| Title: | O'Brien, Joseph Sinton to O'Brien (n. Greeves), Anne, 1842 |
|---|---|
| ID | 6112 |
| Collection | The Transatlantic Letters of an Irish Quaker Family_1818-1877 [B. Jackson] |
| File | quaker/127(3) |
| Year | 1842 |
| Sender | O'Brien, Joseph Sinton |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | clerk |
| Sender Religion | Quaker |
| Origin | NYC, USA |
| Destination | Collins, Lake Erie, NY, USA |
| Recipient | O'Brien (n. Greeves), Anne |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | son-mother |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 568 |
| Genre | seeing relatives, prospects |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Dear Mother I have written a pretty long letter already, but have some news to tell thee; last fourth day when James came down from dinner he told me that there was a cousin of mine at the house who was dying to see me - a fine young lady he said - she had always lived in America - was well acquainted with thee and Father, and kept me in suspense the last of the day, and although I begged him to tell me while going up to tea he would not. When we went in there sat a woman a great deal larger than thee and who looked so much like thee I could have called her Mother if she were not so fleshy. James said to her "This is Joseph" and said no more. Has thee guessed by this time who she was? She stood up and shook me by the hand and said "I am thy Cousin - my name is Phoebe Sinton". She is a real old maid - is fond of laughing and talks incessantly, and wishes to be thought quite romantic and to have it know[w] that she lives in the Valley of Wyoming [New York State]. She has a niece with her, a second cousin of mine, by the name of Mary Tracy, who will be at Abram's on first day. They have been to Philadelphia for two or three weeks visiting and intend staying here some time, Phoebe told me [her] mother [Mary 'Polly' Dawson] died last fall, but I expect that cousin Mary must have mentioned it to Maria. Rebecca is on her way home yet but will be here on first day. She left Mobile three weeks ago with David Malcomson and went by way of the Mississippi and the Lakes and when last heard from was at Niagra Falls. It is now nearly a week since I commenced this letter, and if I did not send it early in the week it would not get to thec before 7th day. I have kept it to cross with. Since writing to Father I was speaking to James about staying here and he told me that his father had got the notion that I was staying against my will - and if it was so it would be better for me to go home. 7mo 16th. Abraham just now asked me to his own room. He says that James was telling him what I said to him. He says that he is quite satisfied to have me stay, although as business is at present he cannot do as much for me as he would like, but he says that he will will give me $100 for the 1st year and I may send home as much as I can spare and he says that he would advise me to send no more than $20 to $25 at present, which I will do as soon as you answer this. I think that this is better than I could do in Collins this year. Write immediately on receipt of this and let Thomas [post it?] in Collins Post Office. Would it be best to send it in a letter or by draft to Buffalo, or on what Bank? I go to meeting regularly, spend all my evenings at home, have few friends and no flatterers and remain thy affectionate Joseph |
