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Title: Liza [Smyth?] Castledamph, to "Dear Brother"
ID2655
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileSmyth, Eliza Catherine/50(2)
Year1903
SenderSmyth, Eliza Catherine
Sender Genderfemale
Sender Occupationfarmer
Sender ReligionProtestant
OriginCastledamph, Co, Tyrone, N.Ireland
DestinationEssex Co., Ontario, Canada
RecipientSmyth, James Alexander
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipsiblings
SourceCopyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com
ArchiveMr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge
Doc. No.0410236
Date30/01/1903
Partial Date
Doc. TypeLTE
LogDocument added by LT, 28:10:2004.
Word Count719
Genre
Note
Transcript[Page 1]

Castledamph., January 30th 1903

Dear Brother,
I suppose you will
be waiting for another letter
to hear how John Charles is
getting along Well he has got
home he came on Wednesday evg
[evening?] at 5 oclock He left the
infirmary on Tuesday. Bob
Duncan took them out to their
house and left him back in
Strabane on Wednesday
So he came in the train to
Newtownstewart and William was
waiting for him.
The cut in the head healed

[Page 2]
but the thumb and one finger is
bad enough yet but I think we should all be
thankful when he is so well for we might
never have seen him alive. He says three
weeks ago today he didn t care whether he
died or lived nor he didnt know untill [until?]
Saturday Their [there?] was a lot of folks
here that night to see him all glad to see
him looking so well. We have Bella here
she came up yesterday & stayed all night
going back this night Davie is coming up
at night William Father & Tom are over at
Stewarts they have to be busy no matter
what

[Page 3]
comes.
Old William McFarland has met with a
terrible death he was got (sic) dead on
Balix hill on Wednesday I suppose with hunger
and cold he left home on Monday 19 January
& went down the road he went up by
Glencoppagh & it is thought he was going to
David Dunbars & missed his way he was so
destroyed they [the?] police only knew his
clothes, he has either died on Monday night
or Tuesday so he is a good while dead Their
[there?] was an inquest held yest [yesterday?]
but we havent heard the

[Page 4]
verdict yet but I
suppose it will be the usual one.
You see he was of such a roving disposition
that his own people never bothered where he
was as he was never two days in one place
They got word yesterday morning I am sure it
was a hard trial on them to see him in such a
state they brought him home last night John
McFarland Eden and Bob Duncan went up with the
corpse. Many a one said he would be got dead
so it has come true at last One time he left [Jamie?]
[Elkins?]

[Page 5]
at 1 oclock with a lamp to go home and he
landed at some house in the Butterlope and another
time he left Castlederg & as he told us
were did he get himself but in Drumquin Market
place well he just laughed when he told us how
he had wandered but he ended badly at last
Its terrible what accidents and sudden deaths
are happening around here this last while.
Poor old William will tell no more stories nor
look about getting a wife he

[Page 6]
had the notion of a
wife untill [until?] death overtook him For that
was his [earn?] to Letterbratt & Glencoppagh
he thought William Mc Farland [sic]
daughter would suit him as she had the money
Many a fool they made of him about Plumbridge
but it is all over now.
Young Sam Dunn is improving but he has not got
home yet nor wont until [until?] he is able to
travel home but if he get [sic] alright

[Page 7]
again he wont mind not being at home for a while
Bella and John have got those feathers ready
to send to Mary I got four of them so I will
give each one as I have no call for so many
of them.
We had a letter from Mary today I see she had
the luck to get an invitation to that party I
am sure it was very nice.
The entertainment in the School was hardly worth
attending only it Just

[Page 8]
had to come off.
I think John will be looking for compensation as
the firm will be getting some from the assurance
Company any way so he may as well have his share
He has no feeling in the part of his head where
the cut was but it may come alright again, We have
[green?] weather here now quite different
from what you have there. John is going to post
this letter so excuse mistakes as I am in a hurry
good bye yours [sic] sister

Liza Catherine


Transcribed by Tony Flanagan