| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario, to Bella Smyth, Co Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 2816 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/80 |
| Year | 1899 |
| 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, 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. | 0310001 |
| Date | 27/12/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 16:10:2003. |
| Word Count | 1038 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Miss B.M. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] Ont [Ontario?] [Back of Envelope] Arrived January the Monday 8:1900 January 8th 1900 [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART Ja [January?] 1900 1899 WINDSOR [Page 1] South Woodslee Dec 27th 1899 Dear Sister Your letter of Dec 13th to hand to day and I am pleased to know you are all in the usual good health. I have delayed somewhat in writing this last week or so, though even it is late I have very good news to tell you, I passed my examination. There were twenty two of us and nineteen got through. [Page 2] One from Essex a Miss Raines failed and two others. I feel sorry for those who fail as I know how I would feel about it if I were in the same place. However every body nowadays looks out for No 1 and in this light I am glad to be one of the successful ones. I received the papers from Mr. James [one?] night of the examination and was glad to have an opportunity of reading such. The examinations there are in some respects the [Page 3] same though different in others. I shall send Mr. James my papers today and when he gets through with them he can give them to you. Although I have passed yet I have not been successful in getting a school. In the early part of the term perhaps I wanted too much salary. I have an application in for one at Amherstburg probably hear from it to day. I came from Windsor on the 15th and I have been on the move ever since. I was on the [Page 4] train nearly every day. Went to Leamington on Sat and stayed until following Tuesday, and in the meantime applied for a school there, but they decided to take a teacher that had taught there a few years before. Wednesday went to a place called Comber ten or twelve miles from here, and applied for a school there but one of the Trustees had a son a teacher so he got that school. On Friday I noticed an advert in the paper for [Page 5] a teacher near Amherstburg so I went up there Saturday. It is about 25 miles from here 4 shillings fare for return trip. This school is open yet as I went back again yesterday and offered to take it for $300 per year on the previous visit I put in my application for $325 per year, but fearing lest I might not get a school and as this school had a small average I decided to begin low. [Page 6] I saw the Trustee yesterday and he said they would hold their meeting to day, so if I am selected I shall find it out before night. It is now 10 o clock am. You see I had considerable running around this last week or so and at the same time spending money. I know $300 is not much but if I get it, it is better than doing nothing though it won t do much more than pay my board expenses and clothes. Board is $3 per week at Anherstburg. The school is about a mile out of town and situated [Page 7] on lake Erie at Western end of Essex Co. and about 13 miles down the river from Windsor. I spent [Xmas?] at Woodslee and went to Essex at night, there was [so?] [few?] around here. Annie and family were out from Leamington and Sara was also here from Owassa Michigan. Annie wanted them all out to her place for New Year. Probably we will all go out. There is a vacancy in a law office in Essex now. The Editor of Free Press told me the other [Page 8] day about it, but I don t know if it is worth while applying for it as he would not give much more than would keep one for the first year or so. However if one was sure of studying law, it would be all right [alright?] as you must serve so long in a law office and in Ireland you have to pay for the privilege of getting in the office while here they give the student a small salary. I see you folks are going down to [Dunbar?] for Xmas; you will probably have a good time. [Page 9] I am sure Joe [Ghlee?] make (sic)some fun for the boys around there. It would certainly be a surprise should Joe get the appointment justice would then be administered impartially and fair treatment meted out to all. In reference to certificates there, I think it would be no good as those granted there are no good here, out here every [province?] has it (sic) own standard and some of them do not recognize the standing in other provinces. [Page 10] In reference to going home if I get this school, I may probably make up my mind to go over about 1st July [--?] if I save up enough money by that time. The school on the Island is not vacant so here endeth that chapter. I hope you all have success in regards to old Margarets Money. I am sure I would be pleased to learn of you all getting a good sum and if you had no use for it all part of it would not come amiss to me. It seems no one can get along [Page 11] in this world without a little money. How about the road do they intend tendering for it again or have they had enough of it during the last five years? I think I sent you a letter telling you that I rec [received?] Your pictures and money, papers etc. We had our pictures taken before leaving [Windsor?]. I have not seen them yet, probably send you one. We made the principal a present of a traveling companion before leaving Windsor. I collected [Page 12] the money. The boys gave 50c each and girls 25c. Paid about $7 for the present. You see everything takes a little money from one. However the principal deserved it, he is a fine man. He was telling me he was going to the old Country next year. His brother in law was over a few years ago. He visited Londonderry. We had a talk about the walls etc. I think I put all I know in this Epistle at present. Wishing you all a happy New Year. Your Brother James A Smyth (Newspaper Cutting) (Inside Envelope) ESSEX NEWS. Essex, Dec. 20. - Essex high school is well represented in the list of successful candidates at the model school examinations. Of the nineteen who passed, eight are graduates of the high school here. Their names are Florence Arnold, Maud Cummiford, Susie G. Russell, John W. Batten, Joseph E. Brady, Garnett McKee, James Smyth, Joseph J. Tully. .. Transcribed by Elizabeth Prentice |
