From: Mai Baker, The Cottage, Ballincollig, Co Cork
To: Frank Gleasure, 56 Gardner Street, Allston, Mass. USA
My dear Frank,
What a pleasant surprise when I was just going to take my breakfast this morning at getting your letter, you bet I did not bother with breakfast until I read your letter over a couple of times so glad to hear yourself & family are well, its a relief to you they are all grown up now, you had a lot of worry while they were young but in married life there is always something or another. I have not heard from Listowel for past two months they are a bit slow sometimes in writing or I think they are busy making lots of money, they are doing very well down there they have got the house next door and are enlarging their business. There is not many in Listowel that you would know now the only ones belonging to your time would be girl & boys of Buckley's family. Mollie Lyons. Leane the Chemist & Dr. Dillons. You know Behan house next door got burned to the ground. George came near losing his home at that time also there are strangers there now all the Behans are left town & some of them are dead. I suppose you remember Nell Dowling who used bring us the milk she has a provision shop at end of the Square & has a grown up family she used often ask about you her sister Maggie went to New York & done very well. Paddy has the house at Woodford. All the old people of Tullig & Mt. Cole are dead James Connor Uncle Adam & Wife some of the Parkinsons etc. and all their family's are grown up and have children of their own grown up also I would not know half of them as I am over twenty years left Listowel and it's 19 years since I was down there they never invite me down for a few days and I would like to go John & Jim Connor are at Mt. Cole John is married but Jim is not. Sarah is married she was very bad during summer & had to be put in hospital suffering from cancer. as you know all the Dillons are out of the police now Tom is here in Cork he has five in family all doing splendid Paddy is living in Listowel his wife is dead and he drinks a good deal himself Bridge is living near Lixnaw & has a grown family also do you ever meet Mike he buried his wife last March and then the Carrolls there is only one of them left here Henry & Matt are dead Jerry is in New York also two others and are doing well by what themselves say. And now about myself I don't know if I told you I have seven boys eldest 21 and youngest 9. my eldest boy is motor Mechanic and is very good at his trade my second boy is trying at present to get to Belfast to do some war work if he can but the country is a bit upset and its hard to get anything [?]. I had a hard struggle to rear them as the father is very much given to drink and I've had a terrible life up to this he is over in England at present and I hope he stops there you said you did not hear from George after you wrote to him they told me they answered your letter & did not hear from you since so you got a wrong idea about it the world is so upset for past few years a person don't know if the letter goes right or not. I do not know how many times I've written to Annie but I'm sure it's about 20 letters anyway I never got an answer to any of them I even sent them to Mrs. Smyth. I am posting another along with this to her. I'll be delighted to get the parcel if you will be able to manage it I hope I did not give you too much trouble I never knew you should look for permission to send them. George was not very well for past twelve months I met them in Cork last May they were up to take their boy home from hospital as he was in with apendix George got very old looking his wife is very good to me as she sends me all my clothes as the same things fit us and she get finished with hers before they are worn I'd be lost for clothes only for her as I could not buy them myself I will send them your new address this evening and I'm sure they will write to you you will be tired reading all this I hope you will write to me very soon again I've often and often thought about you and wished you would write ask Annie to write me also Hope this finds you all in best & wishing you all a Very Happy Xmas
Your loving sister,
Mai
Showing posts with label Mike Dillon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mike Dillon. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
January 18, 1926
From: Annie Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co. Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 89 Surrey Street Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Well I received your letter about three weeks ago and if I put off writing any longer I'm afraid it would be some time before you would hear from me for I'm not much good for letter writing. Needless to say we were delighted to hear from you and that you are going along all right, of course it won't be altogether easy until the girls grow up and take charge of the housekeeping, but after another few years you won't feel them growing up. It was too bad you meeting so much dissapointment in your married life. I would have liked to have gone over after Father died but the way George was placed and then I wasn't very strong either, my health broke down altogether after-wards but I'm quite strong again now. I expect it would be like going to a new country if I went now it would be rather strange to me. Quite a lot of people go from here I don't know how they all get work. Aunt Bridge's daughter left where she was and went out to Chicago. I suppose you hardly ever see Uncle Mike or Aunt Annie? All the people in Tullig are going on well the eldest girl is married in Castlemaine seven miles outside Tralee, they keep a grocery shop and the second eldest boy is here with us in the shop for the past year. I don't think you would know any one round here now the people have changed so and its awfully quiet here. Well I must come to a close now wishing you every prosperity. With love from all
Your affectionate sister Annie.
