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Title: Greeves, Jane to O'Brien (n. Greeves), Anne, 1832
ID6042
CollectionThe Transatlantic Letters of an Irish Quaker Family_1818-1877 [B. Jackson]
Filequaker/76(2)
Year1832
SenderGreeves, Jane
Sender Genderfemale
Sender Occupationhelps in family business
Sender ReligionQuaker
OriginLisburn, N.Ireland
DestinationLake Erie, NY, USA
RecipientO'Brien (n. Greeves), Anne
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipsiblings
Source
Archive
Doc. No.
Date
Partial Date
Doc. Type
Logunknown
Word Count1107
Genrecholera, politics, family news
Note
TranscriptLisburn 4 month 12th 1832 5th day night

My dear sister,
Father intends writing to thee next time. Sister M O'Brien sent this letter in a bale of calicoe, which we received
tonight, and I gladly avail myself of filling up the space that she has left. My Father & Susanna wrote to thee in
8 month last, since which time we have not received a letter from you and have been anxiously expecting one, every
American vessel that came to Belfast. We heard of your welfare through Cousin Margaret Greacen, which was truly
gratifying to us, but is not near so satisfactory as hearing directly from yourselves. Father & Aunt Molly ate both pretty well at present which is a great blessing. We had been a good deal alarmed a few weeks ago by the "Cholera Morbis" [morbus] commenced in Belfast, but it has fortunately ceased, as there
has been no case of it for last two weeks and we hope it may not return again, although we can scarcely hope to
escape more than other nations as I am sure we are not more righteous.
The North continues quiet but some parts of the country above Dublin is in a very disturbed state, as thee will
see by sister Marys part of this letter, but I do hope they are more alarmed than there is cause in reality for. We
have no idea that Popery will ever gain the ascendancy but the high Tory party have never been satisfied since the
emancipation was granted to the Catholics and they make an outcry when there is not (very) much occasion and
I think it is a pity that the Carlow family should make themselves so unhappy. I expect to go soon to pay them a
visit and intend to say all in my power to make them feel more easy. It is nearly 6 years since I was in Carlow (or
Dublin) and I have not seen any of their children since, except John who has grown a fine boy and is very well liked
by Thomas Waring and family. I hope to get Mary lane home with me to send her to the Provincial school here.
Thee will be pleased to hear that Sister Rachel presented Thomas with a son the later end of 10 mo last. I
understand that he is a very fine boy but have not had the pleasure of seeing him yet as I could not get leaving
home well during the winter. But he and his mother are to pay us a visit next month. He is named John after
my Father. Rachels brother &c sister. Joseph & Anna Malcomson, are going out in the Josephine this time, along
with Abraham Bell's son & daughter who are returning after having spent a year in paying their relations in Ireland
a visit and seem pleased with the prospect of returning to America. James says he would not wish to live here at
all. I sometimes think I would like myself to go to live in "the land of liberty", but that seems out of the question
at least so long as our dear Father is living.
Mary Greeves & J [John - Anne's brother] - both she & the baby are doing well. Thomas Sinton is settled
in a shop in Newtonhamilton & brother John is in partnership with him; it is only about 2 months since they
commenced and business offers as well as they could expect. I hope Thomas will continue to conduct himself
steadily and he may yet be able to make out an independent livelihood.
Aunt is sitting beside me and desires me give her dear love to thee. It is a great comfort to us to have her with
us & she is nice company for my Father. Aunt wishes thee to mention if thee heard from Mary Greeves lately and
how our Philadelphia friends were when thee heard. We heard from Moyallon a short time ago and our relatives
there were all pretty well. Aunt Debby is to spend a few days in Armagh this week; she continues to reside with
her stepson who is kind & attentive to her.
M O'Brien mentioned that a great many friends had failed in Belfast & refered thee to us for particulars, but
I have not much time to write so must curtail the account of them. Wm Bell was the first that failed and there
were a great number connected with him, which was the means of making a great many stop payment: among
the rest John Lamb who has got settled with his creditors & is going on as usual. The Dree Hill family [the
Shaws] failed at the same time & they are likewise going on at their business. There were 5 or 6 other families of
friends failed, with whom you were not acquainted & it has brought great discredit on the society, but I hope it
will all soon pass away. Wm Bell & family intend going to settle in Philadelphia in the fall, I wish he may
succeed well there.
Cousin Ruth Nicholson is going out in the Josephine this time likewise to visit her brother & sister & speaks
of returning in a year or two; but I think it is quite likely that she will continue in America if she likes it; should
she be in your neighborhood, I am sure she would go some miles out of her way to see you. Joseph Malcomson
has promised, should his business lead him your way, which I think is scarce likely, that he will go 30 miles out of his way to see thee; it would be such a gratification for us to see anyone that had seen thee lately. Jacob Green
one of our ministering friends from this Province, has got a certificate at our last Qurly Meeting to pay your
land a religious visit: should he be in your part of the country I hope you may see him, as he is very intimate here
& could tell you particularly about us.
Father desires me ask thee, did the Interest commence on the money you are to pay for your farm at once, or
not until! the expiration of the 6 years which you got to pay the full amount.
It is near 1 oclock & thy letter is to go to the vessel tomorrow so I will bid thee an afft farewell, hoping to hear
from thee soon. I remain with dear love to you & the children in which Father & Susanna unite

thy afft sister
Jane