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Title: James A Smyth, Canada, to Mr. J J Smyth, Castledamph
ID2785
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileSmyth, James Alexander/49(3)
Year1900
SenderSmyth, James Alexander
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationsummer job as salesman
Sender ReligionProtestant (Methodist)
OriginEssex Co., Ontario, Canada
DestinationCo. Tyrone, N.Ireland
RecipientSmyth, John J. and wife
Recipient Gendermale-female
Relationshipson-parents
SourceCopyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com
ArchiveMr & Mrs J Smyth.
Doc. No.0412008
Date18/08/1900
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 31:12:2004.
Word Count828
Genre
Note
TranscriptEnvelope addressed to:-

Mr. John Jas Smyth
Castledamph
Plumbridge
Co Tyrone
Ireland

Postmarked on Front:-

SOUTHWOODSLEE - ONT [ONTARIO?]
AU 18
00
ONT

[Back of Envelope]:-
[Written on Back]

Arrived August 30
1900

Postmarked on Back of Envelope:-

WINDSOR
ONT
AU 18
00
ONT

NEWTOWNSTEWART
AM
5 0
AU 30
1900

[ ?]
AUG 20
7 - 0
00



South Woodslee,
18th August, 1900,

Dear Father and Mother,

I suppose by this
time you have found out what I said
about writing during July, namely that
I was writing often then but probably
before end of holidays I would slack
up. So now you see that is so. I
received your letter the first of the
week and one from Mary today.
I have been running around
so much this last week or so that
I did not have time to write but
this evening I thought I would get
it off my mind.
Tuesday I wheeled out to Leamington
(18 miles) left there at 3. o clock P. M,
and wheeled to Essex. Had supper
at Essex and wheeled back to
Woodslee, getting here about ten.
[Wednesday?] being the [Dewhirst?] picnic to Kingsville
(for further information on this subject apply to
Belle) I wheeled to Kingsville and spent the
day eating and Bathing & etc, I happened
to be hungry at the dinner that day and I
eat an extra large dinner, so much so that
I had to lossen [loosen?] my belt by two or three
holes. On Thursday I started out to do a [little?]
cavassing [canvassing?] for the stereoscopic company,
went nearly as far as the [Peice?] then to Belle
River and had supper with the Campers from
Woodslee, I stayed with them camping
until this morning when I wheeled back
to Woodslee, so here endeth an account of
this weeks travels, unless I wheel up to Essex
tonight. I tell you one can run around
when they have a wheel, I paid $5 for
the rent of the wheel for a month
and I have canvassed a few days
and made $13.60 so I have cleared
my expenses and am not much
particular whether I canvass any more
or not.
I am pleased to get your letters
and just as often as possible. I like
to hear the news. and know how
every body is doing and etc, I see
Alex McClelland is gone. Well its
[too?] bad but I suppose one cannot
help having the young people
leaving. I am sure that place
does not look like it use to as there
is so many boys and girls left
since I first went away. [Likely?] it
won t seem the same place to me
when I go back just as Woodslee
is now, I don t think it looks
like the same at all as it
did some eight or nine years
ago, but we cannot be always young,
I am sorry about Old Shepherds death for the
simple reason that it would seem more natural
to go home and see dogs etc that you used to
know and to see if they would know me.
I often think of the spring of 91. I think
in March when I used to take him up to
the mountain and then he would start
on some sheep and follow them as far
as he could, then make for home to avoid
a whipping but he made up for his former
[deficiencies?] by his splendid services the last
year I was home. If it was not old age that
he died with you should have consulted a
Veterinary Surgeon and he probably would
have cured him, In regard Photo to
Gortin, I thought I sent one with your own.
I see by your letter that stock are
a good price in Ireland just now.
Well, I hope it remains that way.
As you mention playing I hardly
ever play at all, Once in a while I
play some but not often. If I could
play well I would play more but I
am not good enough. Mary says
they have got a Piano where she
is well if she get [sic] an opportunity
to practise. I would advise her
learn it and take lesson [sic] from
a good teacher, if she does I shall
pay the Bill of expense. It is
one of the accomplishments a
young lady should have.
I have a notion to rent a Piano
and learn at [a?] little myself,
during the winter.
You can tell Belle when you
see her that the people are well
and getting along well, Annie s
boys are here this week again,
so they make some fun. Annie
and Charles were at the Picnic at
Paradise Grove. They drove
down, from Leamington. All the
folks around are well. Uncle has
all crops in and is ploughing these
days. Most of the Woodslee people
are camping at Belle River.
[I?] shall send the Essex Free
Press so she may see some
of the news other than I [mention?]
Last week. I took an excursion
up the Lake to Port Huron There
were nearly three Hundred [from?]
Essex went and about four
thousand on board altogether altogether?].
Now I think this will be enough
for the present I [will?] ans [answer?] Mary s
as soon as possible.


James. A. Smyth.

Transcribed by Elizabeth Prentice