This letter was a challenge to transcribe. Initially, I was irritated that the
letter writer definitely took no care to make things legible but then I realize now that she was likely quite ill (she died a year later and had been ill for some time - probably cancer). So, I am grateful for the letter and the light it sheds.
Miss McCready was a frequent correspondent within the
JACKSON and MCCULLAGH families and seems to have served as a governess
to many of the children in the family. |
Cavananore[1] Sunday[2]
My dear Miss McCready[3]
I duly Recd your kind and Sympathizing letter and would have replied to it long ago only for the illness & death of Tommy’s[4] dear little daughter Edith[5]. Poor Mrs. Jackson[6] has had a trying time since she came to England[7] & feels greatly the loss of the sweetest little babe I ever saw. It was like a model in wax work when it was kind & a patient little creature during its sufferings. Poor Aunt[8] -had her wish a short illness, she was apparently asleep when I set out for Dundalk[9] on Sunday & never awoke from that sleep, having had a stroke of paralysis & died at half past two on Monday night, respected and loved by all who knew her. I would have felt more lonely only for having Tom & Minnie in the house & then the illness of this child occupied us all, but when all is quiet again I shall feel a great blank.
I hope you are quite well & also Sarah Griffin[10] will you remember me to her. [Her] Aunt Sarah[11] came home on Tuesday evening. Mary Menary[12] has not returned yet.
With best love I remain Dear Miss McCready,
Yours affectionately, Mary J. Oliver[13] [1] Cavananore was the home of Mary Jane OLIVER, unmarried aunt to Sir Thomas JACKSON [2] This would make it Sunday, September 13, 1874, given the death date of Edith [3] Mary Jane MCCREADY, governess . She died 1896. See her WILL [4] Sir Thomas JACKSON [5] Edith Bradford JACKSON (1873-Sept 7, 1874) buried in Creggan Graveyard. She may have been born with a genetic anomaly. She was described elsewhere as having a "pug-nose". She was a twin of Amy Oliver JACKSON (27 May 1872-1962). [6] Lydia [DARE] JACKSON (1851-1944) was at this time aged 23 and travelling with her daughter Kathleen, a toddler aged 2, as well as Amy, the surviving twin about 3 ½ months old to care for. Her nickname was "Minnie". [7] The family was on leave from Hong Kong at the time. [8] Margaret BRADFORD who died Monday, 17 August 1874. [9] Dundalk is between 10-15 km from Cavananore. [10] Sarah GRIFFIN nèe JACKSON. She was married firstly to William MENARY (1838-1874), and then after he died to Frederick Richard GRIFFIN (1858-1890). The second marriage was a scandal within the family because of Fred’s flamboyant ways. [11] This is most likely Sarah BARKLEY (1811-1892) nèe JACKSON. She was the aunt of Sarah JACKSON and wife of Rev. Joseph BARKLEY (1811-1880) [12] Mary MENARY (1872-1946) was the daughter of William MENARY & Mary JACKSON. She married James Francis WRIGHT (1874-1954) and they retired to Gilford Castle. It was her family research that makes much of what is on this web site possible. [13] Mary Jane OLIVER (1821-1875). She was an aunt of Sir Thomas JACKSON and lived at Cavananore, although she removed to Ballybay just before her death and died there.
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