| Title: | J. A. Smyth, Ontario, to J. J. Smyth, Co Tyrone, |
|---|---|
| ID | 2789 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/52(2) |
| Year | 1899 |
| 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. | 0506024 |
| Date | 03/09/1899 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 08:06:2005. |
| Word Count | 1093 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope] Mr John J. Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] [WINDSOR?] [Back of Envelope] Handwritten Arrived Sept 18th 1899 Monday [Stamped] HAMILTON SEP 6 7—0 1899 [Stamped] [NEWTOWNSTEWART?] 5 AM SE 18 99 [Page 1] Essex, Ontario, Sept, 3rd. 1899. Dear Father & Mother, I think you folks must have some extra urgent business to attend to during the last two months, as I only received one letter since I finished my examination, Surely among you all you could find time to give me the news of the community at least every two weeks, if not weekly. There are so many of you that I believe you could find the necessary time to scribble off a few lines. I have been waiting for a letter for a long time otherwise I might have written sooner, I have received a letter from Wm [William] Gilkinson and the papers from yourselves, I read over the 13th Aug, proceedings in Derry with much interest Must say there is a queer class of people over there. It exhibits in detail the kind of Government that would result from Home Rule, Well, as I mentioned in my former letter I [Page 2] I [sic] had an agency during holidays. I have been delivering the Books the past two weeks and find it was more trouble to get the money than it was to canvass. I still have seven books to deliver and get money for and that is $15 that is comming [coming?] to me. It may be a few weeks before I can get it and it may be longer. I left the books at my Uncles and told them to call there for them. I did not make as much out of it as I thought I would but it was better than doing nothing. I made about £8 or a little over since 18th July and was at Ceader [Cedar?] Beach nearly two weeks having a good time. Of course out of that I had to pay some expenses. I attended two picnic [sic] last week and one the week before which took about £1 for the three. These are church picnic [sic] and you have always to buy your meals and give something besides At present I have nearly £2 in my pocket and £3 to collect so that is what I have left for my work after paying all expenses & board included. [Page 3] I came to Essex last night on my way now to Windsor [sic] am going up on morning train to attend model school, this time. Now as I have not very much money of my own, I would like if you could send me some if not I could perhaps borrow some until Xmas. It will take in the neighbourhood of $70 for this term at Windsor. There is an admission fee of $5 and I have been talking to some of the boys who were up yesterday trying to get board and they tell me they cannot get it less than $3 and $3 1/2 or 12s.6 and 14s 6d in your money, per week so that is pretty high, I am going up in the morning and as school does not open until Tuesday I shall have all day tomorrow to find a suitable boarding house, There are about nine students going from Essex High School, Our work this term will be principally teaching and such other instruction as fit us for running a school for ourselves. I understand we must teach classes before all students and the teachers and then take all the criticisms afterwards. I shall give you all the news in this line when I see for myself. [Page 4] I have some new books to buy and that will take a dollar or two, so that [that's?] the way the money goes. It is easier to spend money than to make it. I though [thought?] I would make enough money in holidays to pay my way at Modal [Model?] but I fell a long way short of it. I had almost forgot to tell you that I ordered a new suit about a week ago I shall have it in about two weeks, costs $22 I was in need of one particularly so in [inserted in different handwriting] (no news but [next?] MS. [Mary Smyth?]?) going to Windsor. I have had this one now two years again Xmas and it is pretty well scuffed. I heard Joe Duncan broke his leg. Let me know how he is getting along, hope he don’t [sic] loose his foot even [sic] he is an enemy. I have not mentioned anything but business in this letter. I did not tell you about any fun I had in holidays. Of course it was not very much but I combined business and pleasure I had a good time at every picnic Took every holiday that came along and had a full week at Ceader [Cedar?] Beach doing nothing but playing either on land or in the water. [Page 5] Now I got to get down to business again until next June but I think it is better to be busy than idle, I don't think attending Model school will be as hard as at High School. I am glad I am having a years rest from going there and I am also glad that I am not in the list of those that failed. I may be able to procure a set of my exam paper [sic] for you, if so I will send them, In my next letter I shall give you all the particulars about Model school and my new boarding house, and everything else that is of interest. This time I shall be in a city (Essex is only a small Town like Newtownstewart) and the City of Detroit is directly opposite Windsor only a river between them, Wm [William?] John Duncan knows both well, All the Woodslee folks are well, Cassie had her baby christened the other night it is called William Howard Benett, I have been out at Leamington at Annies several times during holidays. I alway [always?] drive out about 20 miles and can go it in 2 1/2 and 3 hours. [Page 6] I think so Woodslee is about the dullest place one could be in, no fun at all, work, work, work, from morning until night and then go to bed so that you can get up in the morning. It is a slow place to live in Now if you have not sent a letter already, dont make such a difference between them - send one over in a while so I can get the news, I think I have said about all I have to say at present Hoping you are all in good health James A Smyth James A Smyth Canada Essex M C Smyth Essex Co Castledamph Ontario Transcribed by Julie Simms |
