From: May Baker, 12 Dunedin, Connaught Ave. Cork.
To: Frank Gleasure, 89 Surrey St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter last week and was delighted at hearing from you once again. I was very sorry you had such bad news for me in it, you must feel very upset over it, death is a terrible thing in a family and your children all so young, your wife is an awful loss, for really there is no one like a mother to children its a pity some one of us is not out near you to be some help to you with them. I sent your letter home to Annie but I did not hear from her since perhaps she may change her mind and go over to you its very hard to say what she intends to do she says one thing now and then she changes her mind to another thing and you would not like & advise her as she may blame a person after for anything. she would like to start business here in Cork but its very hard to get a suitable place for her and rent is very high in the city which she don't seem to think so. Are there any of your wifes people over there near you. I wrote to you about the end of March and sent it to Parsons St I suppose you did not get it, I hope you will write to me regular in the future I often wondered during last two years how you were and why you were not writing. I'd often think if you had met with an accident so many things strike into a persons head. About things at home business is slack enough Annie told me in her last letter but George has gone into other things beside the liquor trade he has a van going through the country with stuff and buying eggs and shipping them he also goes in for the salmon fishing business he has ten boats and nets of his own and does very well that is if the season is good for the fish, he also does a little in the cattle dealing business. a person must do something to make ends meet and the drink business is not what it was years ago. As for myself I am still living here with my people-in law. trying to make both ends meet at times, there has being so much war in this country that it caused a lot of unemployment and loss of money, people were all idle. I have two little boys now Joe the eldest aged 4 years and George who was born last Xmas Eve. George come near losing his wife last year she had a premature birth, the baby having being dead for some time she was pretty bad for awhile. I suppose you don't meet any of the Dillons now or hear from Miss Reardon. I often wonder if we will ever see you again. I don't suppose we would know one another now if we met by the way have you any Photo of yourself and family. I would like to have one especially of yourself as they had none to spare of you at home will you send me one of yourself if you have it. I would be glad to have one. the Photo's I sent you while I was at home were the Photo's of us all when we were young its a pity they went astray. I don't think I have any more to write about this time but I hope I'll hear from you very soon again. I hope you'll be good to the kiddies I feel for you all especially the children. as they are all so young without a mother may God comfort and take care of you all with best wishes from
Yours loving sister
May
Showing posts with label Helen Reardon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Helen Reardon. Show all posts
Monday, January 7, 2013
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, 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.
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.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
September 12, 1910
From: Helen A. Reardon, South Natick
To: Frank Gleasure, 14 Webster Ave., Allston, Mass.
My dear Frank,
When your letter came Miss Bailey was dressed for a trip to Buzzard's Bay for a week so she turned the letter over to me.
I have inquired very carefully and find the record of the baptism of your four brothers and sisters but none of yours. I called on Miss Burr and she remembers that your father said you had been baptized before. I, also, remember when your father was planning the ceremony at Mrs. Burr's house he said that you had been baptized. Probably you were baptized where you were born or when you were quite small. You could be baptized again or send to your father though their would be no time for that. Miss Bailey and I can vouchsafe for your father's saying what he did, if that will do.
We were very glad to hear from you. Why do you not come out some Sunday? I have inquired at the South Station for you and we knew you were there.
I wonder if the other children will come out. I do not wonder that your father hesitates about their doing so. You did not mention Annie. She must be very sober -- the mother of the family.
I wish you would come out any fine Sunday and spend the day with us. Remember the latchstring will always be out for you. I have good help just now after a siege with three drunken help in a year.
We congratulate you on your success in your work. When you become a full-fledged engineer we will be very proud of you.
Hoping to see you soon. I am very truly your friend.
Helen A. Reardon
South Natick
Sept.
To: Frank Gleasure, 14 Webster Ave., Allston, Mass.
My dear Frank,
When your letter came Miss Bailey was dressed for a trip to Buzzard's Bay for a week so she turned the letter over to me.
I have inquired very carefully and find the record of the baptism of your four brothers and sisters but none of yours. I called on Miss Burr and she remembers that your father said you had been baptized before. I, also, remember when your father was planning the ceremony at Mrs. Burr's house he said that you had been baptized. Probably you were baptized where you were born or when you were quite small. You could be baptized again or send to your father though their would be no time for that. Miss Bailey and I can vouchsafe for your father's saying what he did, if that will do.
We were very glad to hear from you. Why do you not come out some Sunday? I have inquired at the South Station for you and we knew you were there.
I wonder if the other children will come out. I do not wonder that your father hesitates about their doing so. You did not mention Annie. She must be very sober -- the mother of the family.
I wish you would come out any fine Sunday and spend the day with us. Remember the latchstring will always be out for you. I have good help just now after a siege with three drunken help in a year.
We congratulate you on your success in your work. When you become a full-fledged engineer we will be very proud of you.
Hoping to see you soon. I am very truly your friend.
Helen A. Reardon
South Natick
Sept.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
November 27, 1908
From: Helen A. Reardon, S. Natick
To: Frank Gleasure,Brighton, 28 Herrick St., Mass.
4 Franklin St., Alls.
My dear Frank.
Will you come out and spend the day Sunday? We have thought about you a great deal and I have inquired at the Station for you but we do not hear anything.
We certainly hope you can come.
Very sincerely
Helen A. Reardon
To: Frank Gleasure,
4 Franklin St., Alls.
My dear Frank.
Will you come out and spend the day Sunday? We have thought about you a great deal and I have inquired at the Station for you but we do not hear anything.
We certainly hope you can come.
Very sincerely
Helen A. Reardon
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
January 8, 1908
From: Helen A. Reardon, Danforth House, South Natick
To: Frank Gleasure, 28 Herrick St., Brighton, Mass.
My dear Frank,
We have thought of you very often since we saw you and wondered how you were.
Do write to us oftener and come out whenever you feel lonely. If you have a little time off come out. It will do you good to see new faces.
How are the folks at home. How my heart aches for them.
We hope you are rested and will have all good success.
Sincerely your friend,
Helen A. Reardon
To: Frank Gleasure, 28 Herrick St., Brighton, Mass.
My dear Frank,
We have thought of you very often since we saw you and wondered how you were.
Do write to us oftener and come out whenever you feel lonely. If you have a little time off come out. It will do you good to see new faces.
How are the folks at home. How my heart aches for them.
We hope you are rested and will have all good success.
Sincerely your friend,
Helen A. Reardon
Monday, June 25, 2012
December 27, 1907
From: Helen Reardon, Pleasant St., South Natick, Massachusetts
To: Frank Gleasure, 28 Herrick St., Brighton, Mass
My dear Frank,
No words can give you any idea of my sorrow for you. I scarcely slept an hour last night thinking of your loneliness.
