Old letters from USA
1. Letter from Mary McCarthy to Winifred Kelly
728 Amsterdam Ave., New York City, America. Dec. 20th, 1920
My Dear Cousin,
I am sure you will be surprised when you receive this letter, as I don’t suppose you have ever heard of me. Well I am your father’s sisters daughter. I had a letter from my Uncle Patrick Tobin in Ireland, saying he had heard from you and Uncle Tom. He sent me both of your addresses, so I am writing to Uncle Tom also. Of course I do not remember him, but he will remember me for he is my Godfather. How strange it must have seemed for Uncle Patrick to hear from him after so many years, as he was given up as dead. My mother is still living with me, although she gone through a lot of sickness. We are here in America nearly 20 years. I am married with two sons, the oldest is 16 years. My brother is also married, has two children.
I would love to go back to Dear Old Ireland if she was free. They are having terrible times over there, now the Dirty English is murdering our race. My uncle said in his letter that they are not sure of their lives. I will not say anymore this time, hoping this finds you, husband and family well and that I will hear from you soon with all particulars about yourself.
With best love from all, I remain your loving cousin,
Mary Ellen Clavin McCarthyAddress: Mrs Michael McCarthy
728 Amsterdam Avenue
New York City
2. Letter from Mary McCarthy (nee Clavin) to Winifred
12th July, 1921
from New York, 728 Amsterdam Ave., New York CityMy Dear Cousin,
I really feel ashamed to think I have been so long about answering your very welcome letter. I was very sick under the doctor’s care when your letter came I had a mishap and was very near kicking the bucket as they say in Ireland.
Uncle Paddy buried his wife last May with tumour of the stomach, it’s too bad, I believe she was a very nice woman. Soon mother will be able to undertake the journey, I will send her home to see him the end of September. I would love to go myself, but my boys would not content themselves over there away from New York. But if God spares me, I intend to go sometime. It will be lovely over there if they get their freedom or some settlement, which is near at hand now. You ask me how I like America, well I am pretty well sick of it. Give me Dear Old Ireland anytime. It’s alright here if you have plenty of money. You can make good money but it goes as fast as you can get it, for the living here is terrible especially the rents.
Uncle Tom did not answer my letter, but when he did not write to the Mother and Father that raised him I cannot expect him to write to me, of course I know it’s careless on his part, but we must forgive him.
Its terrible warm here just now, people are dropping with the heat. You cannot stand the heat in summer and the same in winter with the cold. Now I think this is all I can say this time. Hoping this finds yourself and hubby as well as this leaves us at present.
With best love from all,
I remain your loving cousin,
M.E. McCarthy
3. Letter from Mary McCarthy to Thomas Tobin
Giving an account of her mother Julia Clavin’s death, May 12, 1923
My Dear Uncle,
Your very welcome received, also papers. I am sorry for to have to tell you that I lost my Darling Mother. She passed away on May 12th, after a long illness of pain and suffering. I done everything that medical aide and service could do. But could not help a minute longer. I am Broken Hearted, and will have to take a rest in the country for a while as you know I am waiting on mother night and day for the last year. She read your last letter and was so delighted about your son Noel joining the Christian Brothers. She said it was a break in the family, and it was a good one. I hope God will strengthen him to keep up the good work he has undertaken to do.
I knew my mother could not live, but still I did not think she would go so quick, in all her suffering she did not like to die, and she was courageous up to 2 days before she died. The doctor said she would live for 15 years more only for that terrible disease. She had wonderful vitality, always full of fun, when she was well. She was well prepared to go Thank God, she had every care. She also had a wonderful funeral, all our friends and neighbours from Brosna and surrounding, paid her tribute of respect. I am writing to Uncle Paddy to let him know of her death, as I only had a letter from him last week. I am sending you some Memory Cards, so that you and family will remember her in your prayers. I hope this find yourself and family well. Love from all.
I remain your loving niece
Mary Ellen Clavin McCarthyAttached Paper Notice:
Clavin:- on May 12, JULIA (nee Tobin), devoted mother of Mary Ellen and James Clavin, native of Brosna, Offaly, Ireland. Funeral from her late residence, 728 Amsterdam, and F. Tuesday, May 13th, High requiem Mass at Holy Name Church at 10am. Internment St Raymond’s Cemetery. Automobile cortege.
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