| Title: | Letter from William Stavely.Pennuslvania, to his Brother-in-law James |
|---|---|
| ID | 3054 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Stavely, William J/13 |
| 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 | D1835/27/3/4. Presented by Greer Hamilton and Gailey.Solicitors, High Street, Ballymoney. Co Antrim |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9310567 |
| Date | 03/06/1861 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Action By Date Document added by C McK., 19:10:199 |
| Word Count | 776 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | D1835/27/3/4. Letter from William Stavely. Penn. [Pennsylvania ?] and Salt [?] Mauf [Manufacture ?] Co [Company ?], East Tarentum [?], to an unknown addressee, named James [the co-respondent's brother in law]. Oil purchased by me last winter Penn. [Pennsylvania?] at 22 cent per gallon can now Salt Mauf [Manufacture?] be got for ten cents. So much Co. [Company ?] for war and its attendent East Tarentum [attendant?] losses June 3rd 1861. My dear James Yours of last month to hand some days. I am pleased the documents I signed are safe to hand and that the property conveyed to you, by them is in a flourishing condition. I think that you are right in saying from your experience, land pays or yeilds a better profit on which their [there ?] has been a liberal outlay, than the reverse. Such was the opinion of an illitrate man in Loughuile [?] 30 years ago, "Land must be trusted to make it pay" this also is my own experience, and though individually, I may not realize the truth, yet will I die with that impression on mind. Their [There?] is however a possibility of over doing. In reply it may be said out of your abundance, your extra expenditure is not missed - that may also be true, but recollect, riches do not endure for ever, and it is clearly your burden duty - to improve present advantages My son is not worse, I have sent him about 10 miles from this to a farmers, for a few months - to try to get his health permanently restored - I am much oblidged to your kind offer in wishing him to visit Ireland. His doing [--?] [--?] be attended with much expense - which I could ill afford, it appears to be the will of Providence, we dwell alone - and not to be reckoned away the families. I am in Pittsburgh once a week, this is a fixed arrangement, and have got from our agent a RR [Rail Road?] ticket for 25 trips. It is thought and correctly - I could do better, in weekly purchases - than the office there can, Saw Hannah last Thursday - did not see Joseph, they are well. I think seriously in renting a horse, at this place, I having a home for my children, when in providence - they may see fit to be with me - As it is boarding for them and myself swallows all my savings, and that without corresponding benefits. As it is I am not very happy - I can work - that is all my comfort. "Truly I am a stranger in a strange land" #PAGE 2 I was in Philadelphia, got a small but well chosen stock of goods, I bought staple goods, and duplicate in part the bill this day. I sold when there 200 boxes bye $1200 that is to say I found a purchaser, made the bargain and then had it ratified, by the Treasurer of the Company. In payment I took about $1100 in groceries in sugar by my [--?], on the former I can make two cents per pound clear profit and a larger percentage on the latter. Our sales for may [May?] was nearly $4000 - With industry and perseverance I can build up a large business here, in due time, I intend I shall be paid for my trouble. Track generally is bad - money is not to be had, the custom of the hands makes, the store business - I saw Rev [Reverend?] John MEvin in Philadelphia - he preaches once in two weeks, within 15 miles of Franklin in [------?] Co [County?] where I spent the winter - Our friend John Caldwell, looks little in his clothes, and rather shabby in appearance, if not failed, they are on the verge - These are the times try [---?] souls. They have not purchased any goods this spring - have dismissed more than half their clerks, and do not sell a piece of goods at present, unless the money is paid right down, houses in Philadelphia have failed So your Manchester house had better keep a good look out You will expect me to say something about the war, this I can not do, the newspapers, cast no light, on the matter - What is happening now I predicted sixteen years ago. My hope is the sword now drawn will not be sheathed untill [until?] every negro in the United States is emancipated. My next letter, and within two weeks will be to my Father even if I sit up all night to write it I send my likeness, [----?] [----?] Philadelphia, it is not well done, next time I will send a more correct on [one?] a larger scale With best wishes to Anne, your Children and yourself I am Most Sincerely Your attached Brother Wm. [William?] Stavely PS. Any expense I may have been at in your case, has been paid, long since, by you. What about the Oil PP [?] |
