From: May Baker, 12 Dunedin, Connaught Ave., Cork
To: Frank Gleasure, 232 Parsons St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank
Just a line or two once again hoping that I'll get an answer this time as I wrote to you on a few different occasions and never got an answer from you they also tell me at home that they did not hear from you either I hope you'll drop me a few lines and let us know how you are doing. I often think of you and wonder if your wife is better yet and able to be at home with you. Annie is still at home with George & wife she would like to start some little business here in the city but its very hard to get a suitable place and rent is so high, and then again she thinks of going across to America I wish she were settled down at something as I needn't tell you she is getting on in years after spending all her time house-keeping for the lot of us its to bad she hasn't a home of her own.
How are all your little children I expect they are getting big now. I have two little boys Joseph aged 4 years and George who was born on Xmas Eve last. I sent you some Photo's over 12 months ago of all of you when ye were small did you get them alright you never wrote to me about them or answered any of my letters I hope you'll write a few lines to me and tell me how you are getting on as I often wonder and think about you and would like to write to you often for there is only just the four of us left now and we ought to keep in touch with one another and the old home has a new mistress how time does fly be sure and write a few lines as soon as you get this. with best wishes to all from
Your loving sister May.
Friday, December 21, 2012
Thursday, December 20, 2012
December 25, 1923
From: May Baker, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 232 Parsons St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I am almost ashamed to write to you after my long absence I don't know how the time slips by since I got your letter and never to have answered it since, I suppose you'll be surprised to see my address. I am at home since the 3rd November. as George was getting married they asked me down so they asked me then to stay on until after Xmas. I was very sorry to see by your letter about you being so upset in your home. & that your wife was so ill, it upset me a lot I often think of you since & think what a pity that I am married as if I wasn't I would go out to you about Annie I sent your letter to her when I got so I was asking her about it after I coming down here & she said she did not think she would be able to go to America now as she has got too much into years now anyway Frank. Annie is not a bit too strong she has stuck inside this house for years without as much going outside the door and she gets knocked up very bad with her throat I think she will come to Cork to undergo an operation with it very soon I think the best thing for Annie to do is to settle down in some nice home if she could find a suitable match of course marriage is a very risky business its not all sunshine as you know yourself now you have met with a lot of trouble since you married. but I hope with the New Year now coming on that all your troubles will pass away and things brighten up for you again. Has not your wife any sisters or friends that would help you with the children until such time as your wife will be back again to you, its a pity you can't get a suitable woman to mind them at home for you of course its a terrible expense. George sent you a paper with his marriage in it also a Photograph of himself & wife. Annie gave me a few Photo's to send to you I'm sure you would like to have them they are ones of us all when we were all young. I will send them with this letter. The trouble in this country is about all over now & things are commencing to settle down again some people suffered very much here for past few years. I would very much like to go to America but my husband would never care to go over there. Paddy Dillane sold out the old place in Ballyhennesy. lately its in strange hands now, the grandmother in Tullig died the September after father dying. Adam very seldom goes out now all his children are able to work for him now. & old James Connor Mt Cole is not long for this world either I was out to see him one day since I came down & he is very feeble his son John has the place & is married in it you would find great changes here now if you were here, all young people grown up & all the old folks dead & gone. I hope you will write to me very soon again & tell me how you are getting on. I hope you will have better luck in the new Year now than you had in the past You ought to write to Annie also I'm sure she would like to hear from you With all best wishes from all
Iremain Yours loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 232 Parsons St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I am almost ashamed to write to you after my long absence I don't know how the time slips by since I got your letter and never to have answered it since, I suppose you'll be surprised to see my address. I am at home since the 3rd November. as George was getting married they asked me down so they asked me then to stay on until after Xmas. I was very sorry to see by your letter about you being so upset in your home. & that your wife was so ill, it upset me a lot I often think of you since & think what a pity that I am married as if I wasn't I would go out to you about Annie I sent your letter to her when I got so I was asking her about it after I coming down here & she said she did not think she would be able to go to America now as she has got too much into years now anyway Frank. Annie is not a bit too strong she has stuck inside this house for years without as much going outside the door and she gets knocked up very bad with her throat I think she will come to Cork to undergo an operation with it very soon I think the best thing for Annie to do is to settle down in some nice home if she could find a suitable match of course marriage is a very risky business its not all sunshine as you know yourself now you have met with a lot of trouble since you married. but I hope with the New Year now coming on that all your troubles will pass away and things brighten up for you again. Has not your wife any sisters or friends that would help you with the children until such time as your wife will be back again to you, its a pity you can't get a suitable woman to mind them at home for you of course its a terrible expense. George sent you a paper with his marriage in it also a Photograph of himself & wife. Annie gave me a few Photo's to send to you I'm sure you would like to have them they are ones of us all when we were all young. I will send them with this letter. The trouble in this country is about all over now & things are commencing to settle down again some people suffered very much here for past few years. I would very much like to go to America but my husband would never care to go over there. Paddy Dillane sold out the old place in Ballyhennesy. lately its in strange hands now, the grandmother in Tullig died the September after father dying. Adam very seldom goes out now all his children are able to work for him now. & old James Connor Mt Cole is not long for this world either I was out to see him one day since I came down & he is very feeble his son John has the place & is married in it you would find great changes here now if you were here, all young people grown up & all the old folks dead & gone. I hope you will write to me very soon again & tell me how you are getting on. I hope you will have better luck in the new Year now than you had in the past You ought to write to Annie also I'm sure she would like to hear from you With all best wishes from all
Iremain Yours loving sister
Mai.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
February 4, 1923
From: May Baker, 12 Dunedin, Connaught Avenue, Cork
To: Frank Gleasure, 232 Parsons St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank
I'm sure you'll be very much surprised when you get this letter after such a long absence of letters from me I thought to write you several times but always put it off. I hope that you and family are all well also your wife as I see by one of your letters to Annie where she was very ill I hope she is again again at home with you and quiet well. I'm sure you've often wondered how I was getting on. I'm married here in Cork very near three years now, my husband is in the Motor business we have one little boy and we called him Joseph. my husbands name is Joe also. Poor father did not last very long I regret very much not being able to go and see him before he died, Annie seems to be very unsettled what to do with herself + bird don't seem inclined to settle down and get a house-keeper for himself. I suggested to Annie to look for a suitable person and settle down in a home of her own I think it would be the best thing she could do and she is getting on a little in years and another thing she has never being out much and don't know the ways of the world and what she would have to face, but she always has a fancy for America I should like to go myself if you had wrote to me that time I asked you about going out I should be there now but however there's no good talking now about that time. I expect you see by the papers the way Ireland is so upset, but we have only to hope for peace. How many children have you now I'm sure some of them are getting very big now. I hope you will answer this letter by return and tell me how you are doing all this time back. Hoping this will find you in the best Iremain with best wishes to al Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 232 Parsons St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank
I'm sure you'll be very much surprised when you get this letter after such a long absence of letters from me I thought to write you several times but always put it off. I hope that you and family are all well also your wife as I see by one of your letters to Annie where she was very ill I hope she is again again at home with you and quiet well. I'm sure you've often wondered how I was getting on. I'm married here in Cork very near three years now, my husband is in the Motor business we have one little boy and we called him Joseph. my husbands name is Joe also. Poor father did not last very long I regret very much not being able to go and see him before he died, Annie seems to be very unsettled what to do with herself + bird don't seem inclined to settle down and get a house-keeper for himself. I suggested to Annie to look for a suitable person and settle down in a home of her own I think it would be the best thing she could do and she is getting on a little in years and another thing she has never being out much and don't know the ways of the world and what she would have to face, but she always has a fancy for America I should like to go myself if you had wrote to me that time I asked you about going out I should be there now but however there's no good talking now about that time. I expect you see by the papers the way Ireland is so upset, but we have only to hope for peace. How many children have you now I'm sure some of them are getting very big now. I hope you will answer this letter by return and tell me how you are doing all this time back. Hoping this will find you in the best Iremain with best wishes to al Your loving sister
Mai.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
April 18, 1921
From: Annie Gleasure, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 232 Parsons St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
To: Frank Gleasure, 232 Parsons St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My Dear Brother,
You no doubt will know when you see this letter that it contains sad news, and I should have wrote before but one thing and another kept me very busy. We buried Father on the 15th of March. He was ailing since Nov. in fact he was never well since he got that plueresy, then his feet got swollen, and was only from one chair to the other all winter, we had an armchair downstairs as he was quite unable to walk upstairs or even to the shop.
The heart was affected too and if he exerted himself in any way he'd loose his breath. The Doctor was attending him since last Oct. but it was all no good. Father knew, and used to say that he wouldn't recover Then he got a severe pain in the left side the morning of the twelfth he said he was done then, we sent out for Adam and he was with us when Father passed away about seven next morning. He knew, and was speaking to us up to the end. We buried him in Kilflyn along side the Grandfather's. May was not here as she is living in Belfast. It's very lonely here now, more especially I find it so, as I don't go out very much. I don't care for this town in fact I never did. George is working the shop all the time, I believe he intends keeping it on. I got your letter you sent at Xmas but put off answering it from time to time in fact I'm no good for answering letters. I hope your wife is better and stronger now, the Winter is so trying on a person that is not in good health. I suppose the children are well, I must close now, and I will surely write a longer letter when you answer this, with love to all I remain Your affectionate sister Annie.
You no doubt will know when you see this letter that it contains sad news, and I should have wrote before but one thing and another kept me very busy. We buried Father on the 15th of March. He was ailing since Nov. in fact he was never well since he got that plueresy, then his feet got swollen, and was only from one chair to the other all winter, we had an armchair downstairs as he was quite unable to walk upstairs or even to the shop.
The heart was affected too and if he exerted himself in any way he'd loose his breath. The Doctor was attending him since last Oct. but it was all no good. Father knew, and used to say that he wouldn't recover Then he got a severe pain in the left side the morning of the twelfth he said he was done then, we sent out for Adam and he was with us when Father passed away about seven next morning. He knew, and was speaking to us up to the end. We buried him in Kilflyn along side the Grandfather's. May was not here as she is living in Belfast. It's very lonely here now, more especially I find it so, as I don't go out very much. I don't care for this town in fact I never did. George is working the shop all the time, I believe he intends keeping it on. I got your letter you sent at Xmas but put off answering it from time to time in fact I'm no good for answering letters. I hope your wife is better and stronger now, the Winter is so trying on a person that is not in good health. I suppose the children are well, I must close now, and I will surely write a longer letter when you answer this, with love to all I remain Your affectionate sister Annie.
Monday, December 17, 2012
March 4, 1920
From: May Gleasure, Cork
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Just a line or two as we are wondering why you are not writing to us we were expecting to hear from you at Xmas and ever since but not a line. We are all about the same down here as usual and father got over that fit he had and is quiet strong again I had a letter from Annie yesterday morning she tells me she was after getting a letter from Miss Reardon and also a Photo of our house taking during a snow storm she said it was very nice. I am still working in the same place and same business and getting allong alright. Cork is only just the same as Listowel to me now. How is your wife and Kiddies its strange how you have not written to us. all this time back. Annie asked me to drop you a line this week. needless to say she is a very bad corrospondent herself. I hope you'll write by return to us. No more this time until I hear from you Iremain
Your loving Sister Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Just a line or two as we are wondering why you are not writing to us we were expecting to hear from you at Xmas and ever since but not a line. We are all about the same down here as usual and father got over that fit he had and is quiet strong again I had a letter from Annie yesterday morning she tells me she was after getting a letter from Miss Reardon and also a Photo of our house taking during a snow storm she said it was very nice. I am still working in the same place and same business and getting allong alright. Cork is only just the same as Listowel to me now. How is your wife and Kiddies its strange how you have not written to us. all this time back. Annie asked me to drop you a line this week. needless to say she is a very bad corrospondent herself. I hope you'll write by return to us. No more this time until I hear from you Iremain
Your loving Sister Mai.
Friday, December 7, 2012
October 27, 1919
From: May Gleasure, Cork
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I should have answer your letter long before this but from one thing to another I did not have a chance of course I've not as much of my own time now as I had at home. I was delighted at getting your letter Annie sent it on to me when she got it you can address the answer of this one to her also. I had a letter from her last Thursday, in which she told me that father had being very ill he had plursey, they had a doctor with him he had to be poulticed she told me at the time of writing that he was out of it but was very weak I have not heard from her this week yet. Did Annie ever write to you since she got your letter I forgot to ask her in my letters. As to myself I'm going on alright here in the city I know the place now as well as Listowel, and I like it alright. I would like to go to America altogether but I wonder would I have any difficulty in getting a pass-port there. I don't know where father would give me the cost of the road or not. I never inquired, I'm very sorry I did not try and get out there long ago I'd be better off today. You never told me whether you would approve of me going there or not in your letter let me know when you are writing again. I would like if Annie were able to get away with me I know she's longing for the day to go there I hope you'll write to her for Xmas whether she writes to you or not you know she's a very bad corrospondent. How is the wife and family your little girls must be getting very big now, did any of them go to school yet. Did I tell you in my last letter that Aunt Kate died in Dublin at Easter, Annie says the old woman at Tullig is very strong all the time she was in to see father when he was sick. I have nothing more to write about this time Hoping I shall hear from you for Xmas. No more this time Hoping this finds you all in the best I remain
Your loving sister
Mai
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I should have answer your letter long before this but from one thing to another I did not have a chance of course I've not as much of my own time now as I had at home. I was delighted at getting your letter Annie sent it on to me when she got it you can address the answer of this one to her also. I had a letter from her last Thursday, in which she told me that father had being very ill he had plursey, they had a doctor with him he had to be poulticed she told me at the time of writing that he was out of it but was very weak I have not heard from her this week yet. Did Annie ever write to you since she got your letter I forgot to ask her in my letters. As to myself I'm going on alright here in the city I know the place now as well as Listowel, and I like it alright. I would like to go to America altogether but I wonder would I have any difficulty in getting a pass-port there. I don't know where father would give me the cost of the road or not. I never inquired, I'm very sorry I did not try and get out there long ago I'd be better off today. You never told me whether you would approve of me going there or not in your letter let me know when you are writing again. I would like if Annie were able to get away with me I know she's longing for the day to go there I hope you'll write to her for Xmas whether she writes to you or not you know she's a very bad corrospondent. How is the wife and family your little girls must be getting very big now, did any of them go to school yet. Did I tell you in my last letter that Aunt Kate died in Dublin at Easter, Annie says the old woman at Tullig is very strong all the time she was in to see father when he was sick. I have nothing more to write about this time Hoping I shall hear from you for Xmas. No more this time Hoping this finds you all in the best I remain
Your loving sister
Mai
Thursday, December 6, 2012
June 8, 1919
From: May Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor]
Dear Frank,
I'm sure you'll wonder why you have not heard from me with such a long time, in fact you'll be surprised to hear that I'm not at home now but in the city Cork, for the last few months. I got sick of being stuck at home all the time with neither pay or pleasure. in fact I'm sick of this country altogether. George is at home now in the shop. I've a place here in the city the same kind of work, of course I don't get much pay there's not pay in this country for a persons labour I like being out, the only thing I don't like being away from Annie, as they are all for themselves George would not allow father to send me any money or help me in any way now and he says I'm never again to face home as I did not stop there when I was there so after all my time I'm not to get anything from them. Annie writes to me every week and when you are writing to me you can enclose it to her as I may not be sure of my address here and she will send it on to me then. I'm not staying with any of the Dillons I don't care to stay with them I'm lodging with a girl I knew is Listowel who is now married in the city here. Would you advise me to stay in this country or not I would like to know your opinion about it. I hope you and all in your care are quite well, your little ones must be getting big now. I suppose you did not hear yet that Aunt Kate died in Dublin on East Sunday, she was suffering from her stomach, for a short time. I don't know what will happen to her family now and some of them are young yet I hope you'll answer this by return as I'll be on the look-out for it and I'll write a much longer letter next time. Hope this will find you all in the best Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor]
Dear Frank,
I'm sure you'll wonder why you have not heard from me with such a long time, in fact you'll be surprised to hear that I'm not at home now but in the city Cork, for the last few months. I got sick of being stuck at home all the time with neither pay or pleasure. in fact I'm sick of this country altogether. George is at home now in the shop. I've a place here in the city the same kind of work, of course I don't get much pay there's not pay in this country for a persons labour I like being out, the only thing I don't like being away from Annie, as they are all for themselves George would not allow father to send me any money or help me in any way now and he says I'm never again to face home as I did not stop there when I was there so after all my time I'm not to get anything from them. Annie writes to me every week and when you are writing to me you can enclose it to her as I may not be sure of my address here and she will send it on to me then. I'm not staying with any of the Dillons I don't care to stay with them I'm lodging with a girl I knew is Listowel who is now married in the city here. Would you advise me to stay in this country or not I would like to know your opinion about it. I hope you and all in your care are quite well, your little ones must be getting big now. I suppose you did not hear yet that Aunt Kate died in Dublin on East Sunday, she was suffering from her stomach, for a short time. I don't know what will happen to her family now and some of them are young yet I hope you'll answer this by return as I'll be on the look-out for it and I'll write a much longer letter next time. Hope this will find you all in the best Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
November 4, 1918
From: George Gleasure Jr., Square Listowel
[Opened by Censor 3067]
Frank H. Mason, Esq.,
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3067]
Dear Frank,
We received your most welcome letter a few days ago all right and are glad to hear that yourself, Mrs. & family are in the best of health as this leaves us all here. You will be surprised to hear from me as it is such a long time since I wrote to you before, I was only a little kid when I done so. I am at home at present. I find it a bit dull after the city you never feel the time passing there it is so much livelier than a country town. you need not be a bit afraid that I will get mixed up with any bad company there or any other place I am too wide awake for that. All the Tullig folks are quite well, including Grandmother. She was in town a few days ago and is quite strong yet, although she is pretty well advanced now. The farmers in this country are making piles of money over this war they are a hungry lot. I expect ye are beginning to feel the effects of it over there now, It has not pinched this country so much as you would expect. I expect by the time this letter reaches you that you will see the end of it and it is a good job that the Germans are licked.
