| Title: | Margaret Craig, Belfast to Mary Craig, Lisburn. |
|---|---|
| ID | 725 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Craig, Margaret/66 |
| Year | 1800 |
| Sender | Craig, Margaret |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Lisburn, Co. Antrim, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Craig, Mary |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | T 1475/2 pp8-10: Copied by Permission of Miss A. McKisack, 9 Mount Pleasant, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9404182 |
| Date | 01/01/1800 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LET |
| Log | Document added by LT, 25:04:1994. |
| Word Count | 790 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | My dear Mary, I will astonish you with the following news which is that Belfast is in the same place it always was not a single arch of the long bridge fallen, the ships all floated in the water as they formerly did, "for there is nothing new under the sun." You may suppose from the amazing nature of my narrative that I am going to fib a little, but I would have you know that I never told a lie in my life. Apropos, Mr Malcolm sends his love to you, but begs that you may keep your tongue between your teeth a little more the next time, and I too think that your language was somewhat unguarded. I therefore on this as on every other point, beg, beseech, intreat [entreat?], implore, that you may act with the greatest propriety. You must not take it amiss that I advise you, for you know I am older and wiser that you are, therefore, my dear Mary, don't be huffed __ you ought rather to thank me for giving you good advice. The above you will perceive refers to the point of young ladies sending their love to young gentlemen. They may do this if they please by letter, but to do it openly, Oh, Shame! Don't you know you desired me to give your love to a certain young gentleman, thinking best respects too formal, and poor silly me thought no impropriety in doing so, being quite unacquainted with the etiquette of those matters. The play for to-night is "Macbeth". Mr Holland, a very good actor, does the part of Macbeth. Mr Atkins acts Duncan, the set is a poor one, Mr Gordon and Mr Bellamy are the two best. I intend to go one night at least, they have got some fine new scenery, decorations, etc. I am glad to hear Mrs Smith is getting quite well, I intend to see her soon. I like this place very well for so far Mrs Sharman is extremely pleasant and good-natured with me. Mrs Milligen is a genteel, well-looking, agreeable woman. We intend going to Farm Hill to-morrow. I sleep by myself in the room next to Mrs Sharman's. Mr and Mrs Wilson came here yesterday, they intended to return the same day, but the rain prevented them. I think I shall like Mrs Wilson extremely. Indeed I am quite in love with both already, she gave me a very pressing invitation to spend a few days with them at North Lodge. If I go Mr Wilson will come for me in his gig. Mrs McDonnell called here last night and sat a long time. We had a great many calls here yesterday, but as Mrs Sharman was not well none were admitted. I intended calling on Miss McCully yesterday but John [-ill?] had not time to go with me. Mrs Sharman wishes very much to be introduced to her, she is very often next door with Miss Moore. I have not got my hat yet, but soon will. I have nothing in the world to do for Mrs Sharman in the attending way I was afraid of, nor in any other but what I please. I think we will agree extremely well, she is very attentive to do anything she thinks will add to my happiness. I say what I really think to you. I hope my father and you got safe home on Thursday, and were not the worse of being out in the night air, for night I suppose it was ere [before?] you reached Strawberry Hill. John [-ill?] is very much changed for the better, indeed he is grown very complaisant and good-natured, I assure you. I hope my Mother's headache is better and that she will ride out often. I dare say you will think I was tipsy when I wrote the first page and part of the second. Don't put anything in your letters you would not wish to be seen. I think Mrs Sharman won't ask to see them, but if she does what can I do? As Mr Malcolm was roasted the last night he was at Strawberry Hill he does not intend calling now, for fear of being eaten, I suppose. Mr and Mrs Wilson desired me to remember them in the kindest manner to you all. Give my most affectionate love to all at home, and to Nannie and Peggy. Believe me, my dearest Mary, Your Ever Affectionate Sister, Margaret Craig. You will hear from me soon again. Tell my dear Mother not to be uneasy. I will write to Rachel the next time. Farewell! You will hardly be able to read this scrawl, it was begun last night. Saturday Morning. Miss Mary Craig. Strawberry Hill. Hill Willson [Wilson?], son of Capt. James Willson and Nephew of Mrs Sharman. Born at Purdysburn, 1772. Died at Carrickfergus, 1846. Married, (1st) in 1804 Armanella, dau. [daughter?] of Wm. [William?] Sharman and Armanella Willson. She died 1806 without issue. (2nd) in 1813 Martha, dau. [daughter?] of Rev. Audley Fanning, Rector of Termoneeny, Co. Derry. She died 1834, leaving issue. |
