| Title: | Nancy Wightman, [Florence, Alabama?] to her sister, Ireland. |
|---|---|
| ID | 3333 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Wightman, Nancy/22 |
| Year | 1845 |
| Sender | Wightman, Nancy |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Protestant |
| Origin | Oakland, Alabama, USA |
| Destination | N.Ireland |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | T 1475/1 p50-51: Copied by Permission of Miss A. McKisack, 9 Mount Pleasant, Belfast. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9405202 |
| Date | 04/11/1845 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 09:05:1994. |
| Word Count | 1711 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Oakland. November 4th 1845 My dearest Sister, Our hearts should be more closely united in love when we reflect, that we are now the only remaining members upon earth of our dear Father's family. I felt most sensibly on hearing of the death of our dear Brother James - He was associated with my earliest recollections. I fear he was a great sufferer for many years previous to his death. I wrote to him when John McAlister went to the North last Summer and requested Harriet would send me a few lines. I wrote a few months ago to her, but I have not much hope that she will answer it. I should like to know if they are in comfortable circumstances. The death of one so nearly allied to us My dear sister is a solemn admonitions for us to be ready and I trust all your hope of salvation rests on Jesus Christ. The more frequently you read in the Word of God and meditate on it, with prayer, for the teachings of the Holy Ghost, you will be led to see the utter depravity of our hearts by Nature, and that we must be born again "ere we can enter into the Kingdom of Heaven". You have many sources of happiness from which I am excluded, but the consolations which flow from religion are such as "the world can neither give nor take away". I am thankful to learn from time to time that your health and spirits continue good. I was glad you had so pleasant an opportunity of going to Bangor with Caroline Telfair, I hope you took the benefit of the Baths. You are much in my thoughts, and I often think how you would be amused with the Society and poping vanities of this neighbourhood. Your son John's health appears to be much improved. It would be quite wrong in me to pretend to give any special report of him, as I very seldom meet with him, except in a transient way. He seems to possess a large share of the public confidence, and I hope the time is not far distant when he will become a more valuable member of Society. I sit in his Pew at Church, but I am sorry to say that he does not yet acknowledge by his acts the claims our Heavenly Father has to his love and obedience. I should be more punctual in writing to you, if you did not hear of me through so many sources. I feel grieved that I never get any tidings of you from Margaret's pen. It ought surely to be a privilege to write to an absent Brother, the dear companion of childhood and youth. You will be quite proud of all your little Grandchildren. I should like to see Bessey for the sake of the name. I often tell John he will be quite delighted with his little Nieces, and you must still cherish the hope that the Lord will permit you to see each others faces in this world. Madelina is greatly blessed in living in the midst of her family - her health is more improved than I ever expected, it would be - still - she is very far from being strong. Ann is an amiable girl. She has not much in her power at present, but I think she is kindhearted, and William is truly his Father's Son, and I am thankful that John is moral and honourable in all his business transactions, and if it should please the Lord to change his heart he will make an excellent Christian. I see Mrs Simpson occasionally, her temporal blessings are numerous. Mary is returned from School, a pretty modest girl - much admired and no doubt will have many to seek her favour. Mrs. S is very attentive to Madelina. The first time you visit Mrs. Patton give my love to her and Mrs. [Aerott?]