| Title: | Greeves, Susanna to O'Brien (n. Greeves), Anne, 1821 |
|---|---|
| ID | 5989 |
| Collection | The Transatlantic Letters of an Irish Quaker Family_1818-1877 [B. Jackson] |
| File | quaker/39(1) |
| Year | 1821 |
| Sender | Greeves, Susanna |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | unknown |
| Sender Religion | Quaker |
| Origin | Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Smithsville, Niagara Co., NY, USA |
| Recipient | O'Brien (n. Greeves), Anne |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | siblings |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 2860 |
| Genre | family news, neighbours, friends |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Dungannon 8th month 1st 1821 My dear Sister, It is the least thing I can do to comply with thy request in that of writing to thee, but believe it was neither want of affection or thinking about thee made me not write ere this. But when Thos. writes he picks up all the news, so leaves me nothing to say. In the first place I may inform thee we received thy truly welcome letter dated 3rd month 1821 and were glad to find by it you were all well: when I say you all I conclude the children. I must now begin and tell thee all about the Dungannon folk: viz. in the first place I may tell thee it is in its old place but many of the people are dead and some have got married. But sure Alick Do[u]glas has got married at last to his first cousin. The old woman his mother is still alive: they all live together as usual. It is with sorrow I have to tell thee that poor Jane Bullack is no more. She died about four or five months ago in a Typhus fever, poor thing: she suffered a good deal. Her mother was with her for above a year before she died. As Robert put her away, she had no other recource but to come to Jane, and now since Jane's death Robert is quite an altered man for the better. Mary has gone back and he now makes her a very good husband. But I suppose before this thee heard of Lucy Locke being married to James Calvert They live in Belfast. She came up safely to see her sister Sarah who now is no more. She died of decline and was ill for near twelve months but did not take to her bed untill about a month or two before she died. She was able to go to Belfast when Lucy lay in: she has a fine son whom she called John Shaw Calvert for John Shaw. The Shaws are the old thing-hardly ever but some one of them ailing. The Nicholsons, the girls are gone to Belfast to live and has set up shop in same kind of a way that Thos is, but they intend to sell bonnets, Ribbons and the like, poor things. I hope they may do well. Jane has ... Sarah this long time and will remain with her untill she does be confined, which will he about 9th month. But sure sister Mary has added one more to the name of O'Brien. A little daughter who she calls Margaret for her mother. My mother did not go up to her but she got off finely. She was out riding an hour or two before. Brother William still lives in Carlow but is coming on by degrees, but goes to school some days and attends remainder in the shop. He skains thread, spins, winds tape etc. Thos. Sinton [is] a very good boy now198 and very cleaver in the shop and is very attentive. William Sinton was down here the beginning of summer, and in Moyallon of course Jane and I got over with him when Mary Sinton was, who has been down in the North a few weeks before the Moyallon meeting. Wm. went from that home. We brought Mary home with us and mother, Mary, John and I went to the meeting and Thos. came on second day and returned same night, as he had Susan Douglas to help in the shop untill he would return. My father was in Armagh with Jane, so John and I had to be home in Armagh third day for the market and ever since Mary has been backwards and forwards between the two places. Thee may wonder why Mary stays so long, but I am sorry to say she has been in a delicate state of health and the Doctors ordered her ro the country or her native air. She had a bad cough which is now much better. If Thos. and I can spare her room to write in this she intends scribbling thee a few lines, so will leave her to speak for herself. Bur sure Maria Malcomson is married to Tod the pedlar at last. I do not know whether there was any talk of it before thee left this, or not she ran of with him. It is a pity of her father and mother. I heard they went to England but whether or nor I cannot tell. I seen her art the Moyallon meeting and I think I never seen her look better. What a pity it is she threw herself away, bur they strove all they could to prevent it a year ago and more. She was at Milton a long time, but all did not do. Her sister Jane has been ill this long time with something in her back - 1 believe the same as poor William Hunter200 died of. Joseph Hunter has set up for himself in Balamoney [Ballymoney] and he has his Aunt Ally and one of Ally Cannings sons helping him in the shop. Ally Canning is still in a bad state of health. She was up at her Fathers