| Title: | James A Smyth, Essex, to B. M. Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2757 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/32(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. | 0410086 |
| Date | 29/05/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 892 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Envelope addressed to:- Miss B. M. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland Postmarked on Front:- ESSEX MY 30 99 Postmarked on Back of Envelope:- HAMILTON CANADA MY 30 99 NEWTOWNSTEWART JU 10 99 Back of Envelope:- (Written on Back) Arrived June 10th 1899 Essex May 29th Dear Sister I received your letter to day at noon so I shall not keep you as long waiting for an answer as I did last time. We had a very good time here on 24th May. I did play in the band that day. We got £5 for the days playing but there were seventeen of us and we had to pay for music and then all was left was $4 for each. However one would have been in the grounds any how so, that much was saved, I suppose you people don t in one sense of the term know when the Queens birthday comes, I am glad to know that the sick people are all getting better again, It seems strange the difference between here and there as far as doctors are concerned. You would hardly be sick here fifteen minutes until you would send for a Doctor, even if it is only a headache and there they never [send?] unless a leg or some part of your bones broken, or more serious. I guess that is the reason Doctors get so rich here in a few years I am on the [this?] subject [of?] for now so I will go on a while, I was out driving with two of the Doctors here on two occasions. They were asking me what I intended studying for, and I said I had a notion of medicine but I had not the necessary means to put myself through just now. One of them said he would go to Medical College next Fall he said money or no money and he would manage some how to get enough to pull through for a year on, and then if he was [scarce?] of money he would stay out for a year and earn money, then. That was his opinion, of course with the majority of boys they are younger than I am and they can afford to teach school for three or four years and are then young enough to take up a profession but in my case I cannot afford to spend very long on any calling that I do not intend to keep at it. If I were about 20 now and with the education I now have I would put myself through for any thing I wished and be graduated before I was 20 years old. Studying for a Doctor in this country means 5 years from you enter and about a total cost of £300 and more if you like to spend it. I am pleased to know that Mr Conroy inquires about my welfare, as far as what I am going to be I don t know myself except that I may be a teacher If I could make a success of it for a while, I often wonder when I hear of so many young people comming [coming?] out here, how they get along, or otherwise this must be the worst [part?] in the country. A good many people around this neighbourhood have not got any more from a financial stand point than is necessary, I am glad to know that the boys are do (sic) such a business in sheep and that they are making lots of money. A fellow has a poor show in this world without money, is the necessary thing no matter where you go. I see you remind me of my birthday and my departure from home [well?] I do not need any telling of either of those days I always (sic) remember them I often wonder how these last 8 years are spent. Lots of experience but not much money made during that period and a good deal spent, I really feel ashamed going to school this year as the [majority?] are little ones and here I am 26 yrs [years?] old today. Of course it is a good thing to get knowledge no matter how old one is I would not be as ignorant as some people even if it cost twice as much, I am getting up in years I don t need to be told when when (sic) my birthday comes I am something like the girls in that respect, I am always glad to know that you are all well, and making lots of money, I suppose Mother still continues in Good health, My aunt said last Sunday for to tell Father and Mother to come out here and spend a few months in the summer This would be a good idea if you can afford the money. Father I am sure would feel much better for the trip and I need not mention what sights you would see, and the passages is (sic) very cheap, now. I was just looking today $100 for a return 1st class and $30 for single second or about £14 for a return 2nd class. That should not be much to spend on a trip once in a life time I think I made a good long letter out of this [Remember?] me to all the folks and to [Mathew?] Smyth as having escaped a similar shower bath though the water was cold, I often think of those incident (sic) though I never have anybody that know (sic) them to talk them over together, Good Bye to All James A Smyth 11 o clock P.M. Monday Night. Transcribed by Elizabeth Prentice Checked by Lorraine Tennant |
