| Title: | Adam Duffin, Halifax, to Wife Ellen, Broughshane, Co Antrim |
|---|---|
| ID | 888 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Duffin, Adam/35 |
| Year | 1814 |
| Sender | Duffin, Adam |
| Sender Gender | male |
| Sender Occupation | businessman, linen trader |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Destination | Broughshane, Co. Antrim, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Duffin, Ellen |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | husband-wife |
| Source | T 710/6 pp 11 - 12: Obtained from C & R Duffin, Per Senator Cunningham, 9 Waring St., Belfast. Adam Duffin, Halifax 3 August, 1814 to Mrs Adam Duffin, Broughshane, Ballymena, Ireland. |
| Archive | Public Record Office, N. Ireland |
| Doc. No. | 8905060 |
| Date | 03/08/1814 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | EMG |
| Log | 28:06:1989 LT created 08:11:1990 CD input 15:11:19 |
| Word Count | 697 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | ADDRESS: Mrs Adam Duffin Broughshane Ballymena Ireland. Halifax 3d August 1814 I avail myself of the earliest opportunity of writing to my dear Ellen to relieve in some degree Her anxiety, by learning of my safe arrival here after a passage of seven weeks. I have enjoyed in general very good health, and escaped all accidents and dangers, for which I have great reason to be thankful to providence for such merciful blessing and protection. But to my very great disappointment and mortification, I find that the destructive rage of war continues with increased fury on both sides, and no hope of its speedy termination. Thus the object of my Voyage is so far frustrated, and my eager hopes blasted; but on sober reflection I receive some consolation in thinking, that calamities and disappoinments are frequently sent across for our ultimate good, and in this view of things, I rest for the present. However a short time I trust will bring about a Change in the Counsels of both Nations, and cause the evils and miseries of War to cease here as well as in Europe. News is not to be expected from me, having had little time or opportunity of learning much, besides, I think it quite unnecessary, as all events and occurrences of moment you have through the medium of public papers, which obviates the necessity of making any detail in a private Epistle. If the prospect of public affairs dont assume soon a more conciliating and peaceable appearance, my intention is fixed to return Home, and leave this sometime in October, and trusting in that same protecting Arm which guided me here in safety, I may hope to be with you some time in Decr [December?]. I am still ignorant of our domestic concerns, having only recd [received?] two Letters from you and one from William before I left England, to neither of which I had time to reply. I was much pleased at the favourable mention you make of William's conduct, and which I have no doubt continues the same, and will be invariable until my return. Dear Ellen before I left home I quite forgot to make Mr. Aickin any restitution for his trouble in making out the Leases of Ballymena. You will therefore tell William to take Chas. [Charles?] Montgomery and pay His demand. I paid for the Stamps and filling of the perpetuity, and He performed all other requisites. I have no doubt of the many conjectures and constructions which my departure will cause, but it matters little with me provided my dear Ellen can be satisfied; and must just say, that all my Actions and Motives are directed to your and the Childrens happiness, be the result for better or for worse. And were the spring of all my Actions, as well as my most secret thoughts on this subject exposed to public view, I would not fear a perfect acquittal. But in this Case, conscience alone can be my Arbiter; and to that tribunal I willingly consign myself. Before I conclude I must request you to make warm mention of me to all friends as writing to them will be out of my power. Bell and Robert [Grimshaw?] I trust continue as happy as when I left them. No doubt you will immediately apprize my sister Johnston of this Letter as Her anxiety concerning me will not be least. Remember me to all your Brothers with Dunminning [Birnie?] Family, likewise Mrs. Clark and your Aunt Betty. Mrs. Duffin and her Sister I suppose are now comfortably fixed in B.mena [Ballymena?], I hope the latter enjoys [better?] health than when in Greenfield. The Lough Loughan [Family?] I hope are doing well. I fondly wish this Letter may [have?] a quick passage. It goes by a Gentleman for England enclosed to Mr. Johnston, who, I have requested to forward it by first Post. Before I finish, speak to the little ones in language most intelligible to their Infant understanding, and say how ardently their Father longs to see and meet them and you in good health as I at present enjoy; and in the fond hope of which I remain Dear Ellen yours with all true unfeigned affection - Adam Duffin. |
