| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario, to Bella Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2723 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/17(3) |
| Year | 1900 |
| 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, 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. | 0410082 |
| Date | 01/04/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 1103 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Envelope addressed to: Miss B.M. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone Ireland (Each line copied underneath) Stamped: ESSEX AP [?] 00 ONT Back of envelope: HAMILTON APL 2 20- 0 00 [WINDSOR?] AM AP 2 00 [ONT?] [NEWTOWNSTEWART?] AM 5 0 AP [?] 00 Essex. 1 April. 1900, My dear Sister Your letter of the 16 inst. duly received and am pleased to learn that the people are all able to be up again. I am sure Mary had considerable work to do while the people were all in bed but when they all get well again that is the reward for all work. I have had more colds this winter than I ever had before. About every other week I have one and although not enough to make one sick yet they are very annoying My colds, however, have not prevented me from having a good time. I think I told you that we, Bachelors. of Essex intended giving an entertainment. It came off a week ago Friday night and every body [everybody?] says we should be congratulated on such a fine time. We all gave $5 = £1. In this way we collected $87. (One High school boy gave $2,) that meant seventeen of us. After all was over. our expenses were $70. so we had $17 left and we decided to send $10 to Indian famine fund and $5 to Patriotic fund and had a treat of Candies on the remaining $2. The style, dancing, etc was just the same as I told you about before Programme [program?] was the same. We had about one hundred present. Now of the 17 boys three are school teachers one a photographer, five are clerks, two banker, two doctors and the rest are the others (sic) are business men in town. Now you see there are no (sic) quality, as you understand it, in town The people are no better than around Castledamph and perhaps some of them may not have any more money but they have much newer ways of doing things and they have nice houses and well furnished and they don't live as it were in a stable. They have two or three class (sic) of society in town. There are people who, on no account, would allow dancing etc, Oh, no, Nobody here thinks that I am of the high old country style. Probably they do think that we are pretty well off and I think so myself One has only to conduct themselves properly and act the gentleman in order to mingle with the best society in town. Of course education has something to do as it makes you more acquainted with things and more able to feel at home in company. As far as education is concerned and all the parties I attended since I been (sic) here I am sure any of you as well (sic) educated as the majority of the people here. (Teachers excepted) Your parties at home are just as good if you would only add a little style on in sending invitations, receiving guests and providing lunch, here is where this country excells [excels?]. Of course Country places here are no better than what they are at home, I know a banker, a young man in this town that thought he was a little better than other folks when he came here, so he is left alone and to my knowing he has not been asked out to any party this winter I don't know how it is but I was asked out pretty much since I been here (sic) and I know other boys even boarding in same house when attending high school, did not get invitations when I did. It all depends on how friendly you are with the young people. This is Sunday evening and it is very nice I think spring is coming. I hope it does as I am tired of winter and cold wheather [weather?]. In reference to McFarlands, I have never written a letter to any of them. I had a letter and answered on to Mr Ballantyne [Ballantine?] the minister I suppose that is where they found out I was teaching. He told me Miss Ballantyne [Ballantine?] was married. I must ans. [answer?] his letter again pretty soon. If you did not mind I wish you would get a list of names and address of people that are living in New York, Philadelphia and around there as I may take a trip there on holidays and I would like to call on some of my old friends or on people who have left Castledamph and that neighbourhood. You can gather up the address incidently [incidentally?], before June, I am getting along fairly well in teaching, strapping a few each day in order to keep up the practice in case any emergency should arise. My class are very weak in Arithmetic and Grammar, and I don't think they shall make much showing at next examination I tell you teaching is no snap at least the way you have to teach here. and to keep all the pupils busy is a tax on ones [one s?] patience. Tomorrow morning is pay day so that is the most pleasant day during the month It is much more pleasant to earn money yourself and spend it than depending on somebody else. I don't stint myself half as much as when I was getting it from home. I have a picture of the model students which I shall send you this week. It was taken last December just as school closed in Windsor so the majority in the picture are school teacher (sic) as only two failed I am sure the boys will envy my position. Miss Flossie Arnold is to my left who was supposed to be the prettiest girl at Essex High School during her term, she has a first class. Miss Ranies [Raineys?] of Essex is at my back holds (sic) a third class Certificate from Essex. H.S. [High School?] but failed at Model. I thought I would get one and send it to you so that you can see the Canadian girls. Now their [there?] is a saying here that if you attend a teachers [teachers ?] convention here you always find a lot of homely lady teacher (sic). But to every rule there is an exception, So you can express your opinion. Probably you have some of the same pictures in the school groups. All the boys are Essex H.S. [High School?] graduates. The two boys standing together hold second class certificates other first (sic). The principal Mr Chisholm has the moustache. I got two of these the other day at $1, so I can send one . I hope you get it in good order as none of us would like our [physiogs?] spoiled Yours in a scribble James A Smyth Miss B. M. Smyth Castledamph PLumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland |
