| Title: | James A Smyth, Canada, to Mr. J J Smyth, Castledamph |
|---|---|
| ID | 2785 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/49(3) |
| Year | 1900 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | summer job as salesman |
| 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. | 0412008 |
| Date | 18/08/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 31:12:2004. |
| Word Count | 828 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Envelope addressed to:- Mr. John Jas Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland Postmarked on Front:- SOUTHWOODSLEE - ONT [ONTARIO?] AU 18 00 ONT [Back of Envelope]:- [Written on Back] Arrived August 30 1900 Postmarked on Back of Envelope:- WINDSOR ONT AU 18 00 ONT NEWTOWNSTEWART AM 5 0 AU 30 1900 [ ?] AUG 20 7 - 0 00 South Woodslee, 18th August, 1900, Dear Father and Mother, I suppose by this time you have found out what I said about writing during July, namely that I was writing often then but probably before end of holidays I would slack up. So now you see that is so. I received your letter the first of the week and one from Mary today. I have been running around so much this last week or so that I did not have time to write but this evening I thought I would get it off my mind. Tuesday I wheeled out to Leamington (18 miles) left there at 3. o clock P. M, and wheeled to Essex. Had supper at Essex and wheeled back to Woodslee, getting here about ten. [Wednesday?] being the [Dewhirst?] picnic to Kingsville (for further information on this subject apply to Belle) I wheeled to Kingsville and spent the day eating and Bathing & etc, I happened to be hungry at the dinner that day and I eat an extra large dinner, so much so that I had to lossen [loosen?] my belt by two or three holes. On Thursday I started out to do a [little?] cavassing [canvassing?] for the stereoscopic company, went nearly as far as the [Peice?] then to Belle River and had supper with the Campers from Woodslee, I stayed with them camping until this morning when I wheeled back to Woodslee, so here endeth an account of this weeks travels, unless I wheel up to Essex tonight. I tell you one can run around when they have a wheel, I paid $5 for the rent of the wheel for a month and I have canvassed a few days and made $13.60 so I have cleared my expenses and am not much particular whether I canvass any more or not. I am pleased to get your letters and just as often as possible. I like to hear the news. and know how every body is doing and etc, I see Alex McClelland is gone. Well its [too?] bad but I suppose one cannot help having the young people leaving. I am sure that place does not look like it use to as there is so many boys and girls left since I first went away. [Likely?] it won t seem the same place to me when I go back just as Woodslee is now, I don t think it looks like the same at all as it did some eight or nine years ago, but we cannot be always young, I am sorry about Old Shepherds death for the simple reason that it would seem more natural to go home and see dogs etc that you used to know and to see if they would know me. I often think of the spring of 91. I think in March when I used to take him up to the mountain and then he would start on some sheep and follow them as far as he could, then make for home to avoid a whipping but he made up for his former [deficiencies?] by his splendid services the last year I was home. If it was not old age that he died with you should have consulted a Veterinary Surgeon and he probably would have cured him, In regard Photo to Gortin, I thought I sent one with your own. I see by your letter that stock are a good price in Ireland just now. Well, I hope it remains that way. As you mention playing I hardly ever play at all, Once in a while I play some but not often. If I could play well I would play more but I am not good enough. Mary says they have got a Piano where she is well if she get [sic] an opportunity to practise. I would advise her learn it and take lesson [sic] from a good teacher, if she does I shall pay the Bill of expense. It is one of the accomplishments a young lady should have. I have a notion to rent a Piano and learn at [a?] little myself, during the winter. You can tell Belle when you see her that the people are well and getting along well, Annie s boys are here this week again, so they make some fun. Annie and Charles were at the Picnic at Paradise Grove. They drove down, from Leamington. All the folks around are well. Uncle has all crops in and is ploughing these days. Most of the Woodslee people are camping at Belle River. [I?] shall send the Essex Free Press so she may see some of the news other than I [mention?] Last week. I took an excursion up the Lake to Port Huron There were nearly three Hundred [from?] Essex went and about four thousand on board altogether altogether?]. Now I think this will be enough for the present I [will?] ans [answer?] Mary s as soon as possible. James. A. Smyth. Transcribed by Elizabeth Prentice |
