Digital Archive
James Richey, Trenton, Kentucky, to his parents, Ireland, 13 August 1819
Cite this document IIIF Viewer
Collection Richey Letters
Title James Richey, Trenton, Kentucky, to his parents, Ireland, 13 August 1819
Description James Richey relates to his parents of news of mutual acquaintance in the Montreal, but James wants him to quit the "British Settlements" which he despises and come to America. Richey wants his brother William to make the journey to the United States as he knows that 'an English teacher here is worth £80 a year and a classical Teacher about Twice the sume if he is approvd. of". He also asks his father to consider emigrating there also with his family and 'enjoy the privilages of a free people [...] fradulently taken from us by force and arms'. Richey advises him of the benefits of America for farming considering that "the longer you stay where you are the worse" and that single people who can afford the passage should not be afraid of travelling with 'not more than a Dollar [...] as a fellow will put his hand to anything he can get work if he will do it". Richey gives news of 'some of his adventures" after he landed in Philadelphia, finding work with a merchant Mr Broaddus, who treated him as a brother, "I went up to him with my hat in his hand as humble as any Irishman [...] put on yr hat said he. we are all a free people here". Richey noted that "There are but few Methodists in this part of the country" so he instead went to a "Presbeterian meeting house" and hoped that this letter would be used as a means of encouraging his acquaintances to emigrate. He concludes by again recommending his family leave Ireland noting that two families could travel together nearly as cheap as one.
Date 13/08/1819
Date Issued 27/03/2023
Resource Type Text
Archival Record Id p155/2/1/1, p155/2/1/2
Publisher University of Galway
Extent 10pp
Topic Richey Letters
Geographic Trenton,Todd (county),Kentucky,United States,Lisburn,Antrim (county),Ireland
Temporal Nineteenth century,Eighteen tens
Genre Transcript,Reproduction
Note Title and transcript by Professor Kerby Miller. Letter description by University of Galway.
Creator / Author Name James Richey