Oct. 19th 1938
Slieveroe
                                                                  Monaghan
                                                                    Ireland

 
My Dearest Sallie [1] ,

                 I was thinking of you on the 15th but did not think in time to write for the 86th Anniversary.  Since then I got your letter and was pleased that your writing was not so shaky as it was some time ago.  I do blame myself for not writing to you oftener, as I know how you must long for old home news. Well at present all here are fairly well I am much improved, and can manage to go up & down stairs now, with only the help of the rail.  My general health is real good, but I can only walk a short way till my back fails & I get dead tired.  Poor Tom [2] suffers a good deal from rheumatism, he has always been very careless about wearing damp clothes.  And I can tell you that for the past six months they have been more often wet than dry.  Since the month of June it has been an exceptionally wet season.  The hay harvest & the corn crops very hard to save, in fact there is corn in the fields still & much that is in the stack likely to heat.

    We have just had Mattie [3] for a fortnight.  She has got very stout, but is very well.  Florence Ussher [4] stayed with Allan [5] while Mattie was here.  He is very well but M. does not like to leave him alone.  The Usshers will be leaving the Bank in the Spring [D.C.] and have decided to settle in Bangor but Eva [6] will have told you all her news.  Margaret Alexander [7] started her career in Trinity today. She left for Dublin yesterday, & is to stay in the Y.W.C.A. home.  I do hope she'll get on well.  George is at school at Armagh, so Brownie [8] has only Sam [9] at home.  He is keeping well, and just attends classes at Clones every day.  The Doctor did not think it was wise for the present to send him from home.  Brownie is well but keeps very thin.  She'll miss her big useful daughter greatly as she keeps no maid but Margaret will only be seven weeks in Dublin this term.  Max Henry [10] is to be one of her tutors!

    Sallie Gilmore [11] lives in Dublin at present with her married daughter Eileen [12] - so Margt will have a "Port of Call".  Sallie keeps wonderfully well though she is in her 91st year!  Her youngest son, Tom [13] , who was a very successful Doctor in England, is very ill, & I fear hopelessly so, in Switzerland where he and his wife have been for the past six months for the "sunshine cure"  but so far no good results.  Then she has an anxious time about Sam [14] and Bessie [15] in Tientsin - indeed we all had a hectic time during the anxious week of the War Scare.  What a relief when the Powers came to terms!  But most likely only for a season. Hitler is not easy to quiet - & this settlement has induced our Irish leader to work for a complete Union between North & South - of course under a Dublin parliament!!  So far the North says No. so we are likely to have a stirring winter.  Isn't the Air post wonderful - it seems to bring distant countries so near!  Well dear I must close.  Hoping you are all well at Clairmont & that Clair [16] is having a good season - no apples in this country this year, & that Mary & her care are well.

    Love to you all.  Your fond sister
                                      Maggie

    Drumlinney
                                                               Latinamard
                                                                 Newbliss
Co. Monaghan

1/2/53
Dear Clair [17] ,

          What a pleasant surprise it was getting a letter from you some time ago.  I intended writing to you at once but as usual put it off from day to day.

    I'm a married woman now Clair [???] got married in October 1945 to a man named Wilson Graham.  This place is only about two miles from Slieveroe so I go over there fairly often.  Its a small farm my husband has, only about 25 acres, and although we both work hard its not easy to make ends meet.  I would love to sell out & buy a farm in the North as farmers there get a better price for everything.

    I was at Slieveroe the day Mary, [18] George & Peg were there.  We did enjoy their visit, but it was far too short.

    There are very few at Slieveroe now only Tom, Sallie & wee John [19] .  The latter is Mollie's [20] youngest child, he is over 6ft but I still call him wee John. Slieveroe is not the same since darling Mother [21] left it.  She will be 9 years dead on the 27th of this month.

    So sorry to hear you suffer so much with arthritis  Its well you have children to look after you and do the work.

    Tom [22] has got very old & stiff just able to potter about.  Sallie [23] too has let herself get old before time.  I'm the only energetic member of the family.  I still go to dances, in fact I was at one last Friday night, danced all night getting home at 4 a.m.

    We had a lovely summer last year, and good crops.  Wilson is taking his flax to the mill tomorrow, so we are hoping it will do well.

    I have not seen Alic Alexander [24] for some time.  George [25] the youngest boy was at Slieveroe for a few hours on Boxing day.  He is working in London at present. He hopes to get married in April.  Samuel [26] works with his uncle in Donegal, on a farm.  Sam does the tractor work.  Alic has no maid, so he has the cooking & house work to do himself.

    With love and all the best for 1953.

                          Your affect coz
                               Lizaba Graham [27]

 Its a long time since I wrote this, but quite forgot to post it.

 Cavananore
                                                                  Monday

My darling little wife [28]

                     I was very glad to get your little letter how long ago I quite forget.  We have had nothing but visitors, cooking and eating this last long time and since "the lamb" left nothing but loneliness and [redding] up. I had very little pleasure during his visit as Miss C. was here Bessie [29] and Thompson Dada [30] & Ben Oliver so you may guess I had something to do besides talking to him.  I did not get an application of the paving stone at all and am consequently in wretched humour since  I spent Thursday evening at Blackrock with Mrs. Alexander.  Miss Maggie, Miss Elizabeth & I drove up in our car.  The Gilstons are there yet & were asking for you.  Mrs. G. is very much better and is able to walk a little.

    Dada & Mamma are thinking of going to it for a while now. it is quite full still.  Wee Paddy is there and was most happpy to see me.  I did not observe "Smiler"  Uncle Wm [31] . did not come up he sent Ben [32] instead.  I wish you saw Ben, he is the greatest oddity you ever met.

    The house here is as quiet now as your own.  Andy [33] is at Armagh since Tuesday last and Sally in Dublin so that we are "three jolly girls"  I believe Aunt P. is the liveliest of the party.  Please tell me what your "lum" is about and if it is better.  Have you got your room settled yet

    All here are well and hoping your household are in the same condition  And with fond love to each I am

                          Your ever loving
                                  Mary [34]

Slieveroe,
                                                            Thursday
                                                             July 22nd 1897

My Darling Sallie [35] ,

                 This mourning paper will show you that I have only sad news to give you for which I hope Mattie's [36] letter prepared you.

    Dear Andy [37] has left us, he died yesterday morning at 11o'c he was just ill of pneumonia three weeks today.  He took a sudden shiver in the evg the day he took ill and had a regular rigor without any known cause and after never feeling better in his life.  Maggie [38] bathed his feet in hot water got him to bed at once and made him hot coffee, in fact did all that was possible.  Next day was dispensary day so Dr. Elliott saw him early and did all he could but after several recoverys and relapses he passed away.  He did not suffer much acute pain but feverish restlessness & thirst.  He was delirious for about 24 hours near the finish of his illness, on Monday and part of Tuesday, after then he was quite clear and conscious.  In the early days of his illness he thought himself not likely to live but later said nothing about it.  He had Mr. Henry up once to see and pray with him.  For a moment or two he said to Mr. H. "Now kneel down and say six words or so to the point".  Mr. H. just did so & Andy closed his eyes and seemed to join heartily.

    You  must not be vexed with me for not writing to you oftener but really I seem to never have a chance of writing a proper letter.  I only scribble a few words or business that can't be postponed.  Maggie is greatly upset and fatigued and oh Sally dear is in the family way again [39] expects her trouble in Nov. and the son [40] only eight months old.

    I got your letter & receipt all right.  It was good of you to share with me and indeed it was a relief.  This was the first time I was out of debt since Fred [41] died.  I must wait for a chance of sending the two watches & as they can't be posted from here.  It is not every one one can trust to post them in America on landing.  Maggie Dickies is on a visit to Drumminck.  The children Sallie [42] and Mollie [43] are in Liscalgot and Lizaba [44] and Alice [45] at Ballimote.  Annie Reed [46] is there now for her holydays.

    The funeral will be tomorrow at three o/c to his father's burying ground. Johnny Little is making the grave.  Maggie will write a long letter soon.

                              Yr fond cousin
                                Mary Griffin [47]

Please write to tell Johnny. [48]   James [49] is here most of the time of Andy's illness. He feels his death greatly.  He says he has not heard from you for a long time. Our David [50] is better.  We hope to see him at the funeral

Envelope addressed to:-
             Mrs. Whiteside
              C/O Rev W. Whiteside [51]
               Santa Maria
                Santa Barbara Co
                 California
                  USA

Urker Lodge
                                                            Crossmaglen
                                                             Ireland
                                                              Sept 22, 1906

  My Dearest Sally [52] ,

                I was very glad to get a letter from you this week and to find that you are keeping better.  I doubt you are still not sufficiently lazy for your own good.  It was very sad about the death you mentioned & all the illness. We are having a time of deaths about Cross'.  Mr. Bates [53] was promoted from Cross' branch of Belfast Bank to Saintfield where he was only able to do duty two days till he had to lie down and he is dead and buried.  Janie [54] and the children are gone to live in Belfast where David [55] is entered in the Bank.  Then three young married women have died after childbirth of blood poisoning from the treatment of a careless bad old nurse.  We only were acquainted with one girl called Larbin from [Drum???] who was only a year married and only 20 years old.  Dr. McBride [56] was away on his holidays or likely it would not have happened.  Ethel [57] and he are still engaged but I hear no word of a wedding.

