| Title: | Rosa Marshall, Belfast to W.J. Campbell Allen, New York |
|---|---|
| ID | 2360 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Rothwell, Rosa/222 |
| Year | 1838 |
| Sender | Marshall, Rosa |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Destination | New York, USA |
| Recipient | Allen, Isabella |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | D 1558/1/2/33: The Papers of William John Campbell AllenDeposited by the Late F.D.Campbell Allen Esq., 15 London Road,Harrow-on-the-hill, Middlesex |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N. Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9911041 |
| Date | 16/09/1838 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LTE |
| Log | Document added by LT, 02:11:99. |
| Word Count | 1725 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Belfast September 16th 1838 My dearest Sister I do not think I am breaking the Sunday by sitting down to write to you and consoling you for my absence from you. I trust you are now half way across the Ocean and enjoying this Heavenly morning, we are kept in good spirits about you by the delightful weather which has been most favorable since you sailed, the barometer still rises and gives hope of a continuance of this great blessing, the harvest is coming on well and every thing looks bright and beautiful; I hope my dear sister and her happy partner feel as light and cheerful as I do this morning; and that they look forward with confidence to a joyful meeting in Spring, the winter will seem very short in consequence of this charming weather. You are no doubt surprised at seeing my hand writing instead of Eliza's, the fact is the young lady has run off, and left me quite alone she could not stay behind her Scotch friends, and therefore accompanied them. I leave you to conjecture, whether Elizabeth, Dr Thomson, or Johnie, formed the attraction. I cannot make up my mind which it was, but the fact speaks for itself, she had but two or three hours preparation, never having thought on the subject till a few hours before the boat sailed; I can scarcely tell how the affair was brought about, but her friends were most urgent, and the prospect of visiting the beautiful scenery once more, filled her little heart with delight. She is promised a trip to the Highlands, and altogether I think she will enjoy herself very much. I had a note from yesterday, she left us on Wednesday at four; they had a most delightful passage, the sea like a mirror, and not the slightest sensation of sea sickness: the weather was bad, on Thursday confining them to the house all day, but there can be nothing but sunshine now. she will remain about three weeks; I felt very miserable the first night after she left me, but I am now quite reconciled, and happy to think she is enjoying herself. My father was greatly delighted with your letter and exclaimed every sentence that was read, "Well now! only think of that, she is the fine writer!!!" I must close for the present dear Bella and take my bath, and prepare for meeting, I feel all the better of this little conversation with you. Monday morning; another day is gone dear Bella and you are so much nearer the end of your voyage, we have heard nothing of you, since you were passed by some vessel on Sunday morning, after having just cleared the Bristol Channel; we thought your progress must have been much slower than you expected, as you supposed you would be passing Cork at the time it is reported, you were only opposite the coast of Wexford, the wind is now however favorable and I doubt not you are steaming in grand style. Mrs Allen did not dine with us yesterday, being afraid to come out on account of a slight cold which she had for some days, she is now quite well but afraid of encountering the night air. Mamma, Margaret, and John, with William spent last night at Uncle John's where they were delighted with the bride, and bridegroom, who returned from London on Saturday and proceed to Cookstown today. Nancy was delighted with the great City, and will be most anxious to return to it, the weather was most favorable and they saw every thing to advantage. We have had Satan Montgomery preaching here during the last week, my father and I went to hear him, and certainly enjoyed a rich treat, it was the most extraordinary senseless tyrade [tirade?] I ever heard from the pulpit the doctrine of the Trinity never seemed to me so ridiculous and absurd: he attacked the National board, Popery, and [Socialism?], and made the Arch Enemy his favorite theme, he seems particularly well acquainted with all his actions and speaks of them with the certainty of historical facts. He is not quite so vain in his manner, and appearance, as I expected, and his hands were only used when energy of action required, he is far from handsome, and the only thing remarkable in his delivery is great rapidity, and energy, with the most extraordinary changes in his voice, raising it to the highest pitch, and sinking it suddenly to sepulchral depth. His object in preaching here was to raise money to defray the expenses of a new church. he's only obtained 27 pounds in two collections. John, Margaret, and my [-ath--?] are invited to dine