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Title: McCance, John to Orr, William, 1860
ID4278
CollectionOceans of Consolation [D. Fitzpatrick]
Fileoceans/40
Year1860
SenderMcCance, John
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationgold-digger
Sender Religionunknown
OriginVictoria, Australia
DestinationGrey Abbey, Co. Down, Northern Ireland
RecipientOrr, William
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipold neighbour
Source
Archive
Doc. No.
Date
Partial Date
Doc. Type
Logunknown
Word Count1138
Genrenews
Note
TranscriptChewton October 23rd 1860
Dear Sir
I write you these few lines to inform you that I received your letter
of 29th. July, as also the inclosed lines for Robert Byers, but I am sory to
say that I could not forward it to him on account of my not Knowing his
address, as he seems to be like some others. That is he does not Know
where we live untill he wants somthing, for he Knows my address—but I
do not Know his. He left Mr. Parker sore against his masters will, for he
was pleased with him and sent me word to that effect. But although I never
beared the perticulars yet I beleive it was Mr. John Jefferys fault, and I
think they both have repented it—so now that I have named this young
man, I must tell you little about him also.
After he left Robert Byers he tramped the country as long as could,
and was at Bendigo on his rounds, and came here hard up as they call it
here, and on his Fathers account and on yours also, my bed and board was
very welcome to him, and I done my endeavour to get him a situation
which he got in a very fine establishment in this place, it was the place in
which we all deal. But I must say that he has not proved as he promised to do, for I gave him a very great caution and advice before he went, and
he made very fine promises but he left without ever telling me of it, although
I was in the Store on the same night that he teft. His wages was
two pounds ten shillings per week and board and lodging, and if he had
acted the man as he promised to do he might have been there for years. I
have been makeng inquiry into the cause of his leaving, but there was
nothing to his dishonesty only carlessness and thoughtlessness or rather
lazyness—I did feel very much grieved on his account and on his Fathers
also, but alas poor fellow himself will be the sufferer.
I have not heard of him since and I have a letter for him to my care
from a town called Kyenton, between this and Melbourne and I will Keep
it till he calls for it as he will very likly give us a call some day or other.
But I have done my duty and so has my Mrs. and I am glad it's no worse,
but I think we have done. Indeed I would have wrote to you by last mail
but I depended on him, as he promised to come up night after night, and
write to you, as he could handle the pen in a superior manner to me and
of course he could indite it better, but alas the mail closed and he came
not. I would have sent papers also but waiting on him. He also promised
to send a paper in which was the advertisement for Robert Byers as he did
try to find him out, and wrote to Creswick and to Melbourne but he said
he got no answer before he left. I will very likely send you a few lines some
time that he sent to me although the distance was scarsley as far as from
your house to the turn of the Newtownards road, and by it you may
judge—it may be I might send it in this one.
You spoke of not Knowing William Boyces address but you may
have seen it before this time, as I Know that they wrote by last mail but I
think that Scorpian hill Taradale will find him out. I will likily send some
papers with this. I cannot give you any information about Mr. Thomas
Brooks as he went away along with William Patton, in the exploring party
and we have not heard of him since. You will see by this last dated paper
that they are got to the River Darling, and the names of them all is there
but his is not there. That name Blook [Belooch] is an Indian.
John Regan is well he is working on the railway down towards Melbourne,
but I think he will soon be up here. All the others of our family
are all in good health. James and Nathaniel is gone to a new rush about
20 miles from us, at a place call'd Yandoit. Thomas is just returnd from a
visit down to the heads where we lived the first 2 years. He rode his own
horse down and up again. Alexander is still up in New South Wales as yet
but they were all well the last word we got from them.
You spoke of John Nivin saying I neve[r] wrote to him now, but I
sent him the last letter about 9 months ago but he might not get it, at any
rate I sent him another about a fortnight ago, with this plea but we have
got no answer to it yet. I would certinly write more oftener, but it takes
me a long time and at the best I am not good at it and you could not think
how buisy I am I may say night and day.
But Remember my very large garden, and although I bost a little it
is a wonder to many to see it. Numbers stands with their hands on the
fence looking over with astonishment. If I was to send you a list of all
things that I have in it—it would surpr[i]se you. But I have also to fill my
time at my daily work of digging besides, from eleven oclock in the morning
to six at night as we are five in a party but we are making very httle wages
this long time. But we have made a good deal of the garden this year and
the boys is begining to be a help to me, but we still Keep them at the School
as much as possable, but I have Kept Robert at home this some time. But
this will weary you so I will draw a tang [breach-pin of rifle] on it.
We certinly are very glad to hear the news you send to us of any
event that may happen in or about the old town, for all these things be
them ever so trifling is precious to us. In fact we get very little but by you,
for which I feel very much obliged. Now sir I will draw this long yarn to
a close. Agnes wishes to be Kindly Rememered to your Mother and to all
inquiring friends and beleive me to be your sincear friend
John McCance