The letters that follow were transcribed thanks to the considerable efforts of Wendy Jack. The footnotes were prepared by myself and then verified (and corrected or amplified) by Wendy. Many of the letters are the property of Betty Whiteside and/or Wendy Jack. Any researchers who wish to make use of them should check with them.
In time, I will hyperlink the letters to the pertinent biographies. For now, if you use a search function in your browser, you should be able to follow the occurance of each name whether that be a "nickname" or proper name.
Sharon Oddie Brown, August 15, 2003

NOTE: The document numbering system originates from Wendy Jack's files and I have retained it for ease of my own reference. It works.

Document 49

Derrivalley 25th July 1873

My Dear Sal [3] ,

            I think I would hardly have written to you only for sending the enclosed letter from Andy [4] which will occupy your mind and attention more than anything I can say.  I took the liberty of opening it as we were all anxious to know what he had to say.  He is wishing for Nancy Jackson's address, but I forget the Woman's name that used to call to [????].  I got home safe and well, and called to see Mrs. Stratten as soon as I got to BBay [5] .  I will send the butter & eggs by her, as she seemed very willing to take all I would send.  I hope Mary will stop with you and that Mr. Jackson will go to you.  Love to Mary & the children, ever
                             Your loving Father
                             Thos McCullagh [6]

Derrivalley 17th. Sept. 1873

My Dear Sal [7]

          I am very happy to hear that the Dr. has so good opinion of your Chin and that you will be able in a few days to dress it yourself and still feel better content that you will be home in a few days, as we are very lonely so that you see I am very selfish, as I like to have you at home.  I am glad to hear that you got all your things safe and well.  I hope to see you again in good health and spirits.
    I hope you are satisfied with seeing the Convent, and that you do not wish to become a nun.  I hope you enjoyed the boat racing on the canal, it must be very exciting, that is provided you had a good view.  I enclose you two pounds but if you can do without it do not lay it out.  I suppose you will leave next Monday, as your will be up  Let us know whether you will come by Cavananore, or come home direct.  Take care of yourself and you will obl.

                                       Your loving Father

                                         Thos McCullagh [8]
P.S. excuse the bad writing as my ______ is very bad

Derrivalley 26th. Sept. 1873

My Dear Sal [9]

          I certainly was disappointed that you did not get home last Monday at the same time I think you are quite right in stopping for some time longer where you are then and Dr. thinks it necessary.  I hope he will succeed in his efforts and that you will shortly get home.  I [never] thought [greater long] to see you do not neglect getting some fresh meat while you stay there.  There is no use in striving to cure your Chin and letting your health be injured otherwise for want of proper food.  I inclose you two pounds more if not sufficient you will write and let me know.  Have you heard from Cavananore lately as you did not mention a word about them since I left you, have you any notion of coming home that way, of course you will write again before you leave.  We are all well here, and getting on well, the weather is deliteful, for getting on with the Harvest work we have no news here and sometimes no news is best.  hoping you will soon be well is the [????] [wish] if your of your loving and affectionate

                                             Thomas McCullagh [10]

Derrivalley 3d Oct. 1873

My Dear Sal [11]

          I am very happy to hear that the Chin is getting on so well, and hope it will be shortly quite well.  I hope you will not stop long in Cavananore, on this [????] long to see you let not that prevent [ingoing] the change for some time.  I hope you have kept up your condition by [???ing] some fresh meat every day.  supposing it should be fresh [?essing], lead fish beef or mutton, any thing of the sort is better than want.  the Weather has been very wet and bad this week, it has put a stop to all harvest operations.  Are you confined much to the house as you ought to be out every fine day.   we are all well and getting on as best we can at the old [????].  Mary [12] and her family are as usual pretty well.  Dr. Reed has quit Willm [13] . he says he can do no more for him.

    Anna Bradford our neighbour has got, has got the place to herself, her Father being [busied] this week.  Inclosed I send you Two pounds which you can dispose of as you think best.  Write when you receive it and let me know what day you will leave Newry.

