| Title: | Mary Smyth, Castledamph, to J. A. Smyth, Ontario |
|---|---|
| ID | 2929 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, Mary/14(3) |
| Year | 1904 |
| Sender | Smyth, Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Presbyterian) |
| Origin | Castledamph, Co. Tyrone, Canada |
| Destination | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Recipient | Smyth, James A. |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 506035 |
| Date | 28/10/1904 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LTE |
| Log | Document added by LT, 09:06:2005. |
| Word Count | 849 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Mr. J. A. Smyth, Essex, Ontario, Canada [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART 10 PM NO 2 04 [Written above address] Ans [Answered?] Nov 12, 04 [Back of Envelope] [Stamped] [PLUMBRIDGE?] A NO 2 O4 ESSEX NO 11 04 ONT. [Page 1] Castledamph, Oct 28th 04 Dear Brother:- This is Lodge night and as they are just gathering in, the kitchen is somewhat crowded so I thought I would start a letter but may not have very much written until they come down. W. Barker, Jamey Dunne, John McKnight, John Orr, Bob McKernan, George McCullagh, Jamey Gilkinson and a few others are in. I have been expecting a letter this last three weeks. but failed to get any I don't know what is the reason. I would have written [sooner?] but was waiting until I would get one first [Page 2] Since I last wrote I dont know what I've been doing I think anything particular during that time was that Bella Liza & I & Wm [William?] was [sic] in Omagh Saturday And went out to Uncles and as we were going out we met Lizzie and Beck [Rebecca?] Duncan and Annie going in to the [town?] so Lizzie turned with us again. Beck [Rebecca?] Duncan looks as well as ever they took a good look at me Wednesday evening Liza, Tom, and I went to a concert at Gortin so Liza stayed over expect her home Sunday. Sunday evg. [evening?] As there Are [sic] no one in but Father Mother and myself [sic] thought I would write a few more lines. This is a lovely day you can [Page 3] imagine what everything looks like at this time of the year - potato digging - the leaves are coming off the trees pretty quickly. Was at –Meeting- today. I was alone going down I mean the only girl so Bella & Davie was [sic] out and I made Bella sit with me, the first Sunday since she was married to be in our own seat. Tomorrow is Halloweve [Halloween?], I suppose you don't know when it is there. I don't think it is as much thought of here as it used to be. Liza may not come home until Wednesday and if not I shall go down to Lisnacright [Lisnacreaght?] tomorrow. The men are digging potatoes at Stewarts [Page 4] this last week and will be for another I went over two or three days and made their dinner and tea. Mother is able to walk over there now I think it is taking some of the beef off her. We had a danse [dance?] over in Stewarts one night. about forty there altogether, Lizzie McCullough & George, Andy Ballantine, then town people and Sandy Duncan Andy, McClelland and Bradkeel people I think that was about them all had a great night stayed until three o'clock. We didn't invite the master and he seems to be [Page 5] very much offended. He was here last night and he certainly did do some talking, he keeps me playing tunes all the time [nearly?] he has always got a new one for me I think he wants to find out how much I know. I can play all he has given me so far. He is pretty well up in music himself but still I think I know as much as he does. He was asking me one night how I could get sharps & flats on the violin he said he used to think [Page 6] that you could only play in “C”. He and Andy Ballant [Ballantine?] are very great [friendly?] now Andy thinks he is alright when he is with the Master but he tries to make a fool of Andy sometimes Thursday afternoon :- I am writing a little each [sic] so I may soon get it finished. Liza got home yesterday she came as far as Lisnacraig [Lisnacreaght?] on Sunday so Bella & Madge came with her yesterday afternoon. Tommy Houston [Huston?] John C. [Charles?] and Willie G. Campbell where [were?] hunting rabbits all day yesterday they had a [Page 7] ferret but only got six. Davie came up at night so they were all here to bedtime. and Madge is still here. Liza has had a pain in her side for sometime so she went to Gortin to see the Dr. [Doctor] about it so he has allowed her to do no work, so now I've got to get at milking and everything else. If she had let it go much longer he said it would have turned to consumption and nothing could save her. She has always had to [too?] much to do anyway and they don't seem to care here how much you work. [Page 8] She is over at Stewarts making there [their?] dinner it is not very much and he told her to keep out in the open air as much as possible so the walk won't do her any harm. Mother has lots to do too and I tell you I don't like the work Atall [at all?]. it is so dirty can't have anything on you decent ten minutes. I'm in a hurry to get this down in time so will close will write more some other day. Lizzie Hay wants the words of the “Maple Leaf Forever” I haven't got it quite correct so send it soon Good Bye [Goodbye?] Mary Haven't got a letter yet. Transcribed by Alan Houston |
