| Title: | Mary Cumming, Baltimore to Margaret Ward, Lisburn. |
|---|---|
| ID | 794 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Cumming, Mary/43 |
| Year | 1815 |
| Sender | Cumming (n. Craig), Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | middle class housewife |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Baltimore, Maryland, USA |
| Destination | Lisburn, Co. Antrim, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Ward (n. Craig), Margaret |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | T 1475/2 p132-135: Copied by Permission of Miss A. McKisack, 9 Mount Pleasant, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9405205 |
| Date | 09/02/1815 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 09:05:1994. |
| Word Count | 1173 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Baltimore. Feb. 9th, 1815. My beloved Margaret will be surprised when she sees where I date my letter from. I am very sorry to tell you bad health has detained me here all this Winter, the last letter I wrote home was to my Father in October, at which time my health was very delicate, but I thought I would get better in a short time as the weather was getting healthy and I had the best advice that could be got in Baltimore. I was disappointed, however, as I have frequently been, I got weaker every day. We came into town the latter end of October, where I have been confined to my room, mostly to my bed, for the last four months; how this may terminate, my dear Sister, God only knows. At present I am extremely weak and thin, more so, I think, than I ever was before. My principal complaint now is a very weak stomach which prevents me gaining strength. Dr. Brown attends me every day and if it is possible to do anything for me he will be able to effect it, for he is the most skilful physician in Baltimore, and has always paid me great attention. Indeed I have met with the most uncommon kindness and attention from this good family I ever experienced in my life from any people. I am a thousand times better attended than if I had been in Blandford, it was extremely fortunate I did not return in the Fall, for never was that unfortunate place so unhealthy as it has been this year. My dear William has been twice to see me since he first left me, he was here for three weeks lately. He is the very picture of health, and if his poor Mary was well would be of happiness. I am happy to tell you that among all the rest of my complaints I have not the smallest symptom of either a breast or a liver complaint, the spleen in my side is much better and if I could but get the better of this excessive weakness all might yet be well. I have come through such dreadful sickness since I came to this country that my hopes are very sanguine that Providence will yet be kind and generous to me. But my dear Sister and friends, if it should please that great Disposer of events to think fit to take me from this world at present, we must all try and bear it with resignation, and think it for my happiness. My views of this world have changed a good deal of late, though it is still inexpressibly dear to me yet I have not the same dread of leaving it as I had a few months ago. In all probability if that event should take place my darling husband would pay his native country a visit (I hope a long one) in that case my last and most earnest request to you and my friends at home will be to transfer the kindness and affection which I well know you would have bestowed on your poor Mary to her adored William, whose study during the short time I have been with him has ever been my happiness and welfare. But these are all sad and gloomy thoughts, it will do me good to turn to something more lively, and all may yet be better than I am sometimes inclined to think. I intend sending this letter by ship which will sail from this port in a few days, I have not heard a word from Ireland since I received the large packet giving me an account of my dear Margaret's wedding. Since I wrote last there has been most wonderful news arrived, no more nor less than that there is peace between this country and Great Britain. Had I been in good health this news would almost have put me crazy, as it is I feel truly rejoiced. There are to be great illuminations to-night, indeed every one seems to participate in the general joy. There will now be plenty of opportunities of vessels going from every port we may wish. If my health was a little better _ but that I have great fears of, however I shall hope for the best. From what Margaret Byers hinted in her letter I have every reason to believe that my dear Margaret is a Mama before this time. If so God grant that you and your little charge are as well and happy as I wish you. I shall expect you will call one of your daughters for me; I must not look back though I have lately thought I ought to be very thankful, for I now am convinced that whatever is is for the best though we cannot think so at the time I would give worlds to see you all again, but know this is impossible until I get a little more strength. I intended writing to my beloved Rachel by this conveyance, but I will have to send my letter off to-day. It requires a long time for me now to write one, however there will soon be a number of opportunities to send letters and I shall soon write to her, the sweet darling! This I believe is her birthday. Oh, may every happiness attend her wherever she goes is the prayer of her sister! Since I began this letter I cannot say I am much better or worse, I suffer very little pain, have a tolerable appetite, and get a good deal of rest. My wishes are almost anticipated before formed, so that it will not be for the want of the greatest care and attention if I do not recover. We had great rejoicings and illuminations here last night, on account of the victory gained over the British at New Orleans. We will have them repeated some night soon again on account of the peace. Nothing can be greater than the general joy and satisfaction on this blissful occasion. I expect to get letters from Ireland some day soon by the ship that brought the happy news. Mrs. J. Brown got letters from her friends, mine, of course, if there were any would go to Petersburg, and I have not had time to get them sent to me again. And now, my beloved Sister, my paper draws to a close, if my health will admit you have a prospect of seeing me in Spring, if it pleases Providence to dispose of me otherwise we must be resigned to His Will. I do not feel the same reluctance at quitting this world which I did a few months ago, and I trust we will all meet in a better land never more to part. Give a thousand loves to my beloved Father, Brother, and Sister; to your good man, Miss McCully and Margaret. That every blessing and happiness may attend you all is and will be the constant prayer of your Mary Cumming. Mrs. James Ward, Lisburn, Co. Antrim, IRELAND. |