I was in Boston yesterday and would have hunted you up at lunch time if I had known where to find you.
The one more sad thing to me is that I have a letter on my desk begun to Joe. Miss Bailey went to New Jersey at the time she received the letter from him. She sent word to me to answer it. She has been sick and I had planned to have you and Joe come out to dinner Sunday. Miss Bailey came home by the Fall River boat last Saturday and is better.
If I had known about it I should have been only thankful to help you in some way and could have gone to the funeral.
Now I had many surprises for you and Joe but we cannot have the good time I planned. Now I want you to come out Sunday to dinner with me. I am living in the house that you lived in when you went across the water. Come directly here. I shall be home from church by half past twelve and we have dinner at half past one. I shall expect you without fail.
It will be sad for you but it will do you good to get away for the Sunday. I will write to Annie. I am sure you did everything you could for Joe. You have truly been tried in the fire and not found wanting.
With all sympathy
Helen A. Reardon
To: Frank Gleasure, 28 Herrick St., Brighton, Mass
My dear Frank,
No words can give you any idea of my sorrow for you. I scarcely slept an hour last night thinking of your loneliness.
I was in Boston yesterday and would have hunted you up at lunch time if I had known where to find you.
The one more sad thing to me is that I have a letter on my desk begun to Joe. Miss Bailey went to New Jersey at the time she received the letter from him. She sent word to me to answer it. She has been sick and I had planned to have you and Joe come out to dinner Sunday. Miss Bailey came home by the Fall River boat last Saturday and is better.
If I had known about it I should have been only thankful to help you in some way and could have gone to the funeral.
Now I had many surprises for you and Joe but we cannot have the good time I planned. Now I want you to come out Sunday to dinner with me. I am living in the house that you lived in when you went across the water. Come directly here. I shall be home from church by half past twelve and we have dinner at half past one. I shall expect you without fail.
It will be sad for you but it will do you good to get away for the Sunday. I will write to Annie. I am sure you did everything you could for Joe. You have truly been tried in the fire and not found wanting.
With all sympathy
Helen A. Reardon
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
April 22, 1907
From: Helen A. Reardon, South Natick, Mass
To: Frank Gleasure, 22 Herrick Street, Brighton, Mass
My dear Frank,
You can have little idea how pleased we were to get your letter. In many ways, it was a great pleasure. The last time I wrote to you I sent the letter to Allston and receiving no answer thought I would hunt up your uncle in Boston and none of us could remember his name.
Well, we are glad indeed that Joe is coming. I can hardly imagine how rejoiced you will be. One thing that pleased Miss Bailey and I so much was that you had not had many intimate friends. Some friends are priceless but as you are situated it is much better to keep by yourself rather than be too free. That very thing has been the downfall of many a young man. I think you will begin to really live when Joe comes. You have been a good brave boy to stick to it and make your way alone. The Express business is a good one and one where honesty and reliability are appreciated. I hear Mr. Bailey say how much in demand good square men are in those places.
When Joe comes as soon as he gets his "land legs" you must both come out. You will find old South Natick changed more than you can imagine. Your house has been bought by the Hunnewells and fixed up so you would never know it. Where the old mill was there is a park with a fine stone wall. The Unitarian Church has been made over beautifully. The Elliot House which has been a saloon for years has been sold to the Hunnewells and they are going to tear it down and put the land into a park.
Mrs. Burr has gone abroad for the summer.
I must write to Annie. I hope they will all come on the next that comes. No doubt you and Joe will accomplish it. We shall be glad to welcome you both on his arrival. Mr. Bailey is not all well. Has been sick on and off a year.
Very sincerely your friend,
Helen A. Reardon
Miss B and Mis Smith send best wishes
To: Frank Gleasure, 22 Herrick Street, Brighton, Mass
My dear Frank,
You can have little idea how pleased we were to get your letter. In many ways, it was a great pleasure. The last time I wrote to you I sent the letter to Allston and receiving no answer thought I would hunt up your uncle in Boston and none of us could remember his name.
Well, we are glad indeed that Joe is coming. I can hardly imagine how rejoiced you will be. One thing that pleased Miss Bailey and I so much was that you had not had many intimate friends. Some friends are priceless but as you are situated it is much better to keep by yourself rather than be too free. That very thing has been the downfall of many a young man. I think you will begin to really live when Joe comes. You have been a good brave boy to stick to it and make your way alone. The Express business is a good one and one where honesty and reliability are appreciated. I hear Mr. Bailey say how much in demand good square men are in those places.
When Joe comes as soon as he gets his "land legs" you must both come out. You will find old South Natick changed more than you can imagine. Your house has been bought by the Hunnewells and fixed up so you would never know it. Where the old mill was there is a park with a fine stone wall. The Unitarian Church has been made over beautifully. The Elliot House which has been a saloon for years has been sold to the Hunnewells and they are going to tear it down and put the land into a park.
Mrs. Burr has gone abroad for the summer.
I must write to Annie. I hope they will all come on the next that comes. No doubt you and Joe will accomplish it. We shall be glad to welcome you both on his arrival. Mr. Bailey is not all well. Has been sick on and off a year.
Very sincerely your friend,
Helen A. Reardon
Miss B and Mis Smith send best wishes
Saturday, February 18, 2012
August 30, 1905
From: Annie Gleasure, Square, Listowel, County Kerry, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 33 Arden Street, Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Dear Frank,
I am writing in answer to the letter which I have received from you last Sunday. I wrote to you on or about the tenth of the month; I presume you did not get it before you sent your last letter? We are all doing well here. Joe has left college now for good, I think that he will try for some situation soon. I suppose he will write and tell you all about his plans shortly. He wrote to Miss Reardon today. Do you ever get a chance to go out there now?
We hired a sidecar last Sunday and we all rode out to Patsy Dillon's at half past three o'clock and did not get back until half past five next morning, and enjoyed a very pleasant time. Tom, Ned, and Pat and his wife all came home after Mike arrived. Paul is home all the summer. All the boys and girls around gathered in that night and were dancing and singing during the whole time. Mike and Ned were up at Cork to see a football match between Kerry and Kildare at the time and arrived home about two o'clock next morning. Mike says he would not miss it for anything, he wanted to tell them all about it when he goes over. He went away on the one o'clock train on Monday for Cork and sailed this morning.
Adam was in town last Sunday too and he brought his eldest son James with him. It was the first time that I saw any of his children: he has two more, Katie the eldest and Molly the youngest. The old man comes to town pretty often, he doesn't do any work now and he is fairly strong for one of his age. The old woman is just the same as ever.