To: Frank Gleasure, 89 Surrey Street Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
Well I received your letter about three weeks ago and if I put off writing any longer I'm afraid it would be some time before you would hear from me for I'm not much good for letter writing. Needless to say we were delighted to hear from you and that you are going along all right, of course it won't be altogether easy until the girls grow up and take charge of the housekeeping, but after another few years you won't feel them growing up. It was too bad you meeting so much dissapointment in your married life. I would have liked to have gone over after Father died but the way George was placed and then I wasn't very strong either, my health broke down altogether after-wards but I'm quite strong again now. I expect it would be like going to a new country if I went now it would be rather strange to me. Quite a lot of people go from here I don't know how they all get work. Aunt Bridge's daughter left where she was and went out to Chicago. I suppose you hardly ever see Uncle Mike or Aunt Annie? All the people in Tullig are going on well the eldest girl is married in Castlemaine seven miles outside Tralee, they keep a grocery shop and the second eldest boy is here with us in the shop for the past year. I don't think you would know any one round here now the people have changed so and its awfully quiet here. Well I must come to a close now wishing you every prosperity. With love from all
Your affectionate sister Annie.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
July 4, 1917
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I really don't know how time slipped by on me without answering your very welcomed letter received some time ago, well except I answer a letter right after I getting one I grow very careless about it. We are all in fairly good health here at present enjoying the summer weather after such a very hard winter as we had, by the way father got a severe attack of cold and cough last winter it shook him very much he did not lay up but he was no more than able to move around, at times he has the cough all the time it has stuck in him some way or other. Old Patsy Dillane died the 30th May he passed away without an hour's sickness the poor old man it was better for him as he had no one to care him there its funny after all the family he had not one of them with him when he dying except strangers the place belongs to Pat now but he has two more years to spend in the force. Mat Carroll has passed away also I wonder did you know him he only came home from America last November in delicate health he was in Boston last September and came across Mike he was going to call and see you he said but had no time to spare. there's a brother of his lives in Boston I don't know what part I except you hardly now him as he is one of the younger boys. Do you ever meet any of the Dillanes now you can tell them about old Patsy if you do. George is all the time working here but is trying for a change the pay he gets here is not up to much Tom Dillane is trying to get him a place up at Queenstown there is constant work of his kind going on there at the dockyards and the pay averages from 50/. shilling a week upwards. anyway I hope he'll get a change as he would be better off out of this town he makes up and down with too many cadgers he is very quick and intelligent and his boss gives him the top praise as regards his work but he is growing very careless lately I'm sure its over the little pay he gets, if he could get to Queenstown he would get on better I'm sure Tom & Pat would be near him there as they are in Cork City and he would have plenty to amuse him there and that would keep him from loafing. Just fancy writing so much and never asking how yourself and family were I do hope well you spoke in your letter about removing I hope this address will find you out. I was dreaming last night about you I thought you were coming home to see us how I wish you were. Annie did not start out yet of course it would be madness to think of going now when she had any notion of going at all she had aright to start years ago. Times are very bad here now in our line of business its pretty bad there are such restrictions put on liquor we can't get it for any money the rule is you only get a third of your last years supply that really means we have only enough stuff to keep us going one week out of four. its pretty hard to deprive a person of there living, the taxes they were putting on were bad enough but to cut us short of our supply was worse. and then a person has to turn around and pay enormous prices for everything the eat and use I don't see how it can be done when we have no way of making money a person would not mind the high prices for stuff if you were making money in proportion what a relief to everyone it would be if this war would end. I don't think I have any more to write about at present I hope this will find you all in the best as we are presently what kind of a summer are ye having there its fairly good here and everything points towards a good harvest so we won't starve this year I'm sure, you know the farmers were made till a lot of there land to raise food stuffs so we won't be short this year. Hoping I shall hear from you very soon again Iremain
Your loving sister Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield Street, Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I really don't know how time slipped by on me without answering your very welcomed letter received some time ago, well except I answer a letter right after I getting one I grow very careless about it. We are all in fairly good health here at present enjoying the summer weather after such a very hard winter as we had, by the way father got a severe attack of cold and cough last winter it shook him very much he did not lay up but he was no more than able to move around, at times he has the cough all the time it has stuck in him some way or other. Old Patsy Dillane died the 30th May he passed away without an hour's sickness the poor old man it was better for him as he had no one to care him there its funny after all the family he had not one of them with him when he dying except strangers the place belongs to Pat now but he has two more years to spend in the force. Mat Carroll has passed away also I wonder did you know him he only came home from America last November in delicate health he was in Boston last September and came across Mike he was going to call and see you he said but had no time to spare. there's a brother of his lives in Boston I don't know what part I except you hardly now him as he is one of the younger boys. Do you ever meet any of the