Drummuck[1]
Augt
31st. 1895
My dear Sally[2],
I received your kind letter and thank you very much for your sympathy
for us in our trial in mother's[3]
illness & death and John[4]
ill and not able to go to her funeral.
Had you been near I am sure you would have done every thing you could to
help us. Maggie Dickie[5]
thoughtfully came to us. She was strong and could help Will[6]
to move mother. Though quite resigned
to God's will we can not help grieving for those we love and missing them too
but we are not to sorrow as those who have no hope [??] this is not our home
and we must look forward to meeting our loved ones in a brighter and better
world where there will be no sorrow.
Sept. 10th.
My dear Sally[7],
You may see from the first date of this letter that I intended writing
to you much sooner. John still
continues poorly coughing with heavy expectoration. I don't see much change in him since my mother's death though the
Drs. give us no hope of his ultimate recovery still he may have a good while
and I trust God may bless his illness to him and that all our prayers may be
answered. Often since mother's death I
feel so depressed and lonely though quite resigned to God's will. God has been very good to us in giving us so
many kind friends to sympathise with us.
Essie[8] called to
see Miss Olivia Macready[9]
when in [????] one day. She says looks
very delicate. Miss Macready[10]
has been staying in town with Sally McMurry[11]
& Jane Skeley[12]
so we have not seen her lately. Essie is very busy looking after every thing
about the farm. We are well through the
reaping but have no flax this year fortunately. We got a servant last week.
She is from near Drumkeen an old servant of Mrs. [McKee?][13] She went home for her clothes on Friday
& I am sure Mr. Whiteside[14]
will be sorry to hear the news she brought of Revd. [McKie][15]
illness that Drs. Moore[16]
& Hall[17] have given
their opinion that his case is hopeless.
Since you left many of the old friends and acquaintances have passed
away. I am sure your little son is a
great comfort to you. He is such an old
fashioned little fellow. Miss McCready
treasured up the likeness you sent her of him.
I am sure if she had the original near her she would be delighted with
him & his funny little ways. With a
kiss to baby and much love to yourself and kind rememberances to Mr. Whiteside
in which all join Ever your loving
cousin,
Sarah McCullagh[18]
Envelope addressed to:-
Mrs. Whiteside
Fort Bragg
Mindocino Co.,
California,
U.S. America
[1] Drummuck, Co. Monaghan
[2] Sarah McCullagh Whiteside
[3] A wife of a McCULLAGH – but who? Possibly Eliza McCULLAGH née WALLACE
[4] Possibly John McCULLAGH, son of James McCULLAGH & Eliza WALLACE
[5] Possibly Margaret DICKIE(?-1936), the daughter of Alexander DICKIE (1831-1887) of Roachdale and Anna Maria McCULLAGH (1836-1896).
[6] Possibly William Latimer, husband of Essie McCULLAGH, daughter of James McCULLAGH & Eliza WALLACE
[7] Sarah McCullagh Whiteside
[8] possibly Essie McCULLAGH, daughter of James McCULLAGH & Eliza WALLACE
[9] Olivia McCREADY, sister of Mary Anne McCREADY, governess to McCULLAGHs
[10] Mary Anne McCREADY (?-1897) governess.
[11] Sally McMURRAY and Jane Skelley are also mentioned in a letter from “Cousin Mary McCULLAGH” undated from Drummuck
[12] See previous footnote
[13] Mrs McKEE?
[14] William WHITESIDE, husband of “Sallie” Sarah McCULLAGH
[15] Rev. McKEE?
[16] Dr. MOORE?
[17] Dr. HALL?
[18] possibly Sarah McCULLAGH, daughter of James McCULLAGH & Eliza WALLACE