I must close now remaining
Yours Affectionately,
Annie Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 33 Arden Street, Allston, Massachusetts, USA
Dear Frank,
I am writing in answer to the letter which I have received from you last Sunday. I wrote to you on or about the tenth of the month; I presume you did not get it before you sent your last letter? We are all doing well here. Joe has left college now for good, I think that he will try for some situation soon. I suppose he will write and tell you all about his plans shortly. He wrote to Miss Reardon today. Do you ever get a chance to go out there now?
We hired a sidecar last Sunday and we all rode out to Patsy Dillon's at half past three o'clock and did not get back until half past five next morning, and enjoyed a very pleasant time. Tom, Ned, and Pat and his wife all came home after Mike arrived. Paul is home all the summer. All the boys and girls around gathered in that night and were dancing and singing during the whole time. Mike and Ned were up at Cork to see a football match between Kerry and Kildare at the time and arrived home about two o'clock next morning. Mike says he would not miss it for anything, he wanted to tell them all about it when he goes over. He went away on the one o'clock train on Monday for Cork and sailed this morning.
Adam was in town last Sunday too and he brought his eldest son James with him. It was the first time that I saw any of his children: he has two more, Katie the eldest and Molly the youngest. The old man comes to town pretty often, he doesn't do any work now and he is fairly strong for one of his age. The old woman is just the same as ever.
I must close now remaining
Yours Affectionately,
Annie Gleasure
June 30, 1905
From: Joseph Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 8 Wadsworth Street, Allston, Boston, Massachusetts
My Dear Brother,
I am very sorry I did not answer your letter sooner, but this was a busy week and I hadn't much time. I have vacation now too and I think I won't go back any more but study at home, and next Spring I will be thinking of joining you in Boston. Peter Buckley got a card and twenty pounds from his brother in Auckland and will be going there soon. His brother Dan met Dan Murphy and his sister in Chicago a short while ago.
Phil Hardon got married last Shrove and I think Nell Dooling is married to Mike Brown but they are keeping it secret.
We got all your letters and the bundles of papers alright. The papers are very interesting in summer about sports and athletics. Your pictures were very nice too you haven't changed very much only you seem to be very big, and the moustache suits you.
It is grand to be over there now in the summer where the climate is so beautiful. I suppose ye are getting very warm weather over there now. We had very warm weather too until this week we have occasional showers.
The fourth of July will be past when you get this letter. It will be a splendid day over there. The Irish who have gone over this year will see how they celebrate their national holiday over there. It is the best country in the world for any one to go to.
I am keeping at my Sandow exercises yet and have improved immensely all round. I have put on nearly two inches on my arms and about four inches in my chest since I began. My arms are nearly thirteen inches in circumference, my chest thirty eight expanded, and height only five feet four and a half inches. I can put up between sixty and seventy pounds four or five times with one hand. I suppose you have no time for exercising or swimming or anything. I suppose don't go out to South Natick at all now. The place must be all changed now, I suppose. If you go out any time, tell Miss Bailey or Miss Reardon to write to me. I wrote to them last Autumn, and I didn't hear from them yet. I suppose they are on their holidays now and gone away somewhere.
Trade and life is very dull in this town now. You have nothing to see only the same thing every day. There is one of the Carrolls thinking of going to Boston from New York, but he is waiting to get your new address. All the Carrolls that lived in the Square are gone since January, the old people and all.
Adam and his people are all well. He has three or four children now, and the old people are strong yet. All the Connors are at home yet too and have no notion of going anywhere. I will get some picture postcards with views of Listowel and send them on soon. Send some more papers when you are writing again.
As I have no more to say, I will close, hoping to meet you before another year. I will remain
Your Loving Brother,
Joseph Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 8 Wadsworth Street, Allston, Boston, Massachusetts
My Dear Brother,
I am very sorry I did not answer your letter sooner, but this was a busy week and I hadn't much time. I have vacation now too and I think I won't go back any more but study at home, and next Spring I will be thinking of joining you in Boston. Peter Buckley got a card and twenty pounds from his brother in Auckland and will be going there soon. His brother Dan met Dan Murphy and his sister in Chicago a short while ago.
Phil Hardon got married last Shrove and I think Nell Dooling is married to Mike Brown but they are keeping it secret.
We got all your letters and the bundles of papers alright. The papers are very interesting in summer about sports and athletics. Your pictures were very nice too you haven't changed very much only you seem to be very big, and the moustache suits you.
It is grand to be over there now in the summer where the climate is so beautiful. I suppose ye are getting very warm weather over there now. We had very warm weather too until this week we have occasional showers.
The fourth of July will be past when you get this letter. It will be a splendid day over there. The Irish who have gone over this year will see how they celebrate their national holiday over there. It is the best country in the world for any one to go to.
I am keeping at my Sandow exercises yet and have improved immensely all round. I have put on nearly two inches on my arms and about four inches in my chest since I began. My arms are nearly thirteen inches in circumference, my chest thirty eight expanded, and height only five feet four and a half inches. I can put up between sixty and seventy pounds four or five times with one hand. I suppose you have no time for exercising or swimming or anything. I suppose don't go out to South Natick at all now. The place must be all changed now, I suppose. If you go out any time, tell Miss Bailey or Miss Reardon to write to me. I wrote to them last Autumn, and I didn't hear from them yet. I suppose they are on their holidays now and gone away somewhere.
Trade and life is very dull in this town now. You have nothing to see only the same thing every day. There is one of the Carrolls thinking of going to Boston from New York, but he is waiting to get your new address. All the Carrolls that lived in the Square are gone since January, the old people and all.
Adam and his people are all well. He has three or four children now, and the old people are strong yet. All the Connors are at home yet too and have no notion of going anywhere. I will get some picture postcards with views of Listowel and send them on soon. Send some more papers when you are writing again.
As I have no more to say, I will close, hoping to meet you before another year. I will remain
Your Loving Brother,
Joseph Gleasure
Friday, February 17, 2012
April 9, 1905
From: Joseph Gleasure, Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Massachusetts
Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in good health as we all are present. We got your last letter all right and I intended to write before now, but we were expecting a letter from you one of these days.
We have very poor weather for the time of the year that it is. The farmers have nothing set yet the ground is so wet. Ye must have grand weather over there now after the snow and cold. Ireland has the worst climate in the world nearly, there isn't a day but we have rain. I will be glad anyway when I leave it. I suppose I will only put down this year here, I will be 20 years old then and the 21st of this month I will be nineteen. I am getting on very well at school and I don't think I will go anymore after this term. We go through a certain course every year and it is nearly the same thing every year, so when I know the course I only have to make myself up on that and as you must do it yourself, it is as good to do it at home as in school, paying for the privilege of sitting down there.
