| Title: | William Montgomery, Mobile, Alabama, to Joseph Searight, Philadelphia |
|---|---|
| ID | 1818 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Montgomery, William/32 |
| Year | 1849 |
| Sender | Montgomery, William |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Mobile, Alabama, USA |
| Destination | Philadelphia, Penn., USA |
| Recipient | Searight, Joseph |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | D2794/1/2/41: Presented by H.H. Montgomery, 4 Kensington Gardens, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office Northern Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9504035 |
| Date | 07/09/1849 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 04:04:1995. |
| Word Count | 704 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | To: Mr Joseph M Seawright 1, South 9th Philadelphia Pa Put in Levys Box From: William Montgomery July 7 1849 Freemans Hotel Hollywood - Mobile September 7th 1849 My dear Joseph Yours of July 16th reached me at a place called Benton in the interior of this State having been forwarded from N O [New Orleans?] I left New Orleans on the 1st July and after spending 2 weeks there went up into the interior to see Mrs Kelly's son John [John Kelly?] about whom you have heard so much. I found him living on a small farm in Antanga Co [County?] with a wife and two children, He has only been married 10 years and must now be 50 years of age He is a house carpenter by trade and in his prime must have made a very handsome fortune but owing to security debts and extravagance has become very much reduced. At the time of his marriage he was worth $50,000, but was security for others to double that amount. His Mother I believe had determined to come and see him this year but has now abandoned the idea. I have recieved my letters from home pretty regularly and the last ones received contained some sorrowful news. Wm [William?] Chapman and Moses Paul have both passed from time into Eternity. The former died of cholera on the plains on his way to California after four days of illness. I have lost I may say the oldest friend I had but sorrow or eulogy on his worth cannot bring him back. May we meet in Heaven Moses Paul had been to the Florida Springs and on his return to Petersburg Va [Virginia?] caught cold and was taken. Alicia says there is hope in his death and that his end was peace "Requiricant in Pacem" Mrs Searight is in such delicate health that the news could not be told her I suppose you are aware Mrs Robinson died some time since of inflammation. Alicia says the death of W C [William Chapman?] has made them and a great many others anxious for my return to reside in some part of the British Isles at least she further says they have not had a letter from you in a long time but that they get newspapers pretty often. Perhaps you are in debt a letter. Rev. [Reverend?] James Tobias passed through here on his way to Conference at Cork and was making very particular enquiries after my humble self. I am glad you are pleased with your trip to Niagara. You do not say if you called to see Mr. Lockharts [bar?] in New York I hope you did so if only for my sake. The correspond and have done so since I left N. Y. [New York?] I intend returning to New Orleans about the 19th inst. [instant?] and hope to make a good engagement for a permanent situation. I will write you fully when I have bettered myself. This place is situated on Mobile Bay and is a very delightful watering place. We have had a large number of visitors from N. O. [New Orleans?] many of whom are now about to return. I have used both the shower baths and salt water and am in excellent health and spirits thank Providence. What is life without health. Moses Paul has seen his career in little over 10 years from his leaving Portadown and during that time has not had 5 years good health Wm [William?] Chapman has been cut down in the flower of his manhood in 4 days illness. I have been spared through the epidemic. I hope I am truly thankful for this best of gifts health. Our weather has been hot too and people going from 103' to get cool in Ala [Alabama?] will find it is out of the frying pan and into the fire" as we have had it nearly as hot as that at 6 o'clock 103' in the shade. Your weather is as hot as ours for a day or two but ours is hot for 9 months of the year. The Bambers had arrived at Portadown to spend some time at my fathers. The Dr. [Doctor?] wishes we were out of this ( in his eye ) accursed country Leaving it to your discretion to remember me to the Massy's [Maiseys?] or no I am Dear Joseph Your affect [affectionate?] cousin William Montgomery |
