Jeremiah O'Connells Letter to Margaret Shelley
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Margaret Shelly was the daughter of Kate Shelley. Kate had come from Ireland sometime before the late 1850's. Kate married Thomas Shelley, gave birth to four children, and then died sometime in the 1860's. After Kate's death, the four children were placed in orphanages. The oldest of her children was Margaret. At some point before her marriage, Margaret wrote to her uncle asking for information and pictures. Uncle Jeremiah responded on December Eight, 1879. Transcriptions of the letter are below. The version on the right has been transcribed as accurately as I can. The version on the left is a corrected version offered to ease reading.
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Margaret Shelley (later Armstrong)
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[Page One]
1879 Norfolk Connecticut, December 8th Dear Margaret Shelley, I now set down to answer your letter which I was taken with surprise when I see who it come from. I never expected to hear from any of that family of children. Dear niece, with regard to your father saying I could send you one of your mother's pictures. I never saw any of these to my knowledge. I think he was only putting off in that way, saying I would send you one. I have been speaking to one of my sisters this day previous to this letter and she says she never saw any picture of your mother in any place. Now when you mother went from the City of Washington to California, she went with a lady - her husband was an editor of a newspaper, and sometimes after this man or editor died or got killed. I can’t call his name, but I will write to my sister [Page Two] [in] Washington. She may have or perhaps may know the lady's name that you may find someone this lady may have known. Maggie you wish to know how many aunts and uncles you have. In mothers family there are three aunts. Their names are Elizabeth, Mary, and Julia. Elizabeth is in the City of Pittsburgh, Pa.. Mary is living here in Norfolk, and Julia is living in Washington City D.C.. I will be able to Send you their directions when I hear from you in answer to this letter. As for your uncles, there is but one and his name is John. He is living here in this town. So, there is now but three aunts and two uncles from [your] mother's side in the family of O'Connells. Maggie I have an uncle's daughter there in California. Her husband's name is Thomas Brocke. I will get his directions and send it to you so you can write to her. Before she married, her maiden name was Cate O'Connell. [Page Three] Dear Margaret I hope you will send those pictures of the three of you, but I would like to have you make enquiries of brother Charley. I think it strange that your father don't take any pains by looking after your welfare or those of [your] sister and brothers. I would like to know the ages of your two brothers and of your sister Julia. Don't forget those pictures. Dear Maggie, I have seen some hard times for the last two years since I buried my wife. [At the time of her death, she was} the mother of eight children from the ages of fifteen years down to two years. May God be merciful to [those] who [have] gone before us and grant them eternal rest in heaven. I have been in this country since June 1863. My brother John came in 1861. My Sisters [were] here in this country long before us. I am trying to console you by giving you all the information I can. I will now wish you and [your] brothers and sister good luck and good by for the present. Send those pictures. [Page Four] Yours Uncle Till Death, Direct Jeremiah P O'Connell Norfolk P[ost]Office Litchfield County Connecticut Mr [ IV] William Armstrong Old City Hall Central Police Station San Francisco Affectionate Niece |
[Page One]
1879 Norfolk Connecticut December 8th Dear Margaret Shelley I now Set down to answer your Letter which I was taken with Surprise when I see Who it come from. I never Expected to hear from any of that family of children. Dear Niece with regard to your Father Saying I Could send you one of your Mothers Pictures I never Saw any of these to My Knowledge. I think he was only putting off in that way saying I would Send you one I have been Speaking to One of my Sisters this Day previous to this letter and She Says She never Saw any picture of your mother in any place Now when you mother went from the City of Washington to California She went With a lady her husband was an Editor of a news paper and Sometimes after this man or editor died or get Killed I can’t Call His name but I will write to my Sister [Page Two] [in] Washington She may have any or perhaps May Know the ladys name that you may find Some One this lady may have Now Maggie you wish to Know how many aunts and uncles you have in mothers family there is three aunts there Names are Elizabeth, Mary and Julia Elizabeth is in the City of Pittsburgh Pa Mary is living here in Norfolk and Julia is living in Washington City D.C. I will be able to Send you there directions When I hear from you in answer to this letter As For your Uncles Thee is but One and [O] his name is John and is living here In This town So there is now but three aunts And Two Uncles From Mothers Side in the Family of oConnells Maggie I have an [Uncles] daughter the in California her Husbands name is Thomas Brocke I will Get his directions and Send it to you So you Can write to her before She married Her maiden name was Cate oConnell [Page Three] Dear Margaret I hope you will Send Those Pictures of the three of you but I would Like to have you Make Enquiries of Brother Charley I think it strange that your father Dont take any pains by looking after your Welfare or those of Sister or Brothers I would Like to Know the ages of your two Brothers and of Your Sister Julia Dont Forget those Pictures Dear Maggie I have Seen Some hard Times for the last two years Since I Buried My wife the mother of Eight Children From the Ages of from fifteen years down to two years When She died may god Be Merciful to these Who is gone before us and grant them Eternal Rest in heaven - I have been in this Country Since June 1863 My Brother John Come in 1861 My Sisters are here in this Country long Before us I am trying to Console you by Giving you all the information I can I will now wish you and Brothers and Sister good luck and good by for the Present Send those Pictures [Page Four] Yours Uncle till death Direct Jeremiah P oConnell Norfolk P’Office Litchfield County Connecticut Mr [ IV] William Armstrong Old City Hall Central Police Station San Francisco Affectionate Niece |
