| Title: | James A. Smyth, Ontario to John J. Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2708 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/11(2) |
| Year | 1898 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, John J. and wife |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 0604165 |
| Date | 01/02/1898 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | |
| Word Count | 892 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Mr John Jas. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] ESSEX FE 98 ONT. [Back of envelope] [Stamped] HAMILTON FEB 1 20—0 1898 [Stamped] WINDSOR AM FE 1 98 [Stamped] [NEWTOWNSTEWART?] [---?] [--?] [Handwritten across envelope] Arrived Feb 13th 1898 Tuesday MS [Mary Smyth?] [Page 1] Essex Ont. Feb 1st 1898 Dear Parents I received your letter a few days ago, and got the money all right. I am pleased to know that Wm [William?] is progressing so well. I suppose he will remember his sickness for a while, however I think it would be no worse than what fever some people have out here. I am sorry to learn that your pain still continues. It may leave in time. You did not get a large [page 2] price for your horse but likely it is better than to keep her. It requires some money for the horse business as well as everything else. Wonder you did not buy Big Williams farm perhaps you think you have enough land. A Stewart did not loose [lose?] anything on the farm during his time of it. Does A Stewart intend selling his own farm? The landlords seem to be getting the worst of it now I expect you made a settlement before this. I got my suit all right and fit [sic] very good [sic] I think it will wear [page 3] very well. I got those express parcels about ten days ago. They came through to the customs I told them they were not value for any more than 3 shilling [sic] so I paid 25 C [cents?] duty on them. otherwise I would had more to pay What was the cost? Tie would cost about $1.8 or about that here and I dont know what they [the?] others would cost. The gloves will stay in my trunk thats where they are as yet. I don't believe in giving things away like that. [page 4] I joined the church yesterday. Yesterday was Sacrement [Sacrament?] Sunday. They have sacrement [sacrament?] here every three months. I saw Woodslee people Saturday in town I have not been down for two weeks. We are having examinations in School now. again. This time they do not tell us when they will come. so we have no chance of reviewing the preceding week and the marks are not as good either [page 5] Private Friday we had Ancient History highest mark was 85% sec. 69% and I got 3rd place with 44% and they [the?] others was from that down to 16% I find my work this year real hard. Some of it is very hard to understand and looking ahead and fearing that one would fail doesnt bring up no pleasent [pleasant?] thoughts. It seem [seems?] I am always short for time to get my lessons up for next day. We had a special meeting this evening [page 6] of Lyceum & Literary Society to decide the advisibility [advisability?] of purchasing of a Piano After a vote was taken it was found all but six were in favor of getting one so, we will have one in school now. It is not a very dear one. Cost £40 I expect it will be in for Friday afternoon. There is a lot of fine Piano player [players?] attending School especially among the girls indeed there is [are?] few girls in this part of the country that are not very fair on both Piano & Organ. There is a Violinist giving lessons in town now. I heard her [page 7] the other night: and she (sic) a splendid player and most all classical music. Her lessons are 50c [cents?] or 2 shilling [sic] per lesson. They are starting a brass band in town now. They have asked me to [latir] the snare drum but I did not say yet. I would not mind playing it but I was afraid I would loose [lose?] part of a night each week from my lessons. I bought this paper down town a while ago and I think it is not very good, so I am just about tired writing on it. We are having a rather [page 8] mild winter not very much frost. There is quite a fall of snow just now, I was out for a sleighride Friday night. I think I have told you about all the new [sic] that I know. Perhaps I may get a letter tomorrow I usually get one just when I send one home. There is a [man?] McKeown, gone over to Glasgow in the Anchoria SS from here He went on friday last. Yours James Smyth PS If you can [sic] this letter it is almost more than I can do J.A.S [James Alexander Smyth?] [page 9] Private I was not out of money when the [they?] last arrived, I alway [sic] leave my board unpaid if I think I would have to wait so if I need any if have nt [haven't?]. I got $14.61 last time and I paid my board to end of the month (Jan) and have $5 left yet. We got our pictures taken that is the members of last literary society and they are good ones each one just cost $6 0 cents- if they were any cheaper I would get another and send it to yous. [you?] [page 10] I must finish up now as I have to do up my work for tomorrow. I have a lot of Chemistry to do and the other boys & girls say it is not easy. so I must do it as the science Teacher was very cross today and if I leave it undone they [there?] may be war in the camp tomorrow. Jas A. [James Alexander?] Smyth [Written on top left of Page 9] arrived February 15th 1898 Transcribed by Kyle Smith |
