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Title: J. A. Smyth, South Woodslee, to John J Smyth, Co Tyrone
ID2719
CollectionIrish Emigration Database
FileSmyth, James Alexander/16
Year1896
SenderSmyth, James Alexander
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationstudent
Sender ReligionProtestant (Methodist)
OriginEssex Co., Ontario, Canada
DestinationCo. Tyrone, N.Ireland
RecipientSmyth, John J. and wife
Recipient Gendermale-female
Relationshipson-parents
SourceCopyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com
ArchiveMr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge.
Doc. No.308018
Date17/05/1896
Partial Date
Doc. TypeEMG
LogDocument added by LT, 28:08:03.
Word Count786
Genre
Note
TranscriptEnvelope addressed to: - Mr John J. Smyth,
Castledamph,
Plumbridge,
Co Tyrone
Ireland


Postmarked on Front: - [faded] [96?]


Postmarked on Back: -
[NEWTOWNSTEWART?] [--?] [28?] [--?]

TORTONTO MY [May?] 18 96 ONT [Ontario?]


Written in ink on front of envelope: Arrived May 27th 1896

Written in ink on back of envelope: Answered May 27



South Woodslee
May 17/96

Dear Parents
I think it is
about time that I answered
your last letter.
I was thinking I would
get one last week but
did not. so then I put
off writing from last
Saturday on that account
I was very sorry to hear
of Matty Houstons death
I am sure they have had
a good deal of trouble
during the last few years
I also delayed in answering
James Houston (sic) letter I should
have written him long ago
I suppose you have all
the turf cut now & potatoes
all in almost ready for the
roadwork. but you have
part of that done during
the winter season
How is Sheep trade getting along
this year did you buy
many.
I expect you have
heard that [H?]. J. Duncan
is in New York .he went
there some time ago
Cassie had a letter from
him the other day and
he says he is getting along
splendid

I think he is
getting about $15 per week
£3 nearly but that salary
here in Canada would be
better, because it take (sic)
more money to pay for board
etc. and another very
important matter is that
you are living on British
soil & can sing " God
Save the Queen" " Rule
Britannia", and never mind
Yankee Doodle
However we all as a
usually (sic) they go where
we make most money let
the [motto?] be good or evil
This is Sunday evening
I am writing this scribble
upstair. (sic) and I hear them
talking down town
Enda Allison & Amelia
have came up I suppose
for the evening.
I don t know yet whether
I will walk to Essex
this evening or wait
untill [until?] to morrow morning
We have not very long untill
[until?] Examinations now, we
have to hand in our
applications to morrow &
I have to pay $2 along with
all in my room that will [try?]
pay the same higher exams'
are $5 each so that is
paying $2 and dont know
whether we will get through
or not. .I think that
Essex school will loose
it reputation (sic) this year
it has the name of more
pupils passing in it than
any other school in Ont.
[Ontario?] but I doubt if it keeps
that name this year
however we will all do
the best we can
I think If I pass this
year I will not be afraid
next year. These subject (sic)
are new to me that my exam
is on this year. but If I
was trying on all subject
what I failed in one I
might make it up in another
The study of Botany is
not very hard but the
Botanical names are
hard to remember such
as [Gamosepalous?],
[polypetalous?], [tetradynomous?],
[Epipetalous?], [loypogynous?],
[Syngenecioin?], and a host
of others are hard to
remember. Book keeping
I think is easy I am not
afraid on it (sic) but I
might be a little short on
perspective Drawing I suppose
you would think this pretty nice
writing. well we got to write
so fast [here?]
We have splendid weather here
just now nice & hot - but
going to school it does
not matter much whether it is
hot or cold I think I have
written enough now
Jas A Smyth [James Alexander Smyth?]

I expect you will be looking
for a letter long before
you receive this one
Write soon again
JAS [James Alexander Smyth?]

Written at Top of 4th Page

I suppose John & Mary is
going to school
now Keep them at it
They are only commencing
to know what learning is
& now the time (sic) when
they are young & not able
to do much

This is an extra piece
I think this is almost
enough money for this
term I might need
another pound or so
but not untill [until?] July
& then I could earn it
myself If I want
any I will send
[word?] in June it is
enough to pay my
board but sometimes I
have other little things to
buy. I will need some more
in Sept. that will
be the commencement of
next term If I pass
my commercial exam.
then I get into the second
form and if I pass in 97 then
I will have a teacher
Certificate III class

Did you get the money
from Willie yet If you
do not wish to ask him
for it just let me
know and I will ask him
I suppose John H Brien
owes you for the price of
the sheep yet
Do not send that Irish
Time (sic) any more It is not
worth a penny to me now
You might send a Standard
or any [paper?] you get hold
of once in a while
J A Smyth [James Alexander Smyth?]
PRIVATE

Transcribed by Jim Buchanan

Verified by Mohamed Souissy

Validated by Lorraine Tennant