The Irish Bomfords
Transcripts of letters held in the Manuscripts Department, National Library of Ireland, ref MS 13,093. The original letters are the property of the Board of the National Library of Ireland and have been reproduced with their permission (email 8 Apr 2009).
To Mister Richard North Spruce Hill
In the care of -- Edwards, Esq. 29TH March ‘40
Address looks like YHIALA, ISOLTON (OR TOWN) STATE NEW YORK
My dear Richard and Charles,
I cannot tell you how much – by your letter -- such a length of time elapse without writing has made me the only consolation we can have is to hear from you very oftimes. When we do not we imagine that you are not as prosperous as we would wish and attribute your silence to that for we never for a moment set it down to forgetfulness.
Many strange events have occurred since last we wrote it was shortly after my grand Joseph’s death that you heard from me. Therefore you must be ignorant of every occurrence that took place since.
I will begin with Roger’s marriage you may recollect when you were going that it had been broken off a short time previous, after his father’s death he went to Co. Westmeath and all obstacles being removed by the death of her father she listened to his proposal and they were married last August they have been residing at Cappa since then.
I have frequently been with them I cannot say how much I like Mrs. North. Roger has disposed of Cappa and I think he will be likely to go reside in Westmeath we will feel his loss very much as he very often passed as friend in any -
I forget did I mention in my former letter that Gem ppapon made his will wholly in Roger’s favour and cut my ---- when Joe off with a shilling before his father’s death and was on his way to this -- bankers when he heard it he could not get a ministry John’s that would suit him. He took a house in Ahascragh but owing to the sedentary life his --- and on the 12th he has left his wife and daughters completely destitute and they are now depending on his son who I dare say you recollect to have a situation in an establishment in Dublin and I believe his salary is more than a hundred per annum and he is one of the best sons and brothers.
George will be going out this year the difficulty of getting money is the only hindrance
Charles Greagean is getting on --- he hopes to get a commission shortly
I hear from her frequently and she never – mentions the most affectionate enquiry about you both
is dead and Bessie is with her Aunt North at present but will be brought home to Northbrook in summer as -- is no longer able to
If this letter ever reaches you will either if you write with little delay as possible I cannot express the - some being ?
Anna has a daughter it is five months old and she says it is a little prodigy. I have not seen it and I think it probably that she overestimates abilities she has a brother in law in the ------ States he is not being out extraordinary
Separating him when
Next as - if you have to
If March -- it might be
to know what kind of job BLOTTED OUT
twin daughters
paid off we are all entitle to equal share
of poor Rachel’s portion
Mam must be allowed for her expenses
You will be pleased to hear that Wally Groome has ---- I believe I never told you that he married to Miss Stanley he now has a situation --- wine merchants establishment as is trying to live as well as he
I think you owe me a --- long letter and as I have nothing more to say I will finish for - present in answering you of the affection of your friend and attached sister,
I have not said one word of Mama or the boys they are all very well except poor Longworth who has been debilitated all winter. I never saw Mama look better may god bless you my dearest Charles.
