Patt Guildea, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, to his brother, Richard Guildea, Dervin, Crossmolina, County Mayo, 1 February 1832
Description
Published in the Connaught Telegraph (Castlebar, County Mayo), 4 April 1832. Good letter from a transient Irish Catholic laborer, a farmer's son, who sailed from Ballina to Quebec and since worked in Montreal, New York, and Pennsylvania, in farm labor and on public works. Guildea praises American economic opportunities: farmers and workers live comfortably and eat well, although prices of clothing are very high. Intends moving to New Orleans, where he can work year-round, and hopes to return to Ireland in three years (which he did).
Title and description by Professor Kerby Miller. Citation for letter transcript from a published source: Gildea, P. (4 April 1832). Extract of a Letter from Patt Gildea, late of Crossmolina, to Richard Gildea of Dervin, February 1st, 1832. Connaught Telegraph.