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Title: Thomas Carse, Cleveland, to "Dear Brother Robert."
ID582
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileCarse, Thomas/23
Year1855
SenderCarse, Thomas
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationshipping clerk for a railway company
Sender Religionunknown
OriginCleveland, Ohio, USA
DestinationCo.Down, N.Ireland
RecipientCarse, Robert
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipbrothers
SourceDonated by Mrs.I.J. Beattie, 120 Carsonstown Rd., Lisowen, Saintfield, Ballynahinch, Co. Down, BT24 7JN
ArchiveUlster American Folk Park.
Doc. No.9904108
Date02/09/1855
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 09:04:99.
Word Count858
Genre
Note
TranscriptFREIGHT DEPARTMENT,
Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati, and Cleveland &
Erie Rail Roads.

Cleveland, Sept 2nd 1855

Dear Brother Robert
I address this to
you from the fact that I owe you not only
this but many more - Having been for the
last two weeks quite unwell- I hardly feel
in tune to day to write you interestingly-
therefore before proceeding further you may expect
the letter throughout to be dull - I say dull - I will
tell you why Robert - The family with where I board
left on the Boat last evening for Detroit - Michigan -
burglars have for some time infested the
"quiet repose of our citizens - and have been observed
by our neighbors on the opposite side of the street,
to examine minutely by moonlight the philosophy of
the keyhole in the door by which to enter - This of
course excited a suspicion in our family - After
leaving the office last night at a late hour, and
arriving at my destined No [number?] on [Lake Et.?]
instead of retiring in my own room, I occupied the
bed made vacant by the "head of the house" for the
purpose of guarding the "valuables" as per request at
tea table- Knowing myself to be placed as
watch of course disturbed my rest- and to day
(Sunday) I feel rather drowsy - & when drowsy - dull
hence from a dull head - you must expect sleepy
ideas - But to the point (as I am obliged to
hurry along - being near tea-time) I received a
paper from you a few days ago - on which was
dimly noted with lead pencil - something about going
"home for a wife" - I am one of those Robert who
will follow a good example and also fully appreciate
the same - but we are taught by the laws of
nature to select those examples from men of age
and experience - Now, in my more youthful days
my older brothers - by some very palpable allusions-
endeavouring to bring me up in the way I should
go - of course recommended to me their mode of
procedure - You will comprehend the force of
this argument when I observe that, like a dutiful
boy - as far as marrying is concerned - I have thus
far obeyed their injunctions - It is not
my intention, however to die an old bachelor - I
feel that if I should- none would mourn my
loss - save perhaps my washerwoman (gentle creature)
In my walks through the country I meet with
many young ladies some of whom, no doubt, would
make excellent wives - but all, willing to assume
the responsibility - There is much pleasure
also much to be learned by visiting the girls-
My leizure hours are so limited that I seldom
participate in the enjoyment - I would like

[on top of page is the letter heading from the
beginning repeated, but stroked out, with the
following:]

("mistake in the printer" I did not look for heading
on this side)

to give you a few lines in regard to the young
ladies, generally, but to day will not venture
to dip my pen into the subject-
I have said
that I have been unwell - nothing more however
than a cold which was likely to settle on my
lungs - Have attended to business as usual
and with the exception of the effects - feel quite
recovered to day -
John is well- had
[-?] letter from him on Friday - says he is
[-?] fact every person seems busy this
season - [torn] grain and fruit crops are very
abundant & [-?] look forward to a winter of plenty-
Business at this point is exceedingly heavy - Have been
absent from the office only two days since Dec-
I shall perhaps take a week in this month
for a trip - have not yet determined where
Am glad that Geo [George?]
& yourself are progressing - Perseverance will
overcome obstacles - Where energy and ambition
are put in force - there is no such word as fail -
Where the mind is kept actively engaged in our
different spheres & departments of business-
the more will it expand - Mind cannot be
fathomed - There is a well of thought there which has
no bottom - The more we draw from it the more
clear & plentiful it will be-
I have written
[every?] [friend?] in Ohio & Iowa in regard to
Fathers death - I hope Mother is well - Cheer up
and enliven her spirits - John & myself are far
distant - but are both leading an honest &
upright life - We lament the loss of a kind
and affectionate father, but as Sir Walter
Raleigh has truly written
"Such is old time, who take our trust,
Our youth our joys our all we have,
And pays us but with age and dust,
Who in the dark and silent grave
When we have wandered all our ways-
Shuts up the story of our days. "-

Robert give my
respects and remember me to Mother - brothers (all)
and all kind friends & acquaintances, the names
of whom I should gladly mention- but space
will not permit- and accept this from
Your Brother
Thomas Carse