| Title: | Matthew Neill, Kentucky to Samuel Neill, Co. Down |
|---|---|
| ID | 1955 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Neill, Matthew/19 |
| Year | 1842 |
| Sender | Neill, Matthew |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Louisville, Kentucky, USA |
| Destination | Co. Down, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Neill, Samuel |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | son-father |
| Source | Donated by Hilary Murphy, 45 Ava Avenue, Belfast BT7 3BP |
| Archive | Centre for Migration Studies |
| Doc. No. | 611010 |
| Date | 21/12/1842 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 1179 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Page 1] Louisville 21st Dec 1842 My Dear Perants [Parents?], Sisters and Brothers Soon after Brother James arrived in this City, I wrote a letter which I directed to Sister M. in said letter I said a little to you all, and requested you all to write to me. And as none of you wrote to me except Brother D. [David?], and as he appears to be displeased with me, I fear you all are, as he had no more reason to be offended than any of you. In this letter I intend if possible to merit the good will and esteem of you all if being candid will do so; When Brother James came to Louisville his prospects appeared to be bad, and no chance of him getting work at his trade. He said to H. [Henry?] and I that he would have to turn his hand to something that his money was almost exhausted. Remarking that he got £2 on leaving home, and that Father was afraid to trust it to him But gave it to David to hand to him in Liverpool and said to us if father knew D. [David?] as well as he did he would not put so much confidence in him. Now David although I do agree with Jas [James?] in his remarks, I never had any idea but that you gave him the amt. [amount?] Father requested you to give. And with respect to your remark about [Ben Waladon ?] I can only say there is more than her in your country of the same disposition that is to appear to be a friend so long as she will be benefited by it and them the worst enemy in the world. And B. is just proving that now in the remark about A. McDowell toward me, David John don’t think I now write in a pointed manner. But [now?] to Ireland and all such friends. Dear Perants [parents?] As H & I saw that James prospects were bad in this city we considered it our duty to assist him and we gave him $25 each out of which he bought a suit of clothes which he required and the Balance he had in his Pocket together with some 12 or 15 Dollars that he got from the McCrumms for one months [Page 2] services and on his leaving here Brother H & I recommended him to get married if possible and I presume you are aware he has done so. Kind Parents I have had no letters from Ireland since David wrote if you wrote to John at the same time. the letter has been misplaced for he never got it, In August or Sept. Henry and I wrote you which letter I trust you have received, if not he informed you that He was about to start for Iowa and that I remained in my old situation for another year at a Salary of 225 Dollars Boarding and washing Paid for by my employer, And after H [Henry?] return from Iowa He and I wrote to you on the 1st of Nov, informing you that 16 days before his arrival in Iowa Brother James got married to a Miss Hare a native of the County Monaghan Ireland, she had a farm of 240 Acres of good land with considerable improvements which James now holds and a wife that can give him instructions how to cultivate it and that suits him for he knew little about farming. You were also informed that H. [Henry?] got married to a Miss S C. Clark she is a niece to Brother John’s wife, he Brought her to Louisville and they Board in [To-?] McCrum, The will leave here in the Spring for Burlington where H intends to commence buisness [business?], My Brothers (although I was better on leaving Ireland than any of them) have all done much better than me, they have provided themselves in Homes and wives each, (Jas. [James?] Home is better than his Brothers) and I am [-----?] of both, Parents don’t you think it is time I would do something. Now Sisters I know you want a full description of your sisters in law but you cant expect me to describe when I have not seen. H [Henry?] wife is small, round faced, red cheeked tolerable good figure 14 years of age, writes a good letter and is well educated, all the courting was done by writing. He got acquainted with her during his first visit to Burlington and then wrote to her on friendship, so it turned into love. There are none of the tedious formalities of courtship carried on in this country that is with you so you [Page 3] need not be surprised at Brothers getting married so soon. You will think it strange that H {Henry?] wife great Grandfather is alive and quite a stout man and it frequently occurs in this western county that folks get married so young that the great great Grand Parents are at the wedding of their offspring. When you write tell me if the Purses have got married yet, I am afraid they would have a bad chance in this country and tell me all the news you can anything from you will be interesting to me. I would recommend none of you to come to this country for none of you suits it you would be depending more on what little you would bring with you than on your own exertions here. I wrote to Brother Jas [James?] on the 15th of Nov. congratulating him on his marriage and desired him to write to me soon saying that I intended to write to you and if he had anything to say to you that I could mention it in this letter, his [answer?]. I have not yet red [received?] and I cannot delay longer as I want to send this letter by the Steam Ship that leaves Boston for Liverpool on the 1st of Jany [January?] and you will have it about the 18th or 20th and I want you to write to me by the Steamer that will leave Liverpool on the 4th of Feby [February?]. They leave L. [Liverpool?] on the 4 and 19 and Boston on the 1 and 15 and in directing your letter write on it, By Steamship to Boston via Liverpool and Direct it to me care of Mr Thos [Thomas?] Haynes. I would tell you a great many little thing that you would like to know but they would look so foolish. I will tell you one Thing when I last wrote to you I expected to be married before either James or H. [Henry?] but it is all over now, Father and Mother will think I write a very foolish letter. But my next letter which I will write after H leaves for Burlington will be a more sensible one, Hoping this may find you all well as it leaves me and all friends here and wishing you a happy New Year Dear Parents Sisters and Brothers Yours affectionately Matthew |
