| Title: | Edward J. Hanlon to Michael Hanlon |
|---|---|
| ID | 6211 |
| Collection | Ulster Migration to America. Letters from three Irish Families [R.A. Wells] |
| File | ulsterm/14 |
| Year | 1876 |
| Sender | Hanlon, Edward J |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | store keeper |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Pittsburgh, Penn., USA |
| Destination | Ballymote, Co. Down, Northern Ireland |
| Recipient | Hanlon, Mick |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | brothers |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 767 |
| Genre | correspondence, work, family, friends, decease |
| Note | |
| Transcript | From: Pittsburgh Date: 1 April 1876 My Dear Brother, Your last letter which I received last week was something of a surprise to me, as I had hardly expected it. You kept so lengthy and so solemn a silence since I wrote you last that I had given up all hope of you ever breaking it. But your letter came and right glad I was to receive it. Tome, letters are like gleams of sunshine in a shady place. They brighten, cheer and bless, and Dear Mike, yours was no exception to the rule. Well, tonight I sit in the solitude of my "here" to try and scrape you off an answer. Day done, work over. Stars shining. Frogs—Summer's Heralds croaking in the distant pond. These are the circumstances which surround me as I write, and what thoughts are chasing one another through my mind. All happy ones—brightly, gleaming, golden. How the days, months, and years are flying. One-two-three years since I left the dear old fireside, mid the wailing and weeping of a kind and loving Father and Mother, and dear Sisters and Brothers. But, by the way I sit down (to write you a letter) 1 will cry, and it is all in a mess. My Dear Mike, as I hardly know what to tell you that will bring any interest to you at all. I have nothing new to tell you but that which you have heard often, but knowing that the letter, if it contained nothing, will be gladly received. I will write you a little nonsense, and as the poet says, "A little nonsense now and then, is received by the wisest of men." I have just got over a very hard task of writing out monthly statements and can congratulate myself on getting them out on the first day of the month. We have to work very hard, but Mr. Home is very nice and so are the other partners. They have always treated me very well. I am very glad to know that you are getting on so well at home and having my china kept up in their usual good taste. I must also congratulate you (not by way of flattering) on the vast improvement in your writing. If you keep on as well as you have done lately you will come out ahead. We had a big turnout here in St. Patrick's Day, although the day was very disagreeable. I guess you had a big parade there. I got an invitation to act as Marshall, but respectfully declined. We had a big day in the Sunday School Association, our new Bishop acted as President protem during the election of officer I got elected President of the Society, although I hardly expected it. The Bishop of our church is a very nice man. He is a Spaniard. I had the pleasure of smoking a cigar with him in his own house. We have also got two very nice priests. Ollie King died yesterday, away in California. It was a great pity for the Kings. Mary received Johnny's letter a few days ago and we were all very much pleased with it. I suppose he will start by the time you get this, and if he does, I beseech you all not to fret yourselves, for with the help of God we will all get along all right. Perhaps in a short time we will be home to see you all. Again, I ask you not to make any fuss over him coming away, but pray God to grant him a safe passage, and once here he is safe. Give my love to all my friends and relatives, to Brothers and Sisters. I hope Father received the letter with the ticket safely. I will send you my picture very soon. I would now but I am growing a moustache and don't want to scare you lam now exhausted and t'is time for me to "wind up" as I want to get a good sleep and gel m y bones rested, but I do hope dear Father and Mother are well. Tell Father to write to me often as his letters are indeed a blessing and comfort to us all. I am studying the German language and it is now near class time, so I will bid you all Good Bye. Your kind and loving Brother, Edward P.S. Write soon and a long letter. Tell Father to do the same. Send apologies, and excuse the scribbling. Again with renewed love, I am Edward |
