| Title: | W. Stavely, Pennsylvania, to J. Stavely, Belfast |
|---|---|
| ID | 3046 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Stavely, William J/1 |
| Year | 1862 |
| Sender | Stavely, William J. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | sales supervisor |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Natrona, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Stavely, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers-in-law |
| Source | D1835/27A/2/5: Deposited by Greer, Hamilton & Gailey, Solicitors |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9909223 |
| Date | 13/01/1862 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 21:09:99. |
| Word Count | 916 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Natrona, Allegheney County, P.A. [Pennsylvania?] January 13 1862 My dear James Since the month of May last I have only been favoured with a short note from you but receive newspapers with much regularity, for which you have my best thanks. My object in now writing is merely to inform you, and others, we as a family are yet in the land of the living, although wars and rumours of war exist in our borders, fightings without and fears within, yet we enjoy comparative peace in our humble dwelling, we can go out and come in none daring to make us afraid. What great reason have we to thank God, who has vouchsafed to us his loving kindness every morning, and his faithfulness every night. I have received very lately from you a Belfast paper, which announces the marriage of your eldest daughter, Annie, to Mr W. McFarland. I can only in all sincerity say, their union may be productive of peace in time and happiness in eternity. Most cordially congratulate you, on the wordly [worldly?] prospects of yourself and family. And although others will consider an opinion, much less an advice from me as foolish, yet would I suggest, you now in the day of prosperity, to prepare for a dreary night of adversity. The British Isles, and the nations of the world in general shall soon be swept with the [besom?] of destruction, your [M..ch p..ces?] shall be reduced from affluence to want and in their destruction you and thousands besides may lose the hard earnings of half a life time. Do not think this as imaginary on my part, any ordinarily intelligent man, who will take the Bible as his guide, and compare its teachings with the state of affairs all over the world, must admit, we are now entering on a mighty conflict with the powers of darkness, and in which the things which can not be shaken shall remain. Even now the Father fights against the Son, and the Son against the Father, in the Confederate and U states armies, a man's enemies actually those of his own house. In all this is not scripture literally fulfilled. It would not do for me to say so in this land of my adoption but to you I may. I was well pleased England assailed her honour in compelling (peaceably tho' it was) this government to give up the Confederate Commissioners. The sword is sheathed, for the present, but the people say when we get the rebellion settled we will give John Bull such a whipping as he has never before got. The United States as such may now be blotted from the map of the world - the rebellion does not appear settled, neither is it in the power of the so called U.S. to settle it with the sword. On the day before Christmas all my children went to Allegheny city - John returned on the Saturday after, the others only on Friday last, in their absence I was very lovely. On Friday when the [they?] returned it was a wet and dreary day - Although John had on good fires and the house was comfortable, yet the little ones felt lonely. I made the most of a bad case I could, but it cut me to the heart to see them unhappy when it was out of my power to make their situation more congenial to their wishes. They have now become more happy, and are at school today. By a letter recently received from Philadelphia goods are advanced there in price from 30 to fifty per cent since I was in that city. I went to Pittsburgh on Wednesday night and returned on Friday morning - there aso I find goods extravagantly high, much above the price the masses can afford. In this store we have tasted stock up to first [lust?] we have over fourteen thousand dollars worth of goods at least $13,000 are new and good. The having such a stock was my doing - for once I hit the nail on the head. We have advanced our prices, by order of the Company, while the customers, generally very poor, complain morning noon and night at their being charged higher for goods, and their wages remain as usual, only 87« cents per day for labourers men, and upwards in proportion to their ability, to tradesmen. In consequence of this difference of opinion, my lot at present is not so happy as it might be. This has been the warmest winter I have seen in this or any other country - we had no snow until about the 23rd. Dec. Now it is gone, and for the past few days - we have had rain incessantly - yesterday the birds were singing - the weather is unusually warm and those who have winter gloves and over coats may box them up until another year. In the works here we outsiders think the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturers are making money - they turn out 108 forty gallon barrels of refined oil daily which with the other manufactured goods commands a ready sale - I sent you a newspaper last week, will write you next month. I wrote my father in December, and intend my next shall be to him. With best wishes to Anne, yourself, and the various members of your family. I am, most sincerely yours Wm. [William?] Stavely P.S. Since the above was written the mail has arrived, bringing a Belfast newspaper of 28 ult. Thanks. |