                     Ever your affect. Father

                               Thos McCullagh [14]

Derrivalley 20th. Feby 1874

My Dear Sal [15]

          Maggy is very anxious to have company but she does not consider that I may be lonely here  I was told by a young lady the other day that Maggy will soon be married.  I hope she will succeed in getting a young man that she will be very fond of  I know one if he was young, would fite very hard for her she is a great favourite with him   Do not be forming conjectures as you could have no [idea] of who it is.  I got no dress for you in Dundalk as I saw none that would please me

    I believe Jack [16] intends going tomorrow to America [17]   I don't know particularly as he does not tell me any thing.  he gets advice from friend up in that [yeraster] which certainly to say the least of it is not friendly to me.  who they are particularly I do not know.  I suppose it will be as well to let Tom [18] go, if I can give him the money, as he is of no [????].  I inclose your letter from Newry which I should have sent sooner, but I was vexed and weary about some things and neglected writing to you sooner.  I hope you will write and let me know when you intend to come home.

                                Ever your loving Father

                                        Thos McCullagh [19]

Derrivalley
2d March 1874

My Dear Sal [20]

          Inclosed I send you one pound.  I thought it better than sending stamps as it would be unpleasant to be asking cash for them.  John [21] and Tom [22] got a very rough passage to Liverpool [23] last Wednesday night they were all very sick but I believe the arrived safe.  A neighbour girl that was on the same Boat wrote to her parents, and told all about it.  We are very lonely here.  Mary and the children are all well.  The Election for the Dispensary Doctor will take place tomorrow.  I hope aunt Peggy continues better give my love to her and Peg Jackson [24]

           Ever your loving Father
                    Thos McCullagh [25]

This is very awkard after giving consent to sale at the above price whether the tenants will give the price we don't know, but of course Willie can proceed no further in the matter.  In 6 or 7 yrs some of the tenants will have their rents revised & sure to be reduced then buying on the reduced rent will mean a reduced purchase & besides compulsary sale is in the air & if voluntary sale will not do the other must.  if it would stay as it is then it would do first rate.  Willie will send you some money soon he has not got all the rents yet.  My boys were all well when we heard.  We are expecting Tom home this Spring I hope he may come  I never see or hear anything of Mrs. Boyes  James sees Mr. [McKitinny] some times, he says they are all well  I hope you may be able to read this. Have you heard of this wonderful revival in Wales?  What dreadful work in Russia I am alone Cis [28] is out & W in bed.  Both would send love if here with much love to you & yours  Your loving sister

                                  M Reid

Cremore Manse
                                                             Oct 25th./98

My dear Sally [26] ,

             I was very glad to get your kind letter yesterday  I would have written to you after Mollie's [27] 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 being ill) and left Cis [28] with Mollie.  The change for the worst came after I left and Cis [29] had great trouble getting her home on Sabbath evening after being 6 days there.  She lived to Thursday then went Home.  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 [30] 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 Scarva where Howard [31] 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 [32] & Frank [33] are in Belfast & Jeannie [34] in Newry at school.  Mollie [35] 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 [36] McCullagh.

                    With much love to you and all

                        I am your loving sister

                            Mary Reid [37]

Kingsden Park
                                                             Knock
                                                               Belfast
                                                                 Aug 11th/06

My dear Sally [38] ,

             Thank you for your very kind letter.  I cannot begin to tell you about my dear old man [39] , only he was so ill at last, we were thankful to see him at rest.  We were 42 years together all but a month.  I send you P.O. for £7. Six is yours and the other will you send to Tom [40] from me.  I would like to do more but cannot at present.  I did not send Ellen McMahon any money.  James [41] was here and advised me not, that if you had any to spare it would be better to give it to Tom.

    I was very glad to hear you were so much better.  Take good care of yourself and do not do so much.  Have you heard of Mr. McKean's death.  I wrote to Annie. They only sent a card so I have not heard any particulars.  Andy [42] leaves us on the 21st of this month.  We will miss him greatly.  Jim has not got his length yet.  Willie [43] writes that he hopes to get home next spring.  Only think, he gives me £144 yearly now.  Is he not good - and the other boys have been very good also.  We have a very snug wee house here and a good garden.  Cis [44] was at Slieveroe for a week, at the ordination of a new minister, a Mr. Montgomery.

