| Title: | Thomas Davison, East Liberty, U.S.A., to Samuel Doak, Kinallen. |
|---|---|
| ID | 822 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Davidson, Thomas/147 |
| Year | 1840 |
| Sender | Davidson, Thomas |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | schoolmaster? Clergyman? |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | East Liberty, USA |
| Destination | Kinallen, Co. Down, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Doak, Samuel |
| Recipient Gender | male |
| Relationship | cousins |
| Source | D.682/54: Presented by Mr P. Doake, "Glenlagan", Kinallen, Dromore, County Down, Ireland. |
| Archive | The Public Record Office, Northern Ireland. |
| Doc. No. | 9602121 |
| Date | 30/07/1840 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | Document added by LT, 22:02:96. |
| Word Count | 828 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | Mr. Samuel Doak Kinallen Near Dromore County Down Ireland East Liberty July 30th 1840 Dear Cousin Samuel Doak It is now Twenty two years since I was employed in drilling you in the old jail, at the foot of the Avenue, and I can, at a leisure moment, run over in my mind the occurrences of that time as if they were yesterday; I recollect every thing even to the little bay poney [pony?]: you were a pupil I was always proud of; you made great progress in my time, and always showed a good disposition, except perhaps, once when you took it into your head to be a little contumaceous [contumacious?], and I like a true pedagogue supported my authority by birching you; which so operated on maternal affection that I had lost my place in consequence then of but for the sound sense & forbearance of a very affectionate father, who reposed confidence in me, that I would not, certainly exceed prudent bounds in correcting any boy much less the son of my patron & friend My dear Samuel I laboured anxiously for your good, and it gives me great pleasure at this day to learn that you, with many more of my pupils are clever & honorable and useful men - my family are all well & also my brother William's - having a good opportunity I have written many letters tho' [though?] I had nothing to communicate; they will cost you nothing but the reading & will at least convince you that I have you still in my memory & rejoice in your prosperity If your father is living, tell him I often think of him, and very much wish him happiness until his mortal course is ended, and devoutly pray that he may be admitted to a glorious immortality beyond the grave: and tell your mother I should be very ungrateful if I did not remember her kindness with gratitude: I hope she may see many happy days on earth, if it is the will of God, and be a blessing to her children, and go down to the grave in peace like a shock of corn fully ripe & her soul ascend to the regions of peace and felicity: Write to me frequently if you can make it convenient tell me about your family & your sisters' families, I should like to know if James B. Gillman has got license to preach, and how he is likely to get along in the ministerial course As you are one of the pillars on which the Presbyterian Church rests I suppose you are made acquainted ere this time of the explosion we have had in the same body here After the excision of certain Synods & presbyterians of the new School, at the next meeting of the General Assembly in Philadelphia, a division took place as a thing of course at the organization: those who did not submit to the recinding Act being present by their delegates & claiming their seat, and those who adhered to the same act refusing them Each division Claimed to be the General assembly and organized and acted as such, so that the Presbyterian Church had two bodies claiming the same Authority over their seminaries, missionary boards - And the matter got into our civil courts by a quo warranto & a decision had by or [order?] of the Supreme Judges holding a circuit court in favour of the new school: the case was then taken to the Supreme court in Bank and decided by a majority of the Judges in favour of the Old School or Calvanistic body who adhere to the Standards in their litteral [literal?] and generally received meaning: the matter has remained quiet since, each Gen. [General?] assembly operating in its own way apart from the other, which I think is best, for how can two walk together except they be agreed there should be no jarring in the body of Christ, we are erring mortals and it becomes us to be humble and treat those who differ with us with all forbearance & christian charity My dear Samuel I hope to hear always that you are active in promoting every good word and work, useful in your day & generation, a blessing to your family & friends, to the Church & to the World When you arrive at my age or come to d [torn, die?] you will not regret that you have been too active in the Cause of God or done more than you ought in your day & generation to make the world better - Pray for me always & I will do the same for you, God is our only Stay in all circumstances and conditions & his truth is pledged never to leave nor forsake those who put their trust in him; And so shall we overcome every enemy, even the " Monster death" and shout "victory All is well" God grant that this may be so. Amen your loving Cousin Thomas Davidson |
