| Title: | [Mary?] Smyth, Ontario to Mrs J J Smyth, Co Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 2912 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, Mary/4 |
| Year | 1903 |
| Sender | Smyth, Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Presbyterian) |
| Origin | Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Castledamph, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | writes to her family |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge. |
| Doc. No. | 0410044 |
| Date | 17/02/1903 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | |
| Word Count | 947 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Mrs J.J.Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, Ireland [Stamped] ESSEX FE 18 03 ONT. [Postage Stamp] Canada Postage Two Cents [Back of envelope] [Stamped] WINDSOR 12 FE 18 03 ONT. [Stamped HAMILTON FEB 18 9-PM 1903 CANADA [Stamped] NEWTOWNSTEWART A [?] 10 MR 3 03 [Page 1] Coronation [Printed with crown and crossed swords] Essex, Feb. 17th, 03 Dear Parents, Brothers & Sisters ;- I write a few more lines to you today to let you know how we are progressing I suppose Jim wrote you an account of all that happened lately. I would have written sooner only I knew that he would give you all the latest news. Since I last wrote we had nice weather pretty warm for the time of year but Sunday there came another Storm of snow and it is awful cold now This morning it was 8° [degrees?] below zero. A few of the girls got their ears frozen going to school and Mr [Aughin?] the Principal got his nose frozen. I got off safe they tell me I am too warm-blooded. I suppose John is all right again I hope that there will be no marks left as it would marr [mar?] his beauty you know. Is he going to go back to Strabane again? I suppose he won't for a good while. I am sorry I missed that soiree in the school but I tell you when you know you can't go you don't mind it so much. If I had been at home & had to stay at home I would have [Page 2] been far worse. I don't suppose by what you said that it was near as good as the others. I suppose the most of the people around there are dull and in no humour. If I had been there that would have made it more lively. Do you remember Russell at the last one? How is he getting along, Poor fellow? I hope B.C. has not forgot all about me. I have not heard from that quarters [quarter?] this long time so if they don't like to write I don't care I won't [----?] [-----?] [-----?]I have not heard from Tilda this long time either. I guess they are all deserting me like I used to do with them. I was going to send some Valentine's but I did'nt in time. there were some awful ones here. Do you remember the ones we got one year? How is Master James & Miss getting along I wonder how long they are going to stay in Eden. I was just thinking one night that if I don't go back this year perhaps he would not be there to help me to get through the exam if I [try?]. I have not thought anything of going home in the summer yet. I would like to go but to do what? I would rather go through [R.?] College after holidays [Page 3] I would just love to be keeping books. But then there is not much pay for it there that is only what would keep me from it. unless I would stay out here longer. & earn enough money so that I could go home & go to college; They say those that want to ever reach to anything must have only one thing in view. So [as?] that way I will never reach much unless I give up some of these I would like to try both of them. but that costs & besides spends the time. Oh I forgot to tell you that I got the feathers alright. they are very nice. I did not think very much of them when I first opened them as they were in such a [string?] but I held them over the stove & they soon got alright. I would like to keep both of them but I told Belle that there was one for her. So I must give it to her now. How is Bella getting along I guess I owe her a letter. I see the boys did not dance with her as much as usual. Being married is no object here. They [The?] last dance I was at here there were any amount of married woman [women?] there & some with the girls as big as themselves and danced [Page 4] every dance too. It is nice to be a woman in this country. They have a better time Here than there. There was another dance on the 6th I did not attend it & there is another Friday night 20th I think I will go to this one. I am getting along alright in school still busy. I wrote an essay & read it today in our form & I was tendered a vote of thanks by the [rest?] of the pupils because it was so good. The subject was "The Character of Queen Elizabeth". I was nervous reading it. It was my first time to get up. It took me all last week preparing it. There is a debate between four of the pupils every week in our form [---?][---?] to hear them. I & two others acted as judges on one today. We had to give a final decision as to which won. How is W.J. getting along at school. I would like to have him write a few lines sometime. There is a concert tomorrow night in the Town Hall proceeds in aid of the Public Library. I think I will go as there is a fine singer to be there. I must close now & get my homework done Write & give me all news. I always look for letters but never get very many. Good Bye [Goodbye?] M. [Mary?] Smyth Last night I slept alone & I did not half sleep I was so cold. I could not get the bed half warm. I ordered a blanket above & below tonight that it may be warmer. Nothing like long ago when there were three in a bed. Transcribed by Alan Houston |