(EN email 14 Jan 2009)
[People in this letter: Charles and Richard are Alicia's brothers, both in the USA. My grand -- Joseph could be her grandfather, Joseph North of Northbrook. He married Rachael Briggs in 1764, so if we assume he was 20 when he married, he would have been in his 90s in the late 1830s, which this letter seems to be suggesting was when he died. Gem ppapon might be grandpapa, also grandfather Joseph (Alicia's materal grandfather Whitestone died before 1804 - Alicia's grandmother was a widow when Alicia's mother married in 1804). Roger may be her uncle Roger North who married Deborah North of Tyrrellspass, Co Westmeath, and was the brother 'Roger North of Cappa' named as executor of the will of Joseph North of Cappa, another uncle. Joe is probably Joseph North of Cappa, Alicia's uncle Joseph who was buried at Ahascragh on 11 Dec1840, aged 55 years: possibly he died on the 12th, leaving his wife and daughters destitute. George is another of Alicia's brothers and he did get to the US eventually. Northbrook was their grandfather's property. Bessie might be Uncle Joseph's daughter Elizabeth b 1831: her aunt would be uncle Roger's wife Deborah. Anna is Alicia's sister Anne, m Pilkington. Rachel was another sister: she died in 1839 and the equal share of poor Rachel's portion refers to her interest in Northbrook under her father's will: see more below. Alicia's mother Margaret Whitestone is thought to have had a sister who married a Mr Groome, Alicia's aunt and uncle. Wally Groome may be that man's brother, or if aunt Groome had died, he may be uncle Groome remarrying - though uncle Groome was reported to have married a widow in the 1851 letter - a decade later. Deed 1851 1 116 (CN email 6 Sep 2010) is a depostion by William Grome [sic] now of Eyrecourt, Co Galway, gentleman of 40 years and upward, stating that Thomas Wade of Fairfield, Co Galway, still owes him £1,000 outstanding from a 3 Oct 1817 judgement of £2,000, and that Thomas Wade has disposing power as tenant for life over the towns and lands of Stoneybatter, Fairfield and Curtharruagh in the Barony Kilconnell Co Galway. Thomas Wade may have been the brother of the children's grandmother, Elizabeth Anne Whitestone nee Wade, who was a widow, of Fairfield, in deed 566 410 384183, and William Grome of the deposition may have been, or been related to, Wally Groome the uncle. Longworth is another of Alicia's brothers]
West Cunnington,
Hampshire, Mass. America.
Postmark Oct. 14 1841
& Oct. 13 1841 Kingstown
My dearest Charles,
All my happiness in this world is long over my Beloved my worthy husband left me forever the eight December 1840!!! Since when I may only say I am a desolate distressed creature with two infant daughters to provide for. My eldest child was but a year old when her poor father was taken from her and my youngest was born 4 months after his death he died of consumption in 31/51st year of his age a ---- to all
around him of pity and dark and dismal as the remainder of my earthly - and pain I trust I shall join him yet in heaven and if the lord spare me to be a shield from the hardships of the world to my little orphans --- I ask of the almighty.
Now with respect to poor George. Oh my dear Chas to get him to America if I could choose the means he shouldn’t be detained an hour in Ireland he is a fine boy I have some ---- I could give to assist in sending him and if you and Richard could join to give him his passage he can pay you afterwards devise some means dear Chas to get him out why don’t you take steps about your portion off Northbrook but I ought not to dictate were I to enter with particulars it ---- be only a repetition of what Lizzy has already told you
I have so little time I must conclude. I am at present keeping a boarding house in Kingstown.
Write me a minute account of your employments and what poor Richard is doing give him my kindest love. I hope you will write to me soon don’t forget poor George he is in a most wretched state.
Your most affectionate and --- sister, Anne E Pilkington,
Write immediately, think of poor George,
Mrs. H. Pilkington
5 Lowry Tce., Kingstown, 24 Sept. ‘41
5 Lowry Terrace,
Kingstown,
24 Sept. ‘41
(EN email 8 Dec 2008 - underlined words indicate transcription uncertain)
[People in this letter: Mrs H Pilkington is Anne Elizabeth North who married Henry Pilkington. Charles, George and Richard are her brothers. Lizzy is probably Alicia, her sister. Northbrook is their grandfather's property. He died in or before 1839 and his grandchildren (Charles in this letter, Alicia below) inherited interests in Northbrook]
March 1842
West Cunnington,
Hampshire County,
America
Post mark Mar 1842 & Mar 18 1842 Kingstown
Dearest Richard and Charles,
I suppose you must think me very neglectful for not having written before this.
I must look to your good indulgence to excuse me.
Alas dear Richard and Charles seems I never write without being obliged to communicate some unpleasantly fatal intelligence. I have now to acquaint you that poor Dear Longworth is no more he died last month after lingering for the last two years he has been living with Joseph who has been very kind to him since this time twelve months He made no will mind I have not heard yet --- --- his money will go but I should think as he was of age Joseph will come in for it.