tomorrow at Dr McKib[torn] I was asked for the evening, but cannot leave Mamma [torn] William goes off on a journey today and therefore I [torn] not go alone even were I inclined; he expects to be away three weeks, he leaves the business in bad hands, all the lads being lazy, and careless, and their honesty strongly suspected, there is some prospect of William [-are?] returning during the winter. The Exhibition of paintings will open tomorrow it is said it will be but middling. I have got a fine portrait of Aitkins to copy, my canvas is ready but I am not, indeed, while Eliza is from home, I can scarcely spare time. Dr [To----?] called on Saturday. We are to commence with him as soon as little Madam returns, taking two lessons in the week. it will keep us sufficiently busy. My visit to Scotland is postponed till the Spring which I rather regret, as the weather is then least favorable for painting being cold and frosty, but it cannot be helped for the Thomsons could not receive me till November and this would not allow me sufficient time to return before Christmas. Margaret and the babes go on pretty well; Bella is is [in?] a more amiable temper, but poor little Andrew is very fretful suffering greatly with his teeth, and not reconciled yet to the New Nurse, however he will soon become more comfortable. Grandpapa has been threatening to score the gums this last week, but has always some excuse for putting off the operation, he cannot make up his mind to encounter the child's consequent terror and dislike of him We had a visit on Saturday from Nixon Porter and the "amiable Classon" they made kind enquiries about you. Nixon has had a call to Carrickfergus which I suppose he will accept, he had however been previously invited to preach at Dromore, he was there yesterday but I have not heard the result, all his friends think however that there is too much opposition in the latter place to be encountered by a man so young and inexperienced and besides the Congregation have been thinking of inviting Mr McAlister who has had a good deal of experience in Hollywood [Holywood?]. John intended going to Dublin as soon as he can make the necessary arrangements; his Aunt is worse, and likely to sink rapidly now, some symptoms having lately appeared resembling Miss Kelsey's, indeed life is no longer desirable her friends must be anxious to see her sufferings terminate, she is still moving about but the swelling in her arm will I fear soon prevent her doing so. I intend writing to Jane today. I must also write to little Eliza. William has just bid farewell he sends his love across the Atlantic I shall stop for the present and add any thing of importance before closing tomorrow Goodbye. Tuesday 9 O'clock my dear Bella. I have only a few [---?] minutes for writing, having promised to accompany my Aunt and Uncle Drummond to the Cave hill. they start at ten and I have yet to dress and prepare, Mrs Allen was quite well yesterday we must try and get her out tomorrow for dinner the weather still continues fine and I think she would be the better of variety. Father and Mother slept in High Street last night and will continue to do so till William's return, the former was called up this morning to Mrs Drew who had a son as also our opposite neighbour Mrs Stott both ladies charmingly. The Prince of [Oude?] arrived here last night and is stopping at Cairn's. I shall not have the happiness of visiting him as I shall be out of town all day it will I know be a dreadful disappointment. Our party today consists of my Uncle and Aunt their servant girl and myself will not this be delightful I suppose we shall not be home till six Mamma and [Knowley?] will dine alone. Jane is to spend the evening and sing some new songs She and the family are well the quarrel between her and Margaret has not been made up and they do not they do not (sic) speak when they meet, it is an unfortunate business and poor Margaret will get the whole blame from some people and her conduct now, taken in connection with the affair with Mrs Finlay will tell badly against her however it cannot be helped. The Montgomerys are all wild about Jane she is there on all occasions and she and Lilly are inseparable but I must cease gossiping. Eliza will write the next letter and can vary it with a little Highland scenery & she will come home quite a travelled little lady but will sink into nothing compared with the celebrated Mrs Allen I hope the book dear Bella will be interesting now Goodbye dear all send their love my Pere is as busy as a bee Mamma is a world of troubles about [braids?] for your table and all the rest of the family much as usual. Well time is wearing on and in a month we shall receive the glorious letter, oh dear Bella it will be devoured, [let?] [it?] crossed and recrossed, you will have no lack of news, and your pen is at any time ready kindest love to your dear husband and now dear I must positively say farewell. I hope this will [visit?] you both well and happy and believe me your happiness and health is now the most fervent wish of your affectionate Sister Rosa Marshall *Envelope address:- W.J. Campbell Allen Esqr care of N. Lord & Co Broad Street New York By Steamship from Liverpool |
