| Title: | Alexander Patterson, Farmington, to "Dear John" Patterson |
|---|---|
| ID | 2083 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Patterson, Alexander/35 |
| Year | 1896 |
| Sender | Patterson, Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Farmington, Canada? |
| Destination | Ireland |
| Recipient | Patterson, John |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | Donated by Mr. & Mrs. S.V. Thompson, 4 Grove Park, Lenzie, Glasgow,G66 5AH. |
| Archive | The Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh |
| Doc. No. | 9506119 |
| Date | 10/11/1896 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 15:06:1995. |
| Word Count | 684 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Harrington Nov 10th. 1896. Dear John I had your paper Late Posting, and now at 10 A.M. tuesday commence a few lines that may sail tomorrow at noon- Again a kind Providence has so favoured me, that I report myself & mine in fair health in mind and body. No destruction by fire or personal injuries as of fructured lines or aught else - Glad to learn that your chronic painful ailing is even partially abated and hope it may so continue a while longer - As the whole world has been drawn almost into speaking distance, and that within our memory, I need not send papers to tell you the result of the late election as you are as well posted on that as I am - In the enormous majority that Connecticut gave McKinley three of my name may be counted - Bryan's appeal to the worst passions of anarchists and and disconted [discontented?] men who charge all their wrongs to the rich and never to their own extravagance or laziness settled me & many another voter that it was safe to vote against him - 1800 or more years ago it was said " Men love darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil" - For the same reason "darkness " attracts the great body of mankind today, and were it not that a still older text exists "The Lord reigneth, let the earth rejoice" many a well meaning man would despair when looking at the power weilded [wielded?] by ill meaning men in the free use of the ballot - you may have wondered why I sent you an old letter intended for Robt. [Robert?] in my last, well it came to hand & was closed with Dr Nutts' words "Oh spread thy covering wings around till all our wanderings cease &c and having written very few letters to him for the last few years that didn't close with that stanza once familiar in the old farm Schoolhouse I thought it would stir up fitting memories in every one of us - Forgetfulness is an omen of increasing years with my imperfect hearing is another - I had intended to remark on Stowels' hymn tho "Mercy sent" to which you allude - In many a religious meeting when reference came to the hour when spirits blend - Where friend holds fellowship with friend " & have I thought of you & others " tho distant far - This which is hastily got up may leave me with something unsaid yet intended - Sarah has brought me into renewed aquaintance with relations on my side & doubly so on hers - She has found a correspondent in Miss Hesi Addison daughter of John K & he revived my memory in that connection - She handed me a photo of the young lady which at first sight produced a strange sensation & started a question "Who is that familiar face ? young and pleasant to look upon - it required but a short space to remember the same countenance in the features of Eliza Addison some 60 years ago before she became Mrs Thos. [Thomas?] Spence but the first look bewildered me - Still later Sarah showed me a photo of the late Mr Jas. [James?] Hall who died so suddenly in the early summer - The moment I saw it I said - "Why that's James Patterson" to which Sarah responded - " Yes that's my brother" - Sarah has a picture of Mrs Thomas Hall the same James Halls mothers & I told her when you look on that face believe me it is a rare treat to look on a countenance in which you might so truly add "In whom is no guile" - This is short & must be closed - I have not written to Robt. [Robert?] jun. [junior?] since I had one from him just as I mailed the last to you must not let it remain longer - May the peace once bequeathed to us all be for ever treasured in our hearts & minds A. P [Patterson?] |
