[page 1]
Philadelphia 16 October 1871
Dear Samuel and Magy wee [we?] are very uneasy in mind in regard
of not getting a letter from yous [you?]. This long time we think it
strange but wee [we?] trust yous [you?] have not forgot we sent a
letter to yours [you] on the 8th agust [august?] and one on the 7th
of September and has got no answer but wee [we?] hope yous [you?]
are in good health as this leaves us all at present thank God for
his kind [-------?] to us. We have got letters from Castletown
and [droit?] but all the time we are requesting yous [you?] to
rite [write?] for we are expecting it every day as regards us in this
Countery [Country?] wee [we?] are dooing [doing?] as well as could
be expected wee [we?] are making plenty of money and has good
health as regards to myself I am in steady employ [employment?]
I am at present in a Marble and Brownstone yard about 10 yards
from my house
[page 2]
it is very convenient to me. I had been working to the same man for
some time before out at west Philadelphia when that Bilding
[Building?] was done hee [he?] told me to gow [go?] into the yard as
it was conveniant [convenient?] to me hee [he?] said hee [he?] was
from Tyrone and hee [he?] had a good mind to any one ought [out?]
of the countery [country?] the work that is done in this yard is
verry [very?] nice but not sore work the name of the Boss is
McCoplin. Thomas is steady in the business he was at and hee [he?]
has got the Charge of the men. Johney and David and Seragh is in
the same employment the [they?] was [were?] in when I
rote [wrote?] before. Catherine William and Samuel is at school
your mother is much the same in health as before. The hot time
is over and the weather is now much the same as at home.
[page 3]
The people in this Country Lives verry [very?] nice besides
[besides?] the [they?] doo [do?] at home both in aperil [apparel?]
and victuals but I hear that the Crops is very bad in Ireland this
season. I hope yous [you?] have been fortunate in regard to
having a good crop as John Mellons daughter Margret [Margaret?]
went home from here on the 2nd September and Thomas sent
some little preasents [presents?] home with her. Ther [There]
was a Shale [Shawl?] for Magy and a brest [breast?] pin for
you and a little pocket boock [book?] for Little John Alexander
and a ring for your sister Mary Anne. Wee [we?] hope yous [you?]
have saw her and had some talk with her about this countery
[Country?] and if you have not rote [wrote?] to us before you
receive this rite [write?] immediately and Let us know all particulars
for we are longing much for a letter from you Dear Magy your
grandfather died in the begining [beginning?] of last month it is
very expensive here to bury the dead your uncle paid 65 Dolars
[Dollars?] for the grave to bury in and the Funeral expenses
[page 4]
otherways [otherwise?] cost upwards of 100 Dolars [Dollars?]
provisions here is prety [pretty?] high Butter is 40 cents per
pound and eggs 36 cents for Dozen potatoes from 75 to 80 cents
per basket meat from 14 to 18 cents per pound Flower [Flour?]
9 Dolars [Dollars?] per Barrle [Barrel?] There was great
disturbance in the City yesterday and a great many kiled [killed?]
it was the election I intend Sending yous [you?] a paper and you
will hear all the news give our best respects to your Father
hoping he is well and all the Family Likewise Joseph and Elisa
and Mother Brother Sister and family in [droit?] and all
enquiring friends and Let them know we are every day expecting
a Letter from them the Family all joins me in sending Their Love
to yous [you?] in the kindest maner [manner?] while we remain
your sincer [sincere?] Father and Mother
John and Matilda Ferguson
