| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario to Miss Mary Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2780 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/46 |
| 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, Mary |
| 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. | 0410009 |
| Date | 05/08/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 870 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Front of envelope Miss Mary Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co. Tyrone, Ireland POSTAGE STAMP SOUTH WOODSLEE AUG 6 00 ONT. Back of envelope POSTMARK WINDSOR NT AUG 6 00 ONT. POSTMARK HAMILTON AUG 7 14 - 0 "00" POSTMARK NEWTONSTEWART PM 3 10 [AU?] 15 00 Handwritten Arrived August 15 1900 [Page 1] South Woodslee 5 August 1900 Dear Sister, I received your letter last week glad to hear from you again. Also glad to hear from Tommy Hay. I shall answer him next month when school opens. This is Sunday evening. A very very warm day, too hot to be comfortable. I came down from Essex this morning on a wheel. Came down in thirty minutes. I was here about half past nine so got hear [here?] before it got very hot. I rented a wheel for this month for $5. Intend doing some canvassing during august so could not get along very well walking. I am tired sitting around doing nothing, and it takes more money to keep you when idle than when your [you're?] working. I spent all last week at Essex with the exception of one day that I went to [Page 2] to [sic] see a Base Ball match between Leamington & Essex Essex got defeated by 48 to 8. Another [match?] will be played at Essex on the 7 inst. so Essex intends doing up Leamington that day. Cassie and Fred and Baby are here this evening They usually spend Sundays here. Say. When leaving Essex this morning I forgot my letters so I am not sure of what was in your letter to answer but I shall do the best I can from memory. I am not certain what I require or to tell you to send. However, you might send me three or four shirts (fancy colored) and one white shirt without cuffs attached get them in style, my size is 16 in [inch] neck. You might consult Belle she would know what would suit me. You might also send me a pair of those low leggins [leggings?] like policemen wear. they cost about half-a-crown [Page 3] You might also send a pair of good gloves. I think this is all that I require. 3 fancy shirts will be enough. If I werr [were?] there myself I would get some clothes but they would not likely fit if I sent for them. As for collars etc. they are always changing style so I only buy one or two at a time. I have four or five dozen on hand now. I see Cassie has got a letter from Belle. From [Friedrought?]. I see the [they?] contemplate a trip to the seaside. They won't have any too much time to visit friends if they come back by the first Oct. How does Belle like her father's old homestead? I wonder if she would like to live theire [there?] ? I suppose I shall hear it all when she comes back. Hearing all the news from there will keep me from being homesick until next year. [Page 4] She tells Cassie that James Houston was in our house and kept them laughing. I am sure he made some fun. I was somewhat surprised to hear that they had got a [decree?] for old Margret's money. I did not even know that a law suit was pending. Well if we get about £50 of it I shall go home probably before next summer to celebrate the event. Something is better than nothing. I thought the whole thing had fallen through Is there any talk of an appeal? I shall have a new teacher under me next year. Miss Arnold is employed to take charge of the room below mine. School opens on 4th Sept. You have Miss Arnold's picture, sitting to my left in the model school group. She is one of our pretty Essex girls. [Page 5] When I think of it you must have quite a large number of Canadian boys [boys ?] and girl (sic) pictures. I sent a letter to Belle last week also one home so I am writing quite often in holidays. I may not write so often during this month as I may be busy. The folks around here all are well. There was a drowing [drowning?] accident at Essex yesterday morning. A old (sic) lady named Mrs Sweet fell into a cistern and got drowned. I think she was subject to dizz [dizzy?] spells and she may have had one of these. I suppose you took some holidays when your cousin was there. Is Mrs Nelson very particular along that line? That is the great trouble when engaged with any body [anybody?] or Companys (sic) etc. you cannot take a holiday when you like without a lot of grumbling. [Page 6] What work do you have to do? dressmaking or millinery? You should have a wheel for riding up and down. I was very near buying one this last week. I would have only I thought it would take all my next years salary to pay for it and other expenses and then I might not have money enough to take me home. I could get a nice wheel here for $44 cash. You see I am calculating on visiting the old country next year and I must save enough money to do that by hook or by crook. Now I don't of (sic) anything more to say and I have given very little news in this letter. but it lets you (sic) that I am still alive and growling. Your Brother James A Smyth Transcribed by Alan Houston |