Dillanes now you can tell them about old Patsy if you do. George is all the time working here but is trying for a change the pay he gets here is not up to much Tom Dillane is trying to get him a place up at Queenstown there is constant work of his kind going on there at the dockyards and the pay averages from 50/. shilling a week upwards. anyway I hope he'll get a change as he would be better off out of this town he makes up and down with too many cadgers he is very quick and intelligent and his boss gives him the top praise as regards his work but he is growing very careless lately I'm sure its over the little pay he gets, if he could get to Queenstown he would get on better I'm sure Tom & Pat would be near him there as they are in Cork City and he would have plenty to amuse him there and that would keep him from loafing. Just fancy writing so much and never asking how yourself and family were I do hope well you spoke in your letter about removing I hope this address will find you out. I was dreaming last night about you I thought you were coming home to see us how I wish you were. Annie did not start out yet of course it would be madness to think of going now when she had any notion of going at all she had aright to start years ago. Times are very bad here now in our line of business its pretty bad there are such restrictions put on liquor we can't get it for any money the rule is you only get a third of your last years supply that really means we have only enough stuff to keep us going one week out of four. its pretty hard to deprive a person of there living, the taxes they were putting on were bad enough but to cut us short of our supply was worse. and then a person has to turn around and pay enormous prices for everything the eat and use I don't see how it can be done when we have no way of making money a person would not mind the high prices for stuff if you were making money in proportion what a relief to everyone it would be if this war would end. I don't think I have any more to write about at present I hope this will find you all in the best as we are presently what kind of a summer are ye having there its fairly good here and everything points towards a good harvest so we won't starve this year I'm sure, you know the farmers were made till a lot of there land to raise food stuffs so we won't be short this year. Hoping I shall hear from you very soon again Iremain
Your loving sister Mai.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
October 26, 1916
From: May Gleasure, Listowel, Square, Co Kerry, Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3067]
Dear Frank,
Its about time I should think about answering your last letter which I received alright. I was going to write from time to time but kept putting it off. waiting for this thing and that, anyway I wanted to tell you about how George would be circumstanced after his time being up. He has his time served since 1st September, he has not being removed from Listowel as yet, but he may be after Xmas, he is paid according to what he does and he also gets so much an hour, putting it in all he earns about 25/shilling a week sometimes, at other times 20/shilling and so on, of course if he were sent away he should get about twice that much a week but you know unaccount of his boarding at home its not so bad, he could spare a little money now while he'd be in Listowel if he had sense but I'm sorry to say he has'ent. he goes with fellows that are no company for him, and don't come in home at night at no early hour, you need not say anything in your letter about it (if you want to say anything write it on a seperate page) as Annie and I don't want to interfer let them do as they like and find out for themselves. Annie expects to go to America in the Spring. its a pity as she wasn't going this year as there were several going from the town here, she says she'll write to you in a day or two herself and tell you all and indeed its about time she were doing for herself, working away here and nothing by her time even George now that hes earing never offered her as much as a copper yet and she doing everything for him. Anyway I hope Annie will be able to get away from this place before long whatever I may do afterwards about getting away, it would be a good job for her to be leaving this place behind she never goes outside the door here not even out for a walk I often wonder how she holds inside always. of course its different for me when I'm able to rough it around a lot, I have enough told you about the trouble of this country for this time. We have very bad weather here for the past month nothing but rain all the time. The Races were not much good this year as the weather being bad as usual we did not go to them at all only the two men (boss and George). I hope the two children are quite well and strong and especially the little baby. I hope she will be quite strong before the winter will come on I think its very hard to rear children over in that country some way or other, and yourself I hope you are well over that fit you got in the summer, it must be pretty hard for you working for so many hours, its really to long for any man to work for nineteen or twenty hours a day. You spoke about Annie Dillon being living near you now do you ever see Mike or Lizzie, the old man their father is very feeble now he never comes to town at all now. Anyway there is no one to care him only a woman coming to the house doing a few jobs for him, of course any of the men are not pensioned of yet, they come to see him as often as they can and get all they can done for him. Do ye still here from your bother-in-law that was in France I hope he'll be successful and come home alright there were a lot of Listowel chaps knocked over from time to time its very sad to think about I hope it will be over very soon. I hope you'll be able to get promoted in your job before very long would it mean an easier time for you than what you have now. The big November fair will be here on Monday. next we will be pretty busy that day, all classes of cattle are an awful price in this country presently, its the farmers that are coining from this war they get just three time the money that they used to get for there cattle and stuff. and yet there sons will not go out and help to win the war. I don't think I have anything else to tell you this time. Annie will be writing to you soon I expect, but she is so slow about writing a letter I hope you'll write to me very soon again and will you send me a photo of the children some time you have it promised a long time Remembe to write soon with best love to wife and children and self Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St., Brighton, Mass, U.S.A.
