| Title: | Annie Rockaway, U.S.A. to "My Dear Sister" |
|---|---|
| ID | 82 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Annie/8 |
| Year | 1906 |
| Sender | Staveley, Annie |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | does some washing to pay for her board |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Rockaway, New Jersey?, USA |
| Destination | Ballymoney, Co. Antrim, N. Ireland? |
| Recipient | unknown |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | sisters |
| Source | D 1835/27/4/2: Deposited by Greer, Hamilton & Gailey, Solicitors |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, N. Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 9909289 |
| Date | 5/11/1906 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 05:10:99. |
| Word Count | 1284 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Rockaway N. J. [New Jersey?] My dear Sister Your auspiciously looked for letter has reached me safely and I thank you for writing me so fully. I am thankful you had strength to perform the last sad offices for dear mother and to go through the final scene it was nice she had so many of her kin to carry her to her last-resting place and everything seemed to have been so nicely done, just as she would have wished it. I did not expect the funeral would be large at Belfast; so many of her old friends have passed away and their places are filled by what were then the children, Was James Scott not there? I suppose he has big sons now too. The obituary also was so nice it was beautifully written and every word true it was refreshing to me to see our once hospitable home in Glengall Place so pleasantly spoken of sure enough it was a haven of rest and brightness to many, sad it was mother who made it so, I had a lovely letter from Sara McCarroll in which she speaks so feelingly of Mother and of her kindness to her, we will miss her, but we have so much to be thankful for and we know it is happier for her, that we must take comfort and wait with patience till we will be reunited with our dear ones in that land where there will be no more partings. How lonely you must feel my dear Sister I will understand you will feel your hands empty and miss her companionship and counsel although latterly I doubt not her mind had become enfeebled as after all the fuss is over that one begins to realize what has happened but I hope by this time you are feeling better if you could get away for a little change it would be a great benefit to you, I suppose too you have many things to see to and settle, I think the will a fair one if it is to be carried out, but can it be possible that I have read your letter correctly and that [Nellie?] and I are to get nothing? If so, I am dreadfully disappointed and it seems neither fair nor right - I am perfectly satisfied that you should get the Lions share, on account for of your being alone, and your care of Mother I know Mrs B had Ballyboyland but certainly thought (and rightly) there would be something for me out of Glengall Place, I did not expect much, but surely thought there would be something. I have never asked any assistance though often sorely tried nor have I made a poor mouth, but struggled along as best I could, but now matters have reached a climax when I must speak since I came to Rockaway Edith has paid the rent and also paid me for her board and washing, [Jeanie?] also when working sent me a few dollars each month on which I have [?] the house and have had a few pennies for myself but they both expect to be married this summer such of course their monies will cease and when I settle up all at the end of the school year I will not have a cent, so you can understand what a blessing a little money would be to me, and how gratefully it would be received, however I have the good wife and kindly feeling of all my sons-in-law. Mr. Briggs has kindly wished that I should live with them furnish a room and make it my home but visit the others when I wish. I cannot tell you how deeply grateful I feel on how much I appreciate his kindness, the more because he is just a young man making his way in the world and his aged parents of his own, of course I will help with the work opposite my board, but there will be no money for clothes or anything else, and you cannot realize my dear Sister how it feels after 45 years to turn out without a cent and be dependent upon strange men who have no claim whatsoever upon me but I am still hoping with you that things may be different from what you expect so that I may not be quite destitute. As for yourself dear I cannot think of anything else but that you still [remembering Ballyboyland although the house is Mrs. B's there is room enough and I should think it would naturally be your home, I am sure Mother has been paying for both her own and your board all these years then why not continue on just the same I cannot think but Mrs B. would be a good sister to you, I would suggest your taking a room from her (with her approval) furnish it as you wish, make it your home and pay her as you would do a stranger, you would then be free and independent, would have no care and could go about as you please why, I should think it would break your heart to leave the old spot and am sure Mrs B. would feel badly if you did, there are only the two of you, and I should think your [co----der?] [soirees?] would bind you more closely together. I do see the greatest difficulty in the furniture, Mrs. B. has had the use of it all ages but if you still continue on you would still have the benefit of it and of the place, but I hope you have been troubled to see things more clearly as this and that you will be able to make an amicable agreement. Now my dear Sister I have written you candidly as you have done to me, be assured that what I written is in the best of good feeling, and hope you will receive it as it is meant, and earnestly pray it may be found that I may have some share in the property. In the trouble and worry you must have overlooked my acknowledgement and thanks for the lovely parcel, it has my last letters to Mother, there was one addressed to you, also a joint one to you and Mrs. B. when I heard of dear Mother's illness. I know you must have gotten it otherwise you would not know of Jean's engagement, her future husband is a big man, six feet and broad shouldered, though American born he is of German descent I should judge about 45 and in the New York Custom House, we have only seen him once so cannot judge much of him, but she is greatly charmed, and seems in her love for the man to overlook the care and responsibility she is taking upon herself for he is a Widower with four children, we think it is dreadful after all her hard work to settle down to that, especially as he is not in affluent circumstances, and only hope she may find the reality equal to the anticipation of course. I am glad she is getting settled and will have a home and protector, but think she ought to have [rest?] now and not harder work. Give my fond love to all and accept a double share for yourself hoping you may be guided to settle all thing pleasantly and for your own best interests I am my dear Sister Lovingly Sister Annie P.S. I shall be glad to receive the [---bering?] of Mother's Brooch when there is an opportunity to send it out. John got her bracelet with Mother's likeness? did Mrs. B. and the girls get anything? |
