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Letter from Jonathan Smyth, Philadelphia, to his father James Smyth and family, Moycraig, County Antrim, 29 May 1847
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Collection Smith/ Smyth Letters
Title Letter from Jonathan Smyth, Philadelphia, to his father James Smyth and family, Moycraig, County Antrim, 29 May 1847
Description Jonathan W. Smyth writes hoping the Lord spares them through their troubles and apologised to his family for not being able to send them money but that the $40 he intended to enclose had to instead be used to pay a fine he was suddenly levied for the irregular selling of "liquor". He relates that he met with Misses Creighton in the company of Miss McElose and "I think I will be after making love to one of them if she be so inclined: I mean Miss Isabella". Smyth complains that his uncle noticed him to leave his house on selling it but warned "before I give it ip I will make them pay well for it" and claims that he could have married a "respectable girl who owns more property than any other in Missouri" but wouldn't, only as she is not a beauty". He expresses surprise that they have not received a power-of-attorney form, having sent three — including one with this letter — and asks that it be returned signed as quickly as possible. He accuses John White of "robbing my uncle of 100 dollars since the death of my brother by keeping the rent that he collected for him". Smyth relates how "you can hardly earn a living here. Our almshouses are filled with Irish, and hundreds are coming in daily who have to depend on our citizens for support".
Date 29/05/1847
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Resource Type Text
Archival Record Id p155/1/3/1
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 2pp
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