I expect that will not be called up at all. I am sure they only want to find out who is in the Country. About the Citizenship papers. I will give you the reading of Fathers paper so you will have all the Information you want.
The following is where the paper was taken out.
Frank H. Mason, Esq.,
Clerk United States District Court,
Government Building, Post Office Square,
Boston, Mass.
Room No. 111.
The paper was taken out at Boston on the 25th day of October 1894.
I think that the above covers all the Information that you want on the matter. I hope that it does so as you will have no more trouble with it.
Well Frank I think I will close now as I have no more of Intrest to write about. Hoping that will write to me again soon.
I remain
Your Loving Brother
George.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
July 7, 1918
From: May Gleasure, Square Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3605]
My dear Frank
Your long expected letter which I received this morning. I was delighted at hearing from you once again, in fact I was going to send you a post-card today to see if it would find you. I would have written all this time back but when I did not get an answer to my last three letters I thought you had changed your address, as you spoke of doing in your last letter to me. We are glad to learn that you and your family are quite well, we are just the same as usual here George being still in Cork he is doing very well up there he is earning for the past few months about L3 pound a week you know that is very good for a young chap like him. He was at home for Xmas for a week I think he will soon come for his summer holidays again.
As for business here in our line there is more demand than ever for it although its just now three times the price it was in olden days but there's lots of money going round farmers etc. getting big prices for anything they have to sell, but the worst of it is we only get a limited supply of stuff and for a few days of every week we are almost idle. Food stuffs are very dear and some things very hard to be got. Taking things all round we have not very much cause for grumbling. The Tullig people are all well the old woman seldom comes to town now Adam has ten in family. he has two girls and a boy able to do his farm business now years don't be long slipping by after all. We have two released prisoners of war here in town by there talk it won't be very long until it will be over they say the Germans are actually starving out there. I expect you were very glad of your promotion. I suppose the work will not be as hard on you now as before. As I've no more to say for this time only that I hope it will not be as long again until you write to me and with best wishes to you and all the family Iremain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3605]
My dear Frank
Your long expected letter which I received this morning. I was delighted at hearing from you once again, in fact I was going to send you a post-card today to see if it would find you. I would have written all this time back but when I did not get an answer to my last three letters I thought you had changed your address, as you spoke of doing in your last letter to me. We are glad to learn that you and your family are quite well, we are just the same as usual here George being still in Cork he is doing very well up there he is earning for the past few months about L3 pound a week you know that is very good for a young chap like him. He was at home for Xmas for a week I think he will soon come for his summer holidays again.
As for business here in our line there is more demand than ever for it although its just now three times the price it was in olden days but there's lots of money going round farmers etc. getting big prices for anything they have to sell, but the worst of it is we only get a limited supply of stuff and for a few days of every week we are almost idle. Food stuffs are very dear and some things very hard to be got. Taking things all round we have not very much cause for grumbling. The Tullig people are all well the old woman seldom comes to town now Adam has ten in family. he has two girls and a boy able to do his farm business now years don't be long slipping by after all. We have two released prisoners of war here in town by there talk it won't be very long until it will be over they say the Germans are actually starving out there. I expect you were very glad of your promotion. I suppose the work will not be as hard on you now as before. As I've no more to say for this time only that I hope it will not be as long again until you write to me and with best wishes to you and all the family Iremain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
Monday, December 3, 2012
January 29, 1918
From: May Gleasure, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 6462]
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines to ask why you are not writing I was expecting a letter for the last couple of months but have not got any since last Spring. We are all just as usual here George is working in Cork City since the 1st September last he has a good job he's getting on an average 3 pounds a week. he was at home at Xmas for ten days he stays with Tom Dillane up there he'd feel more at home there than among strangers for a while anyway he pay's 1 pound a week for his board. How is all your family I hope well the kiddies must be growing up a bit now. write as soon as you get this and tell us all what about will you have to join the army over there or do ye hear from your wife's brother is he still out in France. I would have written sooner but was waiting from day to day thinking I would hear from you. Iwill close for this time hoping you will write by return post.
Iremain
Your loving
Sister Mai
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 6462]
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines to ask why you are not writing I was expecting a letter for the last couple of months but have not got any since last Spring. We are all just as usual here George is working in Cork City since the 1st September last he has a good job he's getting on an average 3 pounds a week. he was at home at Xmas for ten days he stays with Tom Dillane up there he'd feel more at home there than among strangers for a while anyway he pay's 1 pound a week for his board. How is all your family I hope well the kiddies must be growing up a bit now. write as soon as you get this and tell us all what about will you have to join the army over there or do ye hear from your wife's brother is he still out in France. I would have written sooner but was waiting from day to day thinking I would hear from you. Iwill close for this time hoping you will write by return post.
Iremain
Your loving
Sister Mai
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
July 4, 1917
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I really don't know how time slipped by on me without answering your very welcomed letter received some time ago, well except I answer a letter right after I getting one I grow very careless about it. We are all in fairly good health here at present enjoying the summer weather after such a very hard winter as we had, by the way father got a severe attack of cold and cough last winter it shook him very much he did not lay up but he was no more than able to move around, at times he has the cough all the time it has stuck in him some way or other. Old Patsy Dillane died the 30th May he passed away without an hour's sickness the poor old man it was better for him as he had no one to care him there its funny after all the family he had not one of them with him when he dying except strangers the place belongs to Pat now but he has two more years to spend in the force. Mat Carroll has passed away also I wonder did you know him he only came home from America last November in delicate health he was in Boston last September and came across Mike he was going to call and see you he said but had no time to spare. there's a brother of his lives in Boston I don't know what part I except you hardly now him as he is one of the younger boys. Do you ever meet any of the Dillanes now you can tell them about old Patsy if you do. George is all the time working here but is trying for a change the pay he gets here is not up to much Tom Dillane is trying to get him a place up at Queenstown there is constant work of his kind going on there at the dockyards and the pay averages from 50/. shilling a week upwards. anyway I hope he'll get a change as he would be better off out of this town he makes up and down with too many cadgers he is very quick and intelligent and his boss gives him the top praise as regards his work but he is growing very careless lately I'm sure its over the little pay he gets, if he could get to Queenstown he would get on better I'm sure Tom & Pat would be near him there as they are in Cork City and he would have plenty to amuse him there and that would keep him from loafing. Just fancy writing so much and never asking how yourself and family were I do hope well you spoke in your letter about removing I hope this address will find you out. I was dreaming last night about you I thought you were coming home to see us how I wish you were. Annie did not start out yet of course it would be madness to think of going now when she had any notion of going at all she had aright to start years ago. Times are very bad here now in our line of business its pretty bad there are such restrictions put on liquor we can't get it for any money the rule is you only get a third of your last years supply that really means we have only enough stuff to keep us going one week out of four. its pretty hard to deprive a person of there living, the taxes they were putting on were bad enough but to cut us short of our supply was worse. and then a person has to turn around and pay enormous prices for everything the eat and use I don't see how it can be done when we have no way of making money a person would not mind the high prices for stuff if you were making money in proportion what a relief to everyone it would be if this war would end. I don't think I have any more to write about at present I hope this will find you all in the best as we are presently what kind of a summer are ye having there its fairly good here and everything points towards a good harvest so we won't starve this year I'm sure, you know the farmers were made till a lot of there land to raise food stuffs so we won't be short this year. Hoping I shall hear from you very soon again Iremain
Your loving sister Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I really don't know how time slipped by on me without answering your very welcomed letter received some time ago, well except I answer a letter right after I getting one I grow very careless about it. We are all in fairly good health here at present enjoying the summer weather after such a very hard winter as we had, by the way father got a severe attack of cold and cough last winter it shook him very much he did not lay up but he was no more than able to move around, at times he has the cough all the time it has stuck in him some way or other. Old Patsy Dillane died the 30th May he passed away without an hour's sickness the poor old man it was better for him as he had no one to care him there its funny after all the family he had not one of them with him when he dying except strangers the place belongs to Pat now but he has two more years to spend in the force. Mat Carroll has passed away also I wonder did you know him he only came home from America last November in delicate health he was in Boston last September and came across Mike he was going to call and see you he said but had no time to spare. there's a brother of his lives in Boston I don't know what part I except you hardly now him as he is one of the younger boys. Do you ever meet any of the Dillanes now you can tell them about old Patsy if you do. George is all the time working here but is trying for a change the pay he gets here is not up to much Tom Dillane is trying to get him a place up at Queenstown there is constant work of his kind going on there at the dockyards and the pay averages from 50/. shilling a week upwards. anyway I hope he'll get a change as he would be better off out of this town he makes up and down with too many cadgers he is very quick and intelligent and his boss gives him the top praise as regards his work but he is growing very careless lately I'm sure its over the little pay he gets, if he could get to Queenstown he would get on better I'm sure Tom & Pat would be near him there as they are in Cork City and he would have plenty to amuse him there and that would keep him from loafing. Just fancy writing so much and never asking how yourself and family were I do hope well you spoke in your letter about removing I hope this address will find you out. I was dreaming last night about you I thought you were coming home to see us how I wish you were. Annie did not start out yet of course it would be madness to think of going now when she had any notion of going at all she had aright to start years ago. Times are very bad here now in our line of business its pretty bad there are such restrictions put on liquor we can't get it for any money the rule is you only get a third of your last years supply that really means we have only enough stuff to keep us going one week out of four. its pretty hard to deprive a person of there living, the taxes they were putting on were bad enough but to cut us short of our supply was worse. and then a person has to turn around and pay enormous prices for everything the eat and use I don't see how it can be done when we have no way of making money a person would not mind the high prices for stuff if you were making money in proportion what a relief to everyone it would be if this war would end. I don't think I have any more to write about at present I hope this will find you all in the best as we are presently what kind of a summer are ye having there its fairly good here and everything points towards a good harvest so we won't starve this year I'm sure, you know the farmers were made till a lot of there land to raise food stuffs so we won't be short this year. Hoping I shall hear from you very soon again Iremain
Your loving sister Mai.
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
March 19, 1917
From: May Gleasure, Listowel, Square
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3802]
My dear Frank,
As I have not yet heard from you since last November I write to ask if anything is wrong with you or family We are expecting from day to day to hear from you I wrote to you in January did you get the letter of course letters are very uncertain now owing to the sinking of the ships. I hope that I shall very soon hear from you We are all about the same here Hoping this finds ye all in the best Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3802]
My dear Frank,
As I have not yet heard from you since last November I write to ask if anything is wrong with you or family We are expecting from day to day to hear from you I wrote to you in January did you get the letter of course letters are very uncertain now owing to the sinking of the ships. I hope that I shall very soon hear from you We are all about the same here Hoping this finds ye all in the best Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Monday, November 19, 2012
January 14, 1917
From: May Gleasure, Listowel, Square, Kerry
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3849]
My dear Frank,
As we've had no letter from you for Xmas as yet I write to know if anything has happened to prevent your writing to me. I sincerely hope that nothing is wrong with yourself or family. we have being anxiously looking out from day to day but no letter so I hope you'll write by return and let us know. Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
[Opened by Censor 3849]
My dear Frank,
As we've had no letter from you for Xmas as yet I write to know if anything has happened to prevent your writing to me. I sincerely hope that nothing is wrong with yourself or family. we have being anxiously looking out from day to day but no letter so I hope you'll write by return and let us know. Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, November 16, 2012
November 21, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3633]
My dear Frank
A few lines to let you know I got your card yesterday morning also your letter a short time ago, I expect you've had my answer to it before this I hope the arrival of this one will find all the family and yourself quite well, we are just the same as usual here, but are witnessing some very bad weather, since the first October we've had three great floods, the river Feale over-flowing its banks to an awful extent and drowning cattle and destroying crops especially potatoes, which has made them very scarce and dear, the present price of potatoes is 14 pence a stone thats about three times as dear they would be at this time of year. Always, in fact every-thing is carrying an awful price and some things very hard to be got at any price.
How are the Kiddies getting on I do hope well especially the baby I hope she is getting strong before the winter sets in of course the little chap will be better able to rough it now than her. I should like to send him something for Xmas but the way things are going present we'll put it off for a little time until things will look brighter which will not be long I hope. The war is going on as strong as ever and no knowing when its to be over Do you still hear from your wife's brother I do hope he will come out of it successfully, it's appalling the fine men and boys that are never to come home to their people again, it would be a blessing to everyone if it were over. Annie is still without writing to you I never see such a person as she is she just simply hates writing a letter, the last letter Miss Reardon sent her is still un-answered thats about nine months ago, however I expect she will write to you before long as they say "a long threatening comes at last." Things are quite here now but you never know what to expect from them day to day, I should not like to have a repetition of what happened in the summer time I shall never forget it and the way he went on to me, I often wish to myself I were over with you, but then again I imagine I would be an awful burden to you, in case I would not get on what would I do, as you know the business I'm at is not fit for me, or in fact any other girl. and I'm not very well up in housework never having any time to practice it. I often get thoroughly disgusted with myself the way we two girls are working away the best part of our lives and not having a pound note to our name as yet getting nothing only our support and what we wear and thats very little, the only thing is to hope for better times to come. I will be finishing up for this time now and I hope to hear from you soon again I should like very much to get a letter from your wife does she ever think of writing me a few lines. I expect you were afraid that your letter did not reach me or fell into other hands but if were a thing that a letter of mine was opened other than myself there would be music I can tell you so you need not be afraid of that happening. I will now Wish you and all family A Very Happy Xmas with a Bright and Prosperous New Year to you all Iremain with love to all
Your loving Sister
Mai.
PS Let me know if you got promoted in your work.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3633]
My dear Frank
A few lines to let you know I got your card yesterday morning also your letter a short time ago, I expect you've had my answer to it before this I hope the arrival of this one will find all the family and yourself quite well, we are just the same as usual here, but are witnessing some very bad weather, since the first October we've had three great floods, the river Feale over-flowing its banks to an awful extent and drowning cattle and destroying crops especially potatoes, which has made them very scarce and dear, the present price of potatoes is 14 pence a stone thats about three times as dear they would be at this time of year. Always, in fact every-thing is carrying an awful price and some things very hard to be got at any price.