There is a gymnasium erected in the Sports field now and in full swing for the past two months. They have an attendance of about 40 with Peter Buckley included. They have a barbell weighing 140 lbs. which Frank Buckley puts up three times and it gives their instructor enough to do to put it up once. Frank is fearful strong and he is only five feet six inches high. I suppose you didn't follow up the exercises ye used to do in the loft long ago. Peter told me you had terrible muscles. I am sticking to them all along and I will try to get a muscular picture taken in the summer when we go swimming and send it to you. I hope you won't forget to take your picture one of these days now as the summer is coming on. You know how much we all would like to see how you look, for you must have changed a good deal in the last four years. The camera I had got out of order so I sold it for half price, but I will try to get another for the summer. I am sending you some pictures that I had since last year and I dare say you will recognize them as soon as you see them, specially one of them. They are not very good ones for I was inexperienced when I took them but next time I expect to send some nice ones. In the picture of our house, you will no doubt recognize May and Georgie in their bare feet.
Adam and his folk are all well and grandfather and grandmother are quiet strong and well, but the old man is not as strong as when you saw him last. I suppose you don't go out to South Natick at all. I wrote to Miss Reardon last Autumn and I didn't hear from her since.
I suppose you would have time to make up some papers soon and send them. Those ones with the stories are very interesting. We are doing very good business all along and it is increasing every year.
As I have no more to say of interest I will
Your loving Brother,
Joseph Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Massachusetts
Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in good health as we all are present. We got your last letter all right and I intended to write before now, but we were expecting a letter from you one of these days.
We have very poor weather for the time of the year that it is. The farmers have nothing set yet the ground is so wet. Ye must have grand weather over there now after the snow and cold. Ireland has the worst climate in the world nearly, there isn't a day but we have rain. I will be glad anyway when I leave it. I suppose I will only put down this year here, I will be 20 years old then and the 21st of this month I will be nineteen. I am getting on very well at school and I don't think I will go anymore after this term. We go through a certain course every year and it is nearly the same thing every year, so when I know the course I only have to make myself up on that and as you must do it yourself, it is as good to do it at home as in school, paying for the privilege of sitting down there.
There is a gymnasium erected in the Sports field now and in full swing for the past two months. They have an attendance of about 40 with Peter Buckley included. They have a barbell weighing 140 lbs. which Frank Buckley puts up three times and it gives their instructor enough to do to put it up once. Frank is fearful strong and he is only five feet six inches high. I suppose you didn't follow up the exercises ye used to do in the loft long ago. Peter told me you had terrible muscles. I am sticking to them all along and I will try to get a muscular picture taken in the summer when we go swimming and send it to you. I hope you won't forget to take your picture one of these days now as the summer is coming on. You know how much we all would like to see how you look, for you must have changed a good deal in the last four years. The camera I had got out of order so I sold it for half price, but I will try to get another for the summer. I am sending you some pictures that I had since last year and I dare say you will recognize them as soon as you see them, specially one of them. They are not very good ones for I was inexperienced when I took them but next time I expect to send some nice ones. In the picture of our house, you will no doubt recognize May and Georgie in their bare feet.
Adam and his folk are all well and grandfather and grandmother are quiet strong and well, but the old man is not as strong as when you saw him last. I suppose you don't go out to South Natick at all. I wrote to Miss Reardon last Autumn and I didn't hear from her since.
I suppose you would have time to make up some papers soon and send them. Those ones with the stories are very interesting. We are doing very good business all along and it is increasing every year.
As I have no more to say of interest I will
Your loving Brother,
Joseph Gleasure
Monday, February 13, 2012
October 15, 1904
From: Joseph Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street Allston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
My Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in perfect health. I got the letters you were talking about and Annie said she would write so it was pretty late when she wrote. I gave her some photographs to send you too. They are not as good as I would wish them to be. I hadn't time to take the children right, but I might around Christmas again.
We had the races last Tuesday and Wednesday. They passed off very quiet. My father is a little hoarse after them, for he was up the first night. Annie met with an accident too the second night. There is a merry-go-rounds in the Square and she went up and got dizzy, and a couple town's fellows brought her in in a fainting condition. So when she was inside the door, she fainted altogether and didn't get out of it for about five or six hours. The doctor made nothing of it, but she looked very bad for a while. She is alright again. It was the best races we had yet in the line of business.
I hope your hands are alright again. Bridge Dillane got married last summer and their is nobody at home now, only the old couple.
I suppose you didn't go out to South Natick for a long time. Miss Reardon would like to see you out again. I got some civil service papers from her last summer. They are a lot easier than the Civil Service examinations over here, but I think a fellow would do well in a big shipping store or some kind of a firm over there. I am getting on very fair with my studies over here and I think after this year at school I would be alright. I would like now if I was going over, but still I would be lonely in going away and leaving them all here. The time wasn't long going since you left three years ago.
There are going to build a gymnasium hall in the sports field this winter. I am using the dumb-bells all the time and I can put up a half wt. very easy.
We had fairly good weather up til this week, but today it is raining all the time and is very cold. We will have enough of rain now til next Spring again.
I am sending you some photographs this time. There are a couple of goods one there. But they are not rightly finished off. I got those tintype photos you sent. You didn't change very much in your features. My father wasn't pleased with them at all. He said you should go to a right photographer when you were about it at all. We would all like you to take your picture right the way we could show them to our friends. Father said he wouldn't show those tintype pictures to nobody, for they would be saying you couldn't get them taken any other way.
I hope you will get back firing again before long, for if you got to be a driver you are alright. As I have no more of interest to say. I will remain
Your loving brother,
Joseph Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street Allston, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
My Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in perfect health. I got the letters you were talking about and Annie said she would write so it was pretty late when she wrote. I gave her some photographs to send you too. They are not as good as I would wish them to be. I hadn't time to take the children right, but I might around Christmas again.
We had the races last Tuesday and Wednesday. They passed off very quiet. My father is a little hoarse after them, for he was up the first night. Annie met with an accident too the second night. There is a merry-go-rounds in the Square and she went up and got dizzy, and a couple town's fellows brought her in in a fainting condition. So when she was inside the door, she fainted altogether and didn't get out of it for about five or six hours. The doctor made nothing of it, but she looked very bad for a while. She is alright again. It was the best races we had yet in the line of business.
I hope your hands are alright again. Bridge Dillane got married last summer and their is nobody at home now, only the old couple.
I suppose you didn't go out to South Natick for a long time. Miss Reardon would like to see you out again. I got some civil service papers from her last summer. They are a lot easier than the Civil Service examinations over here, but I think a fellow would do well in a big shipping store or some kind of a firm over there. I am getting on very fair with my studies over here and I think after this year at school I would be alright. I would like now if I was going over, but still I would be lonely in going away and leaving them all here. The time wasn't long going since you left three years ago.
There are going to build a gymnasium hall in the sports field this winter. I am using the dumb-bells all the time and I can put up a half wt. very easy.