Anna and I propose giving George money to go out this season to you he had a situation in Dublin but did not like it and prefers going out to you.
Will you write immediately on receipt of this and mention particularly what he should take with him also when he is to start if he ought to bring his own provisions or not and anything you may think it necessary for him to know.
Mama Henry Sam ---- to you. Anna is getting on very well with her undertaking Joseph had a young daughter - blotted out – a great disappointment that it was not a son. I shall be writing so soon again I shall now conclude.
Requesting you to excuse this ---- scratch. Believe me your ever attached sister,
Write your letter to Mama as usual and write as soon as possible.
Cross written note: We can give George but £20 will this do for him poor fellow! Make arrangements that he may have something to do and means when he goes out do not disappoint describe every particular most minutely, your attached Anna Pilkington ---
(EN email 9 Dec 2008 - underlined words indicate transcription uncertain)
[People in this letter: Richard, Charles (in the US), Longworth (dead), George, Henry, Sam and Joseph (in Ireland) are Alicia's brothers, Anna (Pilkington) is Alicia's sister Anne. Joseph's new daugher is Anne Maud North, baptised 1842]
Oswego
State New York America
Post mark Liverpool Apr 2 1847
Mrs. Pilkington
No. 1 Victoria Terrace, Kingstown, Ireland
My dear Charles,
I regret exceedingly to witness the total want of feeling exhibited in your letter you cannot be ignorant of the, at present, lamentable – --- which has fallen on your unhappy native land!!! Want and famine stalking hand and hand and daily dooming hundreds --- ‘Thousands to death’. Not all the exertions of man (and gigantic efforts have been made by the Governments of every country) have been able to stay the progress of desolation.
Any - into my explanation relative to the pecuniary affairs of your family will be ---- £1 ever as my guide
set of folly in me ever to have parted with my hard earnings and perhaps the time may come indeed has come when I bitterly regret having done so.
Lissy will joyfully acquiesce in your proposal of purchasing her claim on Northbrook as she has never received any interest and is in want of ready money.
Write on receipt of this and say if you will do so at once.
I wish you could realise for my sister £300 she sold it all out for you, Richard and Henry to go to America and has never been repaid nor never will.
My Mother was allowed £50 of Rachel’s claim for the expense of her illness and funeral the remainder was shared amongst all and amounted to £10 each which I have not yet received no more than you two.
My mind is so afflicted I cannot write any more I hope you will tell George I will answer his letter if I am spared, shortly. I am glad to hear of your prosperity and also of his. I wish I were out of this country there is very little to comfort in Ireland.
Yours affectionately,
Victoria Terrace,
3 March ‘47
(EN email 19 Dec 2008)
[In this letter: Charles, Richard and George are Anne's brothers in America; Henry another brother, probably still in Ireland - in the Dec 1851 letter below he is in Ireland. Lissy is her sister Alicia. Anne's sister Rachel died in 1839 aged 16. Rachel's claim may be her share of her grandfather's estate, including Northbrook: he seems to have died in 1839, after her father]
To Charles North, Oswego, State of New York
Postmark: Kingstown May 17 1850 & Liverpool My 18 1850
Victoria Terrace
May 1
My dear Charles,
In reply to your letter which my mother received and has asked me to answer for her I have to tell you that Northbrook is to be sold as soon as possible. Burkes or Banks? A late creditor? from whom unfortunate Joseph borrowed £200 have caused proceedings to be taken for that purpose under a new Act of Parliament called the Encumbered Estates Commission. All the claims must be paid by the first of November, if not then early in Spring, the amount of your debt, interest and principal. Anna and I will - see? Duly send to you as you have directed thro? Isaac? As you have directed of course as release must be signed by you when your money is lodged.
Though? Sadly depressed and ? by the sale of Northbrook as it will be a sad recrimination/termination? To poor Joseph. I cannot but - ? that it? Sale take place just at the time you require it so much to avail you in your present undertaking which I trust --------?