She brought Mollie [45] back with her.  They were all well in Slieveroe.

    I have no news.  Cis [46] will write you soon.  I have been very poorly however I think I am improving.  I hope Mr. Whiteside [47] and the children are well.  Give my love to them.  I forgot to say the property at Dromault is yours and Cis's [48] now and she has put it in Mr. Martin's hands to collect the rents and send you your share as we were afraid we could not manage it.  I can not give you any statement of A/Cs  I just send you half of what came.  Now dear I must stop.

Good bye and God bless you all,  Your loving sister

                                             Mary Reid [49]

Castle Park,
                                                               Belfast
                                                                4th. Dec 1903

My Dear Sally [50] ,

             How glad we all were to get your letter and to learn that, with the exception of Mary [51] , you were all well.  I hope she will soon be better.  I was much pleased to know that Mr. Whiteside [52] had the prospect of a settlement.  I send [hither] a Bank order for £48-8-9 - but including in the receipt the £1 given to Cis [53] as you directed.

    The Trustees are going to sell, if they can, [Dungody] & [Tullyvalley], and distribute the Capital Sum.  The rents amount to about £12 net annually, giving very little to each annuitant.  I expect the new Land Act will enable the trustees to sell fairly well.  The [Drumault] [??] tenants are wanting to buy [out] their rents.  I have asked them for an offer, which I have not yet received.  My opinion is it would be better to sell, if we get a fair price. Rents are unpopular, and are getting more so every day.  A landlord is a robber - it amounts to that.  The Land Act gives a scale of reductions on the present rent, and on that reduced rent the Government will advance the purchase money. This scale varies from 10 to 30 per cent.  The difficulty as between landlord and tenant is the amount of the reduction.  If this can be arranged, the rest is easy.  I should state that the Government gives a bonus of 12 per cent in the purchase money, retaining 5 of it for expenses.  There will of course be a loss in selling, as the money would not bear interest equivalent to the annual rent, but the loss would not be very great owing to the bonus.  I may say that if we have a sale you will have to appoint someone to act for you, James [54] or me.  But as I will be carrying the matter through for Mary [55] , I would like one with me on your side, and James would be suitable.  He can't be ineligible, for he acted for you at the time of the conveyance by Hunter.  But until we see a proposal of selling, you need not trouble about the trusteeship.  By the way will I give the tenants some reduction, say 3/- in the   for the past year. It has been the worst year for a long time.  Summer and harvest very wet.  No doubt it has been a very bad year for farmers.  Our tenants have not yet asked for a reduction, but I am sure they will, as others are asking and getting - of course if they do not ask I will not suggest that they should.

    I have no more to write about business at the present, except to ask you to let me know when you change your address, as I may have to consult you about your own interests.

    Mary [56] and I spent some time last month on a visit among some of the Cremore people.  We had rather a pleasant time.  But I came away with the regret intensified that we left the manse.  How I regret it and feel ashamed of its silliness.

    James [57] is in Belfast at present & is well as usual.  He was here about a week ago, looking "fine".  Mary [58] is, like yourself, annoyed with rheumatism a good deal.  The girls are well.  Of course you have ere this heard of the death of Mrs. Jackson [59] .  What a blank it will cause at Urker.  Mary G [60] . will not be disturbed, as Urker goes to Sir Thomas [61] .  All here unite in affectionate regards to you all.

                                      Yours affectionately
                                           W. Reid [62]

Cremore
                                                        Poyntzpass
                                                          Ireland.  May 14th 94

My dear Sally [63]

            I send you £33-12-7 made up of £25-12-8 and £7-8-11 the former rents & the latter the half year's annuity from the Bradford estate [64] .  You will be good enough to sign and return the two receipts.  I cannot send the vouchers as it would not do to part with them.  I had to give the tenants 2/6 in the pound. Would you approve of me giving the collection of the rents to Mr. Rutherford [65] or Mr. Dunwoody.  I find it hard to deal with the tenants.  You will let me have the receipts as soon as possible.

