| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario to Liza Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2704 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/10(2)A |
| Year | 1902 |
| 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, Eliza C. |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 605022 |
| Date | 12/2/1902 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 1365 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss Lizzie C. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] SOUTH WOODSLEE FE 5 02 ONT [Written in pencil on left side] Izzie C Smith [Back of envelope] [Stamped] HAMILTON FEB 17 02 [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART AM [---?] [---?] [Stamped] WINDSOR 18 FE 15 02 ONT [Written at top] Arived [arrived?] Thursday 27 1902 [Written at left side] fabuary [February?] 27 - 1902 [Written at right side] Arived [Arrived?] Thursday 27 fabuary [February?] 1902 [Page 1] Essex Ontario February 12 1902 My dear sister Probably you are of the same opinion as you mentioned in my letter, namely that I have forgotten to write you. I am too careless in my letter [sic] lately. Altogether too much so. The cause is partly this, that I take my meals at one house and room at another, so when I go to my room at night it is usually cold, so I get to bed as fast as possible. Hence I usually postpone. Now today I brought my notepaper to school so I am jotting this down at dinner time. [Page 2] This is Valentine [sic] day and the youngsters always take great interest in it. They always get the privilege of having what they call Valentine box. One of the boys brought a box to school in the morning about 2ft by 1 foot. with an opening at the top. They put the Valentines in an opening at the top, just like posting a letter. At four o'clock I shall open it and distribute them to those whose names they bear, (The bell is now ringing so I must quit for a while.) I usually come in for a fair share of the letters, some are comical & some otherwise. [Page 3] 4 PM. Just got through giving out valentines. Got a few for myself. Shall send some of those that are suitable enclosed in paper, so that you can have a laugh. The young ones can send a jokey valentine all right [alright?]. Mary was up here last Saturday, went back again at night. I am going down tonightm Mrs. McEnteer, a lady whom I have know [known?] in Woodslee since I came here, was buried today. It is quite sad as we had some fun three weeks ago tonight and now buried. I [see?] you have had quite a few parties there. [Page 4] Well I usually attend one and two every week. I was at one on Monday night, dancing and one last night though no dancing, as they are Methodists. The Methodists are somewhat narrow minded in that regard, though they are no better than anyone else. I am sorry Mary has not been able to see these parties for then she could give you ideas at home how to entertain. I wrote Chas [Charles?] McCullagh last week, and as our Bachelor Ball was over then & gave him an account of it. It was a very elaborate affair. I had a letter from Lizzie last week. She write a splendid letter Writer. [sic] [Page 5] Saturday Well I began this letter yesterday so I must finish today. I am now down at Uncles now. Mary is sitting on the chair here studying a physiology book. As Mary is going to school it won't do her any harm no matter what she goes at. I don't know what she intends to do or how long she intends to stay; but a while in this country does not hurt anybody. Mary is wearing that [drap?]-colored dress today. I think she looks better in it than in any of the others. That dress she got made leaving home is a poor looking affair. It is quite an accomplishment [Page 6] to know what to wear and what to buy so to make the best effect. Talking about money, I must keep this out of my mind because I am worth very little and more than that if I continued teaching I never would. Of course in four or five years I might have £200, but that’s not counted money here. You always must remember in what country you are and the value of money. I know men [sic] today, right in Woodslee, who when I came here ten years ago, were worth about £100 now he [sic] is worth £3,400: So some men make money. Now then this will give you an idea what value I put on a good education. If I had kept on working I would had at least £30 per year. So that [Page 7] would left me in my ten years £300 and got about $120 or there abouts from home so that £420 plus £60 for two oceans trips £480. That may make you draw your breath, in fact it may take William’s altogether. Now at my present rate I could save that in about 10 years, and then I don’t have to associate with the same class of people. I used to wonder in Essex when I look at the company I’m in there to what I used to be. I put quite a value on that, also on seeing the world. Now Mary is taking music lessons. This is for her benefit when she goes home. Its time the old country people were getting out of their ideas, along lines of [Page 8] music especially in the church. Its just this there is no pleasure in a house where there is no music. I envy the people here who have a piano and such like. Sit down and play and have a good time. Now as the violin is the usual instrument there why don’t they learn to play it. Why don’t they secure a good teacher and learn it correctly by note. Now Willie John should be at that now. There no use in playing like I do. I never touch it out here I can’t. I used to wonder why people didn’t think I could play, but I can see it now. Oh I was green. Mary aint the nineteenth part [Page 9 as bad as I was. Now you might as well say you could argue against Joe Chamberlain in connection with the S. [South?] African war as to say you know anything about music. My letters sometimes might lead you to think everything was just so out here. No that’s not so. The old country is the place to learn these things. And when you get the old country stamp on you you can go anywhere. This country people go there to finish up. Mary is just practising [practicing?] her music lesson. I expect we’ll have a good time next time we are home which [Page 10] may not be long. When I get the money I shall place a piano in there and it will just be like the churning machine, you will never afterwards be without it. Aunt is just now preparing the table for dinner so I am going to close up I did not have any breakfast yet. Very often I go without a few meals as I am somewhat troubled with indigestion I think its due to not enough exercise. This country is no good for excercise. Just think of the exercise I could have there shooting etc. on Saturdays I often wish I had a good bowl of porridge, like they have at home. No milk either to drink. Yours sincerely James A. Smyth [Page 11] Well I was through before dinner but I’m now going to add a little more. Uncle is just gone out to the woods to saw wood. Cold, cold bleak day. He has a few young fellows with him. They used to go to school with me but I think they never got above second or third book. I bet you they envy me. But I don’t envy them. The farmers home have a nice time, can go for a days shooting etc. and no body can speak. Also, market days. I’m afraid they would not like it out here. I know if I had to go out and do what I did ten years ago, the country would not hold me very long. [Page 12] In regard to sending Mary money, I would not bother unless I had lots of it. In my next letter I may give you an account of my financial standing. I have not that letter ready for you on consumption I think I shall write to Bella today, I suppose she wonders why I did not write to her before this. I shall begin [acco?] [gave?] her and David a long letter. When I did not have a good present to send I was lazy to write very newsy letter Eh? Yours Ja[James Alexander?] Smyth |
