William P. (W. P.) Williamson, Ahorey, County Armagh, to his cousin, John Tuft, Fresno, California, 14 January 1907
Description
Williamson is responding to news from Tuft of the death of their uncle, James Williamson, whom he describes, rather sanctimoniously, as "an unbeliever" by conviction. Describes the growth of Portadown and of Belfast, in contrast to the decline of Armagh town. Praises the Irish Land Act of 1903 (the Wyndham Act), which provides lucrative 10 inducements for landlords to sell their estates to their tenants. He, himself, has purchased his farm under the act; formerly he paid £94.10.0 in annual rent, but now he pays only £52 in annual annuity to the government's Land Commission . Family news. Apparently, W. P. Williamson was in California at some point, perhaps on a visit? [While simply addressed to "Rural Route #3, Box 145, Fresno", Tuft is likely farming in Mendota (some 30 miles due west of Fresno) as per William P.'s letter of 4 September 1918].
Date
14/01/1907
Date Issued
27/03/2023
Cineál Acmhainne
Text
Archival Record Id
p155/4/1/2
Publisher
University of Galway
Extent
6pp
Topic
Williamson Letters
Geographic
Aghory (townland),Armagh (county),Ireland,Auburn,Mendota,Fresno (county),California,United States
Temporal
Twentieth century,Nineteen hundreds (Decade)
Genre
Transcript,Reproduction
Note
Title and description by Professor Kerby Miller. Transcript text by letter donor.