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This letter was transcribed thanks to the considerable efforts of Wendy Jack. The footnotes were prepared by myself and then verified (and corrected or amplified) by Wendy. Many of the letters are the property of Betty Whiteside and/or Wendy Jack. Any researchers who wish to make further use of them should check with them first.
Sharon Oddie Brown, modified June 8, 2005
Update: June 25, 2016 Footnotes on Rev. James McCULLY

Urker
Crossmaglen
 Co. Armagh
Ireland
 Jany 2nd 1917

My dearest Sally [1] ,

                I am awfully sorry to hear that Mr. W [2] . has had pneumonia and was not getting well over it.  I hope your news may be better next time.

    I hadn't word from Clair [3] since his short visit.  I don't think Maggie [4] saw him at all.  We liked him greatly here and tho' his beauty was a bit spoiled [5] you never thought of that after the first few minutes.

    We are longing for peace but not the kind Germany offers.  Except that prices of everything are up we do not yet feel the pinch but the poor will feel it badly and those with small incomes.

    We all miss Uncle Tom's [6] Xmas boxes.  Jim [7] and Molly [8] let me want for nothing.  They got me all the dress or medicines I needed since Jim came home.  They will soon be leaving me as Jim has bought a big place beside Gilford [9] and they expect to go there in a few weeks.  They will be about two miles or so from [Glenbrana [10] ] Bessie Gilmore [11] is getting strong but not yet able to be down stairs when we last heard at Christmas.

    We felt sad at that time tho' we got letters and presents as usual.  I got six books and three calenders.  The books are not much use to me now except they have large print.  Both my sight and hearing are failing - otherwise I feel very well and able to go about.  Bessie [12] and Sally [13] were both poorly for a few days but are all right again.

    It is a terribly anxious time for you and Mary [14] and only "our help in ages past, our hope for years to come" can do any good I pray for you all constantly. Clair [15] looked strong and well and had no headaches which was a wonder after his wounds.  My fond love and good wishes for the New Year

                                              Yr fond cousin
                                                     Mary Griffin [16]

 

P.S.  Miss M.A. Bradford [17] died on Nov. 25th after great suffering from her head  Miss Harriet C. Elliott [18] is thought to be dying and the Rev. J. McCully [19] of Broomfield died on the 27th of Dec.  Sarah McCalla [20] , Mrs. A. Dickie's [21] sister is also dead in Brazil


[1] Sarah (McCullagh) Whiteside

[2] William Whiteside McCullagh

[3] Thomas Clair Whiteside

[4] Margaret (Jackson) (Reed) McCullagh

[5] He had had a cricket ball in the face and this resulted in a badly broken nose, the appearance of which bothered him.

[6] Sir Thomas JACKSON, died December 1915 and had until then treated his relatives with great generosity.

[7] James Francis WRIGHT (1874-1954) who made his wealth in the Far East, son in law of Mary GRIFFIN

[8] Mary “Mollie” (née Menary) WRIGHT, wife of James Francis WRIGHT and daughter of Mary GRIFFIN

[9] Gilford Castle

[10] Glenbranna – I still need to run down what this might be and who lived here. Also see NOTE at end of January 2, 1917 letter.

[11] AT first I thought - Eliza Emily (Gilmore) Jackson, but I am quite unsure.

[12] Probably Mary GRIFFIN’s sister, Bessie (née JACKSON) BROWN(E), wife of Thompson BROWN(E)

[13] Probably Mary GRIFFINs sister, Sarah (née JACKSON), wife of Eliezer GILMORE

[14] Mary Ione Whiteside

[15] Thomas Clair Whiteside

[16] Mary (Jackson) (Menary) Griffin, sister of Sir Thomas JACKSON

[17] possibly Margaret BRADFORD (b.1839) daughter of Thomas BRADFORD and Margaret WALLACE of Carnbeg, Co. Louth

[18] Harriet C. ELLIOT?

[19] Rev. James McCULLY(1833-1916) of Broomfield, Co. Monaghan was a Presbyterian Minister. He married Josephine Elizabeth LOWRY (1848-?) SOURCE: Birth dates based on 1911 Census. In the 1911 Census it is recorded that they had 5 children, 4 living. They married: 1869. Sept. 15, in the Presbyterian Church, Ballyshannon, by the father of the bride, assisted by her uncles, Rev. Dr. DENHAM, Derry, and Rev. Smylie ROBSON, of the Assembly's Jewish Mission, Damascus, the Rev. James McCULLY, Broomfield, County Monaghan, to Josephine Elizabeth, only daughter of the REV. A. LOWRY, Ballyshannon. According to the 1901 Census, they had three children: Jane Denham McCULLY(1874-), James M. McCULLY (1875-) a bank cashier & William Charles McCULLY (1876-) a farmer. NOTE: It is interesting having him placed in the letter beside Sarah McCULLA. The HENRY family were also connected to Broomfield (it is near Castleblayney)

[20] Sarah McCALLA also spelled  McCULLAGH daughter of William McCULLAGH (1818-1869) a Newry grocer and merchant & Sarah WALLACE (1821-1867)

[21] Anna Maria McCULLAGH (1836-1896) wife of Alexander DICKIE (1831-1887) of Roachdale.

 

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