We had fairly good weather up til this week, but today it is raining all the time and is very cold. We will have enough of rain now til next Spring again.
I am sending you some photographs this time. There are a couple of goods one there. But they are not rightly finished off. I got those tintype photos you sent. You didn't change very much in your features. My father wasn't pleased with them at all. He said you should go to a right photographer when you were about it at all. We would all like you to take your picture right the way we could show them to our friends. Father said he wouldn't show those tintype pictures to nobody, for they would be saying you couldn't get them taken any other way.
I hope you will get back firing again before long, for if you got to be a driver you are alright. As I have no more of interest to say. I will remain
Your loving brother,
Joseph Gleasure
Saturday, February 11, 2012
May 31, 1904
From: Joseph Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Massachusetts
Dear Brother,
I received your letter a couple of weeks ago and I neglected writing since. The weather is very changable here, it would be a hot day to-day and to-morrow raining again.
I was telling you the last time I wrote that I wrote to Miss Reardon but I haven't heard from them since. They told me they would send some papers on civil service examinations but I suppose I won't hear from them anymore.
Peter Buckley is about getting a job in the North driving an engine in some factory. He used to get 2/6 a day whenever Jim Moloney would be away. He is the same old Peter as when you saw him last nothing troubling him but punching bags and developers. He tells me you must have great influence to get in any kind of a job in an office there and I want you to tell me is it so, and also if you could send me any circulars about the civil service. Whats troubling me is I might be too old when I go over to compete for any civil service exam. I am improving greatly in my writing, but this is not my best, and also all my other studies. I also spend half an hour at dumbbells before going to bed and I have put up great muscle since I began. A good smart fellow ought to get a nice job in an office in some big house or in a railway office. I am sure you should be very smart to pass a civil service examination over there as ther would be a lot competing for the same vacancy.
Deny Lyons died about a month ago, and Mike has taken up the auctioneering and the agency for booking passengers.
I hope you won't forget to send us your photograph, and I will shortly send our photographs because I have a small camera and if we got vacation I would take all of us and send them.
We would very much like to see your photograph now after been so long away. I promised to send some to Miss Reardon too but I won't until I hear from them again. If you were writing to them anytime you could ask them did they get my letter but I suppose they did. It must be lovely to be over there now coming on Summer. I would get very lonesome when I think of America or if anybody was talking about it. I suppose you would never think of coming back again like more of the fools. There are several around this town who went over for about three months and came back again as if they spent all their life there. The time won't be long slipping when I will be standing on American soil again. The Connor's have no talk of going now as when you were here. I think if Jim went over that time with you, you would have to carry him around with you, for he is very stupid to be talking to.
Father and all the children are all well at present and they are all quite well out at Tullig. Grandfather is still very strong and hardy.
As I have no more to stay I will remain
Your Dear Brother
Joseph Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Massachusetts
Dear Brother,
I received your letter a couple of weeks ago and I neglected writing since. The weather is very changable here, it would be a hot day to-day and to-morrow raining again.
I was telling you the last time I wrote that I wrote to Miss Reardon but I haven't heard from them since. They told me they would send some papers on civil service examinations but I suppose I won't hear from them anymore.
Peter Buckley is about getting a job in the North driving an engine in some factory. He used to get 2/6 a day whenever Jim Moloney would be away. He is the same old Peter as when you saw him last nothing troubling him but punching bags and developers. He tells me you must have great influence to get in any kind of a job in an office there and I want you to tell me is it so, and also if you could send me any circulars about the civil service. Whats troubling me is I might be too old when I go over to compete for any civil service exam. I am improving greatly in my writing, but this is not my best, and also all my other studies. I also spend half an hour at dumbbells before going to bed and I have put up great muscle since I began. A good smart fellow ought to get a nice job in an office in some big house or in a railway office. I am sure you should be very smart to pass a civil service examination over there as ther would be a lot competing for the same vacancy.
Deny Lyons died about a month ago, and Mike has taken up the auctioneering and the agency for booking passengers.
I hope you won't forget to send us your photograph, and I will shortly send our photographs because I have a small camera and if we got vacation I would take all of us and send them.
We would very much like to see your photograph now after been so long away. I promised to send some to Miss Reardon too but I won't until I hear from them again. If you were writing to them anytime you could ask them did they get my letter but I suppose they did. It must be lovely to be over there now coming on Summer. I would get very lonesome when I think of America or if anybody was talking about it. I suppose you would never think of coming back again like more of the fools. There are several around this town who went over for about three months and came back again as if they spent all their life there. The time won't be long slipping when I will be standing on American soil again. The Connor's have no talk of going now as when you were here. I think if Jim went over that time with you, you would have to carry him around with you, for he is very stupid to be talking to.
Father and all the children are all well at present and they are all quite well out at Tullig. Grandfather is still very strong and hardy.
As I have no more to stay I will remain
Your Dear Brother
Joseph Gleasure
Friday, February 10, 2012
April 7, 1904
From: Joseph Gleasure, Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Massachusetts
My Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in the best of health as we all are at present.
We are greatly troubled at not getting a letter since Christmas. My father wrote to you in January, and he told me to ask you did you get it? We thought when you didn't write that you were sick or that something happened to you so that you couldn't write.
I wrote to Miss Reardon some time after Xmas and got an answer soon after and I wrote last week again to her. She told me she would send me some papers about the Civil Service when she gets them from Washington and that she would give me any help she could. I am getting on splendidly at school. We are just after our Easter holidays and this is the first week we opened.
Some time ago I didn't pay half enough attention to my studies as I am now, but when I see how far back I was and the time slipping away quickly, I made up my mind to work while I had the chance. It is just what Miss Reardon told me that young fellows think it a fine thing to be done with school and then when they are out of school for a year or so they begin bemourning that they didn't stop at school longer. Any kind of a smart fellow can get a situation in any office nowadays.
Annie has got a kind of a job now with a bank clerk. Mr. Brunker was removed and a married man with one little girl about 6 or 7 years old. Annie has to go down to them about 3 and carry out the child for a walk and teach her a few lessons every day and after get their tea ready, and she is done then at 6. She is getting over a L1 for 3 months. It will be bringing in something to her and besides it will make her handy when she goes out in the world. I am practicing with dumbbells now every night since January. A fellow would want to be a bit tough to bear all the hardships of the world. Somers, the fellow that came home from Africa with the wounded finger, I don't know did you know him, has a gimanaziam in the town now. He was with Sandow for a long time and came home last year. He is all muscle, they stand out on him like big thick ropes tied around him.
It was lucky yourself and Peter stuck at them all the time for it is now your are reaping the benefit and only for them you would hardly be able to stick the firing so long I suppose. Frank Buckley is at them for the last couple of years and he do be casting in those country sports. He threw a half wt. nineteen and a half feet in Lixnaw last month, and he can beat them all around the town casting stones.
