To: Mr James Smyth
Moycraig County of
Antrim Ireland
Mosside [Mos-side?] Post office
From:
Philadelphia June the 4 1846
Dear father and and [sic] Mother brothers and Sisters
in place of gowing [going?] to sleep I wish to occupy
A part of my time in letting you now [know?]
what has happened to me since I left
you I lived with my brother Robert to
the month of march that is to the day after
I sent you the last letter and that day
I was discharged what the cause was I do not
know without it was that I would not
follow his presepts [precepts?] which I did not like to
do as the [they?] were not pleasing to me, I thought
that I had got a parent to instruct me
in A strainge [strange?] land when the Almighty
had seperated [separated?] me so far from those how [who?]
gave me birth, but if he had taken my
advice it would been better for us both, but
it does not do when the servant instructs
the master however the next morning
John Scott was put into my situation
as he was loafing in it all winter getting
free bed & board and as far as I can understand
was the cause of my being dismised [dismissed?]
by his telling lying stories, but the first
oppertunity [opportunity?] I got I gave him A thorough flogging
and soon got him turned out and
John White is now in the situation
however the Lord was kind to me for I ast [asked?]
his assistance and he gave it me I was onley [only?]
one week untill [until?] I found A situation
with one Mr Smith to drive cart but
I was onley [only?] 8 days there when I had to leave
on account of my uncle getting Sick &
had to gow [go?] and take charge of his Store
and he delivered me the keys of all the house
and gave all his money into my charge
he was confined to bed for 6 weeks and during
that time I was not one week in bed and
had 2 mens work to do in the day time he
is got quite well again however it pleased
the almighty who orders all things well to
visit me with the hand of affliction I was
seized with violent pains in my right
side it was something like A pluresy [pleurisy?] from
over exertion and heats and colds it then
turned to the billious fever and I was 3
weeks confined to bed I was bled 2 times
and cupped 1 time I had two cuts bleeding
at once, I was one week in my uncles when
Robert was so kind as to move to his house
and employ Another Doctor, thanks be to
God I am as wel [well?] as ever I was I am at work
in a bottling establishment with one Joseph
Scott and likes him verrey [very?] well I have
$10 per Month and board I have to pay one
dollar per month for washing, dear parents
I have never seen one single sent [cent?] for all
the work I have done when I ast [asked?] my uncle
for my wages he told me my board was enough
for all I had done when I ast [asked?] Robert he returned
me a bill of $13 in debt so here I am
in debt to my friends and has the doctors
bill to pay and not one single sent [cent?]
in my pocket, Dear mother I have been
sorrowful concerning your delicateness
of Health I now [know?] it will make you uneasy
about me but it need not for I am as
hearty as brandey [brandy?] although I never taist [taste?]
it for my friends can drink enough for
me, I hope if the lord spares health I will
soon be able to fulfil my promise to you
and les [unless?] my friends want their bills sister
Rachel will soon be no more she has been bad
with consumption there 3 last months, I need
say no more as Jonathan Smyth and Benj [Benjamin?]
McElhose will be the bearer and can tell you
all concerning us excuse my letter as I am
got sleeppy [sleepy?] and fateigued [fatigued?] give my love
to all my Brothers and Sisters and to R J Smyth and tel [tell?]
him I will send him A preasant [present?] as soon as I am able
if he be kind to my dog give my love to all friends
my friends is all well as far as I now [know?] no more but
hopes to see you once more in health and wealth your son
with respect Jonathan Smith
I next to my uncle
