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Robert Smyth, Philadelphia, to James Smyth, Moycraig, County Antrim, 7 April 1840
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Collection Smith/ Smyth Letters
Title Robert Smyth, Philadelphia, to James Smyth, Moycraig, County Antrim, 7 April 1840
Description Robert Smyth writes that he is [sarcastically?] glad his father's handwriting has improved — recognising that the last letter he received was written by his "old instructant M. McFadden" — as letters are not read in public "in this country", unlike Ireland. He complains that his family are not keeping him informed of intra-family affairs. Smyth is also alarmed of the perception in Ireland of riches to be made in "this country", considering there is no labouring work for "native borns", not to mind "greenhorns". He hopes to return to his grandfather whom he last saw in 1837 and notes rumours growing of impending hostilities over the "boundary issue", along the American frontier with Canada. Smyth concludes with news of family, friends and relations and includes a short poem he wrote for his mother, hoping to return to Ireland in 1841.
Date 07/04/1840
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Resource Type Text
Archival Record Id p155/1/3/2
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 6pp
Topic Smith/ Smyth Letters
Geographic Philadelphia (city),Philadelphia (county),Pennsylvania,United States,Moycraig Hamilton (townland),Antrim (county),Ireland
Temporal Nineteenth century,Eighteen forties
Genre Transcript
Note Title and transcript by Professor Kerby Miller. This transcript includes handwritten corrections to transcript from PRONI, made with reference to original letters. Letter description by University of Galway. The names Smith and Smyth are used interchangeably in this series so both are quoted.
Creator / Author Name Robert Smyth/ Smith