Letters 1842: McCoy (Camden East)

{page 1 is blank - page 2 reads:} January 1st 1842

Dear Cousin William pardon me for my long detainance of writing to you as i had many hindrencs whitch i did not expect[.] one was i cut my foot in November to the bone whitch kept me back very much and another was i had to wait for staying to take out my potash i went to kingston on thursday last. we are all well at present thanks be to god hopeing to find you all in the same your father and mother enjoys a good state of health since you left them Mary Armstrong {page 3 - same handwriting} has another young son. we hope your son is still liveing and well and that you all enjoy a good state of health[.] when this comes to hand pleas to answer it as quick as possible and let me know of you got the mony i send in it whitch is six pounds[.] my circumstances is so at present i cannot send more[.] best i hope to lift the note after you come out[.] no more at present

but we all send our love to each of you in the kindest manner

your friend to Death Joseph McCoy

Your letter of the 26th February containing the Order for £5 came safe to hand on the 22nd which Kate returns to you her most grateful thanks for, as I said in my last letter she cannot go this season but she intends to go as early as possible next spring, and least the money you sent her should slip away from her she gave it to her mistress's Father (Mr.Maquire) to lodge it in some secure place until she is ready to go away

Dear William although I direct this to you as if you were still in the regiment still I hope it will not find you there, But hoping you have left directions with some friend in the Regiment to forward any letter to you that may happen to come into his hands. I thought it is the best plan to send it to the Regt.- Give my kind regards to your Father & Mother hoping they are well, how delighted they will be to have you at holm with them and not to lave them any more - This is a poor Country it is well for you that you are out of it. I wish every person I wish well had the same tale to tell. here there is no employment of any kind for the mechanic and {page 2} and labouring class business of all kinds is at a stand what the times will turn to it is impossible to say for my part I did not earn five shillings since Chrismas and James if he brings home twelve or fourteen shillings of a saturday night thinks that he has made a good weeks work, but the greatest is that he will not even get that trifle to earn - It is now Twenty five years since I have seen any of my people and I intend in a few days to go down to the North for a couple of months until the times get better, for I am only a burden where I am - Write as soon as you get this and let me know how your farm & Crop is doing and how your live stock is thriving

Thank God we all enjoy remarkably good health. that you may enjoy the same blessing will be the constant and fervent prayer of

Your Poor and Affectionate Father

{signed} James Armstrong

Instruct me in your next letter, how I am to direct mine in future - {page 3} Bess.Cunningham still lives with the Conway's but they are bankrupts and are living in the north suburbs until his friend procures him a situation

{Page one reads:}

34 Bridge foot Street

Dublin 29th December 1842

Dear Children/

I received your letter of the 9th October on the first instant, which gives me great satisfaction to hear of your prosperity[.] I consider it a happy circumstance for you that you got clear of this poor unfortunate Country so easy. Unfortunate and poor I believe it will {page 2} ever remain , for although there never was remembered a finer or more plenty of harvest than our last was. And the poor man's food so very cheap and although there are two workhouses in the City and the Housekeeper harressed paying poor rate Taxes to support them Houses. Yet, there are Thousands of Beggars going through our streets and can scarse get as much food for God's sake as will keep body and soul sticking together. A poor man may walk the old Brogues off his feet before he would meet with a man that would give him one penny to earn, in short there is nothing doing in country or City. The Farmer will not give employment for he says his whole Crop would not pay for the Labouring of his farm. The Citizen will not employ any man, for he says his returns would not pay any man for his time, so that a poor man can get nothing to do, and there is nothing but poverty, distress and starvation in the midst of Plenty.

Glory be to God, I never remember being in so good a state of health as I have been in, these twelve months back, and I can get nothing to earn[.] {page 3} What would become of me only for that shilling pension it is all Robert and I has to live upon, I believe I did not earn 5s. this last quarter, Henry did not stay long in Enniskillen after me, he came to Dublin in August and had not six pence worth of Clothes on his body. he got work and lived with me until I drew my Pension in October. I put Clothes on him and then he left me without any provocation[.] I went to lodge in Watling Street he remained there until Saturday the 17th instant, when he went off it is supposed to England (as he was speaking of going out there) and left seven shillings due in his lodging, we have nothing from him since, indeed I have lost all hopes of [his] ever doing any good, he is too fond of rambling to be ever worth six pence - James & Ellen goes on after the old fashion. the Curse still clings to them, I pity the two litle Children ; but it is not in my power to help them,- Dr. Mary I agree with you in thinking Kate could not go to with you by herself. But how am I to go with her, from the depressed state of Trade there is small prospect of ever having a Quarter Pension on the clear when I receive it, I would wish with all my heart that we were all there, but we must {page 4} trust to Providence for the means, what can poor Kate spare out of her £3 A Year, she is striving to keep the Favour that she received from you untuched, and from one in her situation it will not be bad management. Give my love to Your Father & Mother. My kind regards to you all, Kate and Robert send their love to you- I remain

Your loving Father

{signed} James Armstrong