| Title: | Eliza FitzGerald, Alabama, to Mary FitzGerald Cahill, Quebec. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1048 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Fitzgerald, Eliza/10 |
| Year | 1847 |
| Sender | Fitzgerald, Eliza |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | works for a lady, prob. as a seamstress |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Mobile, Alamaba, USA |
| Destination | Quebec, Canada |
| Recipient | Fitzgerald Cahill, Mary |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | Emigrant Letters of the FitzGerald Family, Co. Tipperary, 1829-1907. Copyright Reserved By Edwina Goddard, 750 San Fernando St., San Diego, CA 92106, U.S.A. |
| Archive | The Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh. |
| Doc. No. | 9601261 |
| Date | 02/05/1847 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 25:01:96. |
| Word Count | 705 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | From: Eliza FitzGerald, Mobile, Alabama, 2 May 1847. To: her sister Mary FitzGerald Cahill, Quebec, Canada. Addressed: to Mr. Michael Cahill, Care of Messrs Lemesiure & Co., Quebec, L.C. Postmarks: Mobile, Alabama May 6; Montreal, L. C. May 18, 1847. Letter: folded. Paper in fair condition, writing wherever space available. Mobile May 2d 1847 My Dear Sister How much more elegant it would be for me to write to you under any other Circumstances than the Present. I have Endeed [indeed?] waited two weeks mostly to find Courage or I Might say Nerve But oh we Must be Resigned to the Calling of our heavenly father when Ever his Immaculate Presence wishes to Call us to that heavenly Banquet he has Prepared for us unworthy though we be. Yes my Sister, your and My only Beloved Brother has been Called to his Heavenly father on the 27 of March. He Died as he Lived without a struggle or groan. I think Now I might Explain things Better to your satisfaction. I Came south this winter with a Lady at a higher salary than I Could get in New York. My Dear Brother at the time Concluded to Remain in Albion as I Expecting (sic) to return early in April. He wrote me in January that his health was none of the Best then again in January that he was Much better and expected to work in a few Days which cheered me up. But oh fatal Delusion My hopes were only raised to be Blasted again on the 19th of March he wrote me his last, saying his disease would prove fatal which alas did so on the 27 -. His Doctor wrote me every 2 or 3 days During his last moments the most sympathysing [sympathising?] letters. His Disease was a Bilious dyorhea [diarrhoea?] which was pronounced incurable. He Died in full possession of his sences [senses?]. He wished me to write to you and John Doyle to New York. He has not Said what to about his Expences [expenses?]. I Cant know whether his Bills Can be Paid or not until I get there which will Be as soon as I Can go on. He is Buried at Mount William Cemety [Cemetery?]. I leave here on the 8th of May and go By the Missippi River. I shall get to New York about the Last of this Month and then as Soon as I Can Make arrangements with my Lady I shall start for western New York. I could not rest until I settle his affairs for fear his Dear soul Could not be at Rest. I Expect his long sickness has Left his affairs Rather Embarrassed. I know his doctors Bills will be pretty high. As yet I Cant form any idea. I have done all that a Poor afflicted Sister Could in this my hour of trial. I have had several Masses said for his Repose oh sweet and Consoling is the Catholick [Catholic?] Doctrine of Prayers for the Dead. It Relieves the soul of the sufferer and heals the wounded spirits of their friends. Pray for him my Sisters oh that his spirit May Rest in Glory. Oh My Poor Dear Mother I cant write to her. I sent her 25 Dollars this spring. I fear I Cant send any more at Present as I Expect to Be under a good deal of Expences [expenses?] this Summer as I said Before I Cant say how things are until I go to Albion. If the Catholick [Catholic?] Clergy of Rochester think fit I May have his corpse Removed to here. He is Buried in a proty [Protestant?] Burying ground But the grave Can be Cancelled. I Shall write all Particulars when I get there and Let you know how I can arrange things. Dont Be Surprised if you see me in Quebec this Summer as I shall take some time to my self and I may possibly go down. I Cant write any more until I Compose My Mind for you Can imagine how I Can Bear this affliction when I am all impatient to go to Albion. Not Meet the fond Embrace But oh the Cold grave of Noble Hearted Brother. [On reverse side of paper] Accept of what love I can give to any Earthly individuals for you plus a husbands and families. your affectionate sister Eliza [On fold of paper] You will have Hard work to Make this out as my pen is not good and my eyes are not very Dry. |
