| Title: | James Callwell, Carrickfergus to Mary Jane Callwell, Canada |
|---|---|
| ID | 428 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Caldwell, James/6 |
| Year | 1847 |
| Sender | Callwell, James |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | student (in teacher training) |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Carrickfergus, Co. Antrim, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Canada |
| Recipient | Callwell, Mary |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | T 3614/1 Acc 14366: Deposited by Miss B.J. Howes |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9309366 |
| Date | 05/04/1847 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C. R., 30:09:1993 |
| Word Count | 665 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Bellahill. April 5. 1847 My dear Cousin, It gave my father and mother much pleasure, to hear from you, by the letter you sent your grandmother. My sister, and I am overjoyed, to think that we have a cousin, a daughter of our much loved and kind Uncle Henry. He wrote and told us the colour of your hair and eyes, shortly after your birth, but, his death happening soon after, we heard little more about you, for, your mother was so unkind or forgetful, that she never wrote to us. How heartrending it was, and still is, to think that my Uncle died; far from his native land, and from his friends, who held him dear and that your mother esteemed us , his friends, as unworthy of her trouble in writing to inform us that he was then no more. We rejoice to know that your mother has had the good fortune to find a good and virtuous partner, and one who proves a kind protector to you, early deprived by the cold hand of death, of a kind and indulgent parent. I doubt not, but that you will always find kindness, even from strangers, for certainly to the young and pious it has been promised that "The Lord will preserve the stranger he will relieve the fatherless and widows." I suppose, that, as my Uncle died, when you were [?] to read over a few of their names of whom you may never have heard. Grandfather Abram [Abraham?] died in May 1846 after having been for years in a very delicate state of health from the pressure of age. Uncle Abram [Abraham?] Aunt Peggy [Margaret?] and my Father are still alive and well. Uncle A. has a small farm, on which he lives, as yet unmarried, very comfortably. It is not, that he has not room for a partner, but just that he prefers celibacy to all the charms of wedlock. Aunt Templeton has seven of a family 3 boys and 4 girls. My father has 14 acres of good land at 10/ [per?] acre, on which (if my mother enjoyed good health) we would live very comfortably and happily. Our family consists of my father and mother, Ellen Jane, Mary, Jenny & Mary-Ann & myself. Ellen Jane is 18, Mary is 16. She was in the last quarter of her apprenticeship to dressmaking but was forced by bad health & signs of decline to quit & come home. She is a little recovered but not at her trade. I stayed at home till I was 16. I then engaged in teaching for two years in a National School. From that I went to an Academy to read Latin & Greek. In a year & a half I became an assistant teacher in an academy in Moira, a town in Co. Down about 30 miles from home. From that I removed to Belfast College. I have been there, now two Sessions. I intend if I live staying 3 more. Ellen Jane will be grateful to you, for a few lines, when you write me, as I hope you will. My mother begs of you to send her as a keepsake a small cutting of your hair. We all earnestly wish to see you. When you write tell us, are you comfortable? What do you work at? Are you in the same place when my Uncle died? How much land have you? Do you expect even to see Ireland? My Father & Mother, all my sisters & Uncle Abram [Abraham?] join with me in sending our kind love to you. Please remember us all kindly to your mother & adopted father. Hoping that this letter will find you safe & happy under the shelter of the "Rock of Ages". #PAGE 2 I remain your affectionate Ja's [James?] Callwell PS. Direct to Ja's [James?] Callwell Bellahill Ballycarry Carrickfergus Co. Antrim Ireland I wrote you on the 15 July 1846 & after being advertised in Kingston for some time it was returned to me. I send this with as emigrant from Ireland, Mr. Thompson, one with whom I am acquainted. To Mr. Francis Simms For Mary Jane Callwell Kingston W. [Western?] Canada |