    We  have had a full house all summer and are quite alone the last four days. Eva & her nurse & two babies left on Monday.  Eva [58] looks very thin & pale.  She has two dear little girls [59] .  Janie Cosgrove [60] left on Tuesday.  She has no children and does not wish for any but she nursed Eva's a good deal.

    I am in a little anxiety about Mollie [61] and her care just now as there has been a terrible typoon in Hong Kong and loss of life and I am sure she has been well frightened if not hurt. The paper yesterday was full of horrors.  A dreadful Railway accident on the Scotch Express from London at Grantham.  Some poor people were roasted to death by the upset carriages taking fire.  How the accident happened is quite unaccountable as all are dead who could explain.

    I expect Mary Reid [62] next week for a little.  Andy [63] was to leave for America on Thursday last & Cis [64] wished her mother to leave home for a while.  She is keeping fairly well.  Uncle Tom [65] too is coming early in October.  So if you don't get letters you will know I am too busy to write.  Some of [Trom] family are also expected any day.  Bessie Brown junr [66] . is here now.  Fairy & Mr. Kirk & boys enjoyed their visit greatly only the weather as too bad to allow going about at all.  Mr. K. took some photos of which I send you some.

    Your book for me has not come yet.  I do believe the "cloud" you speak of comes from the state of your health.  An old Scotish Clargyman had to ask about an old lady who was subject to fits of melancholy about the state of her soul "How's her Leddyship's bowels?"

    Behind every cloud remember there is "The Father" and all that means.  "Have I been so long a time with thee and yet hast thou not known me."  We may be and are naughty children yet tho' he punish "Yet will he not always abide".

    What a diffference a bright sunny day makes on one's outlook on life present and future and so does a healthy body a healthy and not morbid mind.

    Poor Mr. Bates sufffered hard.  It was his liver caused his death.  It was as hard as a piece of board and he had turned quite yellow with jaundice yet would not be got to consult a doctor till too late.  He lay five days unconcious but moaning pitifully.  Mr. & Mrs. Rogers are staying in Liscalgot.  We have got a Roman Catholic manager in Mr. Bates place.  I have not seen him yet but those who have don't admire him.  I am sorry to hear of Tommy [67] having so hard a struggle to keep above water.

    Maggie [68] has not been here for a long time but I hear she and all at Slieveroe are well.  Sally [69] has gone back to school.  Her knee is much better but not quite well.  I am getting some building and repairing done in the yard now that the house is  all right.  You would be surprised how nice a parlour the old kitchen makes.

    Give my love to Mr. W [70] . & the children and with fondest to yourself

                               I am yr ever loving
                                     Mary Griffin

P.S. I hear that the McKeans [71] are leaving Millmount [72] but they have not written to me only sent a card in return for my letter of condolence.

Envelope addressed to:-
             Mrs. Whiteside
               The Manse
                 Leongatha
                   Gippsland
                     Victoria
                       Australia

Urker,
                                                       Crossmaglen,
                                                        March 15th [73]

