Digital Archive
Letter from Jonathan Smyth, Friends' Asylum, Philadelphia, to his father James Smyth, and family, Moycraig, County Antrim, 28 February 1847; 'Per Steamer from Boston'
Luaigh an doiciméad seo Amharcóir IIIF
Bailiúchán Smith/ Smyth Letters
Title Letter from Jonathan Smyth, Friends' Asylum, Philadelphia, to his father James Smyth, and family, Moycraig, County Antrim, 28 February 1847; 'Per Steamer from Boston'
Description Jonathan Smyth complains to his parents that he is bereft of friends and family "on a distant land" and instead relies on strangers for friendship and states "rest assured I am not without friends, for when I go to town there are as many to welcome me there as if I was to go to Mosside". He states he will not return home and mocks the "fops" and "dandy farmers sons" in Ireland will not be able to pay for the "coat they wear". Smyth advises of the death of his uncle Robert but claims he was like all his friends and "thought he knew more than any green Irishman and would not take advice". He reports that he asked his uncle William to take his late brother's house and a little capital to start a business (without answer) — as working in summer and spending in winter when there is no work, is an impossible way to make a fortune. He advises against his siblings coming out but "as I understand Ireland is in a tremendous state of starvation, I do not know how you will get along". Smyth claims he has spent almost all his summer earnings in the litigation of his brother's property but that he would send some money if his family thought to send him a reply, since that had failed to do so to his last fifth or sixth letter. He concludes by addressing his mother and promises to return to her before marrying but that "you need not be the least alarmed about that", while he intends to leave his employment and return to the city in spring.
Date 28/02/1847
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Cineál Acmhainne Text
Archival Record Id p155/1/3/1
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 3pp
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 Jonathan Smyth/ Smith