| Title: | J A Smyth, Ontario, to B M Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2801 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/61(3) |
| Year | 1900 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| 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. | 506001 |
| Date | 20/10/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 07:06:2005. |
| Word Count | 873 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss [Belle?] M Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] [ESSEX?] OC 20 OO ONT. [Back of Envelope] [Handwritten] Arrived No 2nd 1900 J. J. S. - [John James Smyth?] [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART AM NO 02 00 [Page 1] Essex, Ont. 20 Oct., 1900, My Dear People, I am somewhat lazy in writing this last while at least I have not written much, but you may have heard all the news from your visitors Well, Belle and Sara arrived here on Wednesday night. I saw an account of the ship's arrival at New York in Monday's paper, so looked for them Tuesday night. They got into Windsor, however, early Wednesday morning and went through to Woodslee on Wednesday night. As I expected them I was at the station when the train came in and just as she was slowing up I saw them from the outside. I went in and had a talk with them for about eight or ten minutes while the train was waiting. I did not go down [Page 2] 2 to Woodslee on Wednsday [Wednesday?] night as I had accepted an invitation to a party in town. I got home from the party about 3. o,clock and got up at 6 o'clock and took the train for Woodslee. Then, as Thursday was Dominion Thanksgiving Day I remained there all day. Of course I heard a lot of Irish News but it is not as good as if you had been there yourself and had seen the different things. I did not have any time [anytime?] to spare except the day so I came back to Essex at night to attend a political meeting. One thing Belle will be able to talk about the different events and people over there now, when ever [whenever?] I go down, I am glad to know you are all looking well. Belle and Sara did not gain much in color during their absence. The boys should not look upon them [Page 3] 3 as typical Canadians girls, They are not lively enough. I was enquiring about several people. I find Belle has not been in a great many places around home, I was asking her about Chas. [Charles?] McCullough [McCullagh’s?] folks but she says she did not meet any of them. I think she told me she was never over in Jas [James?] Houstons [Hustons?], also that Jas [James?] is in poor health, I am sorry for James and I hope he will soon recover. Belle informed me to say that she would write in a few days and to tell you they had a nice trip and all went well, with the exception that they felt somewhat tired. I saw the most of the things you sent me I am sure they are all right [alright?]. I did not try the shirts on but I guess they are all right [alright?]. They are good strong looking ones I suppose Sara's people did not like [Page 4] 4 to see her go away again. The Irish are, perhaps, the most against foreign trips, they seem to look upon them with a peculiar dread, but such an opinion soon vanishes after a few years in other places. I remember when I used to dread the ocean but now a trip across is no more serious than a ten mile ride in a waggon [wagon?], It does not seem very far away when one can leave Ireland one week and land on the American continent the next, I think I shall go down to Woodslee tonight and spend tomorrow there, It won't be as lonely around my Uncles now since Belle is back, I received the Civil Service papers last week I am sorry I am not younger than I am as there are only one or two appointments open for me, [Page 5] 5 The High Court of Justice, clerkship is one. If you ever get any papers set at this exam, let me have them, The age limit here is 30 years old. There seem [sic] to be good appointment in that line but I should judge it requires good education, I don't think I answered your last letter Belle [Bella?], so you can accept this as an answer in full, Well we are having nothing here but politics now, Last night we went to Amherstburg to hear Sir Wilfred Laurier (Liberal) The Essex Band went, They had a big time, Of course he does not suit my political ideas but I went with the Band, Thursday night the (Liberals) Reformers - had a meeting in Essex, The Minister of Finance was here and Cowan the M.P for South Essex and others so this was another big time, [Page 6] 6 Monday night our party (Conservatives) will have a meeting here, so we will have [sic] good time, Louis [Wigle?] is our man against Cowan, It is my opinion that the Laurier Government will be returned though not with my vote. I see your elections are over, I am glad to see the Con [Conservatives?] in power again, Our elections are on the [7?] Nov, the U. [United?] Sates [States?] elections are on the 6th Nov, I hope Bryan is defeated, Like to see McKinley again in the chair. You can see little groups here on the street any day arguing politics. Well I suppose Belle told you what kind of a fellow I was, how thin I had got, how good looking and so on etc, now I think this may do today so good Bye [Goodbye?] Jas A [James Alexander?] Smyth |
