| Title: | M. C. Dunbar, Co Tyrone to B Smyth, Co Tyrone |
|---|---|
| ID | 907 |
| Collection | Irish Emigration Database |
| File | Dunbar, Mary/77 |
| Year | 1900 |
| Sender | Dunbar, Mary |
| Sender Gender | female |
| Sender Occupation | housewife |
| Sender Religion | unknown |
| Origin | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Destination | Co. Tyrone, N.Ireland |
| Recipient | Smyth, Bella |
| Recipient Gender | female |
| Relationship | friends |
| Source | Copyright Retained by Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge, Co Tyrone, castledamph@btinternet.com |
| Archive | Mr & Mrs J Smyth, Castledamph, Plumbridge |
| Doc. No. | 501011 |
| Date | 12/8/1900 |
| Partial Date | |
| Doc. Type | LET |
| Log | Document added by LT, 13:01:2005. |
| Word Count | 1190 |
| Genre | |
| Note | |
| Transcript | [Front of envelope] Miss B Smyth Castledamph Plumbridge [No Stamp] [Page 1] Grange 12.8.1900 My Dear Bella I suppose if I did not write to you you never would think worth your while to write to me. Well I am that sort of person that Although I dont write I never forget my friends. Somehow I have been thinking of you all [Page 2] lately so I just thought I would scribble you off Another of my epistles. To begin with I may tell you I am at the present moment sitting up with wee pigs how I wish you were here I have no one but my- -self [myself?] we would talk over old times. They were pigged Saturday night & after Annie went to bed last night About 2 o clock when mother got up she was lying on one of the biggest [Page 3] so we are a bit [timorous?] now we had 14 at first. I think if I remember Liza was the best hand with the wee pigs in your house. I do trust dear Bella you have all been enjoying Good health since I heard from you last. Thankful to say we are all feeling pretty well I think I am the worst suffering from old stumps of teeth which I am soon to have extracted I believe & the sooner the better. One of the bullocks in the winter-time when I was giving [Page 4] his mash to him struck me with its horn right on my front teeth smashed one so I must-get-it-out for it is a show half broken. I suppose you's [sic] are very busy with the crop. we have All the flax in the dams & will be spreading I believe this week we had a splendid crop 2 acres & 1/2. Jerry set it nearly all & mind you it is no easy matter to get hands about Newtown [Newtownstewart?] we had 8 [pullers?] & our own men & gave them all (1 1/4d and 1/2 a farthing) nearly the 1/2 per [perch?] so some of them had more & some less. Any how we got it pulled in [Page 5] good time. I dont know how some people will get one [on?] this year as the hands are so dear. 3/- a day dinner & tea or even 2/- soon runs away with the profit. I think Jerry will buy a reaper this week as our corn is nearly ripe so we will have all to turn out then but it will be the quickest means this year. it is nice for yous [sic] there are so many of you to help. We are pretty far on with the labour as Jerry intends building a bit to the barn about 20 feet or so & they [Page 6] have been kept very busy. We would have had it done only the mason who has taken the contract went after his last job & got drunk & has been drinking since now it is a month he is at it so we dont want him for another month now till the work is finished we heard today some good person gave him 1/2 pint turpentine for whiskey & he drank the half of it poor man before he knew so the police had to take him & get the doctor so I am sure he has a warm inside. Dear Bella what about your cousin is [has?]he gone to China it was cruel you never brought him down to see us. [Page 7] & we would have been so glad really, I thought you would & I never set eyes on you at Bundoran that is a fact. & indeed I was sort of bored that day as I did not want to go & would not only for Annie she never had been there. & she enjoyed it very much. I must say I did not. there was something a wanting [missing?]. I know you were all right [alright?] so you did not mind. & then the disappointment of not getting in the first train waiting so long. & starting without breakfast I may say was sickening. I did enjoy a sail which we had out on the sea best of any. I would have liked to see you & your cousin [Page 8] and when I seen [sic] Willie & John There was sure to be some body [somebody?] with me. And sure I seen [sic] Andy Ballantine & had a (hand shake) but I wanted no more. Was Andy McClelland not there poor Andy do you mind the boots Is Alex & Miss James [Spooney?] yet be sure you give me all the news. soon & sudden & about the Campbells' & all is Bella at Plumbridge. & how your own Mary is liking her work. she will get on well I hope I seen Mr & Miss Mc Farland Druminsapr [Drumnaspar?] down in the friends house Mrs Jacks down Mill St. One Monday I was getting fitted for a blouse as the Miss Jacks are dressmakers. Annie was wanting him in to [Page 9] the room & speak to me she told me afterwards & he wouldn't come he was so bashful he said he was only speaking about once or twice to me. Now my dear wont you tell dear Tilda that I send my love to her & she will come down with you's [sic] when Mary takes her holidays for a big long day. till sometime in the night if we are spared D.V. [God Willing?] We will be so glad to see you one & all I well know & indeed I thought on her about the 12th of July she felt badly poor Willie I can think I see him with his flute. mind & tell her all & kind regards to Jamie. Did Joe come over to see Tilda at the fairs. Such a lot of Scotch people were over I have got two invites over there but I am afraid I will remain where I am this year. [Page 10] We had a splendid turn-out of Orange men on the Sermon Sunday our Church was crowded you's [sic] ought to have come down the Hall is not finished yet although they have the flag waving outside Mr Morton proposed they should buy a Bible for the hall with the collection money. So I suppose they will. Mary has her examination on Thursday the 16th this month so then for her holidays I hope they will do well with her I have a begonia plant for you when I see you I have a lovely flower now on my rice plant. did yours live & I hope my fern is alive. Now dear Bella I must finish up with fond love to Mother Father, Willie Tom John Willie John Liza Mary, & your dear self hoping to hear from you very soon your true friend M.C.Dunbar [Written sideways at top of Page 1] eggs 8 1/2 to day [today?]. creamery paid today & we were very good I mean the test & money. we have 1£ half a crown average for each cows milk for the month. so that is good. your Country should get up a creamery. burn this old scrawl I am getting sleepy Good.night. Transcribed by Greg Floyd |
