| Title: | J A Smyth, Ontario, to Bella Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2754 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/31 |
| Year | 1897 |
| 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 |
| Doc. No. | 0506084 |
| Date | 27/07/1897 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 07:07:2005. |
| Word Count | 851 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss Bella M. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co, Tyrone Ireland [Stamp Torn off] [Back of Envelope] [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART AM 5 0 AU 97 [Stamped] TORONTO JY 28 97 ONT [Written on Envelope] Arrived Saturday Aug 6th 1897 [Page 1] So. [South?] Woodslee July 27th 1897 Dear Sister I received your letters of July 15th and 8th. I am always pleased to know that all your gatherings have passed of [off?] quietly, I received your letter and paper this morning and Uncle got one from Archibald last night. It had an account of the Newtownstewart celebration much the same as to-days paper. I see that you had a good gathering there, I am sure it was a grand sight to see so many in one place. I would have liked to have seen it myself however you need not think that I am lonly [lonely?] here far from that, [Page 2] I enjoy myself on all occasions and did so on the twelfth although I was sleeping in bed about the time you folks were starting for Newtown [Newtownstewart?], I suppose you all went to see the celebration as usual and left Mother at home. If so I think you should have drove her in to see the procession on last twelfth, I was wondering at that time if you took her but I think by your letter you left her at home, You seem surprised because I did not tell you about Willie John going home. Well you all knew as much about it as any of us did. He did not write to Uncles to let them know and I think it was from Sarah Ann that we got the news that he was going and none was sure that he had went [sic] home until to-day [Page 3] It seem [sic] you all think America makes people think [thin?]. You would not think so if you saw me now, Anyhow you Irish people look heavier than you really are when weighed. I am glad to know you had such good success [success?] with your sheep this year. I notice in your weights that there is not many lightweights in the family. I am afraid John is almost too heavy to be very smart, I would think he would feel lazy but I suppose he would have to change considerable [considerably?] in order to assume that [name?], I have not heard from the examiners yet all I know [sic] is in a paper I sent you yesterday. I expect they will be earlier than last year, I hope so at any rate, [Page 4] I am staying with Uncle now helping with harvest. This day is not very dry. We put in 5 acres [sic] wheat yesterday Morning before it rained [ahd?] that at half past ten o clock, We have just about half in now (ten acres) the other ten is not quite ready yet, I see you people have some fun with Steen. I think he is too much like a priest. It is a regular humbug to have clergymen controlling teachers and school, I wonder why, that is not done away with. Clergymen have nothing to do with either school or teacher that is controlled by a board of trustees elected yearly by the people, I suppose he would dismiss a teacher in the same way he did the choir. [Page 5] (5)It is really surprising to hear the way in which he acts. Does he try to controll [control?] the teacher after school hours, He would'nt [sic] me anyhow, Who is this Miss Macklin you mention? Is she from Newtown? [Newtownstewart?] I am glad to know that Wm. [William?] and Father and Mother are going to the show. I hope William will be in good health again, I think after the five years are up I would not bother [sic] the road again. There is too much hard work in it and not much money, You should tell mother to not get scared at the ships this time I just wish I had some such place to go to for a while not as regards health but just for the pleasure and fun in it, I had a letter from Miss Ballantyne a few days ago and she said she was going to the seaside along with a few other boys and girls for two weeks [Page 6] and she had it arranged for me to go with them also. but she said she was sorry I could not come, I would write you a much longer letter only I have not much time, It is [worked?] up to post time and I have to help milk yet so I cannot write very much this time I suppose you think Wm [Willie?] John looks funny with [sic] long tailed coat those are the style now nearly everyone wears them. Dont you think he is good looking I always though [thought?] so and he did not look thin last time I saw him but that was Xmas after I came back, I sent you examination papers some few days ago let me know what you scholars think of them This is all at this time I remain yours James A Smyth send letters until Sep 1st to Woodslee [Written upside down on first page] This is a [pretty?] [pieces?] of writing But I am [in?] a hurry just now so you may excuse me. J.A.S. [James Alexander Smyth?] Transcribed by Brendan Valentine |
