D1828/46
Date
Description
30 April 1848
Letter from Jonathan Smyth, grocer,
corner of Shipping Lane and Bedford
Street, Philadelphia, to his father
James Smyth and family, Moycraig, Co. Antrim.
Philadelphia
30
1848
Dear parents
I once more send you a few lines to let you know
that if I should be married I have not forgotten you, nor yet
has my love in the slightest manner ceased towards you, But
it seems to me, as your object was money, you do not think
that I have to consider the welfare of my own house, Every
one of the family is as able to do for themselves as I am,
and they have the same chance if they had the same courage,
But I assure you that they will have to pluck up their spirits
some day for I am afraid that the sandy banks of Moycraig
cannot afford a fortune for them all, and if their lives be
so precious, I will have them insured before they leave home
and if they happen to fall overboard,/I will make something
by that speck. Ha, Ha.ha- Do you think will that encourage
any of them now to come to the conclusion L that] if any of
them comes out here they will find a home with me as long as
I have one But I assure them that they will have to work
sore by ever they did in Ireland They would think it strange
to have to change their shirt three times a day as I have done,
and I felt more happy than ever I did in Ireland.
I am your son with respect./Jonathan Smyth. To
his
father
James Smyth.
Dear mother now address you with a few lines from the hand
of a loving son. The text of scripture which you quoted to
me comes fresh to my mind, but although I cleave to the wi fe
and leave father and mother, yet I am not to forget them. No
I shall never forget you, for the care and affections of a
parent are more thought of until you are a parent, and I do
not know the day I shall be one myself,
I should have sent you something at this time, but my wife met
with a loss of 300 dollars that remained in the hands of her
old employer, He took the benefit and paid her with a blank
note and that left me very hard hit. but I hope that I will
get over the loss of it, I received the gold watch I had
to take it to the court ts which cost me$50 dollars and between
one expense and another she cost me her value, which I will
allow William to pay a part of to you as soon as he receives
her
high or sooner if he (thinks that he can depend on me sending it
which I will do as soon as I can find one that I can trust it
with
2
received two letters the day after my uncle William Smith
died which gave me no news whatever. All the cry was
money
Had they not spoken so shamefully to me they might have had
the better chance but I will send a list of my expenses and
that will suffice them though am nothing in their debt.
Dear mother, you must excuse me for speaking so freely, for
NI DL 76573
I assure you that it is not meant for you in any respect,
060545 184/1
/You