My Dearest Sally,

                Elie [74] G. asks me to forward enclosed P. Order and to explain to you why it is smaller than usual.  The tenants appealed to have rents reduced and the costs have made the difference.  It is not likely to be so little next payment.
    We miss Uncle Tom [75] badly.  He left us £500 each but the interest on that will be long coming as it is noy yet invested or paid to us.
    Kathleen Tabor [76] has got her leg broken while riding at the [Curragh] where her husband and she are staying at present.  Stansted [77] is to be let or sold and Minnie [78] is staying at Brinton on Sea a house of Bee Markers [79] .  Old Mr. Marker died suddenly last week and little Richard [80] is the heir to the estate to Bee will have great responsibility.  Both she and the child are delicate.
    Bessie [81] and Sam Gilmore [82] are about to start for Teintsin.  They will likely sail in April.  Jim Wright [83] is due home in May.  He is leaving H. Kong for good as far as we know.  Mr. [Mayes] our rector is transferred to Kilmore parish and dear knows what creature we may get in his place.  He has been here nearly eight years and we are sorry to lose him.
    So far all our relation in the war are alive and well.  I saw the paper that Mary Reid [84] got with Clair's [85] letter also the notice of Mr. W's [86] fainting in Church. You must have got an awful fright.  I hope it has done you no harm and that rest & change have done him good.  Is Mary [87] married yet?  It is very sad for you all so much trouble & worry.  All friends here are well.  Eva [88] was her making a good recovery after the birth of her son [89] .  Also Kathleen Major [90] whose husband is one of the married men called up to the colours.  He is not gone yet but expecting orders daily.  George McCullagh [91] is in Dublin with the Fusiliers and so far likes soldiering.

             Fond love to you and yours
                              M Griffin [92]

Envelope addressed to:-
       Mrs. Whiteside
        Clarmont
         Beaconsfield
          Victoria
           Australia

Postmarked:-
        Crossmaglen
         Co. Armagh
          7 pm  15 MR 16

Jany 27th  
1917                                                   

Urker
Crossmaglen
                                                              Co. Armagh
                                                                Ireland

 My Dearest Sally [106] ,

                I need not say how sorry I was to get your sad news of Dec 6th [107] yesterday and how much I feel for you in your loneliness.

    It was a comfort that he was conscious to the end and had you and Mary [108] with him.  Poor Clair [109] will be sorry he was not there also.

    Very few knew the goodness and kindness of Mr. Whiteside as I did.  He was often misunderstood but I always liked him from the first.  You remember the day he helped you and me to clear out the jackdaw's nest out of the spare room chimney on his first visit to Derry Valley.  I hear Boyd is about to sell Derry Valley.  He had intended it for his son but that boy has not pleased him being a bit wild.

    Mr. McCulley of Broomfield is dead lately.  All my old friends and acquaintances are fast slipping away.  I hope we may all meet in the better land where there will be no more "sorrow nor crying".  Since you left so many are gone we felt we could hardly live without.

    Thank God no more of our boys have so far been killed or wounded.  Victor Griffin [110] was the only one killed so far.  His death was instantaneous being killed by a mine explosion.  He was a good Godfearing boy and not afraid to die.

    David Bates [111] is in the trenches just now.  It will be very hard on him.  He was such a pampered boy but if he lives it will make a man of him.  George McCullagh [112] is well again after a wounded hand and had a few days leave.  He is to go to the 11th Dublins tomorrow up Dublin.  We are glad he is not going to France.  I did not go to seeing him  We were [put] out of our way here between bad weather and Jim and Molly [113] packing up to leave Urker for Gilford Castle a big place Jim has bought.  He will not be far from [Glenbanick]  Cis [114] Reid helped all she could in getting them settled but they are still far from that as Molly has a very bad cold and is in bed here while Jim is in Gilford trying to housekeep for himself.  Nearly every body has had influenza badly and some are still coughing.  I had a slight attack and was a couple of days in bed but am quite well again.

    Tommy Dare [115] was home for leave "looking old and worn" I am told.  Pat [116] is in France but at a base.  Russell is on the lookout for zeppelins and Julius [117] employed in the War Office at clerical work.  He is quite lame but in good health again.  He has four little girls [118] .  Molly says they are dear little things.  Beatrice Markers [119] boy is very delicate and very clever.  Has a wonderful memory.

    Charlie Moorhead [120] is also in France and so far safe.  He is not strong but not exempted from duty.  Jeannie [121] stays in Fosterstown with Andy [122] and Emily [123] . Andy suffers from rheumatism badly.

    David Jackson [124] their son is in Calcutta and Tendy [125] in Hong Kong -- Tom [126] is still lame with his knee and lives at home.

    I am glad to know that you are not left poorly off and that you have made kind friends out there.  Mary [127] living with you for the present is a great comfort.  I hope and pray that Clair [128] and her husband [129] will be spared to you. Perhaps we may even yet fulfil our old idea of spending our latter days together.  However that is not likely.

    Bessie Gilmore [130] is getting strong again in Teintsin after her bad confinement.  Her poor baby had to be sacrificed to save the mother's life.  One of Maggie McLelland's boys is in hospital wounded.  She has two in the army and her prospective son in law was killed.  It is an awful and sad time for nearly every body.  We miss poor Uncle Tom [131] badly.  Tho' this place is now paying its way.