    We have Willie [66] back to the old country.  I cannot tell you how glad we are to see him.  He looks well.  He's a good bit changed in his appearance.  He and Mary [67] are at Dvalley.  On the 27 ult I got a telegram from Queenstown to say he would be at Loughgilly at 8 p.m.  I was just settling down to write a sermon.  I could not proceed I got so excited.  I met him at Loughgilly at the time appointed.  I need not tell you the mutual joy of the meeting.  We stopped overnight and started for Belfast the next morning to see Mary and the children. He gave them a great surprise.  His word was doubly sweet as he was able to tell us so much about dear ones out of sight tho not out of mind.  I assure you he got a vast amount of catechising and he is hardly done yet.  I may state that Mrs. Wright [68] of Ballynode had [our] [????] [in] for him before his arrival and Mary and he are to call there before their return.

    We  had a great deal of sickness among the children.  They all took measles and were sent home.  Mary, in addition to the measles, had an attack of pneumonia, and for a week or more she was in a very critical position.  She has not been able to return to school.  She is with me and is beginning to do a little home keeping.  Sally is now in charge of the young folk while Mother is "towering" with Willie.  I have got an appointment for a month to supply Blackrock.  So we intend to divide the family and give [???] to each sister. Willie is quite for the scheme so we are hoping for a jolly time.  Willie brought the photo of your son.  Who is he like?  I can trace no likeness to any one  But you know I am proverbially dull at that kind of thing.  I was glad to hear from Willie that you are comfortably settled and that Mr. Whiteside [69] is much thought of - and yourself too.  I am sure you have a busy time doing the nursing and the housekeeping.  I hope Mr. Whiteside is a good husband in the nursery.  I take it that you got the cash for the last Post Bill. when you have not intimated to the contrary.  I send the [????] remittances as before.  Give my kindest regards to Mr. Whiteside.

               Yours affectionately,
                             W. Reid

P.S.  Agnes Reid, the elder of my nieces, got married on the 10th of April and has gone to live in Belfast.  Mr. Reid has been sent to the asylum, his mind has got so imbecile that he could not be kept in safety.  How sad!

Envelope addressed to:-

       Mrs. Whiteside
       C/O Rev. W.S. Whiteside
       Ione
       Amador County
       California, U.S.A.

Eureka  August 3 1897

My Dear Sister [70]

             I received your letter with the check in it for 50$ dollers but could not get it cashed here so I deposited it in the Bank and the sent it on to San Maria I intended to start on to day's steemer but could not till the money comes back.  So I am for ever obledged to you and the good man.  And inclosed you will find my note for the money Sarah starts to morow for back east she is going to stop a week at Minnie's so you can rite to her in Minnies and she will rite to you she has been here twice since she got maried we are all well hoping this will find you the same ever your loving brother

                                          John McCullagh [71]

11th July
                                                                  New York

Dear Sister,

           I do not know what you will think of me for not writing to you before this and all the excuse I can make is the old sore "laziness".  Indeed I may say that I have not had time.  N. York has been my abode now for nearly three months and I cannot say much in its fovour as it is very difficult to get respectable employment.  I have got into a wholesale business at ten dollars a week, but I intend to change as soon as possible as the work is very hard and the hours long and you know very well that it does not agree with my stomach.  I like the country very well, only I did not care so much for the Boss I was with he and I had a falling out, indeed we were nearly coming to the fists  at all events, I told him to pull out the cash and so goodbye to the west.  Tom knows one eyed Bill Spur, it was with him I was hired.

    Well Sal, there is no use talking, a city is the place to live, by --- a person would see more life here in a day than you would during a life time in the country indeed I must say there is one thing not in its favour "temptations" on all sides, some of which it is very difficult for a youth to avoid but you know I am a very steady young man.

    I hope all are well in the old home and Drummuck and Caddagh, remember me to old Mr. Breakey & Tom and the rest of my well-wishers.

    You remember a woman used to come to see Nancy Rogers I wish you could get Nancy's address from her and send it in your next.  I would like very much to see old Nancy.

I had a volume more to say only I cannot remember it now, as I am very sleepy.

       Ever your affectionate brother Andy

address:
       238 West 30th Street,
                   N.Y.

write very soon

[Written in 1873 - see McCullagh Doc. 51]
MY NOTE: Please see end of footnotes for additional notes.