for some time and when she gets any better she goes back. Thee wishes to know how John gets on and whether Aunt or I went to live with him - which I may tell thee we did not, as just at the very time I got cold by going out after getting a tooth drew which used to annoy me very much: very fortunately I rook ill at Bernagh where I was for 7 weeks, 4 of which I was confined to bed. The cold I got settled in my throat and gathered like a quinsy, but that was not all. It then settled in the other side and gathered in the outside although every remedy was took to prevent it but Blistering Bleeding, which if I had submitted to, I would have soon got well: although I was bled twice with leeches, but all did not do. It was Dr Dickson who attended me, so when I was fit I got it lanced, which if I had not would have left a mark in my neck, but now thee would scarcely observe it without thee was told. When I get the least cold it seems to affect my throat, sometimes with a rawness, but does not signify. But still I am afraid I will be subject to it. I am wearing caps ever since so ... had to put them on as ... . Aunt Mary is the old 2/6, still didling at and ... as good natured as ever. Sally and Helen Dickson does be after asking for thee: they desire to [be] remembered when writing. Helen has been in Belfast at school finishing her education, as she expects to go to India to Mary in one or two years if she lives. Sophia and her husband has been at the Drs. all summer, also her little daughter and son. They were in Dublin bur came down on account of her husbands health. William Dickson is gone to America - lie is I believe in New York - and James is doing nothing at home except mind and oversee the farm for his Father. I must tell thee who does be ail asking about thee. I may begin with the Miss Grahams, Miss Sindairs, Miss Graves, John Shaw's family, Eliza and Maria they both desire their love to thee; old Patt Hughs - Barney is going to be married in a few days to Miss French: he is ganger now in Newry. Thee wishes to know whether any of Greer McDonnells have got married yet but I may tell thee not one as yet: bur I think they are likely as a frost. Maxwell McEvoy is very much altered for the better. He is grown quite sober and not so out of the way funny as he used. His Aunt Jane is the same thing - still she hardly ever goes out. Robert Brown's family lives in the row now, so thee sees they are high up. So does Decoste [D'Acosta]: he lives in the house Egin [Egan] formerly lived in and Mr. Mrs. Barely live as lodgers. Mrs Carat is gone to Dublin to live and has left Thomas and John to attend to the Foundry: as I suppose thee heard, they have given up the Brewery. They live down next door to where Jane Bullock lived and Mr. and Miss Quin lives in their old house; and young George Smart lives in the house they left. So thee sees what alterations there is. Thee wonders why brother Thos. was sent to England but thee need not when I tell thee he has been once or twice representative to the yearly meeting and is also clerke to Grange meeting. I suppose thee [k]new brother William and Jane were not members when thee left this, and we were in doubt whether they would be received or not: so Jane applied and was received, and Thos. applied on William's behalf which also was he, and he is now a member of Garlow monthly meeting. When I was saying before William was living in Carlow, I forgot to say he is there as an apprentice, and is to serve 5 years, in which time I hope he will be fit to do something. Aunt Alice has left Jo [Midkiff]: she is gone to lodge with Thos Heazekon. William and the girls allows her 30 pounds a year and out of that she pays Thos. Heazeiton 6.6.0. pounds a year for a room and her fire. She is very comfortable as Thos. got his house altered. Some of it he done last summer and remainder this. She has not little Alice with her for indeed it would be hard for them to support his child. Jimmy Heathers wife is dead. She died the latter end of winter. James and his wife lives in his fathers now: they used to lodge with Billy and Anne Heather. Billy McEvoy's wife died yesterday morning after a few days illness. It was apoplexy. She never spoke from the time she took it until she died. Poor little Fanny will miss her very much. Billy and Margaret Carson still lives opposite to us and carry on the backing business. Mary Nevinagh has changed her name to Maguire: he is a smith and lives in the country. Owen Devaelin [Devlin?] that used to live butler with William Garaty is married to a girl of the name of Maguire. He lives at present in William Murrays and has a house here in town for her. I understand since Sarah Calverts death Billy Calvert is going to live in Belfast and to be employed by John Bell at his own employment (that is carpenter work). I do not know whether thee ever heard William Bell, John Bells son, is married to Hannah Wakefield. She lay in lately of a daughter so the sees merkals [miracles] will never cease. Jane McMeakin