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Title: R. Patterson, Milwaukee, to "Dear Uncle".
ID2087
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FilePatterson, Robert Jr/39
Year1896
SenderPatterson, Robert Jr
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationunknown
Sender Religionunknown
OriginMilwaukee, USA
DestinationIreland
Recipientunknown
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipnephew-uncle
SourceDonated by Mr. and Mrs. S.V. Thompson, 4 Grove Park, Lenzie, Glasgow G66 5AH.
ArchiveThe Ulster American Folk Park, Omagh
Doc. No.9506118
Date18/12/1896
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 15:06:1995.
Word Count601
Genre
Note
Transcriptall in the same condition
From Your Nephew
R. Patterson,
823 Clybourn.

Milwaukee Dec 18th.1896.

Dear Uncle
I received your
letter of Nov 28th and was very
glad to hear from you I
wrote to uncle Alexander
the same day that I wrote
to you but I have heard nothing
from him up to date
inclosed [enclosed?] you will find a
clipping from daily Sentinel of
the death of Robt. [Robert?] Harris who
was an Old friend of Father's
Father had his will in the
house up till he was stricken
with paralysis he appointed
Mr Boyd and father [father's] executors
and as Mr Boyd died and
Father became helpless, told
Mr Harris he better give the
will to someone else for safe
keeping Mr Harris was born in
County (Down) and was very queer
as you will learn from the clipping
which is nearly correct as
to his life they say that he never
married which is wrong Father
said he married when young
but left his wife on account of
her bad habits he was sick
only about three weeks I went
in to see him when sick and
offered my assistance the last
day I went in he was so weak
he could not stand up I asked him
if he have the wife make
some soup but he refused to
allow any one to help him
he came to see Father during
his sickness and was at
the funeral service we have
often tried to have him stay
and take dinner with us but
he always firmly refused what
his reasons were for being so
odd no one ever found out
on account of him and Father
being close friends I would have
done any thing in my power
to assist him and told him
I would remain with him a
part of the day or all day if
he wished but he preferred to
be alone he was about 73 years
of age he left a large collection
of books mostly second hand. some
of which are very valuable his
way of living mad [made?] his expenses
very light and I suppose he
left quite a valuable estate
you asked about Father's funeral
during his illness the minister
of St James church visited
him and also sent large
boquets [bouquets?] of the choicest flowers
also Members of the Old Settlers
Club and at the funeral which
was held at the house of the Old
Settlers acted as pallbearers
and during the reading of the
burial service which were conducted
by the Rev. Mr Richardson
of St James Church the Old Settlers
were given seats in a circle
around the remains in the front
parlour while friends of the family
were seated in the back parlor [parlour?]
among the Old Settlers I suppose
there were none under 60 it was
very impressive to sit there and
look at all these white haired
men some of them very near
the end of their journey, the
Old Settlers were kind they tended
to everything about the funeral
also Mr Peacock the undertaker
both done all in their [power?]
to make it as easy for us as
possible a large circle of friends
followed the remains to the
Forest Home, where he now
rests beside my Mother's brother
and sisters also my little boy
as Father wanted him buried in
his lot I think that I have
written about all I can think
of and will close by wishing your
self and family a Merry Christmas
and happy New Year. We are all in
good health as this letter leaves
us and hope it will find you
all in the same condition.
From Your Nephew
R Patterson
823 Clybourn
[MILWAUKEE.]