| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario to Mary Smyth, Co. Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 2808 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/68 |
| 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 |
| Doc. No. | 0505583 |
| Date | 10/11/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 08:04:2005. |
| Word Count | 794 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss Mary Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] [ESSEX?] NO [2?] 00 [ONT.?] [Written over Envelope] November 23rd 1900 Miss Mary Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co. Tyrone, Ireland [defeated?] Miss Mary Smyth Plumbridge N.T. Stewart Co Tyrone Ireland [Back of Envelope] [Stamped] [WINDSOR?] AM NO 12 00 ONT. [HAMILTON?] NOV 12 20 00 “OO”. [NEWTOWNSTEWART] PM NO 22 00 [Page 1] Essex, Ontario November 10. 1900. My Dear Sister, I just received your letter last night, after comming [coming?] up from Woodslee. I was much pleased to get such a long one and so interesting in many respects. I am glad to know that you still enjoy yourselves in the old style. I am also glad to know that Jas. [James?] Ballantyne [Ballantine?] has taken a trip over to the “ould” sod. However he is making a short stay but I suppose business before pleasure. Now in regards to the Civil Service guide I may say, if I have not already mentioned it, that, with two exceptions, I am over age for the others. James the teacher must be under 22 years if he tried for the Excise as that I think is the age limit. [Page 2] Don't expect many trips from me until I am there. It is pretty hard to make many trips without a fair share of money to back it up. If I can afford to spend the money and has [have?] it to spend I am sure you would not be any more pleased to see me that [than?] I would to see you all. I am sure many changes has taken place as there are many right in this town and you cannot but notice them. You say Sacrament Sunday is at hand. I am member of this Church here and has [sic] been for three or more years. I think I told you this at that time. By this time you know of our election. They are all over and we Conservatives are in the “soup” Our Leaders [Tupper?], McDonald and all the rest are defeated [Page 3] It was a very warm time but Laurier was the victor. He carried almost all Quebec, but the [Tupper?] party carried Ontario, so it's almost English against French. My school was closed this week on account of scarlet fever, several cases being in town. As school was closed I acted as scrutineer for the Con [Conservative?] party in one ward 2 in Essex, and I may say we had some fun. We were also defeated in our man as he lost by 87 votes. After 6 o'clock election day, the people of both parties gathered in the town Hall and the reports from all over the Dominion were received by telgraph [telegraph?] there. And there was the place to hear cheering and yelling for their respective parties. The principal issues at this election was [were?] “free trade” and Preferential Tariff. [Page 4] I took a very active part myself and next day I could hardly appear on the street but somebody had some joke to ask about being so badly defeated. Schools opens [sic] tomorrow again. I think they have disinfected the school etc. in order to make sure. As I said at the start I was at Woodslee yesterday. They have had no letters yet from the old country. I have received quite a number of papers lately but not many letters. We have had beautiful weather here until last week when it began to get cold. Up to that time it felt like summer. Now it is somewhat the other way getting quite cold. My room is also getting that way. I do hate a cold room especially when you are paying 14 shillings per week for board and room [Page 5] I am taking my meals at the Hotel and have a room rented but unless they warm up my room somehow I must change again. That is one of the most objectionable features of being away from home. Oh, these boarding houses! They just want your money and it make [sic] no difference whether you are comfortable or not. I think you mentioned Hallow'en. Well the little boys here remember it but that is all. Otherwise you never hear it mentioned. Everything seems to be changing. Things don't seem the same as when I was a boy. Probably it is because I have passed that age now. but we used to have good times when I was young. I suppose James Ballantyne [Ballantine?] remembers me when I visited him some years ago when I was going home [Page 6] He would be able to tell Father quite a lot about all the Ballantynes [Ballantines?]in Philadelphia. Uncle had a letter from William some time ago. Now I don't know of any particular news to tell you. It is now half past five oclock so I must get dressed and get supper and then go to church. I suppose you folks have no church at night. We have it here twice a day and Sunday School in the afternoon, but I hardly go except at night. Well good bye and have a good time Xmas. Your Brother Jas A [James Alexander?] Smyth Miss Mary Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone. Transcribed by Alan Houston |