You will be gone three years the middle of this month and it only seems a couple of years ago since you went away. We would hardly know you now I suppose you must have got very stout. I think you ought to take your picture now coming on the summer. We would all like very much to look upon your features after being so long away.
I hope you won't delay in writing to let us know how you are getting on. My father said the people you are staying with might keep your letters and that you should be careful. As I have no more to say, I will close, hoping nothing has happened,
Your loving brother,
Joseph Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Massachusetts
My Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in the best of health as we all are at present.
We are greatly troubled at not getting a letter since Christmas. My father wrote to you in January, and he told me to ask you did you get it? We thought when you didn't write that you were sick or that something happened to you so that you couldn't write.
I wrote to Miss Reardon some time after Xmas and got an answer soon after and I wrote last week again to her. She told me she would send me some papers about the Civil Service when she gets them from Washington and that she would give me any help she could. I am getting on splendidly at school. We are just after our Easter holidays and this is the first week we opened.
Some time ago I didn't pay half enough attention to my studies as I am now, but when I see how far back I was and the time slipping away quickly, I made up my mind to work while I had the chance. It is just what Miss Reardon told me that young fellows think it a fine thing to be done with school and then when they are out of school for a year or so they begin bemourning that they didn't stop at school longer. Any kind of a smart fellow can get a situation in any office nowadays.
Annie has got a kind of a job now with a bank clerk. Mr. Brunker was removed and a married man with one little girl about 6 or 7 years old. Annie has to go down to them about 3 and carry out the child for a walk and teach her a few lessons every day and after get their tea ready, and she is done then at 6. She is getting over a L1 for 3 months. It will be bringing in something to her and besides it will make her handy when she goes out in the world. I am practicing with dumbbells now every night since January. A fellow would want to be a bit tough to bear all the hardships of the world. Somers, the fellow that came home from Africa with the wounded finger, I don't know did you know him, has a gimanaziam in the town now. He was with Sandow for a long time and came home last year. He is all muscle, they stand out on him like big thick ropes tied around him.
It was lucky yourself and Peter stuck at them all the time for it is now your are reaping the benefit and only for them you would hardly be able to stick the firing so long I suppose. Frank Buckley is at them for the last couple of years and he do be casting in those country sports. He threw a half wt. nineteen and a half feet in Lixnaw last month, and he can beat them all around the town casting stones.
You will be gone three years the middle of this month and it only seems a couple of years ago since you went away. We would hardly know you now I suppose you must have got very stout. I think you ought to take your picture now coming on the summer. We would all like very much to look upon your features after being so long away.
I hope you won't delay in writing to let us know how you are getting on. My father said the people you are staying with might keep your letters and that you should be careful. As I have no more to say, I will close, hoping nothing has happened,
Your loving brother,
Joseph Gleasure
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
December 12, 1903
From: Joseph Gleasure, Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Mass
Dear Brother, --
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in health as we all are at present. I intended writing sooner, but the time slipped away before I knew it.
We have very bad weather at present. Every place is flooded with water, especially the low lands, and it is raining every day since last summer. This letter will hardly reach you before Christmas, for this day two weeks is Christmas Day. It is only by chance I got time to write, because I don't get out of school until about four o'clock and then it is very near dark and when I come home I must study my lessons.
The college is like a gentleman's house now. They could have collected L1,000 for the repairs and it is finished only the ground around it where they are making gravel walks. It is a great place for being taught if you want to learn.
I suppose it would be a bit difficult for me to get a job in some office over there when I go over first, if hadn't someone that knew me to speak for me but it is your smartness that will do everything for you now, I believe. In about two years time I would be well-fitted for America. I would be nineteen years old then, but it is a long time before I will be able to see South Natick.
I forgot all about writing to Miss Reardon too but I am writing to her now also. I suppose it will be after Christmas when she gets it. I am also sending her some Christmas cards.
Jim Enright (Bang) was killed some time ago. It seems he was in town drunk with a horse waiting for someone and while he was waiting he sat in the car with no reins and when the horse heard him getting in he started off galloping down the road and was pitched out near the bridge, and when he was found, he was dead. I suppose you are at the same job yet. I would often be thinking that if I learned some engineering trade, it would be better than office work and more times it would be the opposite way. All the same, a clerk has a fine, clean, life, but it could be very unhealthy in cities on account of the heat in summer, and being inside all day, very near.
I thought I would have this letter posted long ago, but we couldn't get the Christmas cards. They are not very good, but they will serve the purpose. May is also sending a handkerchief.
As it is so late, I won't send any cards to South Natick, but I will write to them after Christmas. I am after getting the Christmas Double Number of Boy's Friend and when I am done with it I will send along with some papers to you. As I have no more to say, I will close, wishing you a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year.
I remain,
Your Affectionate Brother,
Joseph Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 459 Cambridge Street, Allston, Mass
Dear Brother, --
I hope the arrival of this letter will find you in health as we all are at present. I intended writing sooner, but the time slipped away before I knew it.
We have very bad weather at present. Every place is flooded with water, especially the low lands, and it is raining every day since last summer. This letter will hardly reach you before Christmas, for this day two weeks is Christmas Day. It is only by chance I got time to write, because I don't get out of school until about four o'clock and then it is very near dark and when I come home I must study my lessons.
The college is like a gentleman's house now. They could have collected L1,000 for the repairs and it is finished only the ground around it where they are making gravel walks. It is a great place for being taught if you want to learn.
I suppose it would be a bit difficult for me to get a job in some office over there when I go over first, if hadn't someone that knew me to speak for me but it is your smartness that will do everything for you now, I believe. In about two years time I would be well-fitted for America. I would be nineteen years old then, but it is a long time before I will be able to see South Natick.
I forgot all about writing to Miss Reardon too but I am writing to her now also. I suppose it will be after Christmas when she gets it. I am also sending her some Christmas cards.
Jim Enright (Bang) was killed some time ago. It seems he was in town drunk with a horse waiting for someone and while he was waiting he sat in the car with no reins and when the horse heard him getting in he started off galloping down the road and was pitched out near the bridge, and when he was found, he was dead. I suppose you are at the same job yet. I would often be thinking that if I learned some engineering trade, it would be better than office work and more times it would be the opposite way. All the same, a clerk has a fine, clean, life, but it could be very unhealthy in cities on account of the heat in summer, and being inside all day, very near.
I thought I would have this letter posted long ago, but we couldn't get the Christmas cards. They are not very good, but they will serve the purpose. May is also sending a handkerchief.
As it is so late, I won't send any cards to South Natick, but I will write to them after Christmas. I am after getting the Christmas Double Number of Boy's Friend and when I am done with it I will send along with some papers to you. As I have no more to say, I will close, wishing you a Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year.
