Cremore Manse[1]

Oct 25th./98

My dear Sally[2],

I was very glad to get your kind letter yesterday I would have written to you after Mollie's[3] death but I thought you would be away to Australia. I am glad you are not going it seems so far away.

My poor darling did not last long. She came home from Belfast in February ill with anaemia, took inflammation of the bowels in the beginning of July, after that consumption of the bowels and both lungs, so she went down very rapidly. She had a great wish to go to Warrenpoint. I took her there on the first of Sept, (I had to come home after two days, Willie[4] being ill) and left Cis[5] with Mollie. The change for the worst came after I left and Cis[6] had great trouble getting her home on Sabbath evening after being 6 days there. She lived to Thursday then went Home[7]. She was very patient, unselfish and happy. We were talking about the ordination of our new minister a day or two before she died and wondering would they have any music. After a little she said "Mother I will be singing the New Song" long before that. She did not think at any time she would get well and we had long talks. She had very simple faith like a little child and longed to go Home. Then dear Willie[8] was very ill he had congestion of one lung & his heart was in a bad way, so he was not able to go to our child's funeral. She lies in [????] where Howard[9] was buried. It seemed very hard, but God knew best & He does all things well. Willie is a great deal better but greatly broken down both in mind and body, quite unfit for any work of any kind. I will keep Cis with me now. Maggie[10] & Frank[11] are in Belfast & Jeannie[12] in Newry at school. Mollie[13] was matron at a House for destitute children. She loved the work but it was too much for her. I do not fret so much. She was so happy it seems wrong to fret - & I have a great many blessings. I wish your good man had better health. I trust he and the children may be long spared to you. Now dear I must stop I am expecting Maggie[14] McCullagh.

With much love to you and all

I am your loving sister

Mary Reid[15]

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[1] Cremore, Co. Down.

[2] Sarah “Sallie” (McCullagh) Whiteside b. 1852

[3] Mary Agnes Reid b. Sept 15, 1875 d. age 23 1898

[4] possibly the son of the sender, William REID (1866-1923) or it could be her husband, also William REID

[5] Sally McCullagh Reid, daughter of William and Mary Reid b. 1870

[6] Sally McCullagh Reid, daughter of William and Mary Reid b. 1870

[7] “Home” a euphamism for death.

[8] William Reid, husband of Mary Reid and father of the recently deceased “Mollie”. 1829-1906 (so he got better!)

[9] Howard Reid (b. 1877), son of William & Mary Reid

[10] probably Margaret Annas Reid, daughter of William & Mary Reid

[11] probably Frank Reid, son of William & Mary Reid

[12] probably Jeannie Reid, daughter of William & Mary Reid b. 1881, age 17 at time of this letter

[13] Mary Agnes Reid b. Sept 15, 1875 d. age 23 1898

[14] Margaret (Jackson) McCullagh

[15] Mary (McCullagh) Reid mother of Mary Agnes Reid & sister of Sarah “Sallie” (McCullagh) Whiteside