How are the Kiddies getting on I do hope well especially the baby I hope she is getting strong before the winter sets in of course the little chap will be better able to rough it now than her. I should like to send him something for Xmas but the way things are going present we'll put it off for a little time until things will look brighter which will not be long I hope. The war is going on as strong as ever and no knowing when its to be over Do you still hear from your wife's brother I do hope he will come out of it successfully, it's appalling the fine men and boys that are never to come home to their people again, it would be a blessing to everyone if it were over. Annie is still without writing to you I never see such a person as she is she just simply hates writing a letter, the last letter Miss Reardon sent her is still un-answered thats about nine months ago, however I expect she will write to you before long as they say "a long threatening comes at last." Things are quite here now but you never know what to expect from them day to day, I should not like to have a repetition of what happened in the summer time I shall never forget it and the way he went on to me, I often wish to myself I were over with you, but then again I imagine I would be an awful burden to you, in case I would not get on what would I do, as you know the business I'm at is not fit for me, or in fact any other girl. and I'm not very well up in housework never having any time to practice it. I often get thoroughly disgusted with myself the way we two girls are working away the best part of our lives and not having a pound note to our name as yet getting nothing only our support and what we wear and thats very little, the only thing is to hope for better times to come. I will be finishing up for this time now and I hope to hear from you soon again I should like very much to get a letter from your wife does she ever think of writing me a few lines. I expect you were afraid that your letter did not reach me or fell into other hands but if were a thing that a letter of mine was opened other than myself there would be music I can tell you so you need not be afraid of that happening. I will now Wish you and all family A Very Happy Xmas with a Bright and Prosperous New Year to you all Iremain with love to all
Your loving Sister
Mai.
PS Let me know if you got promoted in your work.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
October 26, 1916
From: May Gleasure, Listowel, Square, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3067]
Dear Frank,
Its about time I should think about answering your last letter which I received alright. I was going to write from time to time but kept putting it off. waiting for this thing and that, anyway I wanted to tell you about how George would be circumstanced after his time being up. He has his time served since 1st September, he has not being removed from Listowel as yet, but he may be after Xmas, he is paid according to what he does and he also gets so much an hour, putting it in all he earns about 25/shilling a week sometimes, at other times 20/shilling and so on, of course if he were sent away he should get about twice that much a week but you know unaccount of his boarding at home its not so bad, he could spare a little money now while he'd be in Listowel if he had sense but I'm sorry to say he has'ent. he goes with fellows that are no company for him, and don't come in home at night at no early hour, you need not say anything in your letter about it (if you want to say anything write it on a seperate page) as Annie and I don't want to interfer let them do as they like and find out for themselves. Annie expects to go to America in the Spring. its a pity as she wasn't going this year as there were several going from the town here, she says she'll write to you in a day or two herself and tell you all and indeed its about time she were doing for herself, working away here and nothing by her time even George now that hes earing never offered her as much as a copper yet and she doing everything for him. Anyway I hope Annie will be able to get away from this place before long whatever I may do afterwards about getting away, it would be a good job for her to be leaving this place behind she never goes outside the door here not even out for a walk I often wonder how she holds inside always. of course its different for me when I'm able to rough it around a lot, I have enough told you about the trouble of this country for this time. We have very bad weather here for the past month nothing but rain all the time. The Races were not much good this year as the weather being bad as usual we did not go to them at all only the two men (boss and George). I hope the two children are quite well and strong and especially the little baby. I hope she will be quite strong before the winter will come on I think its very hard to rear children over in that country some way or other, and yourself I hope you are well over that fit you got in the summer, it must be pretty hard for you working for so many hours, its really to long for any man to work for nineteen or twenty hours a day. You spoke about Annie Dillon being living near you now do you ever see Mike or Lizzie, the old man their father is very feeble now he never comes to town at all now. Anyway there is no one to care him only a woman coming to the house doing a few jobs for him, of course any of the men are not pensioned of yet, they come to see him as often as they can and get all they can done for him. Do ye still here from your bother-in-law that was in France I hope he'll be successful and come home alright there were a lot of Listowel chaps knocked over from time to time its very sad to think about I hope it will be over very soon. I hope you'll be able to get promoted in your job before very long would it mean an easier time for you than what you have now. The big November fair will be here on Monday. next we will be pretty busy that day, all classes of cattle are an awful price in this country presently, its the farmers that are coining from this war they get just three time the money that they used to get for there cattle and stuff. and yet there sons will not go out and help to win the war. I don't think I have anything else to tell you this time. Annie will be writing to you soon I expect, but she is so slow about writing a letter I hope you'll write to me very soon again and will you send me a photo of the children some time you have it promised a long time Remembe to write soon with best love to wife and children and self Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3067]
Dear Frank,
Its about time I should think about answering your last letter which I received alright. I was going to write from time to time but kept putting it off. waiting for this thing and that, anyway I wanted to tell you about how George would be circumstanced after his time being up. He has his time served since 1st September, he has not being removed from Listowel as yet, but he may be after Xmas, he is paid according to what he does and he also gets so much an hour, putting it in all he earns about 25/shilling a week sometimes, at other times 20/shilling and so on, of course if he were sent away he should get about twice that much a week but you know unaccount of his boarding at home its not so bad, he could spare a little money now while he'd be in Listowel if he had sense but I'm sorry to say he has'ent. he goes with fellows that are no company for him, and don't come in home at night at no early hour, you need not say anything in your letter about it (if you want to say anything write it on a seperate page) as Annie and I don't want to interfer let them do as they like and find out for themselves. Annie expects to go to America in the Spring. its a pity as she wasn't going this year as there were several going from the town here, she says she'll write to you in a day or two herself and tell you all and indeed its about time she were doing for herself, working away here and nothing by her time even George now that hes earing never offered her as much as a copper yet and she doing everything for him. Anyway I hope Annie will be able to get away from this place before long whatever I may do afterwards about getting away, it would be a good job for her to be leaving this place behind she never goes outside the door here not even out for a walk I often wonder how she holds inside always. of course its different for me when I'm able to rough it around a lot, I have enough told you about the trouble of this country for this time. We have very bad weather here for the past month nothing but rain all the time. The Races were not much good this year as the weather being bad as usual we did not go to them at all only the two men (boss and George). I hope the two children are quite well and strong and especially the little baby. I hope she will be quite strong before the winter will come on I think its very hard to rear children over in that country some way or other, and yourself I hope you are well over that fit you got in the summer, it must be pretty hard for you working for so many hours, its really to long for any man to work for nineteen or twenty hours a day. You spoke about Annie Dillon being living near you now do you ever see Mike or Lizzie, the old man their father is very feeble now he never comes to town at all now. Anyway there is no one to care him only a woman coming to the house doing a few jobs for him, of course any of the men are not pensioned of yet, they come to see him as often as they can and get all they can done for him. Do ye still here from your bother-in-law that was in France I hope he'll be successful and come home alright there were a lot of Listowel chaps knocked over from time to time its very sad to think about I hope it will be over very soon. I hope you'll be able to get promoted in your job before very long would it mean an easier time for you than what you have now. The big November fair will be here on Monday. next we will be pretty busy that day, all classes of cattle are an awful price in this country presently, its the farmers that are coining from this war they get just three time the money that they used to get for there cattle and stuff. and yet there sons will not go out and help to win the war. I don't think I have anything else to tell you this time. Annie will be writing to you soon I expect, but she is so slow about writing a letter I hope you'll write to me very soon again and will you send me a photo of the children some time you have it promised a long time Remembe to write soon with best love to wife and children and self Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
August 14, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3211]
Dear Frank,
A few lines to you as I have given up hope of getting an answer to my last letter I do hope that you and family are quite well, we are just about the same here all the time We've had very warm weather here for the past three weeks it was the warmest weather I ever remember but there has being a great change for the past few days I think we are back to the wet weather again. I suppose you read all about the Irish Rebellion the newspapers, there was a great loss of trade over it for about six week owing to not being able to get any goods. especially in our trade. Annie has been very anxious to hear from you as I said before she wants to go out to you in fact she thought that she would be there before the fall of this year. but when you didn't write she did not make up her mind and there's some girls from this place going out next month she'd like to have being with them George will be out of his time in two weeks I don't know if he will be kept on in Listowel or not I may tell you he is a foolish young fellow at the start of his days. I will close now Hoping I will have an answer by return of post and Hoping that ye are all quiet well
Iremain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3211]
Dear Frank,
A few lines to you as I have given up hope of getting an answer to my last letter I do hope that you and family are quite well, we are just about the same here all the time We've had very warm weather here for the past three weeks it was the warmest weather I ever remember but there has being a great change for the past few days I think we are back to the wet weather again. I suppose you read all about the Irish Rebellion the newspapers, there was a great loss of trade over it for about six week owing to not being able to get any goods. especially in our trade. Annie has been very anxious to hear from you as I said before she wants to go out to you in fact she thought that she would be there before the fall of this year. but when you didn't write she did not make up her mind and there's some girls from this place going out next month she'd like to have being with them George will be out of his time in two weeks I don't know if he will be kept on in Listowel or not I may tell you he is a foolish young fellow at the start of his days. I will close now Hoping I will have an answer by return of post and Hoping that ye are all quiet well
Iremain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
April 17, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received you ever welcomed letter the week before last and was very glad at hearing from you once again I hope your wife and the baby are quite well by this time, we are all about the same as usual here. The weather here at present is not very good it has being bitterly cold since the 1st April although we had not a very bad winter this year. I'm sure you'll be very much surprised when you hear about Mrs Morris, well Frank she was the most evil-minded good for nothing person that I ever came across to put it in one word for you we had to kick her out of the house, and we're in this house a long time now and its the first time we ever had to do it to anybody. It happened on a Sunday evening the boss was out walking and Annie and I were inside with her, when all of a sudden she turned round and commenced to insult us about father and his former days we stood up for him and then she turned round on Annie and said the most horrible and cruel things about her that I ever heard said to anyone before, we ordered her out of the house and she wouldn't go for us so when the boss came in we told him he'd have to order her out that it would be either us or her inside so he told her go and she had the cheek to ask George to carry her valise up town for her but indeed we would not let him be a servant to her she was just too months staying with us at the time she left she was a week then staying up town and then she went to Dublin to her sister and we did not see or hear from her since and indeed we'd be better of if we never saw her for she told us things that I would rather never have heard and I'm very glad that anyone around here don't know what she told us. The trouble did not end there while she was here she told the boss that I told her I was going to join the catholic church and to marry a catholic fellow I was going with well if he had asked me about it while she was here I would have being able to contradict her because I never told her any such thing but instead of that he keeps it in until last week and then charges me with it and told me I was a disgrace and that he'd kick me out with out a penny do you think that anyone would put up with that. It may be the case that I may marry a catholic boy, there's one thing certain that I'll marry whom I like I don't care whom it pleases or don't. It would be far better for Annie and I to be out earning our wages for we'd have something by our time and would be independent of everybody. I don't think there are any other two girls in the country would put up with what we have to not having even a sixpence or shilling that we can call our own only whatever I chance to get in the shop myself and that's very little. Annie wants to go to America and she says she won't stop here another winter if she can help it. I want you to advise us what is best to do and will you write it on a separate sheet of paper so he would not see it when he reads the letter and don't say anything about what I've told you here except on the separate sheet I may tell you our time is not a bed of roses and I don't want to stay here much longer. I hope that before many years will pass by that we shall all be together over there again a place where we had a right to be left the first day. and it was true for you that it changed the whole course of our lives. I hope you'll write to me soon again and Hoping your wife little baby and self are all quite well Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received you ever welcomed letter the week before last and was very glad at hearing from you once again I hope your wife and the baby are quite well by this time, we are all about the same as usual here. The weather here at present is not very good it has being bitterly cold since the 1st April although we had not a very bad winter this year. I'm sure you'll be very much surprised when you hear about Mrs Morris, well Frank she was the most evil-minded good for nothing person that I ever came across to put it in one word for you we had to kick her out of the house, and we're in this house a long time now and its the first time we ever had to do it to anybody. It happened on a Sunday evening the boss was out walking and Annie and I were inside with her, when all of a sudden she turned round and commenced to insult us about father and his former days we stood up for him and then she turned round on Annie and said the most horrible and cruel things about her that I ever heard said to anyone before, we ordered her out of the house and she wouldn't go for us so when the boss came in we told him he'd have to order her out that it would be either us or her inside so he told her go and she had the cheek to ask George to carry her valise up town for her but indeed we would not let him be a servant to her she was just too months staying with us at the time she left she was a week then staying up town and then she went to Dublin to her sister and we did not see or hear from her since and indeed we'd be better of if we never saw her for she told us things that I would rather never have heard and I'm very glad that anyone around here don't know what she told us. The trouble did not end there while she was here she told the boss that I told her I was going to join the catholic church and to marry a catholic fellow I was going with well if he had asked me about it while she was here I would have being able to contradict her because I never told her any such thing but instead of that he keeps it in until last week and then charges me with it and told me I was a disgrace and that he'd kick me out with out a penny do you think that anyone would put up with that. It may be the case that I may marry a catholic boy, there's one thing certain that I'll marry whom I like I don't care whom it pleases or don't. It would be far better for Annie and I to be out earning our wages for we'd have something by our time and would be independent of everybody. I don't think there are any other two girls in the country would put up with what we have to not having even a sixpence or shilling that we can call our own only whatever I chance to get in the shop myself and that's very little. Annie wants to go to America and she says she won't stop here another winter if she can help it. I want you to advise us what is best to do and will you write it on a separate sheet of paper so he would not see it when he reads the letter and don't say anything about what I've told you here except on the separate sheet I may tell you our time is not a bed of roses and I don't want to stay here much longer. I hope that before many years will pass by that we shall all be together over there again a place where we had a right to be left the first day. and it was true for you that it changed the whole course of our lives. I hope you'll write to me soon again and Hoping your wife little baby and self are all quite well Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai
Monday, November 12, 2012
January 16, 1916
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St, Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Just a line let you know I received your ever welcomed letter and Xmas Cards. about a fortnight ago. I was very sorry to hear you were sick I hope you have fully recovered by this also the little chap I hope he's over his fit. he must be quite a little man now, I hope you won't fail to send me that long promised photograph before long of him, I should also like to get one of yourself and wife. I am sending you one of my own takings of George and I. I wonder will you recognize the place we are taken at its down at the old pump near the river. the bridge you see is the new iron bridge they have going across the island racecourse, you can only see a part of the old pump. I had a few more to send to you but Annie asked me for them as she wants to send them to Miss Reardon as she got a letter from her a few days before Xmas and is writing to her. She told us she was living in our old house minding young children that have no parents she also said she has not seen you for a long time do you ever go out that way now, she did not mention any of the Bailys and father would like to know whether they are living or not do you know anything about them, let me know the next time you are writing. The weather has being very good here all the winter with the exception of a few heavy storms, we had to close our shop one day the storm was so bad. Father's sister is staying with us since New Year's Day, she is not a bad class of a person, she only stayed at Tullig for about a fortnight and then came in here I believe she had a kick up with them out there as short as the time was I could not find out the right root of the thing as yet, her version of the story was it was there fault but anyway we are to have her here with us until the month of May she is going back again then her husband is to come over for her about a month before she leaves She is a person that would try and boss Annie and I, if she thought it would succeed with her. I think that George will be going back to that country with her she is trying to take him anyway and he is anxious to go she says that he would get on there well with his trade and get plenty of work at it up there where she is more especially when her husband is a builder she said he could get him at work there putting this electric light as he's building them. what do you think of the idea. when she came here first she asked Annie or I to go with her back so she asked father about it and he was not for it at all and by what we can make out about her talk that the boss is for making matches for us in this country she even suggested about Annie going into a farm of land, but when she told Annie that you may say Annie gave her a bit of her mind. Don't you think we'd look nice married to an old farmer to wind up our days with him. If George will be so lucky as to get away from this old country he's alright. I should like him to go away from this place as there is so many old bummers around this old town always thats its no place for him more especially when he comes in contact with them so often. You were asking me about the people out at Tullig they are all well out there presently old Patsy Dillane has got very feeble for the last few months you know he has no one in that house with him only his brother in-law there is no woman there only a neighboring woman that comes there during the day and does a few things for him the poor man is a pity in the later end of his days with no one to look after him. his daughter Bridge lives about three or four miles away from him but she has a lot of children of her own to look after. Do you ever see any of them over there let me know when you are writing next Do you see the Buckley girls or Threvor Chute at all I sent you a little parcel for the little chap at Xmas I hope you got it alright I must send you something more useful very soon for him I think I have about all for this time when I know if George is going or not I shall let you know I suppose you'd nearly go to New York to see him as its that way they would go back. in the meantime I hope I shall have a letter from you very soon again and Hoping ye are all well with best wishes to all I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St, Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Just a line let you know I received your ever welcomed letter and Xmas Cards. about a fortnight ago. I was very sorry to hear you were sick I hope you have fully recovered by this also the little chap I hope he's over his fit. he must be quite a little man now, I hope you won't fail to send me that long promised photograph before long of him, I should also like to get one of yourself and wife. I am sending you one of my own takings of George and I. I wonder will you recognize the place we are taken at its down at the old pump near the river. the bridge you see is the new iron bridge they have going across the island racecourse, you can only see a part of the old pump. I had a few more to send to you but Annie asked me for them as she wants to send them to Miss Reardon as she got a letter from her a few days before Xmas and is writing to her. She told us she was living in our old house minding young children that have no parents she also said she has not seen you for a long time do you ever go out that way now, she did not mention any of the Bailys and father would like to know whether they are living or not do you know anything about them, let me know the next time you are writing. The weather has being very good here all the winter with the exception of a few heavy storms, we had to close our shop one day the storm was so bad. Father's sister is staying with us since New Year's Day, she is not a bad class of a person, she only stayed at Tullig for about a fortnight and then came in here I believe she had a kick up with them out there as short as the time was I could not find out the right root of the thing as yet, her version of the story was it was there fault but anyway we are to have her here with us until the month of May she is going back again then her husband is to come over for her about a month before she leaves She is a person that would try and boss Annie and I, if she thought it would succeed with her. I think that George will be going back to that country with her she is trying to take him anyway and he is anxious to go she says that he would get on there well with his trade and get plenty of work at it up there where she is more especially when her husband is a builder she said he could get him at work there putting this electric light as he's building them. what do you think of the idea. when she came here first she asked Annie or I to go with her back so she asked father about it and he was not for it at all and by what we can make out about her talk that the boss is for making matches for us in this country she even suggested about Annie going into a farm of land, but when she told Annie that you may say Annie gave her a bit of her mind. Don't you think we'd look nice married to an old farmer to wind up our days with him. If George will be so lucky as to get away from this old country he's alright. I should like him to go away from this place as there is so many old bummers around this old town always thats its no place for him more especially when he comes in contact with them so often. You were asking me about the people out at Tullig they are all well out there presently old Patsy Dillane has got very feeble for the last few months you know he has no one in that house with him only his brother in-law there is no woman there only a neighboring woman that comes there during the day and does a few things for him the poor man is a pity in the later end of his days with no one to look after him. his daughter Bridge lives about three or four miles away from him but she has a lot of children of her own to look after. Do you ever see any of them over there let me know when you are writing next Do you see the Buckley girls or Threvor Chute at all I sent you a little parcel for the little chap at Xmas I hope you got it alright I must send you something more useful very soon for him I think I have about all for this time when I know if George is going or not I shall let you know I suppose you'd nearly go to New York to see him as its that way they would go back. in the meantime I hope I shall have a letter from you very soon again and Hoping ye are all well with best wishes to all I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, November 9, 2012
December 1, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Thresa,
Just a few lines to wish you Frank and baby a Happy Xmas and hoping you all shall enjoy a Bright New Year I was expecting a letter from you for a long time I hope you'll write a few lines to me for Xmas. I suppose you have trouble some times with the little chap more especially when he will be commencing to walk but I suppose its time for him to be walking now. I have often asked Frank to send me a Photo of him, I hope you try and make him get one taken for us. I expect ye have the winter weather over there now, it has commenced here long ago we had a big storm early last month but for the last three week we have frosty weather I like the frost best it is so dry but its a bit cold I may tell you except you were moving around. I will close now by again wishing you all A Happy Xmas and don't fail to write me a few lines and let me know all about the baby. I remain
Yours loving sister-in-law
Mai.
