| Title: | James A Smyth, Ontario, to J J Smyth, Castledamph,. |
|---|---|
| ID | 6705 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Smyth, James Alexander/33(2)B |
| Year | 1898 |
| Sender | Smyth, James Alexander |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | student |
| Sender Religion | Protestant (Methodist) |
| Origin | Essex Co., Ontario, Canada |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, John J. and wife |
| Recipient Gender | male-female |
| Relationship | son-parents |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth |
| Doc. No. | 505032 |
| Date | 02/08/1898 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 25:05:2005. |
| Word Count | 1333 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Letter 2] [Page 1] South Woodslee August 2nd‘98 Dear Parents I am just after returning from Essex and received your letter and newspapers which awaiting [sic] me. I am always pleased to know that everybody in that neighbourhood are [sic] well I was expecting a letter from you this last week but my expectations were not realized until today. I am practising with Essex brass band now so as to be able to accompany them as small Drummer to a pic-nic [picnic?] on Aug 11th they are engaged for that day by the Macabees Lodge of Essex. I Suppose it might not be out of place to give you an account of what I intend doing during the next few weeks. [Page 2] Tomorrow is Woodslee Methodists Sunday School pic-nic [picnic?] to Belle River or lake so I expect to be there on Saturday there is a large Show at Windsor [Walter Mains?] circus So I am thinking of going to it Then in the first of next week the annual family picnic of the neighbours takes Place at Lake Erie So I will also be there - at both these pic-nics [picnics?] bathing is an important factor especially so with the young ones, - and on Thursday is this Macabees picnic. This day is also Windsors, Essex and Walkerville civic holiday so it will be quite large. They go to an island a short way from Detroit about 24 mls [miles?] from here part of the trip is by train and part by boat after this I intended to go to St Thomas for a week so that would be about 20 of Aug when all would be finished [Page 3] The fare to St Thomas is quite low now being only about 8 shilling [sic] for the round trip. The holidays is not very long this year owing to it being the 20th of July before I’ve all examinations were finished. I had intended working during holidays and thus have a little more spending money but I thought you people could afford to add a few more £ if required seeing that you have paid all expenses so far, and thus save me of the extreme trouble of exercising myself a little. I have helped or rather did it all the stooking of 15 acres of oats I will also help them hawl them in and that is about all the work I shall do this season - You know it dos’nt [does not?] bother me very much to remain idle. [Page 4] Now in reference to some points in your letter. I think you Orangemen should have made your evening’s amusements such that that policeman could have enjoyed himself during his stay. It is not necessary that all the amusements on the 12 of July should [sic] trimmed and set in orange and purple colors. Notwithstanding all the trouble the Duncans have made I am sorry to hear of so much going on in their own family. I suppose Tommy Hay feels the heat where he is, perhaps it would have been a great advantage to him had he spent a few summers in Canada There has been a few days past here (temp 96F) which would give one a foretaste of that lake of more than Trophical [Tropical?] temperature where all [swimmers?] go. [Page 5] I tell you I was glad I did not have to work in it. I am glad to know you are all making money so fast I suppose I can pretty nearly keep up in spending it. I cannot dwell on many minor point [sic] of correspondence as I usually make my letter to [too?] heavy so I want now to give you a clear idea of next year [sic] work which will on [sic] the letter I am sure You Say "We expect you did well" there is only two things that is I either failed or passed of course one can do well and fail as they may pass high on the majority of subjects and at the same time fail on one. I don’t expect to know the result for about two or there weeks yet somewhere about the 20 of Aug. I am not decided myself yet what I shall do, [Page 6] There are three things which I was thinking of 1st if I passed to go to Modal [Model?] - which I must do before I [come?] back and be ready to teach School at Xmas, there are a few school [sic] of which I think I could get one of them, salaries ranging £60 to £70 & £75 for starting, One of my comrades who went to Modal [Model?] last year and tried for his second this year with me has got Woodslee School at £65 per annum The 2nd which by passing on the subjects honorably even I fail in one is to go on for a first class Certificate This Would necessitate another year at school and of course you folks would have to pay another year’s schooling, this as I said in last letter is 1V Form highest in these High Schools. Again the third which I was thinking of was to go on to school for another year and take up the subjects necessary [Page 7] to finish Matriculation or Entrance to the University. Then I was thinking after this I could teach for a few Years make enough money to pay my own way and then if I thought fit go to University. This would be much easier than teaching first and then going back to school for to finish Matriculation as one naturally forgets quite a few thing [sic] by being out of school a year or so. In regards the last two I would have the Principal opinion of which was best and of most benifit [benefit?]. In case I should fail for a second I am almost sure of getting a third Class but I don’t like to teach on a third as you get a smaller salary & then its is only good for three year. In my last letter I made some references along these lines, [Page 8] on account of the time the results are announced it is always impossible for me to send a letter and get an answer before schools open. However I shall require about £12 (though not at once) more this year if I go to Modal [Model?] School as I have to pay 12 shillings per wk [week?] for board and then other expenses of course I usually dress pretty well so it takes some money in this. I have about 36 shilling [sic] now enough to do me during holidays In sending money send to Essex as I can get there often enough As far as wants are concerned I can get everything I require here except letters and money as there are only two things you people have to supply me with. Direct your letter to Woodslee until I tell you otherwise, If I be away any place they can stay here until I come back [I be away?] [Page 9] As far as all those questions are concerned I was often thinking such would be the talk of the people. If they wanted news I would make them acquainted in the right kind of way. People often enquire here what I am going to do, I usually give different kinds of answers, Sometimes [sic] tell them I am going to be a preacher. [Page 10] In reference to what I have said give your opinion next and answer soon. You people have all to do in going another year to school of course I am not decided myself yet. However give your opinion in full whether for one thing or against. I like to know what you people think I shall let you know as soon as published whether I passed or not I think I shall write to Jas [James?] Houston soon I must close as I am afraid my letter might be to [too?] heavy goodBye J A Smyth [James Alexander Smyth?] |