lives in England with a gentlemans family: they are gone at present to France and Jane went with them. Martha lives with a Mrs ... family in Dublin, but she has left that and is with the Sintons in Dublin until after Mary goes back; but where she will go afterwards I cannot tell, without she comes to Grange to her mother who has been there nearly these two years. She lives in the office which poor Jo Williams used to occupy, as Robert turned out very bad to her in every respect. But perhaps in some little time they may be together yet. Aunt and Uncle Billy is usual. Cousin William Greeves wife lay in some time ago but her little child was dead. He does be frequently backwards and forwards between the Isle of Man and Dublin. He took Martha over to see his wife: she was there 3 weeks which time she spent very pleasant. Jonathon Hoggs family are all well: thee would be surprised to see how much Jane is grown. She is nearly as tall as Eliza or Mary. James has served his time with his Uncle Mark and is at home. Mary Culemor [Cuilimore], niece ro Jonathans, lives with them now from London and her sister Eliza came over lately and is gone to live with her Aunt Sally Barcroft in Lisburn. Mary I believe is as governess at Jonathans. I believe the situation of their family is such which makes them to have to come to their friends: thee need not say anything about it. As the vessle that this is to go by will soon sail thee ... to send this to Jane for het co add something ro it but she desites me to give het best love to William and thee and that she intends writing thee next time. Will leave Thos. to tell thee about the Armagh and Berna family, also my mothers health. We still have Jinny McCann with us: she desires her love to thee. Old Ba, John Rainey and Biddy Courtney are all living yet. John Rainey lives with his son Jamey over in Dree this long time. My Aunt Molly desires her love to thee and William. She has had a cough the most of the winter but is quite well of it now. My mother had little Anna O'Brien with her for 8 or 9 months. She [is] a sweet little dear and very old fashioned but since she wen r home she is not neat so much. Dan and Man.- has a fine large family but they all seem to thrive well. I am afraid thee will be hard set to make this out. I am with dear love to William thy affectionate sister Susanna Dear Sister As I have to leave Mary Sinton and Thos. room to write, I must begin and cross this as I still have some things else to say. I was surprised when thee told us William milks, which I think if I seen him would amuse me very much. How different the customs in America is to here, but when people can bring themselves to do so it is a fine thing. What a good affectionate husband William is who does these things for thee. I could wish from ail my heart I would get a peep at you and your dear little children. I am glad that Maria is such fine company for thee. If I was near thee I could help thee to nurse but we are too far asunder for that. William is still the good affectionate husband he always was, and hope thee on the other hand tries to make him a good wife. Many a time I just think I see you with Joseph on thy knee and William talking to Maria - but vain imagination. I wish it was real, but if you are content, what is before that? That with a blessing is one of the greatest comforts one can have in this world. I would think it very odd to see the [American] Indians. They are such queer looking creatures and so oddly dressed. It is wonderful the pride they take in wearing so many diamonds but it is not odd among themselves. Thos and Mary Sinton are gone to meeting as this is 4th day. Thos. is a good attended of meeting: he seldom misses a day. He is what he always was, a good affetionate Brother. He is grown very lusty of late and has got his health, which is a blessing to him, as he has to be so often from home one way or another. Billy McEvoy's wife was buried to-day: she had a verry large respectable funeral. Miss Campbell that Nellie Dawly lives with mostly stays in Newry: they are both the old thing, neither of them married yet. I forgot to say before, Anna Sinton has a daughter which she calls Susanna for her mother. It is now 9 months old and reckoned handsome. Sister Mary was down last summer: she came to see me when I was ill with my throat as Dr Dickson ... atone time thought if I would not get relieve, soon I could not have existed, so thee may see I was bad enough. I think I never seen her look better, at least since she was married. Joseph Richardson, Jonathon Richardson's son, died lately of Typhus Fever and has left a wife and several children to deplore his loss. Jane Davison has not got married yet. She is a ... girl to sew at a school near Coletaine where she gets so much a year for. I think thee cannot say bur I have filled my part of the letter pretty well, but all I am afraid thee will not make it all out. Adieu once more, wishing William, thee and the children every happiness thy afft..S Susannah |