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Thresa,
Just a few lines to wish you Frank and baby a Happy Xmas and hoping you all shall enjoy a Bright New Year I was expecting a letter from you for a long time I hope you'll write a few lines to me for Xmas. I suppose you have trouble some times with the little chap more especially when he will be commencing to walk but I suppose its time for him to be walking now. I have often asked Frank to send me a Photo of him, I hope you try and make him get one taken for us. I expect ye have the winter weather over there now, it has commenced here long ago we had a big storm early last month but for the last three week we have frosty weather I like the frost best it is so dry but its a bit cold I may tell you except you were moving around. I will close now by again wishing you all A Happy Xmas and don't fail to write me a few lines and let me know all about the baby. I remain
Yours loving sister-in-law
Mai.
Thursday, November 8, 2012
November 29, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you and family all well, I was going to write to you for the past month but I said then I'd wait until I'd write for Xmas you know I have to do my Xmas writing a bit early unaccount of the rush for Xmas in the shop I don't have a minute to spare sometimes and we are so shorthanded, all the same I would not care to have any more bar-tenders with us because you have to be there yourself with them so its just as good to do what you have to do yourself any way those apprentices are an awful bother coming in out of the country they are so stupid you couldn't learn some of them nothing. How are you doing ever since I do hope well, and how is the little chap getting on he must be getting to be quite strong by this let me know about him when you are writing I am looking out for something for him for Xmas, it will be only a little token this time as I needn't tell you what kind of times we have here in Ireland at the present time you would be surprised at the price of stuff. I intended making some things myself for him all the summer but time slipped by so quickly but after the rush of Xmas I won't forget I have a nephew across the waters. Father's sister Mrs Morris is coming home in fact she could be landed in Dublin this week, she never wrote and told us she was coming but I had a letter from her husband saying she was sailing and that she would be in Liverpool on the 21st inst. but we have not heard from her as yet perhaps she got nervous and turned back again you know she made an attempt to come home before like that and when she came as far as New York she got afraid and would not venture at that time Adam went to Queenstown to meet her and was there two or three days waiting for her, it may be the same this time. I'd like if she came all the same she might steal me back with her. I would love to go across but there's no good in having those notions in my head as father could not do without me here at home. I got those papers and two books of music all right the music was very nice. I was at a Ball last Sunday night and had a lovely time and by mere luck the boss let me go he is very severe as far as pleasure is concerned he never lets us go anywhere like that but I insisted on going to this one. Have you got any Photo's of the little chap taken yet why don't you get one and send it over long ago you promised me one and you never send it since. George is doing splendid at his business he has only ten months more and then his time will be up, by the way he got three letters from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland asking him to join the ranks all the boys of military age got them for the past month, it is to be feared that they will have to press for men in the finish. I am just after getting a letter from Mrs Morris from Dublin saying she will be in Kerry tomorrow so she arrived after all. I shall write you a few lines again when I see her and tell you about her, I hope she'll have lots of money. I hope you'll send me a good long letter the next time and I'm patiently waiting still for the letter from your wife Ido hope she'll write to me for Xmas. if it were only a few lines I would be delighted to get them. I have nothing more to say this time but I shall write a few lines again to you in the course of a week or ten days. I shall be also sending you something for the baby hope you'll get it all right. I will now say Goodbye for this time hoping this will find you all well and Wishing you all A Very Happy Xmas and a Bright New Year I remain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you and family all well, I was going to write to you for the past month but I said then I'd wait until I'd write for Xmas you know I have to do my Xmas writing a bit early unaccount of the rush for Xmas in the shop I don't have a minute to spare sometimes and we are so shorthanded, all the same I would not care to have any more bar-tenders with us because you have to be there yourself with them so its just as good to do what you have to do yourself any way those apprentices are an awful bother coming in out of the country they are so stupid you couldn't learn some of them nothing. How are you doing ever since I do hope well, and how is the little chap getting on he must be getting to be quite strong by this let me know about him when you are writing I am looking out for something for him for Xmas, it will be only a little token this time as I needn't tell you what kind of times we have here in Ireland at the present time you would be surprised at the price of stuff. I intended making some things myself for him all the summer but time slipped by so quickly but after the rush of Xmas I won't forget I have a nephew across the waters. Father's sister Mrs Morris is coming home in fact she could be landed in Dublin this week, she never wrote and told us she was coming but I had a letter from her husband saying she was sailing and that she would be in Liverpool on the 21st inst. but we have not heard from her as yet perhaps she got nervous and turned back again you know she made an attempt to come home before like that and when she came as far as New York she got afraid and would not venture at that time Adam went to Queenstown to meet her and was there two or three days waiting for her, it may be the same this time. I'd like if she came all the same she might steal me back with her. I would love to go across but there's no good in having those notions in my head as father could not do without me here at home. I got those papers and two books of music all right the music was very nice. I was at a Ball last Sunday night and had a lovely time and by mere luck the boss let me go he is very severe as far as pleasure is concerned he never lets us go anywhere like that but I insisted on going to this one. Have you got any Photo's of the little chap taken yet why don't you get one and send it over long ago you promised me one and you never send it since. George is doing splendid at his business he has only ten months more and then his time will be up, by the way he got three letters from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland asking him to join the ranks all the boys of military age got them for the past month, it is to be feared that they will have to press for men in the finish. I am just after getting a letter from Mrs Morris from Dublin saying she will be in Kerry tomorrow so she arrived after all. I shall write you a few lines again when I see her and tell you about her, I hope she'll have lots of money. I hope you'll send me a good long letter the next time and I'm patiently waiting still for the letter from your wife Ido hope she'll write to me for Xmas. if it were only a few lines I would be delighted to get them. I have nothing more to say this time but I shall write a few lines again to you in the course of a week or ten days. I shall be also sending you something for the baby hope you'll get it all right. I will now say Goodbye for this time hoping this will find you all well and Wishing you all A Very Happy Xmas and a Bright New Year I remain
Your Loving Sister
Mai.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
September 16, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry. Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad at hearing from you once again, I was thinking of writing to you this time back but I thought I'd get a letter from you every day.
I am very glad to hear that ye are all well we are about the same over here, the weather is commencing to get wet again now its an awful place for rain here although we had a fairly good summer only the month of July being very showery. Ye must have a splendid time at the sea-side its well for ye there is no such luck for us here at home. I was out at Ballybunion a few Sundays during the summer, there was not much people staying out there this year unaccount of the war, this war has upset this country to an awful extent, and its feared it will be worse I am sure they will tax our trade again that is spirits and beer all so tobacco and tea parliament is to be going on this week and we'll know it then. Do you think the Americans will go to war at all, I suppose they hardly will to say they did not do so before this.
I did not get those papers or music yet I hope you won't forget them, and the next time you will be getting me any music if you got a book of songs (it dosen't matter whether its a hard or paper cover, the paper cover is just as good and comes out cheaper) the books are a lot better then the sheet music and then you have to pay so much for each of those sheets and you would get fine songs in the books I allways look out for the books here at home myself, is there any chance you would be able to get me a book of "Waltzes" I am not able to get a good selection of Waltzes here at home so I hope you will look out for them over there for me. George is working away very hard at his trade he is going ahead alright with it he has only twelve months more to serve now. Tom Dillane got married this summer, do you ever see any of his sisters now or do you come across Mike at all. I wonder did they hear of Tom's marriage. I was up at Cork City on Sunday last I suppose you are surprised to say I was let you bet it was a surprise to myself to say he let me go, it was a football match that was going on between Kerry and Cork. I'd do anything to see a football match especially when it would be the famous Kerry team. We are looking forward now to the Races they are to be on the 12th & 13th October. I never go to them I have to stop and mind the business everyone of the rest of them go out to them. I have not being at them for 9 years now. I heard that Mary Buckley is going back to America again this month did you hear her sisters saying anything about it. I don't think I have anymore to write about just at present Hoping I will hear from you very soon again and don't forget to send the music if you can I will now close with best wishes to self and family I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad at hearing from you once again, I was thinking of writing to you this time back but I thought I'd get a letter from you every day.
I am very glad to hear that ye are all well we are about the same over here, the weather is commencing to get wet again now its an awful place for rain here although we had a fairly good summer only the month of July being very showery. Ye must have a splendid time at the sea-side its well for ye there is no such luck for us here at home. I was out at Ballybunion a few Sundays during the summer, there was not much people staying out there this year unaccount of the war, this war has upset this country to an awful extent, and its feared it will be worse I am sure they will tax our trade again that is spirits and beer all so tobacco and tea parliament is to be going on this week and we'll know it then. Do you think the Americans will go to war at all, I suppose they hardly will to say they did not do so before this.
I did not get those papers or music yet I hope you won't forget them, and the next time you will be getting me any music if you got a book of songs (it dosen't matter whether its a hard or paper cover, the paper cover is just as good and comes out cheaper) the books are a lot better then the sheet music and then you have to pay so much for each of those sheets and you would get fine songs in the books I allways look out for the books here at home myself, is there any chance you would be able to get me a book of "Waltzes" I am not able to get a good selection of Waltzes here at home so I hope you will look out for them over there for me. George is working away very hard at his trade he is going ahead alright with it he has only twelve months more to serve now. Tom Dillane got married this summer, do you ever see any of his sisters now or do you come across Mike at all. I wonder did they hear of Tom's marriage. I was up at Cork City on Sunday last I suppose you are surprised to say I was let you bet it was a surprise to myself to say he let me go, it was a football match that was going on between Kerry and Cork. I'd do anything to see a football match especially when it would be the famous Kerry team. We are looking forward now to the Races they are to be on the 12th & 13th October. I never go to them I have to stop and mind the business everyone of the rest of them go out to them. I have not being at them for 9 years now. I heard that Mary Buckley is going back to America again this month did you hear her sisters saying anything about it. I don't think I have anymore to write about just at present Hoping I will hear from you very soon again and don't forget to send the music if you can I will now close with best wishes to self and family I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
May 21, 1915
From: May Gleasure, Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few weeks ago and was very glad to hear from you once again, we were very sorry to hear you buried another little baby, as you say its very hard to rear young children especially in that country, if they came to the age of two years they could be easier managed, I hope the other little chap is getting on alright. We are all about the same way here all the time. business is a bit backward owing to the advane on beer, we come very near being ruined in our business they advanced the beer & spirits again last month but it was taken off again, and it was well that it was as I don't think anybody would pay one shilling for a glass of whiskey or seven pence for a pint of stout, every kind of provision is raised to twice the price it used to be We had the Big May fair here last week it was a very good business day and we done very well. George is getting on alright at his business you would be surprised all he has learned about it, if he sticks at it for the two years he will be very good but to tell you the truth he has foolish notions sometimes of course you need not meantion it in any of your letters, he fell into company with some town lads early last summer and they did not serve him to well I'm sure, but he has dropped them since and is better without them. Several young men from Listowel have joined the army including Jack Dowling he has joined with the last month, since he came home he has done nothing only bum around only working for a day or perhaps only for a few hours to get the price of a spree now and again, there are also some fellow from Listowel held as German prisoners one of them is Tom Grogan I think you knew his sister as you mentioned her one time in your letters (Annie Grogan) there are not many corner boys (as we call them) in Listowel now the poor fellows were nearly all knocked out at the front its an awful war and it would be no harm if it came to an end Wasn't the Lusitania crime something awful did you know any of the people that were on it, there were two girls from Ballybunion went down with it Wallis was their name Frank Buckley and his brother and several girls from the town here were to be going back on her the following week they were very glad that they escaped the disaster its very dangerous for anyone to go across now. What about those papers you said you'd send me I hope you'll send a few when you get this also a few music sheets as you promised. Have you any Photo's of any of the children we would be very glad to have some of them also of yourself and wife, I have being expecting a letter from her all this time back I hope she'll write soon, I suppose all her time is taken up with the little chap. and more especially as you are out all day. I must send you a few Photos the next time I'm writing As I have no more of intrest to write about for this time I will close Hoping this will find you and all quite well. Annie & George wishes to be remembered to you With all good wishes for the future I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
P.S. Hope you will write very soon again and also I hope you won't forget the papers. Goodbye.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few weeks ago and was very glad to hear from you once again, we were very sorry to hear you buried another little baby, as you say its very hard to rear young children especially in that country, if they came to the age of two years they could be easier managed, I hope the other little chap is getting on alright. We are all about the same way here all the time. business is a bit backward owing to the advane on beer, we come very near being ruined in our business they advanced the beer & spirits again last month but it was taken off again, and it was well that it was as I don't think anybody would pay one shilling for a glass of whiskey or seven pence for a pint of stout, every kind of provision is raised to twice the price it used to be We had the Big May fair here last week it was a very good business day and we done very well. George is getting on alright at his business you would be surprised all he has learned about it, if he sticks at it for the two years he will be very good but to tell you the truth he has foolish notions sometimes of course you need not meantion it in any of your letters, he fell into company with some town lads early last summer and they did not serve him to well I'm sure, but he has dropped them since and is better without them. Several young men from Listowel have joined the army including Jack Dowling he has joined with the last month, since he came home he has done nothing only bum around only working for a day or perhaps only for a few hours to get the price of a spree now and again, there are also some fellow from Listowel held as German prisoners one of them is Tom Grogan I think you knew his sister as you mentioned her one time in your letters (Annie Grogan) there are not many corner boys (as we call them) in Listowel now the poor fellows were nearly all knocked out at the front its an awful war and it would be no harm if it came to an end Wasn't the Lusitania crime something awful did you know any of the people that were on it, there were two girls from Ballybunion went down with it Wallis was their name Frank Buckley and his brother and several girls from the town here were to be going back on her the following week they were very glad that they escaped the disaster its very dangerous for anyone to go across now. What about those papers you said you'd send me I hope you'll send a few when you get this also a few music sheets as you promised. Have you any Photo's of any of the children we would be very glad to have some of them also of yourself and wife, I have being expecting a letter from her all this time back I hope she'll write soon, I suppose all her time is taken up with the little chap. and more especially as you are out all day. I must send you a few Photos the next time I'm writing As I have no more of intrest to write about for this time I will close Hoping this will find you and all quite well. Annie & George wishes to be remembered to you With all good wishes for the future I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
P.S. Hope you will write very soon again and also I hope you won't forget the papers. Goodbye.
