Digital Archive
"F. D.", Philadelphia, to his uncle, Daniel M., [Magherafelt], County Derry, 9 July 1836
Luaigh an doiciméad seo Amharcóir IIIF
Bailiúchán Maghera Letters
Title "F. D.", Philadelphia, to his uncle, Daniel M., [Magherafelt], County Derry, 9 July 1836
Description The author teaches school in "the country" (presumably in Sandy Hill, Maryland), but has come into Philadelphia to visit his sister. He remarks on the horribly summer weather in Philadelphia, where Irish immigrants are plagued with flies and mosquitoes. This is a superb and eloquent letter, providing advice to his uncle as to whether the latter's teenage son, Henry, should emigrate. Beyond simply urging the necessity for cousin Henry to learn a trade, either before he emigrates or in an American apprenticeship, the author balances their natural love of Irish home and kin with their necessity to emigrate, because of the "tyranny and misfortune" (eviction?) which his own family has encountered and which made him and his siblings "children of circumstance," who had no option but to emigrate. The author hopes to bring his parents and younger siblings to America, but he hopes that his uncle Daniel's better economic situation will not oblige his children to leave home.
Date 09/07/1836
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Cineál Acmhainne Text
Archival Record Id p155/6/8
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 6pp
Topic Maghera Letters
Geographic Philadelphia (city),Philadelphia (county),Pennsylvania,United States,Magherafelt,Derry (county),Ireland
Temporal Nineteenth century,Eighteen thirties
Genre Transcript,Reproduction
Note Title, description and transcript text by Professor Kerby Miller.
Creator / Author Name F.D.