| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario to Eliza C Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2777 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/44(2) |
| Year | 1904 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | school teacher |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, Eliza C. |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 0605033 |
| Date | 10/08/1904 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | |
| Word Count | 1263 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Miss Eliza A. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co. Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] ESSEX AU 10 04 ONT [Back of envelope] [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART AU 20 04 3 [Page 1] Essex Ont. Aug 10 04 Dear Sister Just sent off a short letter a little while ago containing the schedule of sailings. I have been looking over your old letters as I answer this Yours of June 23rd I just re read . I see in it where Tillie Mc is married. Also your March letter I notice the item about Old Nancy. Yes I notice that about father getting angry over the hens in the corn. Just after we got the whisky. I wonder what year it was? I was a smart boy then Of course I was always smart I am still That is why I am where I am. Where would I have been if I had started [early?]. I have always had an idea that I can do anything [Page 2] that anyone else can. I wish Mary had some of my ideas. She would have been going home more of a lady than she is. Just here I will say that while Mary is going home she is not going the up-to-date girl that I intended she should be. I am very much disappointed but with the people that she has been with you cannot expect anything better. The farmers [ie?] their manners and appearance are more backward than at home. Her dress is better than when she left. Her walk and manner of eating are the same.[being] much offended indeed if you mention these things to her. She can play the violin [very?] well for one year, but if she had taken lessons on it when I wanted her to she would have been much better. In fact last night was the first night I have heard her play. And then I [had?] to ask her [Page 3] to play. You would naturally thought she would have come up here and let people see that she has been doing something. Whatever dresses she has she has never, only once, came [sic] up here with a good dress on. She has treated me what I consider shamefully I don’t say very much but I think a good deal. If she knew as much as I do or as the girls whom I am around with I would not excuse her. but she think [sic] it all right. The idea that I have been in this [town?] ten years and I suppose she wont [won’t?] ever come up before she goes away. But she can waste days and weeks going around to the Woodslee folks if needs. You will see in about 2 weeks and [mark] what I say she is not the up-to-date girl she would have been if she had stayed with me. I cashed out my money and uncles [uncle’s?] folks directed how it should be spent [Page 4] Mary spent the last few days visiting friends in Windsor. I was up Sat We went over into the U States into Mich [Michigan?] on the electric cars. I came back to Essex Sat night. I went up again on Monday. On the morning we went to Belle Isle, on the evening we took a trip on the boat up to [Bois Bleu?] Island and back at 9 o clock [o’clock?]. There was dancing up & back also at the island. Dancing is one of the things Mary never learned. I believe she has learned some methodists [sic] prayers. I came back to Essex Monday night Mary stayed over and came to Woodslee last night. I met her at the train and also went down to that backwoods place. Tomorrow we are going up to Port Huron on our civic holiday excursion that is about the last holiday. I am calculating on going with her to Quebec. I have obtained the privilege of passage on the [Tunisian?] [Page 5] from Montreal to Quebec. One day’s sailing Then I shall come back on the “Ionian” which leaves Liverpool on the 18th Aug. This will give me one whole day on the same boat with Mary I was on board this boat at Quebec when coming from the Old Country last time. From Montreal and back will cost me $10, from here to Montreal will cost me $25 Mary’s passage will cost me $55. I have not this money but ill [I will?] have to borrow. When I start school in Sept I will be $200 £40 in debt. Of course that is the same as teaching on a salary of $450 this year. Which is £10 more than I was getting when I came back last time. [------] about salaries in the Essex Free Press. Now I was thinking the following plan. I know your folks have not the money. But I was thinking I wish you would borrow say £50 [Page 6] You would not have to pay any more than 6% interest. Now what would be the object in this. Well I would pay the interest and principal back in say 6 payments of about £9 each . $45. Now I’ll be able to save about $40 or $50 per month. It would put me out of debt here immediately. If I got a check [cheque?] here say in the Imperial Bank for £50 they would think my father was fairly well off. In sending it back again I could send it from Windsor. they would likely think it was Mary who told my financial position. I would also like to be out of debt with my Uncle as soon as possible. In any case I will be out of debt next year but I would like to get out right away I know you have not the money but borrow it and do not let any one [anyone?] [sic] you are sending it. I think it would be a good idea [Page 7] You see in the last sept I will be drawing about £14, and so out for the next [ten?] months. If I had say £50 now I would be away clear and able to return it at the rate of £8 a month anyway. It would make very little difference to you. Think it over and see what you think of it. Of course If you feel there is any danger of my running away with it do not entertain the proposition for a moment. I was very nearly getting another £10 per year increase in salary. the vote stood 2 for and 2 against and the chairman gave the casting vote against. If Mr Brady and he is a catholic had been there I would have got it. However $650 is very good I expect to pay everything and also save enough to go home next year. I could go home every year on what it takes to keep me here. [Page 8] Of course now I am getting old I do not enjoy travelling like I used to do and that time I had no money to travel with. During the last 13 years I had never much spare cash in my pocket however I had always enough. I would not like to spend the next thirteen years like [sic]. I hope [Mrs] McCullagh is well again. I do not wish to see her absent if I go home next year. Where is Master Campbell going to. Give me his address, when you write. I shall write next week, probably once a week now after Mary goes home. J A [James Alexander?] Smyth To father & others. Consider the money matter mentioned in this letter and do what you think Probably you would [hate?] [sic] borrow as much as I do here. J A S [James Alexander Smyth?] Transcribed by |
