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Title: James A Smyth, Ontario to [Mr & Mrs Smyth?] [Castledamph?].
ID2697
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileSmyth, James Alexander/7
Year1893
SenderSmyth, James Alexander
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationworks in a mill
Sender ReligionProtestant (Methodist)
OriginEssex Co., Ontario, Canada
DestinationCo. Tyrone, N.Ireland
RecipientSmyth, John J. and wife
Recipient Gendermale-female
Relationshipson-parents
SourceCopyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com
ArchiveMr & Mrs J Smyth
Doc. No.0506069
Date04/03/1893
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 30:06:2005.
Word Count507
Genre
Note
Transcript[No Envelope]

[Page 1]
South Woodslee
March 4th 1893

Dear Parents
I now take the
pleasure of writing to you again
There was a phrenologist
in Woodslee for the last
week and there was a lot
had their heads examined
some publicly and he just
told what they were exactly
and what they could do
best I had mine examined
and got a chart he marked
down the figures of the
different Organs of the
Brain and then the reading
in the chart tell [sic]
one what they can do
and what the [they?] can not In
business [adaptions?] he marked
what I would do well at

[Page 2]
These is [sic] the trades or
Profession Doctor or Physician
Carpenter Builder Grain
Groceries But he would strongly
advise me to go and learn
for a Physician he told
me he would advise me
to start rightaway if I
had money enough (but thats
where I am lacking) he said I
would be through in six years
from now he said I had a
strong constitution and are
[sic] disposed to lead any
excellent life he give me
a good deal of writing as well
as talking this is some of it
Your diet should be light and
plain animal food and spicy
meats you should avoid You
should perhaps not be a
vegetarian eating [sic] but

[Page 3]
particularly avoid Pork,
ham, bacon, etc and use very
moderately of beef, veal lamb
or other wholesome meat
you will not be liable to
drink but you should strictly
avoid tobacco your memory and
health will be much the better
for it) he told me good about
pork etc it always gave me
the heart burn I paid him
one dollar for chart and all
not many got charts I went
purposely to see what he would
allow me do and physician was
the first and I would try it too
If I had enough money I asked
him about operating he told
I could learn it but it was
to [too?] much confined for me
and never choose a pursuit where
I would be sitting all day

[Page 4]
I am working in a mill
now I like it very well
mother need not be afraid
of anything I started on
Jan [12?] I board up at Uncles
we work 10 hours a day get
one hour at noon it takes me
all my time to get dinner and
back, I made about 22 dollars
in Jan & Feb after paying board
or maybe more I am not paid
for Feb yet I would like to
make some money to start some
other business Uncle is giving
his men 175 dollars this year
I asked the phrenologist
if I would make a farmer he said
I would but he did not see how
I would be content with it
this is all at this time
James A [Alexander?] Smyth

excuse
this
writing
I will write soon by [bye?]

[Written at the top of the Page 4]
Dr [W?] H. Campbell is his name
What do you think of his opinion
of me

[Written across Pages 3 & 4]
What do you think about Physician Write soon


Transcribed by Gordon Drummond