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Title: J A Smyth, Ontario, to Bella M Smyth, Castledamph
ID2695
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileSmyth, James Alexander/6(2)
Year1897
SenderSmyth, James Alexander
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationschool teacher
Sender ReligionProtestant (Methodist)
OriginEssex Co., Ontario, Canada
DestinationCo. Tyrone, N.Ireland
RecipientSmyth, Bella M.
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipsiblings
SourceCopyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, County Tyrone castledamph@btinternet.com
ArchiveMr & Mrs J Smyth
Doc. No.0506075
Date28/01/1897
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 30:06:2005.
Word Count784
Genre
Note
Transcript[Front of Envelope]
Miss Bella M. Smyth
Castledamph
Plumbridge
Co Tyrone
Ireland

[Stamped]
[ESSEX]
JA 29
[ONT?]

[Back of Envelope]
HAMILTON.CANADA
20
JA 29
97

[WINDSOR?]
JA
97
ONT.

[NEWTOWNSTEWART?]
5 AM
FE 15
97

[Written over Back of Envelope]
Hamilton
Canada
Feb 13.97
Arrived Feb 15 1897


[Page 1]
Essex January
28/97

Dear People
I received your
letter a few days ago but I
have neglected answering it in
due time. However I think you
will not be longing very much for
a letter until you receive this
one. We are having a very sharp
winter here at present and there
is very little indications for a
change. The snow is not very
deep but “oh my” it is cold
almost cold enough, that where
you spit, it will be frozen
before it reaches the ground
This last few days it has been
20 degress [degrees?] below zero.
How would you people like
such weather as that.
Sometimes the School Room

[Page 2]
gets cold but we usually put in
plenty of good wood, and so keep
the [the?] room very comfortable.
I am much pleased to know
that your Concert was a success
it is very good recompense for
the trouble. I am sure that
I missed quite a lot by being
absent, it is very pleasant
for to have old friends &
acquaintances met for a
nights fun and amusement and
more so where they spend the
time without any disputes
which would mar the harmony
of this evening this is the
essential [feature?] of a
gathering I got your paper
giving account of the concert
and if the time of the gathering
comparand [compared?] with the
rhetorical construction
with which it was made
know [sic] to the public it was no
miss.


[Page 3]
II
I wish you had sent that young
lady [sic] address. I did get it
from Miss MacFarland but it is all
torn so that I cannot make it out.
You should have written to
her as a common mark of etiquette
You know some people in this country
think that their old country friends
should know as much as the American
in common form of society.
And I have no doubt many time [sic]
they wonder why old county [country?]
people neglect these.
How I think I am always
giving advise [advice?] in my
letters but you know you [sic]
not mind my scolding It is a
natural feeling of mine. I suppose
I may expect a letter some day
from that young lady.
If you have anything to scold
me for don’t be afraid
to let me know of it

[Page 4]
I got a letter from Willie
Gilkison [Gilkinson?] a few
days ago I expect to answer
it in a few days so you can
let him know and I will send
him some of my good thoughts
and expression [sic] with
the least possible delay.
I was down a [at?] Woodslee
two weeks ago. They are all
in usual health, [no?] [birth?]
death or marriages so nothing
to disturb the peaceful harmony
of the woodslee villages.
Tuesday next is County
L.O.L [Loyal Orange Lodge?]
in this town so I expect
to spend a few hours at it
if nothing prevents.
I suppose Miss Dunbar thinks
I sent that letter when I
could not help it. I am
Just wondering if she will
think it of enough value

[Page 5]
as to deserve an answer. My
correspondents in the Green Isles
are slowly diminishing. If I
weigh the amount which they
think of me by the no [number?]
of letters I receive I think it
would hardly turn the balance with
the smallest centigram measure.
I hope Joe Gilkison [Gilkinson?]
suceeds [succeeds?] well in his
employment he will learn more by
going out from the usual
every day [everyday?] work, and
he will see more he will have more
pictures presented to his mind
than that fine rural Castledamph
scenery which I can see in my
imagination to night [tonight?].
I think I have said all I
can think so goodBye
hoping you are all well
and then you can write a long
letter from
James A Smyth
Essex


[Note on Back of Page 3]

P.S. I am in a hurry as I know you will
understand by the writing so I have not
time to read my letter over again so
If you find any expression which one in
any way contracted please supply what
you think is the meaning, and in this
way with a little patience you will
have no trouble in making my letter
about twice as long. This is very fine
metaphisical [metaphycical?] expression
or Metonymy Synecdoche, and I have used
the Periodic Sistem [System?] very
sparingly so that you wont have to wait
to you read all my letters to get the sense
Hoping you excuse these big words but
you know Its a very big subject.
J. A. S. [James Alexander Smyth?]

[Note at Top of Page 2]

I forgot to tell you I am well but
perhaps you could find this out from
the sense of my letter

Transcribed by Maxine Green