If I were to give you a description of the present state of this country You would I am sure say I exaggerate so will remain silent on the subject. If you ever read a newspaper you must be aware of it, people of the first distinction? Are only too glad to get a pittance to same? In what was heretofore considered a minimal? situation. Sir I Blake of Mumts? is postmater in Galway on a salary of £110 per annum a man whose family had six thousand a year.
So poor Richard is teaching Mohawkes, what are these studies? We had a letter from him some time ago telling us of the love of his life and should? I hope he is doing well. Poor George, I never hear from him. I am glad to hear he is well. Tell them that Joe North our cousin is dead and that Rachel has been married since very comfortably. Anna said, and I have often thought latterly? Of visiting your part of the world should we get the ? money of which there is very little doubt? Now you may be on the lookout but never for a moment suppose that if we do ? go we will never put you to a farthing expense because ? we hope that we may reckon? on your kind personal assistance in directing for ? what to do and a ? ? regular account will be sent to you when the sale takes place with a requital and your money
Any ? mother has not been so well for a long time ? just at present she will write to you lines on this.
Anna and she unite with me in most affectionate love for you Sam, Richard and George and believe me as ever your attached sister Levvies
[Mother’s lines:]
My dear Charles, I write these few lines to say how sincerely happy your prosperity makes me. I trust the Lord will --- ? prosper you. I give/grieve your letter did not express more -? Affection. I have nothing to tell you but that I remain most affectionately, yours ---- A. North, my love to Sam Richard and George
(EN email 22 Oct 2008)
[In this letter: Levvies could be Lissie or Lizzie - Alicia. Charles, Sam, Richard and George are her brothers in America - Sam, it seems, has now joined his brothers. Anna is her sister Anne Pilkington. Northbrook was their grandfather Joseph's property, which these letters indicate the children inherited in shares when he died in or before 1839. Burkes or Banks is not known. Unfortunate/poor Joseph is grandfather Joseph North of Northbrook. Isaac is not known, but is assumed to be one of the North family who is a lawyer or substantial landholder. Joseph is Alicia's brother. Joe North our cousin, now dead, who seems to have been connected to a Rachel (wife? sister? daughter?) is not known - there are no known first cousins named Joe from any other evidence, no Joe that died in 1850 or the immediately preceding years, and no evident Joe and Rachel linkage in the tree. A Joe North has been added as a child of Joseph North of Cappa on the basis of this 'cousin' relationship. The marriage of Rachel, though, may be this one, which we otherwise can't place either: Rachel North of Dorset St, spinster of full age, dau of Joseph North, officer in the army, m 22 Mar 1850 John Wraftor of 66 Aunger St, son of Patrick Wraftor, gentleman, witness David North (St Peter parish records, Dublin).]
[Mark Thomas (email 29 Feb 2012) suggests 'Sir I Blake of Mumts?''could well be Sir Thomas Blake of Menlo, 13th Bt. (1805-1875). He had succeeded to the title of Baronet in 1847 and was a magistrate in Co Galway. I am not sure that he actually got the Postmaster's job or (if he did get it) he did not do it for long. At the start of 1850 the Galway Postmaster was Robert Dudley Persse but he died on either 16th or 19th March that year. On August 28th 1850 the Balina Chronicle reported that Anthony Lynch, eldest son of M A Lynch of Nile Lodge had got the job on the recommendation of M J Blake, MP. He was inducted on 15th September. However, by October 16th according to the Ballina Chronicle of that day he had resigned the job! After this Slater's 1856 Directory has Bernard Murphy as Postmaster - and he was still there in 1862, according to Thom's Directory of that year. So Sir Thomas Blake could only have done this job for something like 4-5 months.']
To Mr Charles North, Victoria Terrace
December 1851
Address:
Oswega, New York,
America
Post mark Dec 18 1851 Liverpool
My dear Charles,
I was glad to receive your letter as I was just about writing to you not that I had anything particular to communicate but the sale of Northbrook being put off for an indefinite time.
