| Title: | James McClelland, U.S.A, to Mrs. Matilda Irwin, Co. Derry |
|---|---|
| ID | 1671 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | McClelland, James/61 |
| Year | 1892 |
| Sender | McClelland, James |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Episcopalian |
| Origin | Boston, Mass., USA |
| Destination | Co. Derry, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Irwin, Matilda |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | D1712/8: Presented by Mrs. T.J. Dysart, Killyblight, Dungiven. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9409343 |
| Date | 08/04/1892 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT/JW, 26:09:1994. |
| Word Count | 744 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [In a short note in the same envelope, circa 1964, states that it was sent to; Mrs Matilda Irwin, Rallagh, [Derrychrigin?] Post Office, Co Londonderry; by her brother who emigrated circa 1870] 35 Dorr St. April 8/92. [April 8th, 1892?] Dear Matilda, I received your letter a few days ago, and as it has been a very rare occurrence to see one of your letters lately, of course I was surprised as well as much pleased to get it, I suspect in this case I am as much indebted to Thomas having got married as to any other cause of course I am sorry you have lost his valuable help in the house, and on the farm, without doubt you will miss him very much for he will not be likely to live with you again, but you must expect such changes which are both right and natural, he is old enough to judge for himself, and if he has chosen a partner who will make him happy you have more reason to feel thankful than sorrowful on this occasion; I am well aware that mothers as a rule do not think there are any girls born good enough for their sons but altho [although?] you did not give me many Particulars about the wife he has chosen I should judge from what you did say that he had the best of the bargain, if they are to start a Shop in Limavady I suppose she will have to furnish the funds for I do not imagine he has much money and if she adds to that youth and good looks she ought to make him a good wife, at least I hope she will. I was hoping out of your large family you might be able to give one of the boys some Profession such as a Clergyman or Doctor or a lawyer, and have spoken of it many times in my letters. I thought perhaps that Alexander might "fill the bill" but I remember now that he is older than Willie and as none of you have responded in any way to my remarks on the subject, and as he is behind Willie in choosing what business he would like to follow, I fear he is not so bright as some of the others and in that case would not be adopted to a profession. I still believe however that the smartest of your boys should have himself a Profession, in order not only to do well himself but also to assist the others in rising to a better position in life, many families much poorer than yours have exerted themselves to do that, and have succeeded very well,I fear now that Alexander... [line stained] ...that all progress in this direction will be entirely stopped. I am sorry to hear that you have been having very stormey [stormy?] weather in Ireland lately I hope it may improve in seasons to give you a chance to get in your crops, I was also very sorry to hear that Mr. & Mrs. McClellan had been sick also the Rev. Mr. Scott, Mrs. Ross & Mrs. McFarland trust they may all have recovered before this time your venerable Bishop Alexander of Derry & Raphoe is here in Boston at Present I had the pleasure of hearing him preach last Sunday in Trinity Church I wonder he was not afraid to cross the Atlantic at his advanced age. I am very glad to hear that your health is restored again. I hope you take good care of it now for you cannot expect to be able to work as hard now as when you were younger. I think Mary Ann and Lizzie are very lazy or they might write to me occasionally of course it would be a pleasure for me to hear from them. I do not approve of Maggie leaving school so soon to go with James as Monitress [sic] you do not half value a good education in Ireland, If she leaves School now she may never have another chance of educating, herself, and of course she is not half so far advanced in her studies as she ought to be when she gives up school the small salary she could earn would not it seems to me compensate her for the loss of her education, now is the time to think this over. Please remember me to Bessie, Willie, to all the members of your own Family, and to all friends. hoping you will write to me more frequently now that you have got started again I remain your loving brother James McClellan P.S. all friends here are well and send regards |