I remain,
Your Affectionate Brother,
Joseph Gleasure
Friday, January 27, 2012
December 12, 1902
From: Helen A. Reardon, South Natick, Massachusetts
To: Frank Gleasure, 82 West Canton Street, Boston, Mass.
My dear Frank,
I was surprised indeed to find that you did not hear from me last summer. Perhaps I directed it wrong and put Canton St. instead of West Canton St. I have the impression I did now. Still I should think the postman would have looked you up.
We have wondered time and again why in the world you did not come out to see us.
Just now we are rather under the weather. Mr. Bailey is sick in bed with an abscess and has a trained nurse. Mrs. Bailey is sick also with the prevailing grip. The rest of us are pretty well but tired.
We are very much gratified to hear about Joe's success as a scholar. If you have some influence, a broker's office would be a good place for him. We have looked about for you hear as we did last Summer, but there is nothing really desirable. The place here is so rough for a young man to live I have no courage to get a place for anyone for fear they might be tempted to go wrong. There is a saloon at every turn.
Mr. Bailey has a night watchman but has some trouble in getting stout expressmen who can be relied upon. Fred is going to Boston just now himself. His office is 34 Court Square, one of them, the others are on Kilby St.
How much I should like to hear from Annie and more still to see them all. I am sure they will come over before very long. Then you can keep house together and live like princes. Have you ever taken advantage of the evening schools or free lectures? It is a little hard to start out I know after a hard day's work.
The Burr boys are back in College this year. They were both out last year. Lucy Hickox is living in West Newton with her Aunt Mrs. Wisner. Charlie Hickox, her brother, died of consumption about two years ago. Lucy and Charlie were both good scholars.
They will all be glad to see you any Sunday. We have expected you before.
The men are all new many times over since you were here. Mr. Bailey's business has increased so that there is a good deal to do and hard work too.
We all send best wishes for your welfare and wish we could find you just such a job as you want.
Sincerely your friend,
Helen A. Reardon
To: Frank Gleasure, 82 West Canton Street, Boston, Mass.
My dear Frank,
I was surprised indeed to find that you did not hear from me last summer. Perhaps I directed it wrong and put Canton St. instead of West Canton St. I have the impression I did now. Still I should think the postman would have looked you up.
We have wondered time and again why in the world you did not come out to see us.
Just now we are rather under the weather. Mr. Bailey is sick in bed with an abscess and has a trained nurse. Mrs. Bailey is sick also with the prevailing grip. The rest of us are pretty well but tired.
We are very much gratified to hear about Joe's success as a scholar. If you have some influence, a broker's office would be a good place for him. We have looked about for you hear as we did last Summer, but there is nothing really desirable. The place here is so rough for a young man to live I have no courage to get a place for anyone for fear they might be tempted to go wrong. There is a saloon at every turn.
Mr. Bailey has a night watchman but has some trouble in getting stout expressmen who can be relied upon. Fred is going to Boston just now himself. His office is 34 Court Square, one of them, the others are on Kilby St.
How much I should like to hear from Annie and more still to see them all. I am sure they will come over before very long. Then you can keep house together and live like princes. Have you ever taken advantage of the evening schools or free lectures? It is a little hard to start out I know after a hard day's work.
The Burr boys are back in College this year. They were both out last year. Lucy Hickox is living in West Newton with her Aunt Mrs. Wisner. Charlie Hickox, her brother, died of consumption about two years ago. Lucy and Charlie were both good scholars.
They will all be glad to see you any Sunday. We have expected you before.
The men are all new many times over since you were here. Mr. Bailey's business has increased so that there is a good deal to do and hard work too.
We all send best wishes for your welfare and wish we could find you just such a job as you want.
Sincerely your friend,
Helen A. Reardon
Saturday, January 21, 2012
March 2nd, 1902
From: George Gleasure (Frank's father), the Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 82 West Canton Street, Boston, MA
Dear Frank,
We had your letter on Thursday last and is very much put about over it. You had a very narrow escape to have your hand all mashed up like that. Still, it may not be all the bad if the case is not worse than you mentioned. It must be a pitiful case when you were under the influence of ether for five hours as they could have a whole limb taken off in that time. Let us know how you are getting on when you get this letter as we will be very anxious about it. So I think you are better. Look out for yourself. It was a very unfortunate accident so soon after going out. I can't see how she could not give you some other vessel beside a bottle for tea. We are all well here at present. The weather was very fine in February. We had a great deal of frost and snow this winter here. Not too much rain, it was not a bad winter. We had a letter about Christmas from Miss Reardon asking about you and where you were. She said they did not know what became of you as they invited you out when you would be settled down and if that be the case, I think you must be very much overseen that did not let them know where you were. Anyway, do not be led away with what the Dillons tell you. They may tell you not to mind them, but do not heed them or what they say. They are no great things as I very well know. Keep your mind to yourself. You ought to know who the good people are. If I never said a word, I must tell you that your friend Mathias Quilter died and was buried New Year's day. And also [hoden?] Moll Quilter [ballyrahan?] died at Christmas and old Kit Pierce at Christmas. There was a good many died at Listowel. Also, since you went away, we have a new schoolmaster near us again, and I believe a very good man. You were talking in your last letter about getting out your papers and putting in an application for the firemen. I don't think much about it as it is a very confined job and also there is a lot of danger attached to it. Look out for those class of fellows as they are always sucking beer out of people that they can bluff. And also the politics of Boston are a pack of thieves that care nothing about a man when they have his vote. I don't think there is any need of you getting naturalized as you are already naturalized on the strength of my papers if the law is not changed as you were under 14 years of age when I got my papers. Go down to Post Office building and tell them so to room 111. I think you will not have very much trouble in getting them. If you make application, you can do it yourself and not be [bothering?] with those class of fellows. If you look out now in the spring, I don't see why you cannot find a suitable job if you do not like the one you have. I think if you got a private job of some sort that your board would be included that you would do better. There used to be a place on Federal Street in my time that used to find jobs for your class, I mean for Protestants. I think the number was 9 Federal Street. I think if you make a practice of going to church, and get acquainted with those class of people you would be alright. But if you say where you are, you will be always a slave. They cannot do anything for you in that way. So now is your time to look out for yourself and take my advice if you ever want to be anything. No more at present.