[Opened by censor 3067]
Dear Frank,
Its about time I should think about answering your last letter which I received alright. I was going to write from time to time but kept putting it off. waiting for this thing and that, anyway I wanted to tell you about how George would be circumstanced after his time being up. He has his time served since 1st September, he has not being removed from Listowel as yet, but he may be after Xmas, he is paid according to what he does and he also gets so much an hour, putting it in all he earns about 25/shilling a week sometimes, at other times 20/shilling and so on, of course if he were sent away he should get about twice that much a week but you know unaccount of his boarding at home its not so bad, he could spare a little money now while he'd be in Listowel if he had sense but I'm sorry to say he has'ent. he goes with fellows that are no company for him, and don't come in home at night at no early hour, you need not say anything in your letter about it (if you want to say anything write it on a seperate page) as Annie and I don't want to interfer let them do as they like and find out for themselves. Annie expects to go to America in the Spring. its a pity as she wasn't going this year as there were several going from the town here, she says she'll write to you in a day or two herself and tell you all and indeed its about time she were doing for herself, working away here and nothing by her time even George now that hes earing never offered her as much as a copper yet and she doing everything for him. Anyway I hope Annie will be able to get away from this place before long whatever I may do afterwards about getting away, it would be a good job for her to be leaving this place behind she never goes outside the door here not even out for a walk I often wonder how she holds inside always. of course its different for me when I'm able to rough it around a lot, I have enough told you about the trouble of this country for this time. We have very bad weather here for the past month nothing but rain all the time. The Races were not much good this year as the weather being bad as usual we did not go to them at all only the two men (boss and George). I hope the two children are quite well and strong and especially the little baby. I hope she will be quite strong before the winter will come on I think its very hard to rear children over in that country some way or other, and yourself I hope you are well over that fit you got in the summer, it must be pretty hard for you working for so many hours, its really to long for any man to work for nineteen or twenty hours a day. You spoke about Annie Dillon being living near you now do you ever see Mike or Lizzie, the old man their father is very feeble now he never comes to town at all now. Anyway there is no one to care him only a woman coming to the house doing a few jobs for him, of course any of the men are not pensioned of yet, they come to see him as often as they can and get all they can done for him. Do ye still here from your bother-in-law that was in France I hope he'll be successful and come home alright there were a lot of Listowel chaps knocked over from time to time its very sad to think about I hope it will be over very soon. I hope you'll be able to get promoted in your job before very long would it mean an easier time for you than what you have now. The big November fair will be here on Monday. next we will be pretty busy that day, all classes of cattle are an awful price in this country presently, its the farmers that are coining from this war they get just three time the money that they used to get for there cattle and stuff. and yet there sons will not go out and help to win the war. I don't think I have anything else to tell you this time. Annie will be writing to you soon I expect, but she is so slow about writing a letter I hope you'll write to me very soon again and will you send me a photo of the children some time you have it promised a long time Remembe to write soon with best love to wife and children and self Iremain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
September 16, 1915
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Co Kerry. Ire.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad at hearing from you once again, I was thinking of writing to you this time back but I thought I'd get a letter from you every day.
I am very glad to hear that ye are all well we are about the same over here, the weather is commencing to get wet again now its an awful place for rain here although we had a fairly good summer only the month of July being very showery. Ye must have a splendid time at the sea-side its well for ye there is no such luck for us here at home. I was out at Ballybunion a few Sundays during the summer, there was not much people staying out there this year unaccount of the war, this war has upset this country to an awful extent, and its feared it will be worse I am sure they will tax our trade again that is spirits and beer all so tobacco and tea parliament is to be going on this week and we'll know it then. Do you think the Americans will go to war at all, I suppose they hardly will to say they did not do so before this.
I did not get those papers or music yet I hope you won't forget them, and the next time you will be getting me any music if you got a book of songs (it dosen't matter whether its a hard or paper cover, the paper cover is just as good and comes out cheaper) the books are a lot better then the sheet music and then you have to pay so much for each of those sheets and you would get fine songs in the books I allways look out for the books here at home myself, is there any chance you would be able to get me a book of "Waltzes" I am not able to get a good selection of Waltzes here at home so I hope you will look out for them over there for me. George is working away very hard at his trade he is going ahead alright with it he has only twelve months more to serve now. Tom Dillane got married this summer, do you ever see any of his sisters now or do you come across Mike at all. I wonder did they hear of Tom's marriage. I was up at Cork City on Sunday last I suppose you are surprised to say I was let you bet it was a surprise to myself to say he let me go, it was a football match that was going on between Kerry and Cork. I'd do anything to see a football match especially when it would be the famous Kerry team. We are looking forward now to the Races they are to be on the 12th & 13th October. I never go to them I have to stop and mind the business everyone of the rest of them go out to them. I have not being at them for 9 years now. I heard that Mary Buckley is going back to America again this month did you hear her sisters saying anything about it. I don't think I have anymore to write about just at present Hoping I will hear from you very soon again and don't forget to send the music if you can I will now close with best wishes to self and family I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 36 Litchfield St. Brighton, Mass. U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad at hearing from you once again, I was thinking of writing to you this time back but I thought I'd get a letter from you every day.
I am very glad to hear that ye are all well we are about the same over here, the weather is commencing to get wet again now its an awful place for rain here although we had a fairly good summer only the month of July being very showery. Ye must have a splendid time at the sea-side its well for ye there is no such luck for us here at home. I was out at Ballybunion a few Sundays during the summer, there was not much people staying out there this year unaccount of the war, this war has upset this country to an awful extent, and its feared it will be worse I am sure they will tax our trade again that is spirits and beer all so tobacco and tea parliament is to be going on this week and we'll know it then. Do you think the Americans will go to war at all, I suppose they hardly will to say they did not do so before this.
