| Title: | James Horner, Georgetown to Thomas Horner, Co. Derry. |
|---|---|
| ID | 1468 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Horner, James/20 |
| Year | 1804 |
| Sender | Horner, James |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | schoolmaster |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Georgetown, Maryland, USA |
| Destination | Co.Derry, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Horner, Thomas |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | son-father |
| Source | T 1592/15: Copied by Permission of Hugh Conn Esq., Limavady, Co. Londonderry. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9006137 |
| Date | 10/09/1804 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by JM 01:11:1993. |
| Word Count | 1053 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | George Town [Georgetown?] Cross Roads Sept 10th 1804 Dear Father and Mother I have taken this opportunity to put you in mind of your absent Son. I only received one letter this year dated April 8th 1804 enclosed by one from Brother Tom. I am a little asstonished [astonished?] that you are got so dillitory [dilatory?] in writing perhaps it was becaus [because?] I only wrote one last fall and the cause of that was living in the country I had no opportunity and from that I neglected my old friends and acquaintances. I hope to repair the loss I have made in hopes that you will not neglect any other time - I thank God I have enjoyed my health Extremely well ever [since I?] came to this Country which is the greatest Blessing that a man can have in this World, as it is the means that we can procure our living I live at the same place that I lived at before which is 62 miles from Philadelphia and about the same from Baltimore by water there is packets runs from this to Baltimore twice a week but I never have gone over to see it. I am Teaching as yet it is the best thing I have done since I came here as I make more by it than anyone can do by being a Clark [clerk?] to a nother man. I do not know how long I shall continue at it - I have some thoughts of Beginning in Store keeping in Spring if I Get things to answer my desire - this is a Country that we try always to do for the best some times our plans get frustrated - for if one thing does not do another must so that we generaly [generally?] are busy no time to idle or [spend?] but every one for themselves, turnover Dear father in some of your letters you remarked that America was not as good as reported; it is true we cannot get the money for the lifting but by industry and care, all that I have heard of it was not altogether true. The country is one of the best that I have met with as to land and Government and peace and plenty but at the same time it requires a man to be industrious to accumulate wealth. If I balance Ireland and this together I should give this country the preference by 100 per cent. But at the same time if I was the only cause of my brothers or friends coming here perhaps they would find difficulties to surmount before they get situated to their pleasement [pleasure?]. This and this only is cause that I have not wrote to friends and neighbours but let them take courage and venture; nothing ventured nothing won. In general course anyone that has fortitude to leave that country and live here #PAGE 2 some time I think they would give it the preference. But a stranger must be some time in any place before he can sit down contented. No if I could enjoy the social love and unity with my friends I should be quite contented. Will this ever happen? No unless I go and live with you. I question if ever you will with me. I cannot at present say the time when it shall please the Governor of the Universe to convey me to my native land onst [once?] more. Alas! there are many there that I never shall behold again in this world who are gone to land of forgetfulness. I suppose I am nearly the same in Bovevagh as though I never was; this is the fate of man today he puts forth his blossom and tomorrow is cut down. I was up at Philadelphia in August last. Mr. Carson's family were well; he had been sick but was getting better. Mr. Jackson and family were well. Miss Jane Burk she has not seen Charles this 18 months; Joseph Lowry and Archibald McFadden and family were well. Mr. Joseph Douglas and Samuel are well and Joseph is practising [?] law and Samuel is a teacher in the Chestertown College and is doing well. Dear mother you will have a house prepared for me if ever I return to see you onst [once?] more; I should wish that time to arrive and to see you all collected together as you were at my departure. Time soon runs past and cannot be brought back, a moment lost is lost for ever. I hope these few lines will find all my friends well in Innocongher. Give my kind love to my grandfather and mother [grandmother?] hoping that I shall see them again my Uncle and Aunt McCracken and family, to Aunt Rose and Cousin Eliza and Nancy Clark and John McCracken and Uncle John Horner, Aunt Horner and family. Mollie Smith and Elinor, Uncle Samuel Jackson and family. brother John Jackson and family and Archibald Jackson and family. Is Andrew coming over to this country to marry [?] this fortune. I do not know where William Jackson lives or I should write him. Give my love to Uncle William Mellin and family. I think [he has?] declined in coming; his family would be very expensive to bring here; better for him to give the boys either learning or a good trade and send them over. I find that the most part of my age and acquaintance are getting married; Cousin Archibald did not wait on me to come to the wedding. I think I either must make arrangements or I shall be left behind but (I shall be like the one with the two homes). Remember me to all my cousins and friends and well wishing neighbours as if I had named them by name. I have not forgot my old acquaintance though I cannot name them. My kind love and affection to all my brothers and sisters adieu!!! I add no more at present but remains [remain?] your affectionate son farewell!!! Dear father and mother James Horner. #PAGE 3 N.B. Direct your letters c/o John Ireland, Esq., George Town [Georgetown?] Cross Roads [Crossroads?], Maryland, Kent County. as this is the first I shall write to some of my friends if my grandfather and mother [grandmother?] is living; my paper is done. James Horner Mr Thomas Horner, Bovevagh, c/o Mr. Hugh Sherer, Merchant in Newtown Limavady, County Londonderry, Ireland. per ship Merchant Groc. [Grocer?] Cork. Postmaster please to forward this, George Town Cross Roads [Georgetown crossroads?], October 7th, 1804. |