    I wrote your sad news to Mary Reid [132] , Maggie [133] and Alicia [134] yesterday.  Fondest love and sympathy to you and Mary.  Yr ever loving old

                                              Mary Griffin [135]

Urker
                                                             Crossmaglen
                                                               Ireland
                                                                 March 30th/17

 My dearest Sally [136]

               Elie [137] Gilmore asks me to forward inclosed Post Office order and to tell you that he hopes the sum will never be so low again but law expenses and income tax swallowed up a lot.

    I was very uneasy till I heard from Clair [138] last week as he had written to neither Glenbanna nor to me since I saw him  However I had a long cheerful letter and so far he is all right.  Mary Reid [139] had a letter which she showed me from George Mitchell [140] which pleased her greatly.  He had hopes of getting over to see her I do hope he may manage it.  Likely I would see him also.  I spent a week at Gilford Castle with Jim and Molly [141] and a day at Glenbanna  Mary looks better than she did a year ago.  The Castle is a lovely place and I felt lost in the big rooms and long and numerous passages.  I am to go again when Mickie [142] gets holidays.  He is at Rugby.  I hope you are getting strong and well again after your long trial and loss.  Of course you must still be very anxious about the boys.  We hope the war is beginning to look more like a conclusion.  All our friends are still alive.  Philip Griffin [143] was hurt by a kick of a horse but is well again  All Maggie's [144] children are well also Bessies [145] & Sallys  Bessie is not strong but is not ill just now.  Dr. Tom Gilmore [146] is still at Salonika and had [his] [????]

    My fond love to Mary [147] and your dear self

                             Your ever affect old [???]
                                       Mary Griffin [148]

Urker
                                                             Crossmaglen
                                                               Ireland
                                                                 July 17th 18

 My dearest Sallie [149]

                I have two letters of yours to reply to and would have done so sooner only waited to get the [Dungooley] money.  It has never yet been paid and E. Gilmore [150] does not know the cause of the delay.  I shall do as you wish when possible.

    Thank God so far we have no more deaths to record.   Poor George McCullagh [151] was the last.  It was a sore blow.  Sally Gilmore [152] hears from her son Dr. Tom [153] regularly.  Now that the German big attack has begun he will be kept very busy no doubt.  Cecil Major Kathleen [154] , Johnny's [155] daughter's husband is in the thick of it also Russell Jackson [156] and Philip Griffin [157] .  The other boys and Clair [158] were in various parts of England when we heard of them.

    Bessie Brown [159] has been very delicate with a bad stomach for a long time. Mary Reid [160] looks no worse than she has for a couple of years.  She has the shake in her hands very badly and slightly in her head.  She cannot rise or walk without assistance but keeps bright & cheerful.  Peggie's [161] intended has never got leave from the front yet tho' it was due long ago.  Jim and Molly [162] are well and also Mickie [163] .  He is to be home in August from Rugby.  He is a big man now. "Time flies".  It's forty-eight years since you were one of my bridesmaids.  Few are living who were at my wedding.

    Maggie [164] had a visit of a night from Mr. Henry [165] and Max [166] last week.  We have no minister in Creggan now.  Mr. Morrison has resigned.  I am sure you are very tired of the apple pulling.  We will not have a large crop of fruit this year and not much sugar to make jam.  Eva Ussher [167] & family also Allan [168] & Mattie [169] are going to [Rosnowlagh] in August.  There is good bathing and golf to be had there and much quieter than Bundoran.  How I wish you and I could spend a month at the latter place and recall old times.  What a number of "Dreamland Faces" we have to remember.  I don't suppose your face or mine will ever appear to each other except in dreams.  Strange to say I seldom dream of my dead or absent friends - only a lot of rubbish.

    We will be very anxious till this great push of the Germans decides who is to win or lose.  Surely God will not give the devil his way and allow such villainy to prosper.  However we must "trust in Him tho' he slay us"  It would be very hard to do.  We have promise of fine crops this season and all prospers about this house.  I had no letters from Stansted [170] lately but if any thing  was amiss I should hear.

    Elie Gilmore keeps on foot but is white and old.  Both David [171] & Tom [172] are engaged but not married so far.  Eileen Gilmore [173] is on a visit to Mrs. Bremmer at Valencia Island.

    Shall write as soon as I get the D. money.

    Fond love to you and Mary [174] ,

                              Yr loving cousin
                                      Mary Griffin [175]