| Title: | James A Smyth, Essex to “Dear Sister”,[Castledamph?] |
|---|---|
| ID | 2739 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/24(2)A |
| 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. | 604093 |
| Date | 29/03/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 584 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [No envelope] [Page 1] Essex March 29th, 99 Dear Sister I received your letter of of [sic] 27th this week, and I am always pleased to know that everybody is [sic] in good health, I also, got a letter and picture from Tommy Hayes this week, it is a pretty fair picture of him, he is in uniform, You say you have nice spring weather there, It is different from here, as I may say we have nothing but mud. The softest field in the neighbourhood there, is harder and better to walk on, than the best road here at present. [Page 2] 2 You have no idea what a bad road is like. I went down to my Uncles [Uncle’s?] last saturday and going from the station to the house was like going through a swamp. I nearly lost my shoes several times. they stick in the mud and hold you there. This is the condition of the roads spring and fall. You talk about parties, I think I have said something about this subject before, anyhow there is not much resemblance between one with you and one here, unless they are changed since I was [Page 3] 3 there, of course, eight years should make a change on any country, However I don't attend them all, There was one on Friday night; a swell one, but I did not get a bid but it was a full dress and I would not have gone on that account. From this out [sic] I must study four times as hard as I have being [been?] doing for fear I might fail next July, so I won't attend no [any?] more amusements Patricks Day [sic] passed over quietly here, it was our Lyceum entertainment and [Page 4] 4 as I was down for a violin solo I played "Patricks day" as one of the pieces. There were other Irish pieces on the programme, I suppose there was quite a time in the Emerald isle during the day and no doubt some sore heads next day. I see by your letter that the people around there have not quit making poetry yet - no doubt it is a splendid piece of composition and above criticism from a literacy point of view, I also notice by your letter that John Gilkison [Gilkinson?] has got a bycicle. [bicycle?]. He should [Page 5] 5 have plenty of amusement with it, I often wish I could afford to get one it would give me exercise riding it. Bycicles [Bicycles?] are very plentiful here, nearly every boy and girl has got one, I don't know how the price ranges there, but you can get a pretty good one here for $50, Yes, I will be something like Archibald unless I take more exercise I am broadening out gradually but not getting any higher I wish I weighed about 50 lbs less, I would feel much better. When you hear of me coming [coming?] make new doors. [Page 6] 6 I think the boys could find some better employment than playing cards. They are all right for an evenings amussement [amusement?] but to be always at them is not much good. You would hardly ever see men sitting down to play alone here Usually at parties they are played by both men & women & boys and girls (except Methodists) but the games are different you would not know how to play unless you learned again. Your Brother James A Smyth [Written upside down at top of first page] I send you the illustrated Saturday globe. You will get plenty of reading & also amuse yourself with the pictures. JAS [James Alexander Smyth?] |
