| Title: | J.A Smyth, Ontario, to B.M. Smyth, Co. Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 2722 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/17(2) |
| Year | 1899 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, Bella M. |
| 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, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0502010 |
| Date | 21/02/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 16:02:2005. |
| Word Count | 747 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Miss B.M. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone Ireland [Written on top left] arrived March 6:99 [Stamped] ESSEX FE 21 99 [Back of envelope] [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART AM 10 0 MR 04 99 [Page 1] Essex, Ont February 21st. Dear Sister, I have just received your letter tonight & although it is time to go to bed, yet I think I shall answer it when everything is fresh in my mind, Now in reference to Joseph [Glen's?] attitude on the appointing of Elders for the Church, I think he is about right, I intended to say something about that and as you mention it now, it reminds [me?] [of it?], I think just [Page 2] like Joe [Ghlen?] the Duncans seem to think nobody can run that Church but themselves and I certaintly [certainly] would not have them alway [sic] "head cooke [cook?] and bottle washer". Such an attitude as the Duncans adopt in the Church, as though they were looking after the spiritual welfare of the whole community, often breaks up a church in this country. People would not tolerate one set running the whole business. Of course there is another side to the question. [Page 3] The Duncans are not very often engaged in law squabbles and such like and in this respect those who are in law three [or?] four times each year had better have little to do with Church affairs. I would not even become a member until [we?] reached a more healthy state of mind and had thrown off the last traces of bonney brook Fair", However I would not favor our class [running?] it always, Now you say there is nothing new to write [Page 4] to write [sic] about yet you never told me before about that house of Sam Dunns I see the party was a quality affair and you people were not in it, Then you must belong to a secondary class, I [have?] the pleasure of enjoying these higher parties as you may [call?] and I am afraid [sam?] [Dunne?] would hardly know how to carry himself at one of them I sail around in the high society while in Essex, only thing I lack is lots of money [Page 5] to dress up in good style wear a full dress suit etc Some people here say to me we must have lots of money to keep all, I tell them, or give them to understand we have money to burn in Ireland, Everybody belonging to me I say are as rich as Jews, you know I don't like to let people know nor I don't that I have some good-for-nothing relations, [Willie?] John tell [sic] me Shepherd is getting blind I hope the good old dog lives to I see him again, I often [Page 6] think of the times I had training him eight years ago this month, Now you see there is a few words I liked to know and if W [Willie?] John had not mentioned it I might not have know [sic] what happened shepherd in [ten?] years, I must say Wule [Willie?] John is a poor writer for his age. There are boys in High school 11 years old and know almost as much as I do, some 11 and 12 years trying for 3rd class teachers certificates, so you see the difference, Now when I write to Jas [James?] Houston or any [Page 7] other body, I don't write simply to show what I know, and I am not particular whether letters are grammatically correct or contain any metaphorical features, is allright [alright?] if they are answered, If I do know a little more than some of the other [sic] (I may and I may not) I have put in five years study so I ought to and I spent considerable money as well so I should be ashamed of myself if I am no better. Therefore let no one hesitate to write because I may know more than they do [Page 8] I know one thing I learned as much of it by being in this country as by attending school [in?] it. I got your papers allright [alright?] I also read the daily account in our own papers of your land Bill and also of University Question and Ritulism [ritualism?], I read the happening in Parliament every day twelve hours after it all happens in Your Country and perhaps sooner than you [people] do yourselves, Our cold spell is over temperature is normal again Was down at Woodslee yesterday all well, I think I have written enough If you would write as often it would be allright [alright?] J.A.Smyth [James Alexander Smyth?] [Written at top of Page 7] P.S I shall write a letter to W John [Willie John?] specially sometime [shortly?]. JAS [James Alexander Smyth?] Transcribed by Julie Simms |
