| Title: | William Stavely, America to "My Dear James". |
|---|---|
| ID | 3050 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Stavely, William J/6(2) |
| Year | 1861 |
| Sender | Stavely, William J. |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | sales supervisor |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | East Tarentum, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Belfast, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Stavely, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers-in-law |
| Source | D 1835/27/3/3: Presented by: Greer Hamilton and Gailey, Solicitors, High Street, Ballymoney, County Antrim. |
| Archive | D 1835/27/3/3: Presented by: Greer Hamilton and Gailey, Solicitors, High Street, Ballymoney, County |
| Doc. No. | 9311013 |
| Date | 25/02/1861 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C McK., 02:11:199 |
| Word Count | 1088 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Letter from: William Stavely, Penn [Pennsylvania?] and Salt Mauf [Manufacturer?] Works, East Tarentum, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to an unknown addressee named James [the correspondent's brother-in-law]. Penn [Pennsylvania?] and Salt Mauf [Manufacturer?] works East Tarentum, Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. February 25th 1861 My Dear James I wrote you hastily this day three weeks to which I refer, As regards the documents I am to sign. Without making many words. I am all but as anxious to perfect on my part, what has been done in Ireland, as you are to receive the papers complete. At the same time I wish to have my signature, certified to, by the proper officer, so as to leave no room for dispute at a future day. My intention to be in Philadelphia about the end of March, or within two weeks of that when the papers shall be signed and forwarded in preference to all other business. On the day after I wrote last I came to this place, and on the following day was introduced to Mr. Pemberton supervisor of the works, to the party then in charge of the [?], on this day two weeks we commenced to take stock, which is all on paper but not fully carried out. On the 14th Thursday the store was opened under my direction. We suppose there is about $8000 of goods on hand, but I would much rather have $6000 of my own selection. They are badly chosen, purchased, and still worse taken care of. Without excepting it is the dirtiest most confused place I have ever seen, the word "confusion" should be written in large letters, and hung over the door. There is a little of every thing from a fiddle string to a Cod fish, On hair oil we I think are exclusive, having on hand some nine or ten dozen with nearly six boxes of artificial flowers, &c. &c.. The really useful goods that will sell are not plenty, and are both dear and badly chosen. I could save far more #PAGE 2 than salary to the Company if I only bought the goods. The last men are to remain untill [until?] April 1st I can not say I admire the [?] very much, but perhaps when I get accoustomed [accustomed?] to it I will (But I have sense enough to keep my opinion to myself) I think a Country custom might be brought here which would please me better. I am not sure who are to be to stiff, as [?] the manager in my selection - but I am to be pleased. My opinion is we will have a young German from New York for one, and I can get my own son in for the other if I wish. I was in Pittsburgh last week for a few hours when I purchased between $400 and $500 of goods, mostly in the provision line. The people at the works wonder how it is goods are so much lower, The difference is I know in those goods what working people want - My predecessor did not, his salary was $60 per month, I have only $50, but there I hope to be advanced in a short time. My children are very comfortable in Allegheny, I did not see the little ones, they were at school when I called at Mrs. Culbertsons at three o'clock, the cars left at four and I had more than a mile to walk so that I had not time to go to them, but they are well and all three attend Mr. Spoul's Church regularly. My son John Adams is not in a good state of health, but they think he is better than he was, he [?] to the cars. His lungs are not diseased, but weak, they are rubbing his breast with Croton [?] [croup?] oil, which makes him worse at present than otherwise he would. The Doctor appears to think he will be well enough in a few weeks, but that he never should go to the p---try business again, it does not suit him. He advises out of door employment. I have said I could get John some thing to do in this store - but I do not care about it for a time. If I had money enough I would try to get an experienced and respectable partner, for him, and set him to bore for Oil, I may say the oil business is the Ne [Non?] Plus Ultra of all occupations, and firm Tidioute [?], on the Allegheny river, to Detroit in Michigan there is nothing talked of but Oil. A number of wells are being bored near Pittsburgh and Allegheny - Woodside, the disgust of my aquaintances has an interest in two. On Wednesday last your letter of 2nd Inst. has arrived here #PAGE 3 during my absence in Pittsburgh. In relation the (sic) the barrel of oil you ordered, the superintendent Mr. Pemberton at the works sent a barrel of oil to Pittsburgh on Friday - for you. Same day I wrote Mr. Colhoun, the agent their [there?], your address, he will forward the oil in the safest most expeditious manner and will advise you by mail, the letter should reach you as early as this. In the mean time I told them to charge the oil to me. You are aware this oil is for burning and not lubricating purposes. The latter kind can be got, it is a heavier oil, and not so valuable. Have you proper lamps, they can be got in England, I do not know where I hope this oil will reach you in safety and answer the purpose for which we intend it, and that you brother in law, will yet do a large business with our Company. Oil by fifty or 100 barrels can be sent much cheaper than one. The paragraph marked by you in the paper is a humbug and was probably written by some penny liner for the papers. I have seen it in American papers. They have confounded Union Station, on the Sunday and Erie RR [Railroad?] - where large quantities of oil are sent from the oil wells in this State - and near the New York lines. Mrs. John N. Moore would wish you would call on Mrs. Moore senior, at Ballyboyland, and requests the latter will write her as to the welfare of the family Also if they have any thing against John, she would wish to know what it is - Please attend to this. I must draw my hasty thoughts to an end, will write my father next month and in the meantime - Hoping Anne John Children and yourself may enjoy all possible good in this life, and happiness beyond the grave, I remain yours in haste Wm. [William?] Stavely John N. Moore | Box 251 | Detroit Pa. [Pennsylvania?] | Michigan | |
