| Title: | L. C. Smyth, Co Tyrone to J. A. Smyth, Ontario |
|---|---|
| ID | 2675 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, Eliza Catherine/100 |
| Year | 1898 |
| Sender | Smyth, Eliza Catherine |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Castledamph, Co, Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Recipient | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0501015 |
| Date | 08/12/1898 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LTE |
| Log | Document added by LT, 13:01:2005. |
| Word Count | 1067 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Mr James A Smyth Essex Essex Co. Ontario Canada [No Stamp] [Handwritten above the address] Ans Dec 27 98 [Back of envelope] [Postmarked] PLUMBRIDGE A DE 8 98 [Postmarked] ESSEX DE 19 98 ONT [Page 1] Castledamph December 8th 1898 Dear Brother In answer to your letter which we received on Monday 6th we are glad to know you are still alive I think you done [sic] right to put that letter which you expressed your opinion into the waste basket. William and Tommy has got what will do them for now and for ever. I hope you will soon banish it out of your head always (Forgive and Forget all the trouble yous [sic] met) Alex will get a hearing on his case tomorrow some say he will have to pay the full bail £10 perhaps it will settle him also. I hear he has got some of the fortune money from Sarah I may tell she has not went [sic] over to Eden yet the Doctor was with her a week after they were married some say one thing [Page 2] some another We heard that she took cramps and we heard that it was the toothache but can't say what as their [there?] are few has seen her since but the rumor is bad enough if true. Barney [McGillion?] farm was up for Auction on Tuesday week Mickey Bradly [Bradley?] (Butcher) was highest £321 Robert McFarland was against him but Mickey was proclaimed the owner Robert Barnes's and John Eden was for it in means it is for one of Mickey's sons who is out in Canada somewhere he will think it strange when he comes and looks at the farm with not a house or habitation you say you are thankful when you look at the dark side of the picture that you are not he're [here?] man dear always look for the bright side I think I would always be looking for that side anyway true you hear some [Page 3] tales which is not very plesant [pleasant?] but I think it will end yet Their [There?] will be a soiree in Castledamph School in about three week [sic] if Rev Monteith gives in he was asked about it yesterday but said he would consider it perhaps he may say no so that will end a good nights fun the floor and new windows is what is needed Their [There?] will be another over in Drumleigh School on the 22nd Dec I think Willie Gilkison and Tommy is for going and likely John Chas [Charles?] as he is in Gortin it wont be a long Jaunt William is driving a traveller today for Willie Orr Tommy is on the road acting the Scavenger Father is at the new ditch they are making from the road up Mary is cutting some turnips Bella is at a new (Dozen) and Willie John is at school Mother is rattling some pots and [pans?] [Page 4] I have gave you a full account of what we are all doing to day [today?] We have three nice wee rabbits two Black one's yellow one [sic] Willie J [John?] helps to feed them six young pigs 6 weeks old five calves six cows two horses that is our stock for the winter. Both Willie Houston's has got two young daughters some time ago When Thomas Willie was asked what kind the baby was he said it was not a riser [Drucks?] anyway he was mad because it was not a little boy There has been some snow here a week ago John C [Charles?] had to get stooping [stopping?] at home to [hunt?] he took James Houston [sic] dogs with him But only got one for the loss of his day it is raining every day since such wet weather you would not get in a day's walking John thought he would be [Page 5] alright when he would get away from home, but he was like Barney he found a change he dose'nt [does not?] think much long now Stop in every night after he finishes up his day's work [practicing?] some song also the fiddle You never mention if you keep your fiddle in tune I am afraid she gets more idle time now than when she was in Ireland I think Andrew Ballantine has stooped [stopped?] his courtship with Alice I dont hear of him crossing the water so often now I think he wanted to hear the folk talk dosent [does not?] come to Gilkeys [Gilky?] as often as he used to Matthew still [Page 6] continues their [there?] is not so many arguments when Andy B [Ballentine?] and you are absent for I think you and Andy were they [the?] main spokes [spokesmen?] Tommy and William is out every night (at the same old game) Dancing will soon commence if the Soiree comes off I think Dan will be the Musician at least the [they?] said he would take no part if it would be like before. One cold day Willie J [John?] said [stained] did'nt know how Daniel knose [nose?] was for he could not keep his clean he was thinking there would be a good drop at Daniels Mother says she will write some day so bad as this is you may prepare for the hen's claws [Page 7] I think by the time you reach you will hardly know Mary or John C [Charles?] or Willie John Mary has grown to be a great big girl hardly able to get in under the door as for me I think I am standing the times well loosing [losing?] nothing whatever I have gained I often think I see you make us hold that mouth organ for you then how you would scold us when ever it would move. I suppose you have fun enough over their [there?] I see you had a good night at that swell party with the Darkey long before you would see a Darkey in a swell or swamped party here [Page 8] Bella is sending some News Paper's today James Houston Brought over the Wittness [Witness?] on Tuesday night Mary made out those six stone fruits which you will see but I am afraid money will not be got so easy Christmas is Drawing near once more, I suppose you will get some holiday at such a time now I think this would be a very good time for you to visit your own auld [old?] Irish home next year as there is always some fun in the winter Remember the bright side of the Picture Wishing you a merry Xmas I remain the same as ever Liza Catherine Smyth. Transcribed by Greg Floyd |