I did not get those papers or music yet I hope you won't forget them, and the next time you will be getting me any music if you got a book of songs (it dosen't matter whether its a hard or paper cover, the paper cover is just as good and comes out cheaper) the books are a lot better then the sheet music and then you have to pay so much for each of those sheets and you would get fine songs in the books I allways look out for the books here at home myself, is there any chance you would be able to get me a book of "Waltzes" I am not able to get a good selection of Waltzes here at home so I hope you will look out for them over there for me. George is working away very hard at his trade he is going ahead alright with it he has only twelve months more to serve now. Tom Dillane got married this summer, do you ever see any of his sisters now or do you come across Mike at all. I wonder did they hear of Tom's marriage. I was up at Cork City on Sunday last I suppose you are surprised to say I was let you bet it was a surprise to myself to say he let me go, it was a football match that was going on between Kerry and Cork. I'd do anything to see a football match especially when it would be the famous Kerry team. We are looking forward now to the Races they are to be on the 12th & 13th October. I never go to them I have to stop and mind the business everyone of the rest of them go out to them. I have not being at them for 9 years now. I heard that Mary Buckley is going back to America again this month did you hear her sisters saying anything about it. I don't think I have anymore to write about just at present Hoping I will hear from you very soon again and don't forget to send the music if you can I will now close with best wishes to self and family I remain
Your loving sister
Mai.
Friday, October 12, 2012
October 22, 1913
From: May Gleasure, Listowel Square
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad to learn by same that ye are quite well we are all about the same over here. We are just about getting the bad weather now it was just like summer until this week we had a very good year. We had the Races here last week and had a great time at them. The weather could not be better than it was and the town was packed with people there was never such a crowd seen at them, we done splendid business at them. I did not go to the Race Course at all but all the others did they never let me go to them. The Big November Fair is coming off next week I suppose you remember that, thats the day we'll have to work, the town is impoving every year in the line of fairs and markets and business is increasing, father has given me charge of the place now I have to see after all the accounts of the shop we don't keep any apprentice now because George is a lot of his time in the shop. Annie would like very much to do some thing for herself but she would not say anything about it to father she'd like very much to go out to you, and in fact we all want to go over I'm getting sick of this place its so dull the same old life from year to year, that fellow you see in the post-card said he'd take me out in a few years if I went with him we are going together for the last 2 years and a half, he is in a drapers shop here in town and is a very steady boy, he is a Catholic but that won't make any difference between us you need not say anything about him in your letter while you're writing as father would see it and I don't want him to know anything about him you can write it on a separate piece of paper if you are saying anything Annie don't go with any fellow she only plays away with them all. I will send you that Photo for Annie Dillon soon, its a wonder she never drops us a line or even to her father did you say anything about it to her, he always asks me if you say anything about her in your letters or about Lizzie do you see her at all. Well Frank ye ought to have come home this year for awhile is there any chance that ye'd come next year Father Paul Dillon is coming home next April and I don't know if Mike will come or not. by the way I was speaking to Katy Buckley about a week after I wrote to you the last time she said that you were doing fine she told me all about the little baby. I got those last papers and music alright send some more soon if you can as we are short of reading lately. I will now close Hoping you will write very soon again I remain
Your loving sister
May
Send me as much of the Boston Sunday Magisnes as you can also the Boston Sunday Globes
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard Street, Allston, Mass. U.S.A.
My dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter about a week ago and was very glad to learn by same that ye are quite well we are all about the same over here. We are just about getting the bad weather now it was just like summer until this week we had a very good year. We had the Races here last week and had a great time at them. The weather could not be better than it was and the town was packed with people there was never such a crowd seen at them, we done splendid business at them. I did not go to the Race Course at all but all the others did they never let me go to them. The Big November Fair is coming off next week I suppose you remember that, thats the day we'll have to work, the town is impoving every year in the line of fairs and markets and business is increasing, father has given me charge of the place now I have to see after all the accounts of the shop we don't keep any apprentice now because George is a lot of his time in the shop. Annie would like very much to do some thing for herself but she would not say anything about it to father she'd like very much to go out to you, and in fact we all want to go over I'm getting sick of this place its so dull the same old life from year to year, that fellow you see in the post-card said he'd take me out in a few years if I went with him we are going together for the last 2 years and a half, he is in a drapers shop here in town and is a very steady boy, he is a Catholic but that won't make any difference between us you need not say anything about him in your letter while you're writing as father would see it and I don't want him to know anything about him you can write it on a separate piece of paper if you are saying anything Annie don't go with any fellow she only plays away with them all. I will send you that Photo for Annie Dillon soon, its a wonder she never drops us a line or even to her father did you say anything about it to her, he always asks me if you say anything about her in your letters or about Lizzie do you see her at all. Well Frank ye ought to have come home this year for awhile is there any chance that ye'd come next year Father Paul Dillon is coming home next April and I don't know if Mike will come or not. by the way I was speaking to Katy Buckley about a week after I wrote to you the last time she said that you were doing fine she told me all about the little baby. I got those last papers and music alright send some more soon if you can as we are short of reading lately. I will now close Hoping you will write very soon again I remain
