| Title: | H.Riddle, Pittsburgh, U.S.A., to Wm.Anderson, Co.Londonderry. |
|---|---|
| ID | 2281 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Riddle, H/9 |
| Year | 1857 |
| Sender | Riddle, H |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | grocer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Co. Derry, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Anderson, William |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | D1859/17: Presented by Dr. J.T. Anderson, Banbridge, Ireland. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9408094 |
| Date | 23/02/1857 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 03:08:1994. |
| Word Count | 1255 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Pittsburgh February 23, 1857. Mr Wm [William?] Anderson My Dear freind [friend?] I feel much disapointed [dissapointed?] in learning from John Best who has latly [lately?] arrived in this City, there you had not received any letter from me before he left. This, I regret exceedingly, because wuld [would?] naturaly [naturally?] impute it to unmerited negligence of the Family, _ this however is not the case as the following will explain. I wrote in all their letters, one immedially [immediately?] after Father deaths, _ and one to Sister Martha & when I understand she received and two more to you some months after. Now, it is due to you from the high sence [sense?] of Fathers appraciation [appreciation?] of your untyring [undying?] freindship [friendship?] and kindness to him and all the family and also from my own former and agreable [agreeable?] personal acquaintences [acquaintances?] to write you again hoping it may be more fortunate in reaching you. Having learned the particulars of Fathers death I deam [deem?] it unnecary [unnecessary?] now, sufice [suffice?] it to say that he died in peace "like Jacob of Old having seen all his family"? The balance of the family are all enjoying good health. Robert is employed, in the same business, the tea Factory. Margaret attends to the domestic part, and Mary Ann follows Irving [sic], has plenty of work and is well paid for it. Brother William and family are well he follows the Old business of Gardening and seems to prefere [prefer?] it to any other. My own family is in good health, having one Son and Daughter yet. Now you will be supoessing [supposing?] that I am not just man to raise a family,_ but let me hear say in reply, that I am not a just man? nor do I belong to that class of man "that are commonly called just."? I am in the same Business, viz [sic] the Grociers [Grocers?] & Produce and am doing well _ for this and all other Blessing I am indebted to Gods kind Providence towards me. I have done nothing at Farming since I came into this county But still retains my practical ideas of agriculture and may put it into practice yet. Farming in this part of the west pays exceedingly well, and is becoming better every year, the county being thickly settled all around and still increasing, It makes the consumption great and hence, there is good prices obtained by the farmer for all the production of his Labour. Land in Pennsylvania and Ohio have advanced beyond the reach of the new emigrant at least thoes [those?] fertile and good farming districts. There is however an alternative oppen [open?] the hardy enterprising emigrant. For he can wind his way into a new Terrotery [Territory?], when he can buy land at One Dollar to one twenty five per acre which for richness of soile [soil?], a fertile climat [climate?] and more beutifull [beautiful?] senary [scenery?],_ far surpassing anything of the Old States. These new counturys [countrys?] or new Terroteryes [Territories?] offers great in documents to the hardy enterprising man, but there is a great deal of privations and hardships to endure in all such places _ untill [until?] the becomes settled. The Yankees thinks nothing of it,_ but "shoulders their Gun, ax [axe?] &cree [ect?] and dashies [dashes?] right strat [straight?] into it"? You are no dubt [doubt?] perfectly familiar with the great contest, in "that ever memorable terrotery [territory?] called Kansas",_ which had almost convulsed the whole country on the subject of Slavery. The north wishing to make it a free state, while the south wanted slavery carried into it, the s[?] has ceased but the result is not yet decided. It is said to be one of the most beautifull [beautiful?] counties in America. It is truly astonishing to witness the rappid [rapid?] march of improvement in this county. In commercial facilities and trade, it excells any other in the world? In science, literature and art, it is equaly [equally?] ahead,_ [leaving?] even Old England far in the shade? And yet I regret to say, that immorality vice and wickedness is equaly [equally?] as progressive daily claims of the most wicked and revolting nature, we pay enough that the morals of the youth are the purists [sic] of bad teaching farming [sic]. Pittsburgh on the whole will compere [compare?] favourable, with any other City in the county, for good morrals [morals?] society. The citizens are where is learned here "a church going people", and we have plenty of fine church fitted out in the grandest style, and able and eloquent Ministers of all denominations,_ so that Preaching and perils are not wanting to guide and direct the people. I have always continued in the Presbyterian body _ or that Branch of it which comes as near our Old Aughadowy [Aghadowey?] style as possible. The Minister of the church to which I belong is originally Scotch having attained his Education in Edinburgh, he is a please honourable and sincere man. Speaking of churches and ministers, but reminds me that I would like to here [hear?] from the Rev. Dr. Brown pleas [please?] give my kindest regards, and say say to him that I would be me, much delighted to have a letter from him. It is with pain that I have to record the death of one of his old and most esteemed Freinds [Friends?],_ Aunt Elizabeth Riddle, who died on the 24 December last very suddenly and unexpected, living in her usual health, till wither [sic] two or three minuts [minutes?] of her departure. The cause or dicese [decease?] could only be traced too are over flow or rush of Blood to the heart. Her death was indeed unexpected, both to herself and family & [and?] so much so, that she was busily engaged_ during the day Making preperations [preparations?] for us all at her house to partaker of a christmas dinner,_ But alas? how sudenly [suddenly?] the Messenger of death changed the Calculation,_ We assembled it is true but only to witness the lifeless remains of her whom we all loved and respected dearly. She is buried in the New Alleghiny [sic] Cemetury [Cemetery?], and lies along side of Father. She was a kind faithfull [faithful?] and christian Mother to her. The fruits [stained] of her teaching leaving fully developed on all her Family. The balance of the family is nill [nil?]. Matilda William and Samuel being married. Mary, Jane & Robert single. Robert is indeed one of the smartest and most accomplished Business young men to be found in this part of the county_, they are all in Business for themselves. I send you a [number?] of a newes [news?] Paper of which they are the Publishers _ [being?] also engaged in the whip Manufacturing business. Dear sir having nearly filled my sheet I will close by making the following requests. First, that you over look any errors and blunders (having written this in a hury [hurry?] and dont take time to examine. Second, that you will wish to [___?] giving all the particulars of my old native neighbourhood - [Bally_____?] Lisnamuck Meath [sic] Park & [and?] co [company?]. Third, that you will convey to sister and family all our kindest [sic] love,_ and say to her there I will write immediatelly [immediately?] to them _ I have not received _ (nor any of the family) any letter for two years? And finaly [finally?] present my warmest respects to your Family Individually and respectivly [respectively?] _ and all enquiring neighbours Your Friend ever Respectfully H. Riddle |
