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Title: Greeves, John Sr to O'Brien, William, 1819
ID5974
CollectionThe Transatlantic Letters of an Irish Quaker Family_1818-1877 [B. Jackson]
Filequaker/24
Year1819
SenderGreeves, John Sr
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationlinen trader
Sender ReligionQuaker
OriginDungannon, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland
DestinationPhiladelphia, Penn., USA
RecipientO'Brien, William
Recipient Gendermale
Relationshipfather-in-law - son-in-law
Source
Archive
Doc. No.
Date
Partial Date
Doc. Type
Logunknown
Word Count622
Genrecorrespondence, bad state of trade, faimly news, decease, acquaintances
Note
TranscriptBernagh 11 Mo 30th 1819

Dear William
I wrote to thee Last spring dated 4 mo 13th. It went by the ship Delaware which sailed from Newry to Philadelphia.
Whether she ever arrived or not cant say as we heard she put into a port Near Cork in Distress. I expect this to go
[by] the Ceres from Belfast, which vessell tooke the small vessel of oat meal sent you last summer.
We have not had a line from any of you since the Time of Brother Thos Removal, & we are verry uneasy as
there hath been several ships hath sailed from Philadelphia since that time; was Ready to conclude you had removed
into the Country a considerable Distance. I have Little Doubt but you will feel the Loss of poor Brother Thos: he
was a kind affectioned man and as Ann says had the Heart of an Irishman. I expect Thos will inform you of the
Death of poor Jo Williams: he was taken off in a few Days of a Liver Complaint. Thy Mother had her health poorly
since she came from Carlow in the latter end of 8 mo last, having almost a constant Cough & Dificulty of
Breathing, but is Rather Better this few Days. Her old Complaint dont much Trouble her. The Linen Trade still
continues very Dull, consequently other Business in proportion, but I believe the manufacturing classes in England & Scotland is Rather worse. The people there is in Great Ferment, holding meetings for the purpose of
parlimentary Reform &c; if thou sees any of the newspapers thou will be the Better able to Judge. The parliment
met a few Days ago & the speech from the prince Regent Recomends them to strong Measures to put down
Disaffection and Treason. How it will Terminate it is hard to say.
We heard that there was a young man arived in Dublin lately, his name is Tolerton, who said he spent an
Evening in thy company and mentioned you had thoughts of Taking a house in Philadph., but did not say what
Business thou intended following. We had meloncoly accounts from N.York, Baltimore, Boston & New Orleans
of the yellow fever but did not hear of it Being in Phila. We hope you have escaped so Dread full a Malady. Thos
had a letter a few Days ago from JG Greeves saying that he was just recovering and that his Nephew Robt.
McMihon [McMeekin] was Removed: his case was one of the worst kind. John seems to think America is quite
changed for the Worse in many Respects. Had you any information from Thos Nicholson lately: is he likely to
succeed in geting Susanna Douglass's money: she had to send him the third power of Attorney, the two former
seemed to be Deficient. Doth Uncle Morton & family continue Friendly: he is an old man, his wife is an amiable
woman. When had you a letter from Geo Taylor or Geo Valentine. I suppose the Western Country seems at
present to be the Most thriving, but f torn various accounts the whole Continent is very Bad and am afraid that
there is many of our Country people in a Miserable condition. In poof old Ireland [he poor will still get a few
peatoes for Begging. We had a good harvest, the provisions is good & cheap, Except Beef & Mutton which
continues Pretty Deat.
Thos had a letter lately from Dan. I believe they are all well and I think hath given up the thoughts of Going to America.
I Remain with Dr Love to Ann, which thy Mother & Jane joins as also to thyself

Thy Affet Father
John Greeves

Wm OBrien
Germanstown
Philadelphia America