Your loving sister
May
Send me as much of the Boston Sunday Magisnes as you can also the Boston Sunday Globes
 |
| May Gleasure 1913 [companion unknown] |
Monday, October 8, 2012
March 25, 1913
From: May Gleasure, The Square, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a short time ago and was very glad to hear from you. We are all quite well here at home hope this will find ye the same. We had very bad weather here all the winter we had a few great storms through the winter but its just like Spring for the last three days. I got that music book all right it was a splendid one. and some nice songs in it thats the kind of a book I like to get those music sheets you used to send me used to be too dear and you would not knock half the value out of them. Hilgrove McCarthy you were asking me about poisoned himself it was the way that religion was playing on his mind it was over in England it happened. Mrs Behane's sister has the lisence in her name now any of her daughters were not old enough to take it up. Myra Smyth is with them all the time they could never manage the shop without her. but I thought you knew that Harry is a manager in a Medical Hall. Patsy Dillon comes into us all the time he is failing very much lately is it the way that his daughters are living any where near you. Its a wonder they never write to him Father Paul is thinking of coming home this year to see him he is a Parish Priest now you know, he was very successful from the very start do you hear anything about Mike at all? Ned got married last Summer and got a nice little handful of money with the girl by all accounts Tom is going after a girl here in the town oh but she a horrible old thing she is an assistant in a drapers shop. James Connor is living all the time he is laid up with cold for the last month young Jim is laid up also I thought I told you that Tom Connor came back from England he is carring on in the shoemaking trade again and can't get around all the work he has to do, he is living with his wife's people (Jude Daughton) Sarah & her husband has a cottage in Jame's land they are not badly off either for he is a sensible fellow. But Liz is over in England yet and you may say has a bad time with her husband (Bill Connor) she knows what poverty is anyway I nearly forgot to tell you that I was at a lovely dance last month here in town. it was the first Ball I was ever at. and you may say I enjoyed it all right It started about 9:30 and we did not leave until 7 in the morning. there were fifty couple at it. It was held at the Gymsaum Hall I don't know what came over the boss to leave me go there he is not so strict lately as he used to be. and thats no harm. I don't think he'd let me boy if he knew it was a boy that was taking me there. I had a lovely pale blue dress and black patent shoes. I got a great cold out of it. for when we were coming home in the morning it was very cold and wet. Do you ever see that Chute boy that went over there last year. Jack Dowling came home from New York about 2 weeks ago he is a regular hobow. and is drinking hard. I think I will close now Hoping to hear from you soon again I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
To: Frank Gleasure, 4 Bayard St., Allston, Mass, U.S.A.
Dear Frank,
I received your most welcomed letter a short time ago and was very glad to hear from you. We are all quite well here at home hope this will find ye the same. We had very bad weather here all the winter we had a few great storms through the winter but its just like Spring for the last three days. I got that music book all right it was a splendid one. and some nice songs in it thats the kind of a book I like to get those music sheets you used to send me used to be too dear and you would not knock half the value out of them. Hilgrove McCarthy you were asking me about poisoned himself it was the way that religion was playing on his mind it was over in England it happened. Mrs Behane's sister has the lisence in her name now any of her daughters were not old enough to take it up. Myra Smyth is with them all the time they could never manage the shop without her. but I thought you knew that Harry is a manager in a Medical Hall. Patsy Dillon comes into us all the time he is failing very much lately is it the way that his daughters are living any where near you. Its a wonder they never write to him Father Paul is thinking of coming home this year to see him he is a Parish Priest now you know, he was very successful from the very start do you hear anything about Mike at all? Ned got married last Summer and got a nice little handful of money with the girl by all accounts Tom is going after a girl here in the town oh but she a horrible old thing she is an assistant in a drapers shop. James Connor is living all the time he is laid up with cold for the last month young Jim is laid up also I thought I told you that Tom Connor came back from England he is carring on in the shoemaking trade again and can't get around all the work he has to do, he is living with his wife's people (Jude Daughton) Sarah & her husband has a cottage in Jame's land they are not badly off either for he is a sensible fellow. But Liz is over in England yet and you may say has a bad time with her husband (Bill Connor) she knows what poverty is anyway I nearly forgot to tell you that I was at a lovely dance last month here in town. it was the first Ball I was ever at. and you may say I enjoyed it all right It started about 9:30 and we did not leave until 7 in the morning. there were fifty couple at it. It was held at the Gymsaum Hall I don't know what came over the boss to leave me go there he is not so strict lately as he used to be. and thats no harm. I don't think he'd let me boy if he knew it was a boy that was taking me there. I had a lovely pale blue dress and black patent shoes. I got a great cold out of it. for when we were coming home in the morning it was very cold and wet. Do you ever see that Chute boy that went over there last year. Jack Dowling came home from New York about 2 weeks ago he is a regular hobow. and is drinking hard. I think I will close now Hoping to hear from you soon again I remain
Yours loving sister
Mai.
Friday, March 23, 2012
December 15, 1906
From: Joseph Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 22 Herrick Street, Brighton, Boston, Massachusetts
My Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find in good health as we all are at home. I should have wrote sooner but I hadn't much of interest to write times are so dull on this side.
We got your bundle of papers a few weeks ago, and Georgie got his books alright.
Ye are having pretty fair weather now I believe but we are getting some winter weather here.
