| Title: | William G. Weir, Springbrook, USA My Dearest Mother, Banbridge, Ireland |
|---|---|
| ID | 3257 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Weir, William George/17 |
| Year | 1859 |
| Sender | Weir, William George |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Spring Brook, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Co. Down, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | son-mother |
| Source | D 1948/3/7: Presented by P.J.V. Doake Esq., Glenlagen, Kinallen, Dromara, N Ireland |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9501359 |
| Date | 21/06/1859 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 26:01:1995. |
| Word Count | 1553 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | To: From: W[illia?]m Geo[rge?] Weir Springbrook June 21st 1859 My dearest Mother, I had your very kind letter on Friday last (17th), one day after Papa's by C[i?]ty of Manchester and I can assure you that I was very much delighted to hear from you, knowing, as I do the difficulties which you have to contend with and the sacrifices you have to make to be able to write a letter at all You will see by that that I am still at Mr George Stuart's [Stewart?] house, where I have spent a very pleasant time I came down here from New York with Mr Stuart [Stewart?] on Thursday the 9th and still continue here, You will perhaps think that I am wearing out my welcome, but I was going to leave on the following Monday and had my luggage down stairs, when Mr Stuart [Stewart?] met me and said that it was all nonsense and that I should wait and return to New York with him, as I could not state any reason for returning, - especially as I am in his employment, and there is nothing doing at this season, I gladly remained and I think I do not give much trouble as far as the domestic arrangements are concerned. I sleep with G. H. Stuart [Stewart?] Junr [Junior?] instead of his older brother, Willie who is travelling. Nothing can exceed the kindnes of Mr and Mrs Stuart [Stewart?] and I get on very well with the children, Willie set off on the Monday after I came here, with his Uncle, Mr David Dennison, (who was at our house when we were removing to Lisnabreeny, and remembers the Pic Nic [Picnic?] of Potatoes under the large Lime tree in the Lawn). Mr Stuart [Stewart?] had a telegram from them 2 days after they left dated. "Rochester Pennsylvania" and containing the words, "Trains came in collision at this place, we have escaped without injury, " On learning further particulars it transpired that through the carelessness of the driver another train had ran into them smashing the carriages, and injuring several of the passengers some very severely, and it was considered wonderful that several lives were not lost. Mr Stuart [Stewart?] had letters from them from Chicago Yesterday evening, but they gave no further particulars It is Willie's account of Chicago which he characterizes as a beautiful and busy town, that occupies the most of the letter He intends to penetrate from some distance into the west I liked Wm [William?] D very much he is in many respects a kindred spirit and we got on very well together, he is about 2 months older and is a little taller than I am and yet he does not look thin but is stout and active. Mr Stuart's [Stewart?] oldest daughter called Ellen is about 14 she is very fat and no particular figure especially about the feet, she has however a very good face but too much filled up for her years. She is at that stage of transformation from a boarding school girl to a young lady and some of her views of thing[s?] are a little romantic and high flown, but she will soon have more sense and as she is agreeable and good natured I have no doubt but that in a few years she will be greatly improved. The second girl Mary or as she is called Dollie is about 13 and is a wild good natured and playful girl who is liked by every one and deserves to be she is a great favorite with her Papa. In figure she is differant [different?] from her sister being quite thin and her face is very animated and intelligent looking George Hay Stuart [Stewart?] the second son is somewhat older than brother John but you may be sure he is somewhat more intelligent than most Irish boys at [of?] his age commonly are. I don't know if you were aware that this child suffered greatly from Paralyses [Paralysis?], about a year 1/2 ago he could not move hand and foot and was taken to the sea at Atlantic City and in 3 weeks he could walk, and now he is all right with the exception of a slight stiffness in the back of his neck, he is a very fine boy and says he is going as a missionary to India to join Dr Duff, whom he remembers stopping at his fathers House. Little Frank is a lively little fellow, but very mischievious [mischievous?] and full of tricks, he is about the age of Anna, The baby beats Janes one completely and is just about the same age I never saw such a large child and so good natured, but all the younger children have the hooping [whooping?] cough at present, not so severely as ours had it however. The two young ladies go to a boarding school in Philadelphia and come home every Friday evening returning in the following Monday morning Mrs Stuart is a comfortable matronly looking woman and she seems to wear well Her mother Mrs Dennison is stopping with her she is a very active and somewhat stiff and correct old lady, but she is kinder than would seem from her manner Mrs Stuart's [Stewart?] sister Mre Rumsey [Ramsey?] and her husband stop with them through the summer months she is much like her sister her husband is rather a dried up little man. I had begun to give a description of the place in my last letter but was obliged to come to rather an abrupt conclusion as Mr Stuart was going home sooner than I expected I thought it would be better to send the letter as it was than to omit sending it altogether. I am going to New York tomorrow with Mr Stuart. As a place of residence I should infinitely prefer Philadelphia from several causes but of course I entertain no idea of changing as My businessis in New York. James Smyth has been very kind to me and has taken me all over the City I was glad to see him in this strange Place and he was more warmly affectionate than I thought him capable of being. I don't know what to say relative to his getting married at first He entirely denies "the Soft impeachment", but now he says "What would I do with a wife? People will drive me to marry out of Spite if they don't hold their tongues." I think that he has paid particular attention to this Miss Steiner and people have talked so much about it, although as yet I dont think they are engaged James sends his kind rememberances [remembrances?] to you. I like the young men in the store at Philadelphia very well and Mr Small is quite Paternal I suppose you know that I board in the same house with him. I pay 5 dollars #1 per week for a small room About 10 f[ee?]t by 4 containing chair & a wash hand stand. And a considerable number of fine bugs whic[h?] make nightly excurtions [excursions?] out of the wall and seem to enjoy my fresh Irish blood. The food seems also very disagreeable to me as it is always overdone. I intend to try to improve my condition in this respect when I return. James Smyth lives as well as he could do in a fine large room and pleasant situation here for 6 dollars, but living is much cheaper in Philadelphia than in New York. I have not as yet decided what congregation I will join as I have not heard many differant [different?] preachers as yet. I like Dr thompson Mr James Stuarts [Stewart?] minister very well, I have often been at the Prayer Meetings held at Noon, both here and as [at?] New York and always feel the better after it. The spirit of God seems present in an extraordinary degree and the prayers and addresses of some of the speekers [speakers?] are very earnest. I was at the famous tent of the Young Men's Christian Association on Sunday last, it is wonderful the conversions that have taken place there, it is pitched in the worst districts in the City, and many coming in for curiosity are convicted bifore they go out. I heard the keeper speak in the Sanson St [Street?] prayer meeting today he was formerly an avowed infidel and was converted in the tent. We are all delighted to hear from Ireland of the Revival there I hope the movement will continue and spread. "God seems to be pouring out his spirit on the earth in abundant measure." I trust they will be able to Raise sufficient at Castlereag [Castlereagh?] to build the Drs [Doctors?] Manse the people are rather coming out there I intend to write some time soon to the Dr. There is some talk of Drs [Doctors?] Cook and Edgar coming out here in the autumn, is there anything of it? Old "Dady" said nothing to me about it in the boat when our conversation related to America Mrs & Mr G H. Stuart desire their very kindest rememberances [remembrances?] to you & my father Mrs [T?] says she calls to mind with pleasure the happy days she spent with you. And now I must conclude With kindest love Your affectionate son Wm [William?] George Weir |
