| Title: | Mary Smyth, Ontario to E C Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2982 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, Mary/44 |
| Year | 1903 |
| Sender | Smyth, Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Presbyterian) |
| Origin | Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Castledamph, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, Eliza C. |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0410020 |
| Date | 22/12/1903 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 1096 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Front of envelope Miss E.C. Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Ireland STAMPED SOUTH WOODSLEE DE 29 03 ONT. Back of envelope POSTMARK NEWTOWNSTEWART AM 10 0 JA 11 04 Letter Essex Dec 22nd 03 Dear Sister:- You see I am again shunting around. I just got here last night in time for the High School Commencement: I was coming up for Xmas holidays anyway so Jim said I might as well come up for it. We had a very nice time there was an awful crowd. Those who got honours last year were all supposed to go up and line on the platform as their names were called but I did not go up everyone was surprised to see me there as I just came in about an hour before on the train so no one expected me to be there. I got a good many handshakes Jim has got a lovely place here quite a nice [room?] I have also a room here for today. I am going down to Woodslee tonight and they have their Xmas entertainment there so perhaps I will go too for I promised to Mr Toll (the minister there) last night he was here, that I would go so I had better keep tomy [to my?] promise. Jim is not going down as they have an entertainment in the Presbyterian church here. Time is very very busy now at Xmas no nights but something on hand. I got a pair of skates so I'm going to learn at Xmas if I can at all I'll get out on the puddles around Uncle's and crack my crown. Glen and Leslie are coming tomorrow morning. I don't know whether Annie will be up for Xmas or not but I hope she will as it will be very dull there. I can't imagine but that I should see Aunt when I do down there tonight. I am writing this in Jims [Jim s?] room his paper and all. He is teaching this morning school closes for two weeks at noon. Where we are rooming the lady keeps a confectionery store down in the lower story so I'm going down after a while to see what beautiful things she has. Some lovely Xmas presents, all that is required is money. Jim has got $20 more of a raise so that is $625 a year. I wish I was getting that Today is quite cold but not very much snow on the ground here. There is always more snow in St. Thomas and it's also colder being farther north. Well I suppose all the family will be gathered home for Xmas with an additional one this year. I suppose she'll be taking my place as a baby and also as a girl. but I don't suppose that she will eat as much or occupy as much space but for noise I wont [won t] say but that she might beat me there. I am very quiet. I think myself that I am quieter than I used to be. I have never got over that bashfulness that I used to have when out among strangers being afraid to hear the sound of my own voice. That is one thing over there, they make there [their?] young ones sit in the corner and listen and not say a word. then after years when they get out they are so used to keep silent that they are afraid to be heard Look at Jim he always talked at home whether he was wanted to or not and now he can talk. Out here the little things ten years old, can talk as well as ones twice as old, and not afraid of stranger (sic) or anybody else. We used to be I remember if a stranger would come around and say anything personal to us we would say: "Yes". or. "No". and nothing more. I suppose we had'nt got the use of our alphabet all (sic). I hope Madge is brought up right. You should see to that. I know I would if I was there. What Next! I think I'll stop now and finish tomorrow so that I can relate the particulars of tonight. Dec 29 Woodslee I am so long in finishing this that I hardly know where I left off. First I came down here on Tuesday a week today, I intended to come on the train but Uncle & Cass & Fred were up in Essex on the sleigh so of course I came down with them, Uncle, Fred, Howard and I went to the Woodslee Entertainment. Bell [Belle?] did not go. Jim was down for Xmas breakfast but went back to Essex for his dinner as he had an invitation out Xmas was pretty dull here not much like last year. Annie did not come up just Cass & Fred & family and [the?] boys and I that was all that was there. Chas. [Charles?] Sister & Brother (sic) came up in the afternoon so that passed some of the time away. Jim has not been down since Sunday Uncle & I went to church twice Bell took sick Sunday a sore throat & other ailments so I'm in for another time [housekeeping?] She has not done anything since I do it all. She was in bed pretty near all day yesterday. She is not so bad today. She is just doing some patching. The work is not very much the morning is the worst I did not get up this morning till eight o'clock they did not call so of course I [wouldn t] get up to [till?] noon if I wasn't (sic) so I had to get breakfast and all when I came down. Uncle & Willie had just got through milking so as it was so late I did not take time to make their morning porridge but warmed up a few potatoes. After breakfast I washed the dishes and swept the house (dining room) and then made the four beds. and now the potatoes are boiling for dinner I got Willie & Leslie to peel them for me so I got time to finish my letter. I went out skating last night I was also out about an hour Xmas Day. I can almost go alone now It is nice fun Leslie & Willie is [are?] also learning. Glen can skate a little. Well holidays are again drawing to an end We have to go back Saturday. Bell [Belle?] was just saying Sunday that she wished I was not so far away. A good many though [thought?] I should have stayed with her for a while. I would like to but I hate to give up school Good Bye [Goodbye?] M [Mary?] Smyth Transcribed by Alan Houston |