I saw Miss Buckley around before she went over. She was working in Waterville I believe before. There was another sister of her's went over at the time Mike Dillon was going back. Jack Dooling is at home now. He got very stout since he went. The people here are expecting a great crowd back next Spring.
You seem to have a pretty good job now. I hope I will get a nice job when I will go over. I would like to be leaving about the latter part of March for America. There are a lot of young fellows going over next Spring for there are no prospects for them here. Even the laboring class have no work to get this winter and tradesmen are working for eight and nine shillings a week.
I am following my physical exercises all the time. I intend to join a gymnasium when I go over if I get the chance. We have a one erected in the Sports Field for the last two years, but they seem to be getting no good out of it.
We are sending you a nice pocket case and some post cards with views of Listowel and district. I think it will be rather late when they get over. If you would care for and newspapers I will send some after Christmas.
I will close now as I have no more of interest to write wishing you a merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
Your Loving Brother
Joseph
To: Frank Gleasure, 22 Herrick Street, Brighton, Boston, Massachusetts
My Dear Brother,
I hope the arrival of this letter will find in good health as we all are at home. I should have wrote sooner but I hadn't much of interest to write times are so dull on this side.
We got your bundle of papers a few weeks ago, and Georgie got his books alright.
Ye are having pretty fair weather now I believe but we are getting some winter weather here.
I saw Miss Buckley around before she went over. She was working in Waterville I believe before. There was another sister of her's went over at the time Mike Dillon was going back. Jack Dooling is at home now. He got very stout since he went. The people here are expecting a great crowd back next Spring.
You seem to have a pretty good job now. I hope I will get a nice job when I will go over. I would like to be leaving about the latter part of March for America. There are a lot of young fellows going over next Spring for there are no prospects for them here. Even the laboring class have no work to get this winter and tradesmen are working for eight and nine shillings a week.
I am following my physical exercises all the time. I intend to join a gymnasium when I go over if I get the chance. We have a one erected in the Sports Field for the last two years, but they seem to be getting no good out of it.
We are sending you a nice pocket case and some post cards with views of Listowel and district. I think it will be rather late when they get over. If you would care for and newspapers I will send some after Christmas.
I will close now as I have no more of interest to write wishing you a merry Xmas and a Happy New Year.
Your Loving Brother
Joseph
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
July 30th, 1906
From: Joseph Gleasure, The Square, Listowel, Ireland
To: Frank Gleasure, 22 Herrick Street, Brighton, Massachusetts U.S.A
Dear Frank,-
I hope this letter will find you in good health as we all are at home. We received your last letter about two weeks ago and are glad you are doing well. The great Summer heat is beginning to leave ye by now I suppose. We had no Summer weather this year, we have rain mostly every second day since the first of May.
May and George have vacation now and will be going to the country this week maybe. May is growing very big and stout lately. She is nearly as big as myself now.
I was more than surprised when you told father you wouldn't take me out till next Spring after you promised me you would send for me this year. By any chance, I will not wait till next year. If father does not send me next month, I will get a job myself in some grocery and spirit house and then go myself next year. I could not stop here any longer. I have given up studying all together, for I couldn't study and mind the shop both. All my schooling will be useless if I stop here another year. Send for me next month if you possibly can and you will not be sorry.
There are a great many coming back this year from America, but next year there will be any amount come, there being a cheap fare to the Dublin Exhibition. Jerry Carroll came back again too a few weeks ago.
Have you seen Mike Dillon since he was in this country. Paul has finished school this year, but is too young to be ordained. He will be going out to Washington, DC in September.
I suppose you never came across Pat Sullivan yet. You would hardly know him anyway.
Adam and his people are all well, but the old man is a bit feeble and stiff. All the Parkinsons are at home now on vacation, three policemen and Maryanne. There was another one of them died after completing his term in the London police about a year ago. I will close now as I have no more of interest to write.
Your loving brother,
Joseph Gleasure
To: Frank Gleasure, 22 Herrick Street, Brighton, Massachusetts U.S.A
Dear Frank,-
I hope this letter will find you in good health as we all are at home. We received your last letter about two weeks ago and are glad you are doing well. The great Summer heat is beginning to leave ye by now I suppose. We had no Summer weather this year, we have rain mostly every second day since the first of May.
May and George have vacation now and will be going to the country this week maybe. May is growing very big and stout lately. She is nearly as big as myself now.
I was more than surprised when you told father you wouldn't take me out till next Spring after you promised me you would send for me this year. By any chance, I will not wait till next year. If father does not send me next month, I will get a job myself in some grocery and spirit house and then go myself next year. I could not stop here any longer. I have given up studying all together, for I couldn't study and mind the shop both. All my schooling will be useless if I stop here another year. Send for me next month if you possibly can and you will not be sorry.
There are a great many coming back this year from America, but next year there will be any amount come, there being a cheap fare to the Dublin Exhibition. Jerry Carroll came back again too a few weeks ago.
Have you seen Mike Dillon since he was in this country. Paul has finished school this year, but is too young to be ordained. He will be going out to Washington, DC in September.