I wished that you should be aware of the fact property is selling better in Galway than heretofore and latterly we have encouraged hopes perhaps fallacious ones that we shall not be such serious losers as we anticipated. The expenses of the sale and the head rent will be very considerable for last two years there has not been sufficient funds collected from the tenants if pay even a part of the head rent and last July Mr Handy ejected Joseph and our Attorney had to advance the rents as well as the sympathies of the ejectments. Of course every additional expense lessens our chance of receiving our money in full every farthing Anna and I possess is on Northbrook and I shall have all my prospects for the future utterly [extin]quished? when the result of the sale is known but I am prepared for it and trust I may bear it patiently. I never think of my own loss that I do not sympathise with you when I call to mind the painful struggles you must have endured in the commencement of your career? and after so many years of patient endurance to be disappointed, but I am I hope going too far as I said before we may still hope. As for Rachel’s money that will be paid when Mama receives funds.
Northbrook is let by the receiver for a nominal – and Joseph has taken a little cottage near B - asloe? where he and his wife and her two daughters reside. Roger has taken Besses and proposes keeping her altogether it is very kind of him. How Joseph will support his wife and children I know not. I fear unless her family come forward they have a broken reed to depend on. Henry has a situation on a railway I hear of 12s a week the labour is very great I trust poor fellow he may be able to keep it he has had another daughter about four months since poor little creature her entrance into this cold cruel world was not a very welcome one. Anna is just keeping her head above water and thankful for being able to do so. You will not wonder at the falling off in her business? when I mention that most of those who patronised -- her setting up are now Paupers and their children looking for the lowest situations. Indeed I imagine that of the lowest computation fourteen out of twenty of the gentry of Ireland are now in the encumbered estates courts, her little girls are very talented and promise to be good looking she is straining every point to give them a superior education that they may be able to earn their bread as she cannot leave them -- dependent.
My Mother is the same in position - as ever but dear Charles were you to see her you would not know her. I am sure she is well considering her advanced age and walks four or five miles at a time. She is sadly grieved at the account you gave of poor dear Sam and Richard oh dear Charles one can bear every privation if they have health but deprived of it what are we, from your saying nothing of your own health I presume it is now good I hope you are perfectly recovered from the effects of the scald you mentioned. If I ever have money to spare I shall take a trip out to New York to see you, and should you ever ever come over be sure bring your son with you. Sam told me in one of his letters he was named William my poor PaPa!!! Whenever you come you will make this your head quarters and if your good wife accompanies you we will make her welcome. How I wish I was rich and I should take my dear Richard over? for a while but wishes are simply –.
Did I not tell you that Uncle Grome? is married to a widow with a large family and as she was very much in debt altho he thought he was getting a large fortune with her he was made liable to her debts and is now very badly off. Poor Nicola? is a governess with a lady in Dublin for £12 a year as her education is imperfect she is not eligible for a good one, she will be gratified at your having mentioned her as she always speaks of the happy happy times we had together both at Sycamore Hill and afterwards at Spruce Hill.
And now dear Charles I think you will agree with me that it is quite time this prosy letter should come to an end and being joined by Anna and Mama with fondest love and wishes for very temporal and spiritual blessing for you, Richard and Sam I am as ever your affectionate sister Lizzie
Side note:
My dearest George, I never thought you could be so long without writing to me and were it not for Charley’s kindness I should be in perfect ignorance of everything respecting you.