Monday, November 5, 2012
February 2, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank
I received your most welcomed letter a few week ago and was so glad at hearing from you once again I am glad to hear that ye are all well over there we are all quite well here at present. The weather here is very bad I don't think it has stopped raining here for the last three months, we've had very little frost this winter, what kind is it over there. You will be kept quite busy now with the two little boys they are very troublesome when they are young, but I hope this little boy will not be as troublesome as the last. Is the other able to walk yet he must be very near it now. I was thinking of sending a little present to him this time back but owing to the war it is not safe to be sending things through the post however I will do it very soon. George is getting on very well at his business his manager likes him so well he wanted to take him to Cork to another Electric Light station he has there but father did not like to let him go so soon, Business is not very good at present in Listowel. the late tax that was put on the beer has spoiled the trade, I'm afraid it will knock out a share of the Lisint houses in Listowel before very long. Do you like to be doing night work I'm sure it would be more dangerous than day work but I suppose you must put up with it for awhile. I hope your wife is quite strong and well again by this you must tell her write to me she has promised to do it this long time, but a person with a young family has not much time for writing letters I'm sure. Do you ever get any newspapers now send me on any old ones if you have them as you know I'm in the shop all day and I would like to have something to read or if you had any old story books, I find the time very long sometimes when I've nothing to do. I hope you'll write more often than you used we always like to hear from you even if it were only a few lines. I hope this letter will find you all doing well I will now close for this time Hoping to hear from you soon again Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank
I received your most welcomed letter a few week ago and was so glad at hearing from you once again I am glad to hear that ye are all well over there we are all quite well here at present. The weather here is very bad I don't think it has stopped raining here for the last three months, we've had very little frost this winter, what kind is it over there. You will be kept quite busy now with the two little boys they are very troublesome when they are young, but I hope this little boy will not be as troublesome as the last. Is the other able to walk yet he must be very near it now. I was thinking of sending a little present to him this time back but owing to the war it is not safe to be sending things through the post however I will do it very soon. George is getting on very well at his business his manager likes him so well he wanted to take him to Cork to another Electric Light station he has there but father did not like to let him go so soon, Business is not very good at present in Listowel. the late tax that was put on the beer has spoiled the trade, I'm afraid it will knock out a share of the Lisint houses in Listowel before very long. Do you like to be doing night work I'm sure it would be more dangerous than day work but I suppose you must put up with it for awhile. I hope your wife is quite strong and well again by this you must tell her write to me she has promised to do it this long time, but a person with a young family has not much time for writing letters I'm sure. Do you ever get any newspapers now send me on any old ones if you have them as you know I'm in the shop all day and I would like to have something to read or if you had any old story books, I find the time very long sometimes when I've nothing to do. I hope you'll write more often than you used we always like to hear from you even if it were only a few lines. I hope this letter will find you all doing well I will now close for this time Hoping to hear from you soon again Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, November 2, 2012
November 30, 1914
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines hoping they will find you and the family all well, I have being expecting a letter from you all this time back but was rather disappointed at not hearing from you I wrote to you a couple of months ago I hope you got the letter alright. We have the real winter weather here once again I expect its the same over there, there's a lot of rain falls here through the winter we get very little frost or snow. How is the little baby now I hope he is quite strong by this, he must be nearly able to walk by this, I must send him something for Xmas one of these days. Did Father Paul call to see you on his return journey, he got your address here and said if he had time he would call on you. What do you think of the war, it is effecting this country very much the prices of good have raised very much and our line of business is done up altogether since they put the tax on the beer and stout. George is getting on very well at the Electric business he seems to like it alright, but I'm nearly always in the shop now I have very little time to myself. Do you get any newspapers now if you have any old ones I hope you'll send us some as we are rather short of something to read, Annie and I like the Boston Sunday Globes, you used to send us a newspaper with some music printed on it if you have any of those send them for me as I'm mad about all kinds of music and especially nice songs, I have a big selection of songs but I like to be getting something new all the time. Why dosen't your wife ever write to me I have being expecting a letter all this time back from her. I hope she'll write to me for Xmas, and yourself also. Annie said she would write to you one of these days but she would say that and then she'd put it off from day to day she is a very bad corrospendent I'm afraid the Races in Listowel were not much good this year as the weather was very bad for them. As I have no more news for this time I will close up. Hoping to hear from you before very long and Wishing both you and wife a Very Happy Xmas and a bright New Year
From Your Loving Sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines hoping they will find you and the family all well, I have being expecting a letter from you all this time back but was rather disappointed at not hearing from you I wrote to you a couple of months ago I hope you got the letter alright. We have the real winter weather here once again I expect its the same over there, there's a lot of rain falls here through the winter we get very little frost or snow. How is the little baby now I hope he is quite strong by this, he must be nearly able to walk by this, I must send him something for Xmas one of these days. Did Father Paul call to see you on his return journey, he got your address here and said if he had time he would call on you. What do you think of the war, it is effecting this country very much the prices of good have raised very much and our line of business is done up altogether since they put the tax on the beer and stout. George is getting on very well at the Electric business he seems to like it alright, but I'm nearly always in the shop now I have very little time to myself. Do you get any newspapers now if you have any old ones I hope you'll send us some as we are rather short of something to read, Annie and I like the Boston Sunday Globes, you used to send us a newspaper with some music printed on it if you have any of those send them for me as I'm mad about all kinds of music and especially nice songs, I have a big selection of songs but I like to be getting something new all the time. Why dosen't your wife ever write to me I have being expecting a letter all this time back from her. I hope she'll write to me for Xmas, and yourself also. Annie said she would write to you one of these days but she would say that and then she'd put it off from day to day she is a very bad corrospendent I'm afraid the Races in Listowel were not much good this year as the weather was very bad for them. As I have no more news for this time I will close up. Hoping to hear from you before very long and Wishing both you and wife a Very Happy Xmas and a bright New Year
From Your Loving Sister
Mai.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
October 17, 1914
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I suppose you have given up all hope of ever hearing from me again, its such a long time since I wrote to you. I don't know what happened to me this time I wrote two or three letters and tore them up again. I have not as as much time as I used because George is working now he is learning the Electric business here in town he is bound for two years and had to pay a fee of L60 pounds. Father don't like the idea of him not getting any pay for two years, George was commencing to grow very careless to tell you the truth about him but you need not say anything about it when you are writing and he wasn't keeping the best of company but he's steady since he got the job. he is at it since the 17th August. so you'll see that I haven't very much time now to myself as I'm in the shop from morn to night. How are ye all getting on since I do hope well and how is the little baby, I hope that he is quite strong by this, we are all about the same over here. Did Father Paul Dillon call to see you he asked me for your address he said he would go to see you he was at home for a couple of months What do you think of the war that is going on it is effecting this country very much unaccount of the way that the price of everything is gone up. We had the races here last week they were not much good this year as the weather was bad the first day. I see one of the Buckley girls at home but I wasn't speaking to her as yet she was at the sea-side for the summer and has only just returned. We had a fairly fine summer here this year I never go anywhere for my holidays now I can't even go away for a Sunday as father is so cranky he wouldn't have done talking for a week after What about those Photos you promised me I hope you won't forget them. Do you ever get any music in the newspapers now like you used to send me some time ago. One of the Buckley girls that lives next door to us dropped dead about a month ago she had heart failour her name was Lily but I suppose you hardly remember her now. her brother Frank is at home from New York for the last two months. I was expecting a letter from your wife this time back I hope she'll write to me soon remind her of it. I don't think I have any more to say for this time only I hope you'll forgive me for not answering your letter sooner Besure and answer this as soon as you can and let us know if Paul called to see you. Hoping this will find you all in good health
Iremain
Ever your loving sister
Mai.
Besure and tell your wife to write me a few lines.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I suppose you have given up all hope of ever hearing from me again, its such a long time since I wrote to you. I don't know what happened to me this time I wrote two or three letters and tore them up again. I have not as as much time as I used because George is working now he is learning the Electric business here in town he is bound for two years and had to pay a fee of L60 pounds. Father don't like the idea of him not getting any pay for two years, George was commencing to grow very careless to tell you the truth about him but you need not say anything about it when you are writing and he wasn't keeping the best of company but he's steady since he got the job. he is at it since the 17th August. so you'll see that I haven't very much time now to myself as I'm in the shop from morn to night. How are ye all getting on since I do hope well and how is the little baby, I hope that he is quite strong by this, we are all about the same over here. Did Father Paul Dillon call to see you he asked me for your address he said he would go to see you he was at home for a couple of months What do you think of the war that is going on it is effecting this country very much unaccount of the way that the price of everything is gone up. We had the races here last week they were not much good this year as the weather was bad the first day. I see one of the Buckley girls at home but I wasn't speaking to her as yet she was at the sea-side for the summer and has only just returned. We had a fairly fine summer here this year I never go anywhere for my holidays now I can't even go away for a Sunday as father is so cranky he wouldn't have done talking for a week after What about those Photos you promised me I hope you won't forget them. Do you ever get any music in the newspapers now like you used to send me some time ago. One of the Buckley girls that lives next door to us dropped dead about a month ago she had heart failour her name was Lily but I suppose you hardly remember her now. her brother Frank is at home from New York for the last two months. I was expecting a letter from your wife this time back I hope she'll write to me soon remind her of it. I don't think I have any more to say for this time only I hope you'll forgive me for not answering your letter sooner Besure and answer this as soon as you can and let us know if Paul called to see you. Hoping this will find you all in good health
Iremain
Ever your loving sister
Mai.
Besure and tell your wife to write me a few lines.
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
February 24, 1914
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St. Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I hope you'll excuse me for not answering your letter ever since. I have being sick with a bad cold for the last three weeks, we have such bad weather here that its very easy to catch cold there nothing but torrents of rain every day. It was awful about your little baby getting sick again, is it all right yet I wonder, we were surprised when we heard it. it is very hard to take care of young children some times. I hope that it is quite recovered by this. I did not send the wrap to your wife yet, the fact of it is I have not got it quite finished yet I being sick and everything I did not feel like working. I will be able to send you some Camera snap shots very soon as I got a present of a camera from my fellow. the weather is not bright enough yet for taking them. I tried a few and I succeeded with them all right. I will send you a few samples shortly Its a No 2 Brownie the same kind as Joe had. I suppose ye had a lot of snow over there this year I see by the paper where New York was in an awful state with it we got no snow at all this year as yet Jerry Carroll and his wife and family are coming home next month He has two children, I think he is enclined to stop at home now, there is only one boy at home and he is no good for their trade. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping this will find ye all in the best of Health Write soon as tell me how the little baby is getting on. I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Is there any chance you could send us some Newspapers I wold like to get those Boston Sunday Globes or the Boston Sunday Magazines.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St. Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I hope you'll excuse me for not answering your letter ever since. I have being sick with a bad cold for the last three weeks, we have such bad weather here that its very easy to catch cold there nothing but torrents of rain every day. It was awful about your little baby getting sick again, is it all right yet I wonder, we were surprised when we heard it. it is very hard to take care of young children some times. I hope that it is quite recovered by this. I did not send the wrap to your wife yet, the fact of it is I have not got it quite finished yet I being sick and everything I did not feel like working. I will be able to send you some Camera snap shots very soon as I got a present of a camera from my fellow. the weather is not bright enough yet for taking them. I tried a few and I succeeded with them all right. I will send you a few samples shortly Its a No 2 Brownie the same kind as Joe had. I suppose ye had a lot of snow over there this year I see by the paper where New York was in an awful state with it we got no snow at all this year as yet Jerry Carroll and his wife and family are coming home next month He has two children, I think he is enclined to stop at home now, there is only one boy at home and he is no good for their trade. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping this will find ye all in the best of Health Write soon as tell me how the little baby is getting on. I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Is there any chance you could send us some Newspapers I wold like to get those Boston Sunday Globes or the Boston Sunday Magazines.
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
December 16, 1913
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
A few lines to wish ye all a Happy Xmas and a Bright and Prosperous New Year. I wrote to your wife 9 or 10 days ago I hope she received it all right I am sorry I have'nt the wrap finished to send it to her but we are so awfully busy and we have no help but ourselves. I am sending you the Photo with this letter for Annie Dillon I would have sent it sooner but I had a very sore eye, there was a sty growing on the inside lower lid and I had to get it cut out by Dr. OConnor. I had to keep it bandaged for about a week as it was very sore. You did not answer my last letter yet I hope you won't forget too. Annie has got every one of her teeth out of her upper jaw, she had not bother in getting them out she won't get them in until about February. I have not being speaking to Katie Buckley since. I will now close as I have no more to say. only I hope you'll send me a nice present for Xmas. and tell your wife I'm very sorry as I have not the wrap finished for her again Wishing ye a Merry Xmas I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
A few lines to wish ye all a Happy Xmas and a Bright and Prosperous New Year. I wrote to your wife 9 or 10 days ago I hope she received it all right I am sorry I have'nt the wrap finished to send it to her but we are so awfully busy and we have no help but ourselves. I am sending you the Photo with this letter for Annie Dillon I would have sent it sooner but I had a very sore eye, there was a sty growing on the inside lower lid and I had to get it cut out by Dr. OConnor. I had to keep it bandaged for about a week as it was very sore. You did not answer my last letter yet I hope you won't forget too. Annie has got every one of her teeth out of her upper jaw, she had not bother in getting them out she won't get them in until about February. I have not being speaking to Katie Buckley since. I will now close as I have no more to say. only I hope you'll send me a nice present for Xmas. and tell your wife I'm very sorry as I have not the wrap finished for her again Wishing ye a Merry Xmas I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
Monday, October 29, 2012
November 27, 1913
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St. Allston, Mass U.S.A.