I suppose you never came across Pat Sullivan yet. You would hardly know him anyway.
Adam and his people are all well, but the old man is a bit feeble and stiff. All the Parkinsons are at home now on vacation, three policemen and Maryanne. There was another one of them died after completing his term in the London police about a year ago. I will close now as I have no more of interest to write.
Your loving brother,
Joseph Gleasure
Monday, February 20, 2012
December 3, 1905
From: George Gleasure, Listowel
To: Frank Gleasure, 33 Arden Street, Allston, Boston, Massachusetts
My Dear Frank,
I am writing you a few lines hoping you are in good health as we all are at present. They are all well at Tullig also. We got your papers some time ago and a package of postcards and was expecting a letter but did not get any. I was interested in some of the papers as there was sermons in them preached by those ministers in Boston. The Globe they were in. When I was there myself I used to get the Monday's Herald as it contained a great deal of them. Some of those other papers you send is of little or no account. Send the Herald or Globe if you send any. I expect you are putting off writing until near Christmas. I am sending you a picture of the house that was taken about two years ago. I was at them to send it long ago, but they put off from time to time. As you are interested in such things, we thought you would write and let us know what you are doing as you said you had given up the job you were at. You ought to look up some permanent job and stay in it. If you do, you will be able to do something for yourself after a while. If you do not, you will always be working for somebody else. I don't think those boarding houses are very much. As far as I see, the people are very ignorant and live a life to suit their own fancy and never think of the future. Therefore, they are always in the background never thinking of the world to come as I very well know having seen the same thing but never thinking much of it. You understand the meaning. Now about Mike Dillon and his visit last summer, we have not heard much about him since he went around a lot. I expect he had great news when he got back. We were all out the night he was going. All the boys were home at the time. I had not much time to talk with him as he was bladering around all the time. He looks very well about the same as usual. We are after a very fine year and the weather is very mild just now with the exception of a few days. I am sending to you for a violin book for the young lad. He is going to be an expert at the fiddle. He can learn almost anything on it that he is shown. If he had proper instruction, he would be a marvel. People does be surprised to hear him for this size. I will give you the address on a separate paper as I have a book from the same place myself. They are all musicians in fact but Joe. But he has as good he has the learning and is very good. I was surprised to hear that they did not tell you about the instrument they have until lately. They have it since March and a very good one. I sent to London for it. The cost of which was eleven pounds, it one of the American organs made in Chicago.
Directions about the book- howe's 100 easy pieces for the violin all in 1st position
Elias Howe 86 Court St. Boston
If you find any book on the American organ, you could send it to the girls.
As I have no more to say at present, I hope you will have a merry Christmas and happy new year.
George Gleasure, Listowel, Kerry, Ireland
To Frank Gleasure, Boston, Mass
To: Frank Gleasure, 33 Arden Street, Allston, Boston, Massachusetts
My Dear Frank,
I am writing you a few lines hoping you are in good health as we all are at present. They are all well at Tullig also. We got your papers some time ago and a package of postcards and was expecting a letter but did not get any. I was interested in some of the papers as there was sermons in them preached by those ministers in Boston. The Globe they were in. When I was there myself I used to get the Monday's Herald as it contained a great deal of them. Some of those other papers you send is of little or no account. Send the Herald or Globe if you send any. I expect you are putting off writing until near Christmas. I am sending you a picture of the house that was taken about two years ago. I was at them to send it long ago, but they put off from time to time. As you are interested in such things, we thought you would write and let us know what you are doing as you said you had given up the job you were at. You ought to look up some permanent job and stay in it. If you do, you will be able to do something for yourself after a while. If you do not, you will always be working for somebody else. I don't think those boarding houses are very much. As far as I see, the people are very ignorant and live a life to suit their own fancy and never think of the future. Therefore, they are always in the background never thinking of the world to come as I very well know having seen the same thing but never thinking much of it. You understand the meaning. Now about Mike Dillon and his visit last summer, we have not heard much about him since he went around a lot. I expect he had great news when he got back. We were all out the night he was going. All the boys were home at the time. I had not much time to talk with him as he was bladering around all the time. He looks very well about the same as usual. We are after a very fine year and the weather is very mild just now with the exception of a few days. I am sending to you for a violin book for the young lad. He is going to be an expert at the fiddle. He can learn almost anything on it that he is shown. If he had proper instruction, he would be a marvel. People does be surprised to hear him for this size. I will give you the address on a separate paper as I have a book from the same place myself. They are all musicians in fact but Joe. But he has as good he has the learning and is very good. I was surprised to hear that they did not tell you about the instrument they have until lately. They have it since March and a very good one. I sent to London for it. The cost of which was eleven pounds, it one of the American organs made in Chicago.
Directions about the book- howe's 100 easy pieces for the violin all in 1st position
Elias Howe 86 Court St. Boston
If you find any book on the American organ, you could send it to the girls.
As I have no more to say at present, I hope you will have a merry Christmas and happy new year.
George Gleasure, Listowel, Kerry, Ireland
To Frank Gleasure, Boston, Mass
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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)