| Title: | John Kerr to James Graham |
|---|---|
| ID | 6222 |
| Collection | Ulster Migration to America. Letters from three Irish Families [R.A. Wells] |
| File | ulsterm/25 |
| Year | 1845 |
| Sender | Kerr, John |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | schoolmaster |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Fairview, Butler Co., Penn., USA |
| Destination | Newpark, Co. Antrim |
| Recipient | Graham, James |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | nephew-uncle |
| Source | |
| Archive | |
| Doc. No. | |
| Date | |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | |
| Log | unknown |
| Word Count | 1011 |
| Genre | acquaintances, family, events, politics |
| Note | |
| Transcript | From: Fairview, Butler County Date: 19 August 1845 The bearer of this, is the Rev. A. H. Wright, a minister of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of this country; exactly the same as the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. He a most particular friend of mine and as he now goes to visit his native land. He will call with you, and 1 know you will receive him well for my sake. It was his Academy that I attended last summer, and there is no man in American that I would commend readier to your friendship, and one whom I more respect. He goes to Ireland for the benefit of his health, and to see his mother who lives in County Down, and whom he has not seen for a long time. It is very probably that he will travel in the direction of Antrim, and if he does he will tell you a great deal about America, which I know will be interesting to you. He has a congregation in the neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, and resides a few miles from that place. Had I been near him when he was going away, I would have sent a present to spend in Newpark; but I am unable as I am about 50 miles from Pittsburgh. I'll send this to Mr. Wright by post, as an introduction to you, but he may not be altogether a stranger in his native land. He may stay with you a few days, or only a night; be his stay long or short, however, I know that he will be welcome to Newpark. I wrote to A. Black on the first of July last, and stated that I was studying with Mr. Oliver, a [ ] employment I yet continue. I sent a few lines to David K. and Samuel G. in Alick's letter. I expect a letter from Alick and one from Samuel G. and James K. 1 hope to hear that Samuel has gone to school again, and that James is making great progress in his studies. I received Uncle David's letter on the seventh of May last; it contained the painful news of Hessy's illness. If the disease be consumption, the chance for life is indeed uncertain. It is a most fatal disease; it may not however be that, since she may perhaps recover if it was his will who rules all to spare her, it would be a great gratification to her friends. I am glad however, to hear, that she is resigned to the will of that Providence who gave her life, and who, when he sees life will receive it again. As a change, either for the better or worse, must have taken place since Uncle David wrote, I await with anxiety the next letter, to know how she is. Give her my kindest love, and most tender regards; although we may not meet in this world again, I hope we will in the better, where sorrow and distress will be no more. This year has been remarkable for the number of fires that have occurred in this country. Almost every town has suffered by this calamity. There has been 6 or 7 in Pittsburgh since the first, which was die largest. Quebec was burned twice, and more than 2/3rds of the inhabitants deprived of a home. Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Rochester, New Orleans, Cincinatti, and a great many other have suffered much. Indeed scarcely a town in the United States has escaped. The greater number of these fires are the works of incendiaries. It is thought by some that there is a kind of conspiracy formed among some class or other began every time in the country. Some say the Catholics, instigated by a source of revenge for me treatment they received in the Philadelphia riots, which took place better than a year ago, are the authors of the fires. There is in this country a party of sects, (not religious) who teach the duty of living in a community in which all things are common: as they arc opposed to living in cities, it is said dial they suppose by destroying them their doctrine is (he easier carried out I therefore can say they are die authors of the fires: that all is conjecture. I see by the papers that there is considerable excitement in Ireland, England and Scotland about the Maynooth grant. Although I would allow the Catholics and all other denominations the freest toleration possible, yet I would certainly oppose such an act. It is inconsistent with the Oath of the British sovereign to [protect?] the protestant religion. The government wishes to conciliate Ireland; but ministers must adopt another course if they wish to succeed. Ireland, and the people of Ireland, must have all the rights and privileges that the people of England have. Without this Ireland will not be satisfied; with less than this no Irishman ought to be satisfied; nor will anyone who loves his country. If the money for the Maynooth grant, and for the other two intended colleges, were applied to the education of the poorer classes it would not only do more good but would be better received by all, except a few ignorant and bigoted fanaticks, who wish to see the people ignorant and degraded. But how few, how very few in Ireland care anything [for the real good of?] the country! How few even, have ever read its history! There is one thing however, almost certain; Ireland must be Protestantised before the country can have priests and the principal means of the attainment at this end is education. My health has not been so good this summer as formerly. I have had headaches frequently and am troubled with a pain in my left side which may be occasioned by want of exercise and sitting too closely. Uncle David's letter pleased my very well. Give my respects to Mr. and Mrs. Fleming and all in Liskinic and believe me ever your most affectionate nephew. John Kerr |
