_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Glebe
Lewisburg
Co: Mayo
July 13th 1876
My Dear Jasper
I think it is high time that you were getting a letter from me if only to confirm you that I am still on the land of the living.
I am not sure whether I wrote to you since I came to this I don’t know what this word is,, “Beuofice ….. “ I entered upon 1st …/79. I resigned the Parish I had in Essex after having held it about 6 years where I lost two of my five boys. Rob & Theo, one 14 other 17 years – I “compounded”? for that Parish & got 1700L. which put a “home”? in me. I have a very nice Glibe House here & Land both at a rent now. This Parish is worth 200 L per acre but private means brings it up to 300 L, I have now 5 sons & 5 daughters, my oldest son whom you must remember is the Dispensary Doctor of the District. His salary is as good as my own & he is thought very clever in his profession. He lives with us here as yet & is helping to put forward some of the “juniors’?
The second son John is nearly finished as a Medical man & third son William (5th by birth) is to be a Clergyman. He will enter College next Nov. My two eldest daughters are at School in Dublin – My church here is small Congregation about 45. The country is exceedling popular – we live now new the sea. I consider this the nicest place I have in yet. As for Tubbercarry John Brett is dead. His sons turned out bankrupt – so a blast came on that family. & we wonder for John Brett after the death of his wife gave himself up to bad unclean living.
The Curate who succeeded me was named Jackson who died here at …… He left some short time ago though a man Collar? But I am sorry I cannot give you any tidings of the Parishioners for I am long removed from it.
Geo Rogers grandson of old Mr. Conner? Is a great ….. there being Petty Lessons Clerk. A pope? Of the first water – I fear that John & Lewis Golden are in great poverty. They have banks in Tubberarry now & telegraphs wires. The last time I passed your old mansion it retained all its old features, no change perceptible.--- I will never pass that way again I fear --- I am getting pretty old now but am wonderfully strong & active but I would be glad to know if grandfathers iron constitution still defies the raffages of time.
Hope your brother Richard & all your sisters are not forgetting John who is a Doctor by this time. You live very near the States. So your climate could not be too severe in winter. How is your own health holding out. Leroy? Is still at HeathfordI have two Churches to attend in this Parish & two services every Sunday. – The Churches are 4 miles apart. We are 10 miles from Westport. This town is not so large as Tubberarry – I have on a few yards to go to the Church of this Town.
Old …..Bournes is dead he left nearly all his money to the younger son – he is buried very near my Children. When I visited the Church some years ago no change in appearance had taken place except that the trees had grown very much.. – Mrs. Armstrong is dead so is her son Geo & the Navy? Man has the place now. What changes take place in the dying world. I suppose your father if alive is able to Contemplate a numerous progressing of grandchildren by this time.
The Potato blight still affects this unfortunate Country. The people are very poor. How well for your family to have escaped from it for a curse is over it. All the murders committed yearly call for vengeance.
Mrs. Hamilton is in very good health & desires to be kindly remembered.
Yours Sincerely & attached
John Hamilton
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Annadown Glebe
Galway
June 2nd 78
My Dear Jasper
As I have been for a long time thinking of writing to you, so I begin at last. A am thankful to God that I still spared to do so. I have had very indifferent health this spring and feel the decay of nature approaching by infallible signs. It is no wonder as I am now merging on the appointed limit. We have a very nice parish and Glebe House here. Situated in a delightful part of Galway. This is my third year of possession but I don't suppose I can enjoy its long. My next remove will be to a better country, even a heavenly. To which removal I at least ought to hear no objections whatever the family may think.
Mrs. Hamilton tho 20 years younger is failing fast also, but still healthy. Our two eldest boys are in the Medical profession. The 3rd William is going thu Trinity College for the Ministry, the 4th Son is to be a doctor also. We have 10 children altogether 5 male, same female. A young man, one of the Creavens of Ougam is stationed in this Parish. He tells me a great deal about Tubbercurry. How the clergman "Hansome" (see note) is invalided for life & a Curate doing duty. I enclose you a letter (the first I recd.) from Richd. Golden which will shew you the lamentable death of Lewis Golden & some others news. I hope you and family have been very well since you rote before & that yr brother Rich'd as all the sisters & John are well & doing well.
I see by the paper you sent me that you hold an honorable position in your Parish in a religious point of view. You have not been entangled in the meshes of Dissent but have stood true to the Church of your race. Popery is gaining head rapidly in England thru the instrumentality of our own Church. These Puseyite and Ritualistic Clergy are all engaged leaveningtheir floks and making them accustomed to popish forms & doctrines & when the flocks are sufficiengly educated all pass over to Rome. What a satanic diabolical contrivance of the Jesuits to make the Church its own destroyer. The Church of Ireland is fortunately so far free from this contagion, tho we have a few in Dublin but they are held in check. It is a curious fact that the Laity are more staunch in their Protestant principles than the Clergy in Ireland at least.
I see by the papers that Popery is gaining ground in the "States". Rome is not content to live on terms of of equality with other sects but aspires & must complete domination. As for unhappy Ireland, Rome has nearly all she desires but the Protestants & their property are still in the way & if they had Home Rule or Rome Rule, they would stamp out Protestants and seize their lands.
You were a fortunate family who were able to escape from this blood-stained soil where murders are continually occurring.
After murdering Lord Leitrim a mob in Dublin endeavoured to drag the dead body from the coffin in order to eat it I suppose. They are cannibals and savages of the worst type. Should a rebellion ever break out here you will hear news of their exploits outdoing those of the Turks. The number of Protestants in this locality is a mere nothing at present. There was a strong Colony here formerly but the property having fallen int the hands of a Popish Priprietor, he banished every blessed soul.
When you write, let me know how every member of your family is getting on, how many children each may have & how far comfortable in circumstances? how John is getting on the medical line? Do you till much land yourself & do you find a difficult in procuring labourers?Are you afraid of a Fenian invasion? Is your health standing well the ravages of time?
Mrs. Hamilton desires her kindest regards to you and every member of the Circle.
God bless you all
Yours sincerely Jno Hamilton
Last updated: January 22, 2024