from next Friday night. Two on each side [Gifford?] and [Tully?] are our speakers. The subject is [resolved?] that nature has done more for the benefit [Page 5] of mankind than art I don't like such a suspect it is too dry, I would rather have a subject concerning the topic of the [times?] I see Alex did not have to pay the full penalty perhaps it is best as he may have trouble enough but there is no use in making a law its [sic] if it is not to be enforced. I am sorry to hear of such work in connections [connection?] with your contract I am sure you will all be glad when it is ended, I dont think I would undertake another. Now as it only cost a penny I shall not write so much as I used to but I may write every week unless I forget. The penny rate was put in force this [county?] on saturday last, so now it is all over, [Page 6] I see a notice concerning having college in Tyrone [Anst?]. I think I will write and get the [qualifiers?] [etc?] necessary to see what they are. I hope you all had a good time at your concert sorry I am not present. Give me all the news when you write and you can write oftener now seeing it [cost?] less, I expect to get a large number of letters from everybody there now all your friends are well, Sara Duncan was at uncles at Xmas, I must write to Jas [James?] Houston this week, I have said this quite a while but I will do it this week. no more at present James A, Smyth Transcribed by Gary Campbell |