I write these few lines to you as I know you are in the same loeahty? [locality?] with my poor Sam to ask you to look after him, but if I know you rightly such a request is unnecessary. Give him my fondest and best love and tell him I trust that next letter I get will contain an account of his perfect recovery look to yourself
(EN email 21 Nov 2008)
[People in this letter: Lizzie is Alicia North. Charles (in Oswego), Sam and Richard (also in America) and Joseph and Henry (in Ireland) are her brothers. The reference to Joseph's 'wife and her two daughters' suggests that Joseph married a widow with two daughters, but everything else points to them being his daughters as well. Rachel is Alicia's late sister, and Anna is her sister Anne Pilkington. Sam and Richard are their brothers, also in America. Charles' first son, William, was born c 1846. 'My dear Richard' is not Alicia's brother Richard because he is in America; so far as is known, Alicia did not have a husband until she married Charles Preston, so 'her' dear Richard is a mystery. Uncle Gronne is uncle Groome, husband of their mother's sister. He may be Wally Groome who married Miss Stanley (1840 letter above), but she doesn't sound like a widow and that marriage was a decade earlier, so hardly news. Unless this is uncle Groome marrying a third time, then perhaps Wally Groome (1840 letter) was uncle Groome's brother. Nicola is not known - may be a daughter of uncle Groome. George is another brother in America - it is not clear why he gets mentioned only in the side note.
[The lands at Northbrook or Garrinahane, parish of Aughrim, barony of Kilconnell, were offered for sale in the Encumbered Estates Court in February 1853 and sold in May that year (Deed 1853 14 264). This property was held on a lease from Samuel Handy to Joseph North. The original lease was for three lives from 1750, renewable forever. Today, the Northbrook buildings, on the road between Kilconnell and Aughrim, are in ruins of which there are several, stone walls with trees growing through them and thickly clad with ivy etc and it is very difficult to ascertain which ruin could have been the original house. There is still a John North there, and a notice along the road Northbrook Cattle Co: The West is Best (EN email 4 Jun 2008).
[SP comments (email 23 Nov 2008): I read the latest letter and have some things to offer. The cottage was in Ballinasloe which is right near Northbrook. That I have from Galway records. I think the other word is extinguished. I don't think that this letter is from Ann North Pilkington but from a sister Elizabeth [no known sister Elizabeth, probably Alicia]. I will look into the brothers some more. George was living in Queens (near where my grandfather settled) and Charles was upstate. Ok , the Uncle is likely Mr Groome (need to check the notes from Mr Parker) who had lived at either Spruce Hill or Sycamore Hill (check notes again). I think his first wife was married into the family some way but I can't remember what Mr Parker told me. His material was limited because his computer had crashed ... ]
Charles North, Victoria Terrace,
Oswego, America Sept. ‘52
Post mark SP 25 1852 Liverpool
My dear Charles,
How shall I find words to tell you that my darling mother is no more I cannot yet really believe it myself although she looked -- sad certainly surrounds me wherever I turn.
Oh Charles imagine what I must feel never having been separated from her for more than three months at a time and always abounding in love toward me indeed her greatest fault was her too great lover for unhappy Lissie. Her death was most sudden, I never remember seeing her look so well for the last five years as immediately before her --- ---- the morning of the 9th she was seized with ----- ---- in her stomach the 9th of ---- remember was the day on which my poor Papa died, everything that medical aid could devise was – and the complaint was yet made but her constitution was too weak for the necessary remedies and she sank rapidly and died on the 16th. Her death was the most resigned happy thing you can imagine but to me what a cold bleak world she has left where my Mother was I could sell my house and she had the means of keeping --- for me but now I feel so unhinged. No claim on any and no means in health to supply me with what I ever enjoyed. Anna is all that is generous and kind but she has her own children ---- ----- not what they need to be with her
Dear Charles you will benefit - from my mother having died before Northbrook was – as it is rather probable mind I do not say certain that it will sell for what will nearly cover our demands on it. I can give you no idea of the time it will be sold. Berkeley said some time in January next but as the day has so frequently been mentioned before I place very little reliance on this.
My darling Mother was buried at Monkstown close to ----. Roger was the only one with her. Oh dear Charlie it was a sorrowful day to poor Anna and me but I know ---saw shall it was good and we must bend submissively but in deep despair -- to his divine will. Mama died on the 16th had she lived one day longer she should have been 72 as she was born on the 17th September.
How well I know the sorrow Richard, Georgy and poor Sam will feel when they hear the sad intelligence of their fond Mother’s death, you were her idol and unless much of your former feeling is worn away I know what you will and must feel ----
Anna has just come in and -- me give her best love to you and the other poor boys. If ever you pay a visit to Ireland she hopes you will make her house your headquarters.
