| Title: | Reynolds, James William to Reynolds, Laurence, 1894 |
|---|---|
| ID | 4223 |
| Collection | The Reynolds Letters. An Irish Emigrant Family in Late Victorian Manchester [L.W. McBride] |
| File | reynolds/36 |
| Year | 1894 |
| Sender | Reynolds, James William |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | linen worker |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Manchester, England |
| Destination | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Recipient | Reynolds, Laurence |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | son-father |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 739 |
| Genre | account of workplace, family |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Spring Bank, Longsight Manchester Memo: Laurence F. Reynolds July 3rd 1894 Dear Father, Tomorrow is the Fourth and I suppose you entend haveing a good time. Think of me when you are having it. I thought I would write and describe the works. This building here is on the back, of the property. This small place on the left is the engine room and storehouse on the right is the stable. The next is the French cleaning place. That is what caused the fire as he has it separate from the rest. Now by this picture you can not see the dyeing or soap cleaning places. There is another building that covers more ground than this only it is not as high. Then there is what they call the stove. That is a drying place. Then there is the office and receiving office & sorting rooms. This large place. First floor is where all the goods are pressed. 2nd all piece goods and the 3d where the lace curtains arc dryed. Now across the road he has a piece of land about as large as two lots where he has a shed for the wagons and other truck. This piece of land is bounded by a stream of water and all the water used in the place comes from that and you see he saves a lot of money by it. This large building I should judge is about 15 X 15. So now you know how large it is. There are 35 people on the pay roll. Besides there is two girls in each of the stores. That makes 10 more. The folks here have to[o] much of the swelled head. They are always cracking themselves up and saying what they have done & how well off they are and all this it would make you sick. Grandmother is all right. I like her the best of the lot allthough they treat me right and all that, still, I am not at home. I will stick it out though and sec what is what. If it does not show up in a year 'you can look for me coming home then'. There is one thing I forgot to tell you allthough they told me not to. You will wonder why I dont say something about uncle John. I only seen him once. I [am] going to see him tomorrow. Uncle Wm & Aunt Mary Ann and him are at outs, have been for some time. It seems he was not hightoned enough or something. There are two sides to the story and I do not really know which to receive. Now do not take anything hard at what I am saying because what is done can not be undone but I can assure you if I had the least idea of what this was I would still be laboring for the [iliegible] and have a little life. You cannot imagine what I left when I left Chgo. Now for instance I get up at between 6-30 & 7 every morning and am driven out to Longsight. Then I dodge around there all day bossing the men & girls getting out work. Then they quit at six. I wait till the vans come in then go up home. It is always between nine & half-past nine when 1 get there. Then we have a lunch and talk about business till ten or a quarter after, then it is to bed. Every day the same. On Sunday I get up and go to Mass generally with Aunt or Uncle. Last Sunday was the first I went alone and I would not have gone I guess only uncle is in Ireland, then I come home and talk or read prayers for the old lady then dinner. Probably after that uncle and I would take a walk. Look at nobody, talk to nobody. Go around a couple of woods, then come back to supper. Then to church. Then home. Talk awhile, then to bed. That is my life. So far I would just as leave be in the bridewell for six months. Well Dad 1 guess you know the situation I am in now. I will endeavor to make the best of it for your sake, so let it drop. I only wished to let you know a thing or two. Regards to Mother Tom John Mary Willie. Your loving son Jim |
