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
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