Henry and Joseph are --- wretched --- may god help them I have heard of neither since my poor Mama’s death she was so gratified by your last letter mentioning that you named you last little girl after her. I hope she and her mother are well.
-- fondest love for all, ever your affectionate and attached sister, Lissie.
(EN email 14 Dec 2008)
[People in this letter: Lissie is Alicia North. Charles, Richard, George and Sam are her brothers in America. Henry and Joseph are her brothers in Ireland. Roger, who was at her mother's burial, was her uncle, married Deborah North - but it is not clear why none of the children were there. Anna is Alicia's sister, Anne Pilkington. There is no other record of Charles having a daughter named after his mother, Margaret Ann Whitestone - perhaps she died young. Mark Thomas (email 29 Feb 2012) suggests Berkeley is most likely Berkeley Edgar Whitestone (1823-1903) who was the second son of surgeon Luke White Whitestone (d 1861), brother of the children's mother, Margaret Whitestone. Berkeley was a solicitor. He was living at 20 Mount St Lower in 1862 and was later Chief Clerk in Ireland's High Court.]
To Charles North no address
Oswego
State New York
America
Postmark Jan 7 185-
& Kilbeggan 185-
[probably the year is 1853, as the 'kind invitation' may have been an invitiation from Charles to Alicia to come to America following the news of the death of their mother]
My dear Charles,
I fear you think me rather negligent not to have replied to your letter sooner but many causes have combined to make me defer doing so until now.
And first of all let me return you my most grateful thanks for your kind invitation and altho’ it may be that I may never avail myself of it still you cannot think what a comfort your kind consideration for one feeling so utterly alone has been and still more dear Charles what a source of comfort it is to me that amidst all the misery that followed our footsteps one at least can command a home no matter how lonely even though it be in a foreign land - Ah what I should give to be able to meet my three dear brothers whose every action is associated with the happy days of childhood for we enjoyed those days much and often when I see how children get along now I am inclined to think we were very tolerable in our requirements and conditions.
You will see by the newspapers I have forwarded that Northbrook will be sold thefirst of February perhaps it may be adjourned for a short time but should it be so
It will only be a delay if a ver
You ask me how you are to
Rachels claim my darling Mother section totally blanked out
her ------- and you may
that your part as well as Richard’s
paid George’s were expended long
which I as well as my poor Mama
more than once in our letters to you
I am staying with Roger at present who is most kind he has taken poor Joseph’s oldest daughter to live with him so I cannot expect him to burden himself too much. Joseph is getting on better than one could expect. Henry still a porter on the railway in Ballinsloe.
Anna and her little girls very well. I trust your wife and little ones are well. Who knows but we --- all meet – in this world. Write very soon and tell me if you have heard of poor Sam’s whereabouts and how he is.
With fondest love for you and Richard and George, ever your affectionate sister, Lissie.
(EN email 13 Dec 2008)
[People in this letter: Lissie is Alicia North. Charles is her brother, in America. There are four brothers in America (Charles, Richard, George and Sam), so it is not clear which are the 'three dear brothers' - maybe Sam was not included as Alicia seems not to know where he is, while the other three may have been living close to each other. Roger is probably her uncle Roger who married Deborah North and lived in Westmeath - she may have been staying with him since the death of her mother. 'Poor Joseph's oldest daughter' whom Roger has taken to live with him might be Letitia baptised in 1834, though it might also be the Bess mentioned in letters above - she was staying with her Aunt North in 1840, and Roger 'proposed keeping her altogether' in the Dec 1851 letter. Henry and Joseph are Alicia's brothers in Ireland. Anna is Alicia's sister, Anne Pilkington. The lands at Northbrook or Garrinahane, parish of Aughrim, barony of Kilconnell, Co Galway, were finally sold in mid 1853 for £2,615 (deed 1853 14 264).]