Copies of letters from Ireland written to Winnie – c.1920

Apparently Thomas Tobin never wrote home to his parents during those early years in Melbourne and when he did write after 6½ years in Australia, it was to his brother, not his parents. Did he fear they were dead? Obviously wanting to glean information about her ‘Irish Roots’, in about 1919, Winnie advertised in the ‘Irish Independent’.

Thankfully, her uncle, John R. Tobin in Tullamore saw the advertisement and wrote to her on paper with his business letterhead.

1. Letter from John R. Tobin, brother of Thomas Tobin, to Winifred Kelly

Prudential Assurance Company, Limited
Chief Office: Holborn Bars, London E.C.1
J. Tobin, section, Tullamore,
Kings Co. Ireland
Dated 17th Jan 1920

Re: Thomas Tobin who married Marie Christie from Rostrevor, Co. Down.

Dear Mrs Kelly nee Tobin,

I beg to state that I am brother of the above and did not hear from him since January 14th, 1896 he wrote from Canning River, West Australia, we advertised for him in all the Irish Paper and some after, English ones and got no account till I see yours in the Irish Independent. I hope you will answer my letter as I am most anxious to know if he is alive. I am thinking he must be dead, in consequence of not hearing from him for such a long time. The last time I saw him is now over 30 years. My father and mother are dead since he went to Australia. I will now conclude till I hear from you, giving me all news about my brother. Hoping he is alive and doing well.

Yours loving brother in L
John Tobin

Why didn’t he write home earlier? Did Maria write home to her father? We presume there was no contact between the Tobins in Brosna with John Christie in Dublin because they would have exchanged news about Thomas and Maria.

It also begs the question whether Thomas wrote to John Christie to tell him of the untimely death of his daughter .We can only presume that her mother was already dead as her maiden name is unknown on Maria’s Death Certificate. This fits in with her not being a local King’s County girl because her family would have been known to the Tobins of Brosna.

It’s interesting to note that his brother John states – We advertised for him in all the Irish Papers and some after, English ones – although he had heard from Thomas when he was in Western Australia in 1896. At that point in time, had his family reason to believe that Thomas may return home at some time from the Antipodes?

2. Letter to Winifred Kelly from John B. Tobin (14 years old)

Brosna, Shinrone,
Kings Co.
Feb 3rd, 1920

Dear cousin,

We were all rejoiced to hear that your father was alive, we were also so very sorry to hear that your mother died and you so young. We have both your father’s and mother’s photos in the house, we would like you to send us your photos.

Your Uncle John has a good situation in Tullamore, which is 26 miles from us, he also buried his wife and has 3 daughters, all of whom are married and live in America. Julia is alive in America and has 2 children, both of whom are married. Who is your father’s second wife, is she an Irish woman? Excuse this writing, I am only fourteen years of age and not finished schooling yet. There is only my father and mother and myself, as I am an only child. If we had got your letter before my grandmother died, she would have died easy, she was always enquiring about your father and my father had to advertise in the Freeman and Lyods paper for lost friends, but he could get no account of him. What county man is your husband, as we know he is an Irishman. My mother and father and myself send both yourself and your husband our best love.

John B. Tobin

Obviously young John was well versed in family history. He writes – if we had got your letter before my grandmother died, she would have died easy, she was always enquiring about your father – He was born 5 years after his Grandmother Ellen died, so he never knew her.

John was keen to obtain photographs – We have both your father’s and mother’s photos in the house, we would like you to send us your photos. When were the photos of Thomas and Maria obtained? We presume that they had been taken in Ireland or were they sent from Australia in 1896.

3. Letter to Winifred Kelly from John B. Tobin (17 years old)

Dated 10th April, 1923

Dear Cousin,

I received your letter last week, and I was delighted with all the news it contained, as well as the splendid little photo of the Virgin Mother. I have received none of the newspapers you sent me up to the time of going to post this letter.

I was greatly surprised to find that your husband could trace back his ancestors so easily, of course no family is free from a wild member at some time or other and who knows, but his grandfather had reason for turning outlaw in the days long ago. He also mentioned a map of Australia, well tell him you would want to be a small millionaire to buy one of them in this country, if it could be had even then, and that if he has an old one to spare, to send it to me.

I wrote to your father at the end of November last but I got no answer up to the time of writing this to you, it seems to be a weakness in our family, neglecting to answer letters.

During the past 4 months, I have sent you upwards of 12 newspapers, its curious that you did not receive any of them, I have already sent you another to your new address and will continue to send you some from time to time. I received a letter from Mrs McCarthy a few days ago, and she sent us all the news, also a small photo of your dad and his family, all your brothers appear to be tall and good looking. When you are writing to us again, send us a small snapshot of yourself and your husband, if you have one, I need hardly add that we would be delighted with it. Well, I suppose I will tell you a little about myself. I am 17 and a half years of age, 6 feet high in my socks and 36 inches across the chest and I am strong and healthy every way. My eyesight is slightly weak, but the doctors say it will come alright when I stop growing.

The country is practically normal here again, and we expect again another 6 months have passed, that all resistance against Irish Government will have ceased, then there will be a free election, when every man and woman over 21 years of age will have a vote. Then it will be decided whether we will keep the Free State, or chance winning a Republic from England.

My father and myself are getting good health. Hoping yourself and your husband are also enjoying good health. My father and myself join in sending our love to your husband, cousins John and Noel and of course yourself.

I remain Your affectionate Cousin
J.B. Tobin
P.S. write soon again

4. From John B. Tobin to Winifred Kelly

January 31st, 1926

My Dear Cousin,

I received you letter and I see by it that you have suffered a sad bereavement, please convey to your husband our sincere sympathy on the death of his father but as your father said in a recent letter to me, everyone meets their share of trouble in this world.

I suppose that you are anxious to hear how my late Uncle R.J.P. settled his affairs before he died, and I am sorry to have to tell you, he acted badly towards his children, he left nearly all his money and property to strangers, in short, to the family he resided with in Tullamore for the past 30 years. You see he was an agent for the Prudential Insurance Company and he had the largest book in Ireland, when he retired 5 years ago, with a pension of 80 Pounds per annum.

This is his will in my own words.
I leave 50 Pounds to Mount St Joseph Abbey, Roscrea, Co. Tipperary for masses for the repose of my soul, 50 Pounds to Mount Mellary in the Co. Waterford for a like purpose.
50 Pounds to my brother Pat Tobin of Brosna
20 Pounds each to my 3 daughters, Agnes, Eveline and Mary
10 Pounds to the St. Vincent de Paul society, Tullamore
30 Pounds to Roseline Daley, Tullamore
20 Pounds to John Daley, Tullamore
20 Pounds to Polly Daley, Tullamore
I leave my house in Whitehall Rd, Tullamore, to Mrs. Kate Daley
I leave my six houses in Arden Road, Tullamore, to Edward Daley, and I leave all the remainder of my property, when the debts have been paid, to the Rev. Eugene Daley, C.C. of Tullamore, the executor of my will.

My late Uncle had 410 Pounds, in the Bank when he died, and a good deal of money in his personal possession, as well, and he spent 100 Pounds on one of his houses last summer.

My father and myself are in good health at present, Thank God. Hoping this letter finds both yourself and your husband in good health and trusting to hear from you soon again.

I am, yours faithfully,
John B. Tobin

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