| Title: | John F. Ballantyne, Connecticut, to James A Smyth, Ontario |
|---|---|
| ID | 116 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Ballantyne, John F/7 |
| Year | 1900 |
| Sender | Ballantyne, John F. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | former clergyman, currently businessman |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Ansonia, Connecticut, USA |
| Destination | Essex, Ontario, Canada |
| Recipient | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 410014 |
| Date | 10/1/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:10:2004. |
| Word Count | 474 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Mr James A Smyth. Essex County, Essex, Ontario, Canada [Stamped] SOUTH WOODSLEE JA 18 00 ONT. [Stamped] [-INS-LO BRIDGE?] TR 53 [--?] [--?] [-P.C?] [Written on bottom left] Will the PM kindly forward? [Written on top left] 54 Elm Street, Ansonia,Conn., USA [Back of envelope] [Stamped] [ESSEX?] JA 18 00 ONT [Page 1] Ansonia, Conn [Connecticut?] Jan 10 1900 Dear Cousin James, As my cousin you are naturally "dear" tho' [though?] all my knowledge of you is gleaned from your letters to my sister Elizabeth and Mothers [Mother's?] letters from her cousins, James also, Margaret and James McFarland. Elizabeth received your letter some time ago but has been very [unwell?] for a long time. She has therefore asked me to reply for her which I do with much pleasure. We have so few relatives that it is quite a treat to discover another one. You are teaching this Winter I believe What is the nature of your examination for position of teacher in Canada. In the States, the examination [Page 2] is rather stiff. I thought of applying for position of teacher in High Schools [in?] New York City last Fall. I found the requirement so severe that it would necessitate a years review and cramming before I would venture to face the Board of Examiners. Here in Conn. [Connecticut?] my degree of Bachelor of Arts is sufficient for position in High Schools - Tell me what you are studying for, Medicine or law or the Church. I have given up my clerical work and gone into business life. I had a [term?] [sic] sickness a year ago and suffer from a weak throat so have decided to rest from clerical life and public speaking for [sic] couple of years. I rather think permanently. The household keep [sic] quite well. My parents being elderly people, naturally begin to show the effect of their years and are quite feeble. Elizabeth is not very well but that is to be expected as a natural result of married life. I am left alone now at home, all my brothers and sisters married Nine of them, so I am left to be the old grey haired bachelor Uncle of thirty seven years of age I should be very pleased to hear from you. You better write me at Ansonia rather than my New York address as I am absent from my office for days at a time. I am a broker dealing in stocks and bonds, and investment securities My clients being foreign banks, lawyers, professional men generally. I hope to make a good thing of it in time, when once thoroughly established. Are you fond of a business life? Have you [Page 3] Have you [sic] had any experience When you write me will you kindly give me a a (sic) kind of autobiography of yrself [yourself?]. Where born, studied age etc. I have been away from home so much since 1883 that I am unfamiliar with letters that may have passed between you and the folks at 54 Elm St. I shall be always pleased to hear from you. With best wishes for a happy and prosperous New Year I am with kind regards Your Cousin John F. Ballantyne |