. I cannot expect you to send a letter past John, but I would be obliged to the first person who writes to let me know how Mr. Glasgow and Mary enjoy their health in India and if the Mission has a prospect of doing good to the souls of the poor Heathen. Please to give my love to Eliza and Margaret and Ann and their good men. I have more questions to ask than you would like to answer. You must also remember me to Mrs. Telfair and the girls. I am glad Mr. Rossoborough and Margaret have got their wish accomplished and I hope they will enjoy much of the peace that passeth all understanding in their country home. I sent a letter into Florence yesterday to have forwarded to Mr. McNeilly and I calculate you will receive them about Christmas. You will please give my love to Mrs. Wightman my Aunt. Tell her John does not forget his relationship. He wrote to me from New York after my arrival and we interchange a letter or notes occasionally, which stirs up kindly feeling. I am happy to hear that he proposes going over to visit his Mother and friends next Spring. My friend Mrs. Pope saw him when she was on a visit at her Plantation in the neighbourhood, Pickensville - he spent part of a day with her and she says he looks much better than he did when she saw him last year. You will be so king [kind?] as to remember me to Margaret and Mr. Gunning. Miss Grey (now Mrs. Pope) is very happily married. Her husband has lately joined the Church and gives satisfactory evidence of having experienced a change of heart. Mrs. P is a truly Christian woman, an excellent step Mother and Mistress, and is devoted to the advancement of our Saviors Kingdom. To me she has been most kind and affectionate, and I owe more to her friendship than I can express. She resides at Cedar Grove, a sweet spot just out of the precincts of Town and commanding a pleasing prospect of it. The house was built by Mr. John Jackson, whose wife was a Philadelphia lady. She wanted me to live with her after my brother William's death and overwhelmed me with kindnesses when friends were valuable. If you will be so kind as to send even a few lines in your own fashion immediately on receiving this letter I will promise to write to you the first leisure I enjoy. Give my kindest regards to my friends at Holywood, Charles and Rachel, and the little folks - Mary Elizabeth and Catherine. Tell them the children here are busy gathering Walnuts and Hickory nuts, and cracking and eating them. I hope you will let me know where you are lodging, and give my very kind regards to Mrs. Musgrave and family, and consider me ever, Your affectionate Sister (signed) N. [Nancy?] Wightman I was sorry to hear of the failure in the Potato crop and I understand you are to import Indian Corn. It is excellent bread when properly baked. It is generally cooked in a Skillet, about the size of a Dutch oven but not so keep [deep?]. It is mostly mixed with milk and water - not nearly so stiff as flour or oatmeal, and may be done with a spoon - have the oven and lid hot and bake on the hearth. Slate colour My Dear Sister. I have reserved a corner for your own eye. I was so much hurried in consequence of my visit to Rathyviland [Rathfriland?] and other friends my clothes and other articles were badly arranged. You will find a Ponjee Petticoat which will suit the [mud?] - in one of the drawers and I think a black silk one which with anything that you can make useful you can take and I should have left out the Cruet for you to use, but you can get it. I think I valued too much everything that belonged to my Mother. Take care of the little Table. If Teresa McGolden is still living send her the Green Calico dress and if you can spare a dollar I would give it to John Mc or John Wightman. I shall send money by him to get the Linen Miss W gave me made up. I left the key with Miss. Henry. I was prevented writing for some time past, and as I have written the greater part of this by Candle light you must excuse mistakes and repetitions. I enjoy good health, and never felt more contented. The children are very good, and improve. Mr & Mrs. Collier are exceedingly kind. The oldest daughter Clara is eleven - Mary eight, Martha (my pet) your Jannette is a lovely child, and Alice was born since I came and is an object of much anxiety to her Parents, one of her feet is completely turned in. It is said such cases are now most successfully operated on, and Mrs. Collier intends (if the baby lives) to take her to the North, where there is a Surgeon who has acquired a great reputation in similar defects. Please give my love to Miss. Henry and Miss Margaret. Tell her I am still busy, but have not yet seen much fruit. If you only knew my dear sister how glad I would be to hear even concerning your own health, I know you would gratify me. Remember me to James Ward's family. Is Miss Wightman married and does poor Robert still live a sufferer. Our Minister Dr Witherspoon observed that we are immortal until it is God's will that we should die. I trust the Lord will prepare us all for his heavenly Kingdom, for Christ's sake, is my constant prayer. When you visit Holywood do not forget my friends in whose kind remembrance I wish to retain a place, Mrs. Neilson and Mary Ann Marten. I was delighted to hear she had gone to live at Mount and hope it will be a mutual benefit, and also Mr and Mrs. Archer. I have not got one line from N. Burnside since I came. When you see Mary tell her I am longing to hear from her, for she particularizes all my kindred and friends. |
