| Title: | Edward Hanlon to Mary and Kate Hanlon (in Pittsburgh) |
|---|---|
| ID | 6203 |
| Collection | Ulster Migration to America. Letters from three Irish Families [R.A. Wells] |
| File | ulsterm/6 |
| Year | 1871 |
| Sender | Hanlon, Edward |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | farmer |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Nebraska City, Nebraska, USA |
| Destination | Pittsburgh, Penn., USA |
| Recipient | Hanlon, Mary and Kate |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | uncle-nieces |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 812 |
| Genre | emigration prospects, family |
| Note | |
| Transcript | From: Nebraska City Date: 10 December 1871 Dear Nieces, I received yours of Nov. 26th in due course and hasten to answer it. Dear Mary, I am glad to hear you are well and now have the company of your sister. Be kind with one another and attend your duty to your God, and be satisfied with your position in life. I don't fear for you as long as you have your health. Everyone has their own troubles and each thinks theirs the worst. The majority coming to this country thinks it is much easier getting along than it really is. In the end it will come out right. Your last letter was more satisfactory than usual, giving the position of our friends. You don't say what Richard Savage is doing or how Fixed. You mention Hugh's sister, Mrs. Fitzsimmons, and her sister Kate, and them being out here 4 years. Neither I or Mrs. Hanlon can call to mind who they are. Concerning your brother Mick coming out here. You say God knows it is hard on a father and mother, and he now the only help. Dear Niece one feels it more sensitive than I do, yet we must look the facts in the face. If he stays there he will not be long to he gets dissatisfied. And I know what Downpatrick and its surroundings is. In one of your father's former letters to me I think he said he paid his hired hand nine pounds a year. If the boy is what 1 lake him to be and him comes, I will advance forthwith on the boy's first year's wages fifty dollars or ten pounds, and the boy would still have fifty dollars to himself, which would amply clothe him. If the boy were careful of his clothes he might save as much as would get him a pair of calves or a colt, which I would charge him nothing for their keeping until they would be marketable, which he could sell and buy again. In that way, after a time, he might realize his own full wages and at the same time send your father each year a hired man's wages, which he would be in duty bound to do until he gained his majority, 21 years of age at least in my opinion. A hired man would do more for your father than the boy possibly can as the boy is unacquainted with the manner of farming. The first year he would have to learn everything. The second year or after I can advance his wages. He would have his board and washing as one of my own family, and if a good biddable boy, I would do right by him, even if I am the loser. On a farm in the working season, we have to work constant but I would rather have a [child?] of mine at it than anything I know, although I have some experience at other businesses. If not their own fault they work on their own before very old. In the winter time our business is to feed stock and get [fire?] wood for the stoves, which could be done night and morning. The boy might attend school for at least two months and review his former studies, which would be an advantage to him. Most young men do to 21 free. So much for Mick coming. My view is [] in that way he would benefit your family more than any that I know, see in a short time whether it would suit your father to come. And he himself would be better qualified to assist him. In my first letter to your father I believe I said our family never had any concert of action. We all think we know it all, and take different views. If we had worked together it would have been better for all. Should he come I will send your father a draft on the bank of Ireland for fifty dollars. He should be here as soon as possible if come, as he should rest a month before farming commences. He should come by the line I formerly directed. They will send him to their agent in Nebraska City direct. He will notify me. You may enclose this to your father with your own views. You and Kate write to me on receipt of this, and no excuses. We are all well. You may have another young cousin before this goes to post. I never knew whether your father got the registered letter I sent him. I want to hear from both of you and your father immediately. I would answer more fully but for want of room, another time. Give my love to Mick and all enquiring friends. Your affectionate uncle, Edward Hanlon |