My dear sister-in-law,
Just a few lines hoping that you and Frank and baby are all well. I was expected a letter from you this time back but I suppose unaccount of the baby you had no time for writing. young children are sometimes very trouble some I expect Frank was delighted as it was a son this time the men are generally looking for a son. We are getting very bad weather here at present there's a lot of rain falling, we are getting very little frost as yet. I like the frosty weather very much its so clean and the air is very fresh we get very little snow over here I suppose ye do have a share of it over there through the year. I am sending a little present to you & Frank its a little bedroom clock. I hope you'll get it all right, its a little early for sending Xmas presents but I am so busy round Xmas that I hardly get time to take my meals sometimes so I thought I'd get these things over [one?]. I am crocheting a wrap for you I thought I'd have it done for Xmas for you but I don't think I will so I'll send it to you after Xmas they are very useful I have one for myself I use it when I'm going to a Ball to throw over my shoulder when I'm not dancing I do a lot of fancy work, do you do any. Tell Frank when he's sending us presents at Xmas that Annie & George said if he sent them the money that he'd spend on anything he'd buy over there that they could get something more useful over here with it, and ask him if he'd send me a piece of embroidered white muslin to make a dress I suppose you know the kind I mean I see a lot of Americans home last year and they had very nice embroidered muslin dresses, we'd get nothing like it over here and if he can't get it tell him to send me something else that would be useful to me. I don't care for anything in the line of Jewelry. the only thing that father likes is books thats what he likes to see us getting in order that he'd have a good read. Did Frank get my last letter I am wondering what the thought of the description I gave about my boy. I suppose he had a good laugh to himself at the idea. I am sending him that Photo for Annie Dillon this week its not a very good one of us but just as she asked for it and I have no better one. Well I think by the time you have all this none-sense read that you will be tired so I will close Hoping you will send me a good long letter for Xmas and tell Frank to answer my last letter. Hoping this will find ye all well I remain with best love.
You loving
Sister-in-law
Mai.
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St. Allston, Mass U.S.A.
My dear sister-in-law,
Just a few lines hoping that you and Frank and baby are all well. I was expected a letter from you this time back but I suppose unaccount of the baby you had no time for writing. young children are sometimes very trouble some I expect Frank was delighted as it was a son this time the men are generally looking for a son. We are getting very bad weather here at present there's a lot of rain falling, we are getting very little frost as yet. I like the frosty weather very much its so clean and the air is very fresh we get very little snow over here I suppose ye do have a share of it over there through the year. I am sending a little present to you & Frank its a little bedroom clock. I hope you'll get it all right, its a little early for sending Xmas presents but I am so busy round Xmas that I hardly get time to take my meals sometimes so I thought I'd get these things over [one?]. I am crocheting a wrap for you I thought I'd have it done for Xmas for you but I don't think I will so I'll send it to you after Xmas they are very useful I have one for myself I use it when I'm going to a Ball to throw over my shoulder when I'm not dancing I do a lot of fancy work, do you do any. Tell Frank when he's sending us presents at Xmas that Annie & George said if he sent them the money that he'd spend on anything he'd buy over there that they could get something more useful over here with it, and ask him if he'd send me a piece of embroidered white muslin to make a dress I suppose you know the kind I mean I see a lot of Americans home last year and they had very nice embroidered muslin dresses, we'd get nothing like it over here and if he can't get it tell him to send me something else that would be useful to me. I don't care for anything in the line of Jewelry. the only thing that father likes is books thats what he likes to see us getting in order that he'd have a good read. Did Frank get my last letter I am wondering what the thought of the description I gave about my boy. I suppose he had a good laugh to himself at the idea. I am sending him that Photo for Annie Dillon this week its not a very good one of us but just as she asked for it and I have no better one. Well I think by the time you have all this none-sense read that you will be tired so I will close Hoping you will send me a good long letter for Xmas and tell Frank to answer my last letter. Hoping this will find ye all well I remain with best love.
You loving
Sister-in-law
Mai.
Friday, October 12, 2012
October 22, 1913
From: May Gleasure, Listowel Square
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad to learn by same that ye are quite well we are all about the same over here. We are just about getting the bad weather now it was just like summer until this week we had a very good year. We had the Races here last week and had a great time at them. The weather could not be better than it was and the town was packed with people there was never such a crowd seen at them, we done splendid business at them. I did not go to the Race Course at all but all the others did they never let me go to them. The Big November Fair is coming off next week I suppose you remember that, thats the day we'll have to work, the town is impoving every year in the line of fairs and markets and business is increasing, father has given me charge of the place now I have to see after all the accounts of the shop we don't keep any apprentice now because George is a lot of his time in the shop. Annie would like very much to do some thing for herself but she would not say anything about it to father she'd like very much to go out to you, and in fact we all want to go over I'm getting sick of this place its so dull the same old life from year to year, that fellow you see in the post-card said he'd take me out in a few years if I went with him we are going together for the last 2 years and a half, he is in a drapers shop here in town and is a very steady boy, he is a Catholic but that won't make any difference between us you need not say anything about him in your letter while you're writing as father would see it and I don't want him to know anything about him you can write it on a separate piece of paper if you are saying anything Annie don't go with any fellow she only plays away with them all. I will send you that Photo for Annie Dillon soon, its a wonder she never drops us a line or even to her father did you say anything about it to her, he always asks me if you say anything about her in your letters or about Lizzie do you see her at all. Well Frank ye ought to have come home this year for awhile is there any chance that ye'd come next year Father Paul Dillon is coming home next April and I don't know if Mike will come or not. by the way I was speaking to Katy Buckley about a week after I wrote to you the last time she said that you were doing fine she told me all about the little baby. I got those last papers and music alright send some more soon if you can as we are short of reading lately. I will now close Hoping you will write very soon again I remain
Your loving sister
May
Send me as much of the Boston Sunday Magisnes as you can also the Boston Sunday Globes
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad to learn by same that ye are quite well we are all about the same over here. We are just about getting the bad weather now it was just like summer until this week we had a very good year. We had the Races here last week and had a great time at them. The weather could not be better than it was and the town was packed with people there was never such a crowd seen at them, we done splendid business at them. I did not go to the Race Course at all but all the others did they never let me go to them. The Big November Fair is coming off next week I suppose you remember that, thats the day we'll have to work, the town is impoving every year in the line of fairs and markets and business is increasing, father has given me charge of the place now I have to see after all the accounts of the shop we don't keep any apprentice now because George is a lot of his time in the shop. Annie would like very much to do some thing for herself but she would not say anything about it to father she'd like very much to go out to you, and in fact we all want to go over I'm getting sick of this place its so dull the same old life from year to year, that fellow you see in the post-card said he'd take me out in a few years if I went with him we are going together for the last 2 years and a half, he is in a drapers shop here in town and is a very steady boy, he is a Catholic but that won't make any difference between us you need not say anything about him in your letter while you're writing as father would see it and I don't want him to know anything about him you can write it on a separate piece of paper if you are saying anything Annie don't go with any fellow she only plays away with them all. I will send you that Photo for Annie Dillon soon, its a wonder she never drops us a line or even to her father did you say anything about it to her, he always asks me if you say anything about her in your letters or about Lizzie do you see her at all. Well Frank ye ought to have come home this year for awhile is there any chance that ye'd come next year Father Paul Dillon is coming home next April and I don't know if Mike will come or not. by the way I was speaking to Katy Buckley about a week after I wrote to you the last time she said that you were doing fine she told me all about the little baby. I got those last papers and music alright send some more soon if you can as we are short of reading lately. I will now close Hoping you will write very soon again I remain
Your loving sister
May
Send me as much of the Boston Sunday Magisnes as you can also the Boston Sunday Globes
 |
| May Gleasure 1913 [companion unknown] |
Thursday, October 11, 2012
June 26, 1913
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dearest Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was delighted at hearing from you. We are all quite well here at home. but we have some very bad weather all the time, we have had no summer as yet nothing but rain almost every day. I suppose ye have some very good weather over there before now. Katy Buckley did not call to see us since she came home but I see her out walking a few evenings ago but I had one of the opposite sex along with me I suppose she did not like to stand and speak to me, Nell Dowling was speaking to her and she told her all about you how that you had a splendid time and a lovely place. There are a lot of people at home here in the town from America within the last month. Its a wonder you never think of taking a trip home. I suppose you'll hardly ever again come back here and it's no wonder, Listowel is an awful dull old place I wished I could leave it in the morning. There was an awful highway robbery committed here on the 2nd June about 6 miles from Listowel it was a banker that used to carry money from this to Abbeyfeale and four masked men jumped out from behind the ditch and took L780 = 5/ from them I am sending you the paper about it. I am also sending you some more Photo's of myself the one on the post card is more like me than any of the others. I hope you'll take out yours and send them to us, it was an awful pity you did not take the baby's Photo, I would love to have seen it. Jim Connor is laid up sick since last January it was a cold he got and did not mind himself and then he got pains all over him and he is not over them since none of them got married yet although they want a housekeeper badly they have nobody with them only a servant girl James is getting old now its time he gave up the place to one of them. Do you get any music in the newspapers now if you do I hope you'll keep them for me. and don't forget to send us some papers to read as I am always in the shop now I like to have something to be reading so I hope you'll send me something I did not get the letter from your wife yet I hope she has not forgotten to write to me. and I hope you'll write yourself again soon I will now close for this time Hoping ye are well
I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dearest Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was delighted at hearing from you. We are all quite well here at home. but we have some very bad weather all the time, we have had no summer as yet nothing but rain almost every day. I suppose ye have some very good weather over there before now. Katy Buckley did not call to see us since she came home but I see her out walking a few evenings ago but I had one of the opposite sex along with me I suppose she did not like to stand and speak to me, Nell Dowling was speaking to her and she told her all about you how that you had a splendid time and a lovely place. There are a lot of people at home here in the town from America within the last month. Its a wonder you never think of taking a trip home. I suppose you'll hardly ever again come back here and it's no wonder, Listowel is an awful dull old place I wished I could leave it in the morning. There was an awful highway robbery committed here on the 2nd June about 6 miles from Listowel it was a banker that used to carry money from this to Abbeyfeale and four masked men jumped out from behind the ditch and took L780 = 5/ from them I am sending you the paper about it. I am also sending you some more Photo's of myself the one on the post card is more like me than any of the others. I hope you'll take out yours and send them to us, it was an awful pity you did not take the baby's Photo, I would love to have seen it. Jim Connor is laid up sick since last January it was a cold he got and did not mind himself and then he got pains all over him and he is not over them since none of them got married yet although they want a housekeeper badly they have nobody with them only a servant girl James is getting old now its time he gave up the place to one of them. Do you get any music in the newspapers now if you do I hope you'll keep them for me. and don't forget to send us some papers to read as I am always in the shop now I like to have something to be reading so I hope you'll send me something I did not get the letter from your wife yet I hope she has not forgotten to write to me. and I hope you'll write yourself again soon I will now close for this time Hoping ye are well
I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
April 21, 1913
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street Allston Mass. U.S.A.
My Dear Sister-in-law
A few lines hoping they will find ye in the best of health as we all are here at present. We have very bad weather over here all the time nothing but rain I don't think it stopped raining yesterday for five minutes. I expect ye are getting the fine weather now. I am sending a Photo of the family with this letter I hope it will get there all right I am standing at my father's left hand and Annie is at the other side with George in the middle they did not come out very well as the man that was taking them was in a hurry to catch a train it was a Mr. McCarthy from Tralee that took them. Ask Frank to tell me if he would know us, he never saw me with my hair up before so it will make a change. he will hardly know George as there is a big change in him in the line of the way he grew lately but his face came out quite different to what it is, he will be 19 years next September and I will be 21 on the 27th of May. Tell Frank I got those books he sent me also we got the newspapers. Have you got any Photo of yourself. we would love to get one of yourself and Frank No more to say this time Hoping you will write to me to.
I remain
Your loving sister-in law
Mai.
To: Mrs. Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street Allston Mass. U.S.A.
My Dear Sister-in-law
A few lines hoping they will find ye in the best of health as we all are here at present. We have very bad weather over here all the time nothing but rain I don't think it stopped raining yesterday for five minutes. I expect ye are getting the fine weather now. I am sending a Photo of the family with this letter I hope it will get there all right I am standing at my father's left hand and Annie is at the other side with George in the middle they did not come out very well as the man that was taking them was in a hurry to catch a train it was a Mr. McCarthy from Tralee that took them. Ask Frank to tell me if he would know us, he never saw me with my hair up before so it will make a change. he will hardly know George as there is a big change in him in the line of the way he grew lately but his face came out quite different to what it is, he will be 19 years next September and I will be 21 on the 27th of May. Tell Frank I got those books he sent me also we got the newspapers. Have you got any Photo of yourself. we would love to get one of yourself and Frank No more to say this time Hoping you will write to me to.
I remain
Your loving sister-in law
Mai.
Monday, October 8, 2012
March 25, 1913
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a short time ago and was very glad to hear from you. We are all quite well here at home hope this will find ye the same. We had very bad weather here all the winter we had a few great storms through the winter but its just like Spring for the last three days. I got that music book all right it was a splendid one. and some nice songs in it thats the kind of a book I like to get those music sheets you used to send me used to be too dear and you would not knock half the value out of them. Hilgrove McCarthy you were asking me about poisoned himself it was the way that religion was playing on his mind it was over in England it happened. Mrs Behane's sister has the lisence in her name now any of her daughters were not old enough to take it up. Myra Smyth is with them all the time they could never manage the shop without her. but I thought you knew that Harry is a manager in a Medical Hall. Patsy Dillon comes into us all the time he is failing very much lately is it the way that his daughters are living any where near you. Its a wonder they never write to him Father Paul is thinking of coming home this year to see him he is a Parish Priest now you know, he was very successful from the very start do you hear anything about Mike at all? Ned got married last Summer and got a nice little handful of money with the girl by all accounts Tom is going after a girl here in the town oh but she a horrible old thing she is an assistant in a drapers shop. James Connor is living all the time he is laid up with cold for the last month young Jim is laid up also I thought I told you that Tom Connor came back from England he is carring on in the shoemaking trade again and can't get around all the work he has to do, he is living with his wife's people (Jude Daughton) Sarah & her husband has a cottage in Jame's land they are not badly off either for he is a sensible fellow. But Liz is over in England yet and you may say has a bad time with her husband (Bill Connor) she knows what poverty is anyway I nearly forgot to tell you that I was at a lovely dance last month here in town. it was the first Ball I was ever at. and you may say I enjoyed it all right It started about 9:30 and we did not leave until 7 in the morning. there were fifty couple at it. It was held at the Gymsaum Hall I don't know what came over the boss to leave me go there he is not so strict lately as he used to be. and thats no harm. I don't think he'd let me boy if he knew it was a boy that was taking me there. I had a lovely pale blue dress and black patent shoes. I got a great cold out of it. for when we were coming home in the morning it was very cold and wet. Do you ever see that Chute boy that went over there last year. Jack Dowling came home from New York about 2 weeks ago he is a regular hobow. and is drinking hard. I think I will close now Hoping to hear from you soon again I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a short time ago and was very glad to hear from you. We are all quite well here at home hope this will find ye the same. We had very bad weather here all the winter we had a few great storms through the winter but its just like Spring for the last three days. I got that music book all right it was a splendid one. and some nice songs in it thats the kind of a book I like to get those music sheets you used to send me used to be too dear and you would not knock half the value out of them. Hilgrove McCarthy you were asking me about poisoned himself it was the way that religion was playing on his mind it was over in England it happened. Mrs Behane's sister has the lisence in her name now any of her daughters were not old enough to take it up. Myra Smyth is with them all the time they could never manage the shop without her. but I thought you knew that Harry is a manager in a Medical Hall. Patsy Dillon comes into us all the time he is failing very much lately is it the way that his daughters are living any where near you. Its a wonder they never write to him Father Paul is thinking of coming home this year to see him he is a Parish Priest now you know, he was very successful from the very start do you hear anything about Mike at all? Ned got married last Summer and got a nice little handful of money with the girl by all accounts Tom is going after a girl here in the town oh but she a horrible old thing she is an assistant in a drapers shop. James Connor is living all the time he is laid up with cold for the last month young Jim is laid up also I thought I told you that Tom Connor came back from England he is carring on in the shoemaking trade again and can't get around all the work he has to do, he is living with his wife's people (Jude Daughton) Sarah & her husband has a cottage in Jame's land they are not badly off either for he is a sensible fellow. But Liz is over in England yet and you may say has a bad time with her husband (Bill Connor) she knows what poverty is anyway I nearly forgot to tell you that I was at a lovely dance last month here in town. it was the first Ball I was ever at. and you may say I enjoyed it all right It started about 9:30 and we did not leave until 7 in the morning. there were fifty couple at it. It was held at the Gymsaum Hall I don't know what came over the boss to leave me go there he is not so strict lately as he used to be. and thats no harm. I don't think he'd let me boy if he knew it was a boy that was taking me there. I had a lovely pale blue dress and black patent shoes. I got a great cold out of it. for when we were coming home in the morning it was very cold and wet. Do you ever see that Chute boy that went over there last year. Jack Dowling came home from New York about 2 weeks ago he is a regular hobow. and is drinking hard. I think I will close now Hoping to hear from you soon again I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
March 5, 1913
From: May Gleasure, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Hope this will find you all quite well. You must excuse me for not letting you know that I received the music book it is a splendid book. We are all quite well here. Hope you will write to me soon. Goodbye with best love from M.G.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Hope this will find you all quite well. You must excuse me for not letting you know that I received the music book it is a splendid book. We are all quite well here. Hope you will write to me soon. Goodbye with best love from M.G.
