| Title: | J A Smyth, Ontario to J J Smyth, Co Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 2737 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/23(3) |
| 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, John J. and wife |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0410163 |
| Date | 29/03/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 27:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 980 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Front of envelope Mr John Jas Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland (Stamp Torn Off) STAMPED ESSEX AP 3 99 ONT. Back of envelope POSTMARK NEWTOWNSTEWART AM AP 13 99 Handwritten Arrived April 14th 99 Friday [Mary smyth?] [Mary Smy?] Essex Ont [Ontario?] Mar, 29th Dear Father, I received your letter of Mar,16 last monday and I am pleased to know that you are improving and hope you will soon be all right [alright?] again. You say you are through ploughing etc, It is quite different from here; there is no ploughing or any other farm work done, and it will be a good while before the ground is ready for such work, It snowed a good (sic) last night and it is quite cold today. I am wondering when spring will come, as we have had it cold now since beginning of Nov and at present, there is no appearance of warm weather, Well in regards that [stilling?] affair, I am glad that it is being put an end to, I cant see what people are thinking about when they send men to parliament to make laws, and then break them right and left. Anyhow those who are dabbling in whiskey [fortune?] never seems to go will [well?] with them They never seem to get out of poverty or appear as Gentlemen no matter how much they [still?], I am glad none of my own relatives are in it. My understanding of your letter is that John Warnock informed on them. Is this so? Or did I misunderstand you. My money is about out. If I see that I am going to be short before I get a new order, I just withold [withhold?] my board Bill, and keep myself in pocket money, My Boarding Mrs is not particular if I let it run a month or so, However if I paid up to date I would have a dollar or so left yet. Tomorrow we get a holiday for ten days so I wont be back here until eleventh of April. I intend to spend that time in the city of Woodslee, and vicinity. As long as you have enough money for all purpose (sic) you are all right [alright?], I tell you I will not go to school, if it would necessitate any borrowing of money. I have had an Insurance agent, wanting me to insure my life, for these two days taking [talking?] to me. I told him I could not pay the policy for this year as I am not earning any money for myself, so I told him I was going to write home to night [tonight?] and would tell you folks about it. The way in which this agent insures is on what is called a paid up policy. That is I would have to pay $35.60 per year for 25 years and at end (sic) of that time I would get $1637 sixteen Hundred and thirty seven dollars, if alive and if one died inside of 25 years they would be paid $1000 at death. However I have not got the money to carry it just now so I will take no insurance for a few years yet. I have been thinking of insuring when I get in such a position that I can carry it easily, and I believe everybody should carry more or less of an insurance policy. At present I think I need a pair of pants and a few other things, more so than I do an insurance policy I hate to wear a pair of patched pants going to school but I am doing so at present as my last pair got worn through the other day. Sitting constant is somewhat hard on clothes. I have four or five pair (sic) here that just look like new with the exception of a few small holes in them. I may wear them when I get teaching some Country school after Xmas or send them as a present to William or Tommy. I have also several dilapidated shirts a few old fashioned collars and about a dozen well worn neckties that I would give to any one [anyone?] that calls for them, Well I wrote part of this letter on March 29th so I am finishing it at my Uncles today Sunday, Apr 2'99 I got a couple of newspaper (sic) from you last night and they look the worse for wear, The people are all well. Cassie and Fredrick were here for dinner today and are [have?] just gone home, The roads here are very muddy, nearly impossible to walk on them. The weather is quite cold, not much like april, quite a little snow yet with occassional [occasional?] snow flurries I hope it soon changes as there is not much comfort with it. I don't understand how the nominations are conducted regarding that government Bill, I see Glenroan mentioned and Plumbride [Plumbridge?] but I do not see Castledamph I don't know how the districts are divided, I also notice it is a religious conlict, [confict?] such nonsense, in a local government election. They should elect those who are best fitted for the dischage [discharge?] of those duties devolving upon them and leave all other thing [things?] out of the question, As I said in beginning (sic) of this letter I have all this week here, but it is not much of a treat as it is a pretty quiet place to spend a few holidays. I don't think there is [three?] young people around here to associate with here, If I were not going to School here I would not be in this part if [of?] the country three hours, of course it is different in Essex there is more fun there This is a dull easter, I eat [ate?] one egg this morning I remember when I used to eat 1 dozen and a half. Send a few more of these papers to [until?] I see the news of elections though you might send them before they are a month old. James A Smyth N.B Back at Essex this day week. Transcribed by Greg Floyd |
