| Title: | John Williamson, Cohoes, NY to Benjamin Williamson, Leeds. |
|---|---|
| ID | 3357 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Williamson, John/6 |
| Year | 1851 |
| Sender | Williamson, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | looking for a job |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Cohoes, New York, USA |
| Destination | Leeds, England |
| Recipient | Williamson, Benjamin |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | T 2680/2/5: Copied by Permission of W. P. Williamson Esq., Ahorey House, Richhill, Co. Armagh. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9007146 |
| Date | 17/02/1851 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 15:11:1993. |
| Word Count | 883 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Cohoes. Febry 17th 51 [1851?] Dear Benjn [Benjamin?], I wrote you from Albany in Decbr. but as I have not had an answer I fear you have not received it. up to this time I have been looking every day to hear from you if you have written me to Albany I will get it here you will perceive by the heading of this letter that I have again shifted my Bob to my present residence which is a Country Village 10 miles from Albany the reason why I came here was I had a chance of a temporary situation which only lasted 5 or 6 weeks and one more I am unemployed I thought better to come here anyhow as it would be cheaper to Live & I could not afford to stay in Albany at thy expense I was at until the spring, my prospects here are only very middling in fact I dont think there is scarce a chance of getting a Job except I turn out into some Factory. you have no Idea of the dissapointments [disappointments?] & losses I have met with since I left the West. there I had a good home & every thing [everything?] Comfortable as I could wish but coming here to meet [reverses?] & a wife & child depending on me it almost drives me mad not knowing what hand to turn to but thank Providence we have always known what good health is & so far still plenty to eat. but I cannot expect that all these things will continue in a strange place without one --igh friend we have no acquaintances here & my wife has not seen a woman to speak to in 2 weeks. if this was the Spring or Summer it would be very different as there are plenty chances of Employment but in the winter when the rivers are all Frozen & navigation closed nothing to do. I had a letter a few days ago from my Friends in Manchester they wish me to return again & say that business is good & is good chances for me there as here. at all events I would not Live in the Eastern States I would 10 times rather go back to the west as stay here in this miserable place. on my wifes account I would like to return to Manchester, & I know I can get as good a salary in a situation as here. Perhaps you will say I am as wild and unsettled as ever going from place to place & perhaps you will be right to think so, but I tell you Benjn [Benjamin?] you never seen a man more anxious to settle down for Life than I am & has been since I was married, but still grasping at a straw. I have been [tossed?] about First by [Harvey?] till left with my last Pound & not one Cent recompense #PAGE 2 then by my supposed friend in Albany but I tell you now it shall not all go for nothing. I have come to a certain conclusion so well or ill. I will put it through If I can. in the first place I will ask you to stand by me with a little cash, if you can spare me the use of Ten or Fiften [Fifteen?] Pounds for a few months I will go back to Manchester & get something to do & stay there it grieves me to ask you for assistance but misfortunes cannot be parried, had it not been for them I would not be compelled to ask you I am at present brot [brought?] to my last Five & I Know have been a d--- to many of my Freinds [friends?] unwillingly If you can do me this favor I will take the earliest moment to repay you. but get out of this infernal [?] I must do by hook or crook, & If I am dom-ed to live in poverty it shall not be said that I brot [brought?] my wife to it I will go back when I have freinds [friends?] at all [?] - If tis possible for you to help me I wish you would write me on receipt or by next mail. The Bankers will instruct you how to send so that I can get their check [cheque?] or dft. [draft?] cashed in Albany - or N. [New?] York. I wrote home a few days ago but I did not tell them how I was situated I would not let them know anything about it. I told them that I had some intention of going back. James is still in Illinois I have not heard from him since I came to the east nor have I heard from William directly since he went to the gold digging I hope your wife & Boy are in good health & that you are also. I am glad to say we are all well & wife desires her kind Love to you all she hopes she will have the pleasure of spending a day with you yet if you have written me before you get this I will answer receipt by newspaper. I will conclude hoping to hear early from you and Believe me to be your Afft. [Affectionate?] Bro [Brother?] John Williamson Cohoes N. [New?] York #PAGE 3 [addressed to] p Steamship Mr B. Williamson Elmwood Row Leeds England 1 Feb 1851 [postmarks] COHOES BB FEB MAR 1851 |
