| Title: | [James?] Banks Reford, New Jersey to Aunt [Reford, Antrim?]. |
|---|---|
| ID | 123 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Banks Reford, James/42 |
| Year | 1897 |
| Sender | Banks Reford, James |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | merchant |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Bloomfield, New Jersey, USA |
| Destination | Co. Antrim, N. Ireland |
| Recipient | Reford, Matilda |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | nephew-aunt |
| Source | T 3028/B/18: Permission to Copy from W. Reford Esq., 81 Islandmagee Road, Whitehead, Co. Antrim. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9405133 |
| Date | 24/08/1897 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 03:05:1994. |
| Word Count | 374 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | From: J. [James?] Banks Reford. To: His Aunt, [Anne or Matilda Reford?], [Antrim?], [County Antrim?], [Ireland?]. Bloomfield, N.J. [New Jersey?], [U.S.A.?], Aug. 24 '97 Dear Aunt, Don't be surprised at this a second letter inside of two weeks, but I have had another Reford write me to know if we were any connection. It seems strange that I had lived nearly 60 years and never found any relations, and that now, they should come as fast. I wrote you about Lewis E. his first letter gave me his name and that he was a son of Joseph Wm [William?]. I wrote him, I was not up on the genealogy of the Reford family and before I could answer, would like more particulars. He wrote me again and enclose the points contained in his answer. I confess since this question of genealogy has come up, it has awakened in me a strong desire to follow it up. I have not met John Hamilton for I know that his father got into me for £10 and drew on me through the Bank for £50 more which I refused to honor [honour?] and he borrowed of [off?] Father how much I never knew, so am somewhat suspicious of him. The Maud I asked you about in a former letter is his sister. He claims that an Aunt Eliza his fathers oldest sister and oldest child of your uncle Lewis has traced the family back to 1066. She died insane. Now this subject may not be a pleasant one to discuss on your part if so don't hesitate to tell me so. He writes he was brought up by his Aunt Eliza and Ellen at [Mela---y?]. He also referres [refers?] to the Refords in Canada as follows, "the widow of a Joseph Reford who was the owner of the Antrim property &c" I am keeping my own [council?]. If he can give me any information I will take it. We all keep well and are having lots of rain. We had a downpour this morning about 5.oc. [O'Clock?] in 40 minutes over 6 inches of rain fell. Streams overflowed and roadways washed out. I escaped any damage to my garden. Hoping you are regaining your usual health, and that we may soon hear from you. With love from [Eunice?] and all. I am Your afft [affectionate?] nephew J. [James?] Banks Reford |
