John Taylor, Pennsylvania to [Robert Taylor?], [Shanrod?]
[Johns last letter and benediction]
[Page 1]
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania,
April 13th 1847
Dear Brother,
I have but a few minutes
to write as Mr Jos [Joseph?] Lowry by whom I intend
sending this leaves this morning and I did
not see him or know he was in the city until
last night. We are all well. I had a letter
from my daughter who resides in
St Louis, yesterday, she was well when
she wrote, and had also one from
Robert in Philadelphia a few days ago,
they were all well, John is married, is in
the Island of Cuba and has his wife with
him. He gets a Hundred dollars a month
and his expenses out and in paid. I wrote
to him last week at St Iago.
We have most distressing accounts of the
famine in Ireland. I do not see that it has
extended seriously into your county or any
part of the North save Donegal. Immense
quantities of provisions and money have been
collected in this country and sent to relief of
your famishing people.
A most bloody war has been
[Page 2
raging for a year
between this country and the neighboring
Republic of Mexico. Our army have triumphed
in every battle. A most bloody one that was
fought on Feby 22nd and 23rd by Gen [General?]
Taylor with about 4000 Americans and Gen
[General?] Santa Anna President of the Mexican
Republic with 20,000 Mexicans - the latter were
repulsed with severe loss - and Gen [General?]
Taylors loss was 800 killed and wounded among
these [several] old friends and acquaintances
of mine - Since then we have taken the City
and Castle of Vera Cruz the largest fortified
fort on the Continent of America.
Whats the reason you dont write to me? You
never answered my last letter.
I have sent you since then several newspapers
and one or two to Dr Chain intended for John.
Dr Stewart of Carnew who came here a short time
[a?] ago gave me a most satisfactory account of
you all. I think he said he said [sic] John was
at Glasgow again last winter - He might certainly
take the trouble to write me a letter.
Give my love to mother, Nancy, Susanna
and all your children and believe me Dear Brother
Yours most affectionately
John Taylor
Mr Robert Taylor
[Page 3]
I forgot to mention and I regret that I have to
do so that Arthur Gallagher died quite suddenly
in January last. He has left a widow
and ten children, but in very comfortable
circumstances - I was at his funeral. The
last time I conversed with [sic] he talked of
sending for his Sisters son who he told me was
working in the mines in England. I advised him
to do so. If he understands Mining well he can
get plenty of employment and earn a dollar
and half per day.
You must excuse this rambling
disconnected letter-I have not time to correct
or copy it off. May god bless you all.
J.T. [John Taylor?]
[We know nothing more of the families of John and
Nathaniel. Back in County Down their mother lived
until 1857. Robert and Susannas son John completed
his medical studies in Glasgow, and emigrated to
Connecticut, but that is another story.]
