| Title: | J A Smyth, Ontario, to Mary Smyth, Castledamph, |
|---|---|
| ID | 2810 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/71 |
| Year | 1900 |
| 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, Mary |
| 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. | 0505029 |
| Date | 11/12/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 25:05:2005. |
| Word Count | 712 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of Envelope?] Miss Mary Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge Co Tyrone Ireland [Stamped] [ESSEX?] DE 10 00 ONT [Stamped?] Canada Postage [?] Cents [Written over Envelope] Arrived december 22nd 1900 J J S [John James Smyth] [Back of Envelope] [Written over Envelope twice] Arrived December 22nd 1900 [Page 1] Essex, Ont. December, 11, 1900, My Dear Sister, I am Just after comming [coming?] in from school. I got your letter at noon hour but did not have time to read it then, I am just after reading it and I am sorry to hear of Jas [James?] Houston's [Hustons?] death, I think I shall soon have no particular friends alive over there, I am particularly sorry for Jas [James?] Houston [Huston?] and Willie Gilkinson but these things must be. I am in a hurry now as I have usually a lot of things to do, I sit this examination for part of the school that is the teacher’s rooms below me, for Xmas examination so I am quite busy evenings I have neglected to write for quite a long time so you may be anxious but that was the reason, I am writing this letter in the hotel in order to send it off for train. I was down at Wooodslee, walked up on the evening. My it was cold. I don’t fancy walking very much. Your map you mention arrived on Saturday. had quite a pleasant time looking over it. It is quite amusing to look on the changes made in the [Page 2] in the [sic] farms in that time, It is a very nice map for those who understand it. So I have quite a lot of fun in this town during the winter. A Mr Barber gave a party last Friday in the town Hall, as his house was not large enough, It must have cost him $125 0r £25 . He brough [brought?] the best Orchestra he could get from the city of Detroit and gave a very fine supper. Of [sic] these occassions [occasions?] are usually full dress affairs. He also had cut flowers for the guests. There were over one hundred present. The majority were from Essex’s [sic]. I had just got a new black suit. I wore it for the first time that night. The ladies were nearly all in full dress. usually silks, The prevailing colors being with pink and green. One or two wore black Dancing was the principal event of the evening. The people certainly know how to entertain in this town. [Page 3] There were several other occassions [occasions?] I intended to mention about but I have forgotten. There is a concert in town to night Usually one per week. Sometimes there is a troop of actors here for a week at a time. Next Friday night is High School Commencement but as I am not there now I do not take as much interest in it as If I were. I saw Annie on [sic] train last Friday night They are all well. We have had no very cold weather here yet but to day [today?] is looking quite cold. It was extra warm until about three weeks ago when it got very wet. We may expect it cold from this on as Xmas is very close. I may wish you all a merry Xmas as this may be the last letter to reach you before that event. You may also convey my sympathy to Jas [James?] Houston’s [Huston’s?] sisters. I shall perhaps write to them in a few days. Any how I was very surprised to know he was so sick. I certainly would have liked to have seen him once more [Page 4] I am very glad to know all others are in good health, You say Lizzie McCullough has got to be quite a girl It seems funny to think young ones grow up so quickly. I had a letter from Aunt in Gortin some few days ago. I will answer soon. If you can read this you do well as if [I?] have an awful pen and I writing in a hurried style, I shall write again in a few days and give you any more news You may all rest assured I am in good health and not every hard worked Yours in haste Jas A [James Alexander?] Smyth P.S. The Bell is just wringing [ringing?] for supper, So I got through in time. I have to go to practice for an entertainment in our church at 7 o’clock so that [sic] my hurry also. [Written upside down at top of page] I am very ashamed to send you this scribble Transcribed by Elizabeth Prentice |