Friday, October 5, 2012
January 21, 1913
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your ever welcomed letter two or three days ago and was very glad at hearing from you. I was awfully sorry to hear that ye lost ye're little baby, it must have been an awful blow to ye. I knew all this time back that their was something the matter to say you never wrote and we were thinking that something happened to yourself we were very troubled over it, I had just a letter wrote to you when I received your's so I tore it up again. Did you get the parcel I sent you at Xmas, there was a piece of silk for the baby but the poor little thing never got the chance of wearing it, it was awfully sad about her the way she suffered. We have got a very bad winter here nothing but rain and storms all the time. I was out at Tullig last week for 4 days they are all quite well out there. Did I ever tell you that Mrs James Connor died last August, the boys are in a bad way now for a housekeeper they have got a servant girl but you can't depend on some of them I think that either Jim or John will get married this year and don't you think its time for them. Mrs Behane next door to us died at Xmas she was buried Xmas day. it was much the same complaint as father had and they delayed preforming the operation owing to having the wrong doctors. they had Dr Clancy & Dr Dillon and they would not preform the operation and they had to send to Dublin for one. and their it was to late they are bad friends with the Dr. father had and did not call him in he could do it himself and perhaps save her like he did to father. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping this will find ye well. as we all are at home Hoping you will write very soon again I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Hope you won't forget to send me my music book.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your ever welcomed letter two or three days ago and was very glad at hearing from you. I was awfully sorry to hear that ye lost ye're little baby, it must have been an awful blow to ye. I knew all this time back that their was something the matter to say you never wrote and we were thinking that something happened to yourself we were very troubled over it, I had just a letter wrote to you when I received your's so I tore it up again. Did you get the parcel I sent you at Xmas, there was a piece of silk for the baby but the poor little thing never got the chance of wearing it, it was awfully sad about her the way she suffered. We have got a very bad winter here nothing but rain and storms all the time. I was out at Tullig last week for 4 days they are all quite well out there. Did I ever tell you that Mrs James Connor died last August, the boys are in a bad way now for a housekeeper they have got a servant girl but you can't depend on some of them I think that either Jim or John will get married this year and don't you think its time for them. Mrs Behane next door to us died at Xmas she was buried Xmas day. it was much the same complaint as father had and they delayed preforming the operation owing to having the wrong doctors. they had Dr Clancy & Dr Dillon and they would not preform the operation and they had to send to Dublin for one. and their it was to late they are bad friends with the Dr. father had and did not call him in he could do it himself and perhaps save her like he did to father. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping this will find ye well. as we all are at home Hoping you will write very soon again I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Hope you won't forget to send me my music book.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
December 10, 1912
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find ye all well as we all are here at present.
We have very bad weather here for the last month or more. Business is very bad here for the last twelve months there was fever raging in the town for three or four months and kept everybody away now it is a cattle disease that is going on and has knocked up all the fairs so we are meeting a lot of disappointments in the line of business. How is the baby getting on I hope she don't give ye any trouble like she used some time ago I am sending her a little Xmas present it is not very much this time as you know money is very scarce at Xmas time. I would have something made and all but I did not know what would fit her so I am sending her a piece of silk and her mother can get something made for her with it. I am sending you a little token also hope you will get them all right Did you get my music book yet. I would like it for a Xmas box. Annie George and father asks to be remembered to ye I hope you will send me a good long letter in answer to this and tell me all about the baby as I am very interested in her. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Wishing ye all a Very Happy Xmas and a Prosperous New Year Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass., U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find ye all well as we all are here at present.
We have very bad weather here for the last month or more. Business is very bad here for the last twelve months there was fever raging in the town for three or four months and kept everybody away now it is a cattle disease that is going on and has knocked up all the fairs so we are meeting a lot of disappointments in the line of business. How is the baby getting on I hope she don't give ye any trouble like she used some time ago I am sending her a little Xmas present it is not very much this time as you know money is very scarce at Xmas time. I would have something made and all but I did not know what would fit her so I am sending her a piece of silk and her mother can get something made for her with it. I am sending you a little token also hope you will get them all right Did you get my music book yet. I would like it for a Xmas box. Annie George and father asks to be remembered to ye I hope you will send me a good long letter in answer to this and tell me all about the baby as I am very interested in her. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Wishing ye all a Very Happy Xmas and a Prosperous New Year Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
September 27, 1912
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St. Allston, Mass U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was delighted to hear from you we were so sorry to hear that you are going through a little trouble with the baby it must be very hard on you unaccount of working hard during the day and then having to stop up by night with her but I hope that ye are alright again by this. We had a most wretched summer here this year nothing but rain all the time it will give you a kind of an idea of it when you hear that the River Feale overflowed its banks in August there were some cattle destroyed by it. but we have very good weather here for the last three weeks Mrs Connor died on the 6th Aug we were all out at the funeral it was said that it was the largest funeral that went to Kilflynn within the last 10 years. James and the boys miss her very much now as they have nobody to look after anything for them only a servant girl. We are going to have the Listowel Races on the 15 & 16 Oct. we will also have a coursing match in November those things are no good to me as I have no enjoyment out of them only extra work we are never let to anything like that George & father goes to them. We have got electric light in the town now and in all the houses they won't light it until the first night of the races it will be a great improvement in the town. I am learning to play an accordian now I got a present of a most beautiful one from a boy that I am acquainted with. I hope you won't forget to send me that book of music and be sure and send the one I asked you for. I did not get the newspapers yet. By the way I must tell you that I was very disappointed when I heard that you did not call the baby what you were going too. I am going to send her a little present soon but I won't have any time until after the races for doing so as we have no apprentice now I am kept very busy. I hope you will never be so long in writing to me again and Hoping this will find ye all back in best health again as we all are at home I remain
Your loving sister Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St. Allston, Mass U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was delighted to hear from you we were so sorry to hear that you are going through a little trouble with the baby it must be very hard on you unaccount of working hard during the day and then having to stop up by night with her but I hope that ye are alright again by this. We had a most wretched summer here this year nothing but rain all the time it will give you a kind of an idea of it when you hear that the River Feale overflowed its banks in August there were some cattle destroyed by it. but we have very good weather here for the last three weeks Mrs Connor died on the 6th Aug we were all out at the funeral it was said that it was the largest funeral that went to Kilflynn within the last 10 years. James and the boys miss her very much now as they have nobody to look after anything for them only a servant girl. We are going to have the Listowel Races on the 15 & 16 Oct. we will also have a coursing match in November those things are no good to me as I have no enjoyment out of them only extra work we are never let to anything like that George & father goes to them. We have got electric light in the town now and in all the houses they won't light it until the first night of the races it will be a great improvement in the town. I am learning to play an accordian now I got a present of a most beautiful one from a boy that I am acquainted with. I hope you won't forget to send me that book of music and be sure and send the one I asked you for. I did not get the newspapers yet. By the way I must tell you that I was very disappointed when I heard that you did not call the baby what you were going too. I am going to send her a little present soon but I won't have any time until after the races for doing so as we have no apprentice now I am kept very busy. I hope you will never be so long in writing to me again and Hoping this will find ye all back in best health again as we all are at home I remain
Your loving sister Mai.
Tuesday, October 2, 2012
July 23, 1912
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 11 Westford Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was very glad to hear from you. Glad to learn ye are quite well over there we are much the same over here all the time, but Mrs Connor of Mt Cole is sick, she will hardly live she has some stomach trouble, they are in a bad way with her as they have to stop and mind her because they have no girl only the servant maid. I suppose you must be very proud at having a daughter. I was delighted when I heard she was to be called after me, you may say I felt very proud of it. I hope she is progressing on well. We have a very bad summer here this year We had not a single dry day here in June nothing but rain all the time. Ned Dillane has got married last month to a girl from Killarney he is getting on very well in the police force and by all accounts the girl he got had a share of money. About that music book you need not be in a hurry with it because I don't mind so long as I have it for the short days for I am out most of my time during the summer. but if you had anything to read in fact old newspapers or any thing at all. Annie often goes about writing to you and then it slips her memory again if there's anything she hates its writing letters. My father and all at home are quite well, I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close with best love to all.
I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
I hope you will answer this very soon again you so seldom write.
To: Frank Gleasure, 11 Westford Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was very glad to hear from you. Glad to learn ye are quite well over there we are much the same over here all the time, but Mrs Connor of Mt Cole is sick, she will hardly live she has some stomach trouble, they are in a bad way with her as they have to stop and mind her because they have no girl only the servant maid. I suppose you must be very proud at having a daughter. I was delighted when I heard she was to be called after me, you may say I felt very proud of it. I hope she is progressing on well. We have a very bad summer here this year We had not a single dry day here in June nothing but rain all the time. Ned Dillane has got married last month to a girl from Killarney he is getting on very well in the police force and by all accounts the girl he got had a share of money. About that music book you need not be in a hurry with it because I don't mind so long as I have it for the short days for I am out most of my time during the summer. but if you had anything to read in fact old newspapers or any thing at all. Annie often goes about writing to you and then it slips her memory again if there's anything she hates its writing letters. My father and all at home are quite well, I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close with best love to all.
I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
I hope you will answer this very soon again you so seldom write.
Monday, October 1, 2012
March 11, 1912
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 11 Westford St. Allston, Mass U.S.A.
My Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was very glad to hear you were doing well as we all are here at home, we were commencing to think you had forgotten all about us you delayed so long in answering our last letter We have had very bad weather here for the last couple of months we had some very hard frost the river Feale was all frozen over it never froze now since the last time you were at home until this year you may be sure we had a gay time skating on it during the day and the nights we had full moon at the time and we held dances on it and you may be sure we had fun over the dancing. You must have had great bother with the waterpipes that burst our pipes got frozen too but we had no bother with them The fever is all cleared out of the town again it was a perfect destruction to business no country person would come into the town while it was going on. How are you getting on in married life, there was not many marriages around here this year. There is one of John Parkinsons sons going to come home again this year one of those that went out about two years ago. He was never contented out there, I think he is very foolish not to stop out there for a few more years The other boy is very contented he is in the same place since he went out there there is a son of Henry Gleasures working with him its farm work they are doing and they like it very well Did I tell you that Henry and all his family went out to Australia last October he was a very foolish man to go out there this our of his life all his friends wanted to put him off it but all to no good he was said by the wife and went. None of James Connor family married this year and indeed its nearly time for one of the boys to marry now both the boys are great cow jobbers they have a lot of cattle out on grazing and make a lot of money of them I was full sure that one of them would get a farm this year but they did not make any move and they would want a young woman to look after the house now for their mother is getting rather old. I don't think I have anymore to say at present only that those papers have not arrived yet and I hope you won't forget them or the music which I am looking forward to I sent two Post cards a few days ago hope ye will get them Tell the wife I was asking for her and I hope you will write to us very soon again I remain
Your loving
sister Mai
To: Frank Gleasure, 11 Westford St. Allston, Mass U.S.A.
My Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a few days ago and was very glad to hear you were doing well as we all are here at home, we were commencing to think you had forgotten all about us you delayed so long in answering our last letter We have had very bad weather here for the last couple of months we had some very hard frost the river Feale was all frozen over it never froze now since the last time you were at home until this year you may be sure we had a gay time skating on it during the day and the nights we had full moon at the time and we held dances on it and you may be sure we had fun over the dancing. You must have had great bother with the waterpipes that burst our pipes got frozen too but we had no bother with them The fever is all cleared out of the town again it was a perfect destruction to business no country person would come into the town while it was going on. How are you getting on in married life, there was not many marriages around here this year. There is one of John Parkinsons sons going to come home again this year one of those that went out about two years ago. He was never contented out there, I think he is very foolish not to stop out there for a few more years The other boy is very contented he is in the same place since he went out there there is a son of Henry Gleasures working with him its farm work they are doing and they like it very well Did I tell you that Henry and all his family went out to Australia last October he was a very foolish man to go out there this our of his life all his friends wanted to put him off it but all to no good he was said by the wife and went. None of James Connor family married this year and indeed its nearly time for one of the boys to marry now both the boys are great cow jobbers they have a lot of cattle out on grazing and make a lot of money of them I was full sure that one of them would get a farm this year but they did not make any move and they would want a young woman to look after the house now for their mother is getting rather old. I don't think I have anymore to say at present only that those papers have not arrived yet and I hope you won't forget them or the music which I am looking forward to I sent two Post cards a few days ago hope ye will get them Tell the wife I was asking for her and I hope you will write to us very soon again I remain
Your loving
sister Mai
Friday, September 14, 2012
January 5, 1912
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Avenue, Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you quite well and enjoying life as we all are at present here. We have extremely bad weather here now I suppose ye have it bad over there there now too. I got your letter at Xmas with the cards in it and we were very disappointed when you did not send us any presents what harm but we were looking out all the time back to see what you would send us. I only got about ten. I got a beautiful gold pin from Fanny. I suppose you don't ever write to her now she was asking after you in the last letter. I hope you got my letters alright at Xmas and those that I sent to the old address. What about that Music and books you promised us I hope you will send them soon if you could get a good thick book of songs don't get a dear one for the cheap ones are the best I am sure your wife could pick out a good one the Fever is raging bad here in town at present. I suppose you like to have a house of your own it is a lot more comfortable too but you have laid out a lot of money on it. I suppose it is easy for you too sure you must be a millionaire by this for your ten years. but I never thought you would turn a Catholic for anyone. Father is getting quite strong now again but he never works now in the shop its me that looks after it. we had a most awful busy time before Xmas. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping to hear from you by return and Wishing you and your wife A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Father said he would like some news papers. send him some.
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Avenue, Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you quite well and enjoying life as we all are at present here. We have extremely bad weather here now I suppose ye have it bad over there there now too. I got your letter at Xmas with the cards in it and we were very disappointed when you did not send us any presents what harm but we were looking out all the time back to see what you would send us. I only got about ten. I got a beautiful gold pin from Fanny. I suppose you don't ever write to her now she was asking after you in the last letter. I hope you got my letters alright at Xmas and those that I sent to the old address. What about that Music and books you promised us I hope you will send them soon if you could get a good thick book of songs don't get a dear one for the cheap ones are the best I am sure your wife could pick out a good one the Fever is raging bad here in town at present. I suppose you like to have a house of your own it is a lot more comfortable too but you have laid out a lot of money on it. I suppose it is easy for you too sure you must be a millionaire by this for your ten years. but I never thought you would turn a Catholic for anyone. Father is getting quite strong now again but he never works now in the shop its me that looks after it. we had a most awful busy time before Xmas. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping to hear from you by return and Wishing you and your wife A Very Happy and Prosperous New Year I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Father said he would like some news papers. send him some.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
December 8, 1911
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Avenue, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines hoping they will find you in good health as we all are at home at present. Why in the world did you not write to us ever since father is surprised to say you are not writing. Father is as well as ever again he is quite strong now. We have very bad weather here now nothing but rain and hailstone I suppose ye have very bad weather there now too. There was one of the Buckley girls went from Listowel over to the same place as you are she called here the night before she left I suppose you have seen her by this. I am sending you something for Xmas next week I hope you will get it all right I would have wrote before now but I thought you might have changed your address. I suppose you are married by this did you get any wedding presents I would have sent you something but father was sick at that time and I had no time to see to any thing I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping to hear from you very soon look out for what I am sending you I hope it will reach you Safely. I hope you will send me something nice for Xmas. be sure and write as soon as you get this I remain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure.