From George Gleasure, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 82 West Canton Street, Boston, MA
Dear Frank,
We had your letter on Thursday last and is very much put about over it. You had a very narrow escape to have your hand all mashed up like that. Still, it may not be all the bad if the case is not worse than you mentioned. It must be a pitiful case when you were under the influence of ether for five hours as they could have a whole limb taken off in that time. Let us know how you are getting on when you get this letter as we will be very anxious about it. So I think you are better. Look out for yourself. It was a very unfortunate accident so soon after going out. I can't see how she could not give you some other vessel beside a bottle for tea. We are all well here at present. The weather was very fine in February. We had a great deal of frost and snow this winter here. Not too much rain, it was not a bad winter. We had a letter about Christmas from Miss Reardon asking about you and where you were. She said they did not know what became of you as they invited you out when you would be settled down and if that be the case, I think you must be very much overseen that did not let them know where you were. Anyway, do not be led away with what the Dillons tell you. They may tell you not to mind them, but do not heed them or what they say. They are no great things as I very well know. Keep your mind to yourself. You ought to know who the good people are. If I never said a word, I must tell you that your friend Mathias Quilter died and was buried New Year's day. And also [hoden?] Moll Quilter [ballyrahan?] died at Christmas and old Kit Pierce at Christmas. There was a good many died at Listowel. Also, since you went away, we have a new schoolmaster near us again, and I believe a very good man. You were talking in your last letter about getting out your papers and putting in an application for the firemen. I don't think much about it as it is a very confined job and also there is a lot of danger attached to it. Look out for those class of fellows as they are always sucking beer out of people that they can bluff. And also the politics of Boston are a pack of thieves that care nothing about a man when they have his vote. I don't think there is any need of you getting naturalized as you are already naturalized on the strength of my papers if the law is not changed as you were under 14 years of age when I got my papers. Go down to Post Office building and tell them so to room 111. I think you will not have very much trouble in getting them. If you make application, you can do it yourself and not be [bothering?] with those class of fellows. If you look out now in the spring, I don't see why you cannot find a suitable job if you do not like the one you have. I think if you got a private job of some sort that your board would be included that you would do better. There used to be a place on Federal Street in my time that used to find jobs for your class, I mean for Protestants. I think the number was 9 Federal Street. I think if you make a practice of going to church, and get acquainted with those class of people you would be alright. But if you say where you are, you will be always a slave. They cannot do anything for you in that way. So now is your time to look out for yourself and take my advice if you ever want to be anything. No more at present.
From George Gleasure, Listowel
Friday, January 20, 2012
February 24, 1901*
From: Helen A. Reardon, S. Natick Mass
To: Frank Gleasure, 82 West Canton Street, Boston, Mass
My dear Frank,
We were very sorry indeed to hear of your painful accident and all sincerely hope you will be wise enough to do just as the doctor says in regard to taking care of your han[missing]** until it is entirely heal[missing]
Henry Pfeiffer had much [missing] an experience as you ha[missing] had last summer but he had good pluck as you have had and he uses his hand quite a good deal. He got blood poisoning into his, however, and was in bed with it several weeks which I hope will not be your fate. We are very very thankful it was no worse. I feel sure you must have pleased your employers in order for them to consider paying you for the lost time. I hope they will do so.
I cannot imagine [missing] you wrote so well [missing] your left hand. I [missing] not have done it.
I received a letter from Annie which I answered at once, being very glad to hear from her. I fear she did not receive it by what you say.
It will be a great day for you when your father and Annie and the children come over. You must be looking out for a place for Joe. I suppose you will become so accustomed to city life that you will all like to live in the city.
Shields Burr has been very sick indeed [missing] for many weeks. H[missing] is just now able to [missing] up. He got a position in a mill in Providence and had not been there long when he came home sick.
I have not seen Miss Hartwell. I have been very busy and she has not been very well.
We have wondered many times why you did not come out to see us. It very easy now to take a run out some Sunday on the electrics via Needham.
Let us know how you [missing] and if the stiffness [missing] out of your hand [missing] can use it.
Let us know also if you have taken advantage of any of the privileges of the city. The Public Library, the free lectures, etc. I hope so. We all send love and good wishes,
Sincerely,
Helen A. Reardon
*Addressed "Feb. 24, 1901" but postmarked "FEB 24 1902"
**Portions of this letter were ripped when Frank removed the corner with the stamp on it from the envelope.
To: Frank Gleasure, 82 West Canton Street, Boston, Mass
My dear Frank,
We were very sorry indeed to hear of your painful accident and all sincerely hope you will be wise enough to do just as the doctor says in regard to taking care of your han[missing]** until it is entirely heal[missing]
Henry Pfeiffer had much [missing] an experience as you ha[missing] had last summer but he had good pluck as you have had and he uses his hand quite a good deal. He got blood poisoning into his, however, and was in bed with it several weeks which I hope will not be your fate. We are very very thankful it was no worse. I feel sure you must have pleased your employers in order for them to consider paying you for the lost time. I hope they will do so.
I cannot imagine [missing] you wrote so well [missing] your left hand. I [missing] not have done it.
I received a letter from Annie which I answered at once, being very glad to hear from her. I fear she did not receive it by what you say.
It will be a great day for you when your father and Annie and the children come over. You must be looking out for a place for Joe. I suppose you will become so accustomed to city life that you will all like to live in the city.
Shields Burr has been very sick indeed [missing] for many weeks. H[missing] is just now able to [missing] up. He got a position in a mill in Providence and had not been there long when he came home sick.
I have not seen Miss Hartwell. I have been very busy and she has not been very well.
We have wondered many times why you did not come out to see us. It very easy now to take a run out some Sunday on the electrics via Needham.
Let us know how you [missing] and if the stiffness [missing] out of your hand [missing] can use it.
Let us know also if you have taken advantage of any of the privileges of the city. The Public Library, the free lectures, etc. I hope so. We all send love and good wishes,
Sincerely,
Helen A. Reardon
*Addressed "Feb. 24, 1901" but postmarked "FEB 24 1902"
**Portions of this letter were ripped when Frank removed the corner with the stamp on it from the envelope.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
November 6, 1901
From: Annie Gleasure, Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 82 West Canton St., Boston, Mass
Dear Frank -
I suppose you are anxiously waiting to hear from us, but the days are so short they slip away before we are aware of it. Your last letter was received here on the first day of the races. The first day of the races was very nice, though the second day was a very rainy day. The horses ran very well on both days. Everything is going on as usual here, and the place is but little changed. The Provincial Bank has been knocked in the summertime, and it is being built up again now. There has been a new house built up near the Temperance Hall, and believe they are going to have it for a sort of library or reading room. We still have the meetings in the hall on Wednesdays and on Sundays. Do you have time to go to church any Sunday? It would be very nice if you could. There is to be a sale here in the hall tomorrow and the day after. The weather is very cold and frosty for the past week. We've had no snow here yet. Is there any there yet? Does Miss Reardon or any of them go in to see you? We did not get a letter from them since you were here. I wonder why they don't write. We were very much pleased to receive the papers and the little badges. We got both bundles of papers. I am sending you some papers with this. With best wishes for your success I remain
Yours Affectionately
Annie Gleasure
Write before Christmas.
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