Philadelphia August 18th 1804
Dear Father and Mother
I have taking [taken?] this
opportunity in leting you know that I am well at
present thanks be to God for his Mercies towards me
I am happy and well since I left you, I was
very bad for 3 weeks at first for we had very rough
weather that time but I soon got better and was
able to eat some of my sea store, we had 9 weeks
passage sailing besides 2 weeks at Innashone
and a week at - New Castle, We had some little
fortune to pay we had 2-2 to pay for a permit to get an
[apperal?] and was sworn that we had no Merchant
the have [ ? ] a law that every passenger
pay a dollar for a certificate or pass they
put down our names and age and occupation and
where you intend to reside but I find it is but
[ ? ] for we need no Certificate in a free country
it was 1/2 of a year from I left home until I got bearings
I am now living with Mr Robert Jackson
keeping [ ? ] business is very dull at this present
there is no shiping [shipping?] going out yet until the fall
I have 30 per month as long as I chews [choose?] to stay with
him. I met with friends and acquaintance plenty
I staid [stayed?] generally I Mr Wilsons and John Horner
they were very kind to me. I was only six days without
a place Mr and Mrs [Carson?] was friendly to me
James Morrison was the first of [Acquaintance?]
with he was very friendly to me He is well he is gone back
to the woods in [ ? ] Archibald McFadden is
well he was as kind to me as a brother he is living like
a gentleman for all nesarries [necessaries?] of this life he did not
know me when I saw him at first I saw Edward Gray
he was friendly to me all my old aquintances [acquaintances?] was kind as
could be expected. This is a fine country from appearances
I know nothing of it as yet only the place that I am
in they say we have a fine crop this season. I will
let you know a little of our passage We had 30 children
died with the smallpox and measles we had 4 old woman
that died yet grosser when I was [unwell?] than ever I was
I sold spirits @ 7 7 d per Quart & sugar @ 17 1/2 Tea and
some other articles we had plenty of water we got our allowance
everyday we had no [?] of articles Hugh Cunningham and family
was landed safe I left there at New Castle Molly [Cissiek?] is well
Mary Black washed my shorts to me I got my Clothes
all dry and safe He expected that the [there?] will be no
[business?] this season in the city do not
know whither [whether?] will remain in the city or not if my
wages be advanced I will stay I have [80 c ?] per month
found [in all?] things but I think
it better to stay for a little untill [until?]
I get aquinted [acquainted?] with the business I
expect to get double of it There is som [some?] remarks that
I will let you know in the next. I have seen more since I left hom
[home?] than if I was to [live?] in Bovevagh a lifetime
This is a [midling?] [ ? ] place of living for several
[ ? ] a graete [great?] many lays Religion aside when
the [they?] come to this country Tom Smith and family is
well [ ? ] Lowry is well he went to New York
Hugh Morrel is well I will let you know more
of the Country in my next I am very much afraid of old
[Ireland?] getin a [ ? ] of the [said?] We here grait [great?] preparation
for it there is a great many would rejoice but I am
vexed for it [ ? ] no more at present but
Remains your Son
Jas. Horner
Remember me to my Grandfather & Grandmother
My Uncle and Aunts my Cousens [Cousins?] and freinds [friends?]
like way's [likewise?] to my Uncle John Horner and My Aunt
my friends in Gortna [boly?] which I ought not
to forget likewise to Mr and Mrs [Carson?] at
Derry and to all my friends and aquintances [acquaintances?]
as if they were married by name and let me
know how my friend John McCracken is
I had not the opportunity of seeing him before
I left him pray excuse me for any bad
writing for I had but about 1 1/2 hour to write
I was not going to write to the Fall but I thought
best to let you know that I am well as ever
In my life
Dear Mother do not [?] for me being a way
from you but think that this time will
soon be over that you will see me once more
I believe it was my fortune to come here to a
strong land
when you write direct your letters to
Robert Jackson [Pine?] Street No 28
Jas. Horner
To Mr Thomas Horner in Bovevagh
and County Londonderry to the
Care of Mr Mark Rodgers
in Newtown L.vady
Ireland
this with care and [ ? ]