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Avenue, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
Just a few lines hoping they will find you in good health as we all are at home at present. Why in the world did you not write to us ever since father is surprised to say you are not writing. Father is as well as ever again he is quite strong now. We have very bad weather here now nothing but rain and hailstone I suppose ye have very bad weather there now too. There was one of the Buckley girls went from Listowel over to the same place as you are she called here the night before she left I suppose you have seen her by this. I am sending you something for Xmas next week I hope you will get it all right I would have wrote before now but I thought you might have changed your address. I suppose you are married by this did you get any wedding presents I would have sent you something but father was sick at that time and I had no time to see to any thing I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping to hear from you very soon look out for what I am sending you I hope it will reach you Safely. I hope you will send me something nice for Xmas. be sure and write as soon as you get this I remain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
October 1, 1911
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Ave. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dearest Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter last week and was very glad to hear from you father is almost better now only to get strong he did not come in the shop yet for he feels very weak still. It was a terrible mistake for him to neglict himself like he did. We may thank the good doctor that we had he is only a young man and he is about the best that is in North Kerry. father's case has made a great name for him everyone is saying that for there were several men in the town that had to go under operations within the last few years and they all died within a few days of the operation even though they had Specilists down from Dublin so you can see that this fellow proved himself a great man. We had two doctor's and one of them did not want to operate at all but father made them do it and when it was done he said to the man that operated that he took a very serious business in hands and that father would not live until evening. He had some terrible pain before he was operated on and all the night before he was suffering and never called up sure it was me that went into the room to him first and when I saw the way he was I said that I would go for a Dr. and he would not let me so in the end I did not tell any of them in the house but went out and brought him in he told me it was an awful surprise as he did not die during the night without anyone knowing it. There are very bad times here in Ireland at present that is the Southern part of it owing to a Railway Strike that is going on. There is hardly a drop of stout in the town we are out of it for the last week and a lot of other goods besides no trains ran through this place for the last fortnight until today there was two ran but it was men sent over from the English government and there was soldiers on the train as well, guarding it so you can see that it is a very serious business I am sparing up some newspapers for you and you can see all about it. I suppose my letter was delayed because the letters are taken by car now from place to place. Have you got any more papers or books that you would send over as I am rather short of something to read I am kept very busy now in the shop I have to be there all the time it was a very lucky job that George and I were so well up in the business or we could never have managed as well as we did. Did you ever get my letter that we wrote to you about the old man's death. you never said any thing about it at all. I wrote to Fanny about the same time as I wrote to you telling her about him and I never wrote to her since do you ever write to her now. I hope the next time you write you'll tell us something about the missus. I have no more to say for this time so I will close Hoping to hear from you very soon again. I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Write as soon as ever you get this. you must excuse this notepaper as I can't get out to get any better for this time.
To: Frank Gleasure, 10 Electric Ave. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dearest Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter last week and was very glad to hear from you father is almost better now only to get strong he did not come in the shop yet for he feels very weak still. It was a terrible mistake for him to neglict himself like he did. We may thank the good doctor that we had he is only a young man and he is about the best that is in North Kerry. father's case has made a great name for him everyone is saying that for there were several men in the town that had to go under operations within the last few years and they all died within a few days of the operation even though they had Specilists down from Dublin so you can see that this fellow proved himself a great man. We had two doctor's and one of them did not want to operate at all but father made them do it and when it was done he said to the man that operated that he took a very serious business in hands and that father would not live until evening. He had some terrible pain before he was operated on and all the night before he was suffering and never called up sure it was me that went into the room to him first and when I saw the way he was I said that I would go for a Dr. and he would not let me so in the end I did not tell any of them in the house but went out and brought him in he told me it was an awful surprise as he did not die during the night without anyone knowing it. There are very bad times here in Ireland at present that is the Southern part of it owing to a Railway Strike that is going on. There is hardly a drop of stout in the town we are out of it for the last week and a lot of other goods besides no trains ran through this place for the last fortnight until today there was two ran but it was men sent over from the English government and there was soldiers on the train as well, guarding it so you can see that it is a very serious business I am sparing up some newspapers for you and you can see all about it. I suppose my letter was delayed because the letters are taken by car now from place to place. Have you got any more papers or books that you would send over as I am rather short of something to read I am kept very busy now in the shop I have to be there all the time it was a very lucky job that George and I were so well up in the business or we could never have managed as well as we did. Did you ever get my letter that we wrote to you about the old man's death. you never said any thing about it at all. I wrote to Fanny about the same time as I wrote to you telling her about him and I never wrote to her since do you ever write to her now. I hope the next time you write you'll tell us something about the missus. I have no more to say for this time so I will close Hoping to hear from you very soon again. I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Write as soon as ever you get this. you must excuse this notepaper as I can't get out to get any better for this time.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
September 6, 1911
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge Street Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you in good health, we were in a very bad state here for the last week, since the 28 August, father was under an operation on the 29th. the fillum of the bowls was coming out. On the night of the 28th he felt it coming on him about 12 oclock before he went to bed. He went to bed anyway and never raised any alarm and it got fearful bad with him in such a way that the doctor told him that it was a miracle or the will of God that he did not die although George was in the same bed with him he never said what was wrong with him for he used to get it before but he was able to put it back himself. About 7.30 next morning I went into him and asked him what was wrong and he told me he had great pains and that he was done for and was going to leave us, you may be sure that he frightened me. I said that I would go out for the doctor and he would by no chance leave me. I delayed about an hour and went out of my own accord & brought him in. and he saw it once that it was a very serious case. he went and got another doctor and my father had to force him to operate on him. they did it anyway and it has turned out successful so far, the fillum was 4 times its natural size and about the length of your finger of black diseased part, if it swelled the least bit more that it would burst. He was the strongest man that they ever came across to say that he did not die and the way he was in the night before. We have got a lovely doctor attending him his name is OConnor. he come's in 4 or 5 times in the day and he would not let one of us do any thing to help him only does it all himself. only the way he is attending him we should have got a nurse, we sent out for my grand mother for we have to stop up with him every night since and can't leave him for a minute by day. I think he will pronunce him out of danger tonight he is splendid now, the wound is all healed up almost. And he is taking lots of good nourishment but of course no solid food. For the doctor is trying to get the bowls to move first. Nobody is allowed to see him only Adam and a few more near relations like him. I was full sure that we would have to be sending for you when I saw the way he was. Hoping you will write as soon as you get this I remain Your loving Sister M.G.
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge Street Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you in good health, we were in a very bad state here for the last week, since the 28 August, father was under an operation on the 29th. the fillum of the bowls was coming out. On the night of the 28th he felt it coming on him about 12 oclock before he went to bed. He went to bed anyway and never raised any alarm and it got fearful bad with him in such a way that the doctor told him that it was a miracle or the will of God that he did not die although George was in the same bed with him he never said what was wrong with him for he used to get it before but he was able to put it back himself. About 7.30 next morning I went into him and asked him what was wrong and he told me he had great pains and that he was done for and was going to leave us, you may be sure that he frightened me. I said that I would go out for the doctor and he would by no chance leave me. I delayed about an hour and went out of my own accord & brought him in. and he saw it once that it was a very serious case. he went and got another doctor and my father had to force him to operate on him. they did it anyway and it has turned out successful so far, the fillum was 4 times its natural size and about the length of your finger of black diseased part, if it swelled the least bit more that it would burst. He was the strongest man that they ever came across to say that he did not die and the way he was in the night before. We have got a lovely doctor attending him his name is OConnor. he come's in 4 or 5 times in the day and he would not let one of us do any thing to help him only does it all himself. only the way he is attending him we should have got a nurse, we sent out for my grand mother for we have to stop up with him every night since and can't leave him for a minute by day. I think he will pronunce him out of danger tonight he is splendid now, the wound is all healed up almost. And he is taking lots of good nourishment but of course no solid food. For the doctor is trying to get the bowls to move first. Nobody is allowed to see him only Adam and a few more near relations like him. I was full sure that we would have to be sending for you when I saw the way he was. Hoping you will write as soon as you get this I remain Your loving Sister M.G.
Monday, September 10, 2012
August 14, 1911
From: May Gleasure, The Square Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
Dearest Frank,
A few lines hoping it will find you in good health as we all are here at present. The old man out at Tullig passed away on the 27 July. he was sick for a few week before he died and was very troublesome as he was quite helpless and had to be handled very gently Father George and I were out at the Wake he had both a very large wake and funeral. i stopped out there for a fortnight after the funeral. Annie got your letter this morning and is very thankful for what you sent her. I had to laugh when I heard you were getting married just imagine how the time flies you never told us what the girls name was about last Xmas Nell Dowling and Annie Buckley's sister was telling us that you were married and that you had turned a Catolic I wonder is it true I did not give it a thought since until I saw it mentioned in your letter this morning. I hope you will be lucky anyway and that you will enjoy a long happy married life. Write to me as soon as you can and tell me all about her as I would like to know what kind my future sister-in-law will be. I am not playing the organ since the old man died and I miss it very much we will be hardly able to play now for a little while now as father would not like too I was in Tralee a few weeks ago and got my Sticky Backs taken I will send you one when I get them I got those last papers all right I hope you will send some more soon we have awful heat here also we had a dreadful thunderstorm last Friday night. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping you will write very soon
I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
A few lines hoping it will find you in good health as we all are here at present. The old man out at Tullig passed away on the 27 July. he was sick for a few week before he died and was very troublesome as he was quite helpless and had to be handled very gently Father George and I were out at the Wake he had both a very large wake and funeral. i stopped out there for a fortnight after the funeral. Annie got your letter this morning and is very thankful for what you sent her. I had to laugh when I heard you were getting married just imagine how the time flies you never told us what the girls name was about last Xmas Nell Dowling and Annie Buckley's sister was telling us that you were married and that you had turned a Catolic I wonder is it true I did not give it a thought since until I saw it mentioned in your letter this morning. I hope you will be lucky anyway and that you will enjoy a long happy married life. Write to me as soon as you can and tell me all about her as I would like to know what kind my future sister-in-law will be. I am not playing the organ since the old man died and I miss it very much we will be hardly able to play now for a little while now as father would not like too I was in Tralee a few weeks ago and got my Sticky Backs taken I will send you one when I get them I got those last papers all right I hope you will send some more soon we have awful heat here also we had a dreadful thunderstorm last Friday night. I don't think I have any more to say at present so I will close Hoping you will write very soon
I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, September 7, 2012
July 11, 1911
From: May Gleasure, The Square Listowel, Co Kerry Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you in good health as we all are here at present. We have got some splendid weather here at present in fact we can hardly go out with the heat. George came home from Toherbane last Sunday he was there quite a long time he had 8 weeks alto 2 days don't you think but that it was a long holiday. I don't know if I shall get any holidays or not I don't care to go any place for I could not stop any longer than a week or 10 days and that is hardly worth going for, for you would hardly be settled down before you should come home again. I would much prefer going on a Sunday to some place where there would be something going on such as Sports or a Feis or something like that or going out to Ballybunion or Tralee for the day. But the boss don't like that sort of thing at all. I suppose ye had a great day on the 4 July. oh by the way I got those bundle of papers last Sunday morning also the flags they were very nice ones we were delighted at the papers they were never more welcomed as we were rather short of something to read those first papers that you sent round the music were no good as they were all advertisements but the music was splendid and we are very thankful for it I am going to send all those pieces up to Cork and get them all bound together with a hard cover on them the boss got all his books done free of charge the house where we deal for our bags paper etc does them for us. The old man out at Tullig is very bad lately again the old woman was in yesterday and she told us that he would not do much longer. she was going to buy his habit for him yesterday but the boss would not let her. No more to say at present hoping to hear from you soon again.
I remain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure.
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
A few lines hoping they will find you in good health as we all are here at present. We have got some splendid weather here at present in fact we can hardly go out with the heat. George came home from Toherbane last Sunday he was there quite a long time he had 8 weeks alto 2 days don't you think but that it was a long holiday. I don't know if I shall get any holidays or not I don't care to go any place for I could not stop any longer than a week or 10 days and that is hardly worth going for, for you would hardly be settled down before you should come home again. I would much prefer going on a Sunday to some place where there would be something going on such as Sports or a Feis or something like that or going out to Ballybunion or Tralee for the day. But the boss don't like that sort of thing at all. I suppose ye had a great day on the 4 July. oh by the way I got those bundle of papers last Sunday morning also the flags they were very nice ones we were delighted at the papers they were never more welcomed as we were rather short of something to read those first papers that you sent round the music were no good as they were all advertisements but the music was splendid and we are very thankful for it I am going to send all those pieces up to Cork and get them all bound together with a hard cover on them the boss got all his books done free of charge the house where we deal for our bags paper etc does them for us. The old man out at Tullig is very bad lately again the old woman was in yesterday and she told us that he would not do much longer. she was going to buy his habit for him yesterday but the boss would not let her. No more to say at present hoping to hear from you soon again.
I remain
Your loving sister
Mai Gleasure.
Thursday, September 6, 2012
June 11, 1911
From: Annie Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry. Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston Mass U.S.A.
My Dear Brother,
I think you must always be surprised when you receive a letter from me, it is such a long time between them, but I think you know by this time what a bad correspondent I am. I hope you are quite well as we are at present. We are having splendid weather here now, indeed it has been a very good year so far as regards the weather. You must be suffering from the heat over there now very much. George is spending a pleasant time in Toherbane since the 17th of May and is staying for another week. I think he earned it pretty well for he was kept rather busy all last winter about the greyhounds. We have the house full of them and I have the care of those, also my own work to do while he is away, so I haven't much time to spare. May was out to Tullig a few weeks ago and she thinks the old man will hardly last the year out, but of course he is old now though with care he may live for another year he is very hardy you know. The old woman is the very same as when you were here. I havn't very much to write about, this place is very dull and I expect May tells you of any thing that happens. I wish I was out of Listowel it is such an old hale but the pater never says any thing speaks of doing any thing for me, but if he doesn't do any thing by next spring I will take matters in my own hands, I am heartily sick of slaving here. I wonder if you could send me the money for my teeth when you get this, I should like to get them settled as soon as I could, and I wouldn't go about them unless I had the money in hand so if you could see your way to send it as soon as you could I would be forever thankfull. I must close now with best love from your affectionate sister
Annie.
To: Frank Gleasure, 437 Cambridge St. Allston Mass U.S.A.
My Dear Brother,
I think you must always be surprised when you receive a letter from me, it is such a long time between them, but I think you know by this time what a bad correspondent I am. I hope you are quite well as we are at present. We are having splendid weather here now, indeed it has been a very good year so far as regards the weather. You must be suffering from the heat over there now very much. George is spending a pleasant time in Toherbane since the 17th of May and is staying for another week. I think he earned it pretty well for he was kept rather busy all last winter about the greyhounds. We have the house full of them and I have the care of those, also my own work to do while he is away, so I haven't much time to spare. May was out to Tullig a few weeks ago and she thinks the old man will hardly last the year out, but of course he is old now though with care he may live for another year he is very hardy you know. The old woman is the very same as when you were here. I havn't very much to write about, this place is very dull and I expect May tells you of any thing that happens. I wish I was out of Listowel it is such an old hale but the pater never says any thing speaks of doing any thing for me, but if he doesn't do any thing by next spring I will take matters in my own hands, I am heartily sick of slaving here. I wonder if you could send me the money for my teeth when you get this, I should like to get them settled as soon as I could, and I wouldn't go about them unless I had the money in hand so if you could see your way to send it as soon as you could I would be forever thankfull. I must close now with best love from your affectionate sister
Annie.
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