The Silver Bowl: 1889 letter from Eliza (Oliver) Jackson

This letter came to me through the good graces of Mim MOORHEAD, daughter-in-law of Jeannie (Jackson) MOORHEAD who in turn was the grand-daughter of the author of the letter, Eliza (Oliver) JACKSON. Thanks to Wendy JACK for straightening me out on who was who in the letter (I had it quite wrong!).
Sharon Oddie Brown, August14, 2003
Footnotes updated: November 16, 2005
Update March 22, 2010

Urker, March 30th 1889

My dear Emily, [1]

There is no end to the scolding that Andy [2] and you get from Eliezer [3] and us, for not writing. It is very hard that neither of you would think worth while to write a line to let us know how you get on.

I got a telegram from Minnie [4] on Thursday informing me that Tom [5] had arrived safely at Sanfrancisco; so he is over the Pacific (thanks be to God) but he has the Atlantic still before him. I have no idea how long he will stay in America; on the one hand, he will be anxious to hurry home to his family; and on the other, he will think a pity to leave America without seeing some of its wonders. He is to land at Queenstown, and Minnie is to meet him at Dublin; they will then come on here. I doubt they will not take time to go round all their friends; they will be anxious to get home to the children [6] ; but it is best for us all to be prepared. We are in the middle of whitewashing and papering here.

I enclose a cheque for £12. 5 to pay the Governess; and the rest to buy the time piece, and get the large candlesticks replated. I priced some time pieces in McCullagh's [7] in Dundalk; to have an idea what one should cost. He said he would not give the best one for less than £5. But you are a good market woman and can look round the different shops in Dublin, and see where you can buy to the best advantage, I intended to have met you there, as I said to Andy; but I find it would not suit me to leave home at present. [Pem's] is said said to be the cheapest shop in his line; Waterhouse's is also a good one; but I like West's because any thing bought there may be depended on. All that I bought there, turned out well.

We have no [strange] news, except that Mary Donaldson [8] of [Sytrim] died on the 17th inst. She did not survive Ellen [9] quite three months. Mrs Donaldson [10] of the Rocks is now living in Xmaglen in one of her own houses. Martha [11] and Johnny [12] are living with her; the latter in very delicate health. Eliezer has suffered a good deal with rheumatic pains, and is not quite free of them yet.

All the rest of your friends and acquaintances are well as far as I know; except Andy McCullagh [13] who has had a complaint in his throat for some time.

With best love to Andy & the children

I remain

your affectionate Mother

Eliza Jackson

News just come that Willy Speirs [14] fell off a horse yesterday and broke his neck. Another temperance warning. God grant people to be warned by it.Willy Corr [15] has taken the temperance pledge, and is doing his best to make others do so. I wish Andy [16] would do the same. Tell him so & may God grant him grace.

[1] Eliza Emily (Gilmore) JACKSON, daughter-in-law of the author of the letter, wife of Andrew Coulter Bradford JACKSON

[2] Andrew Coulter Bradford JACKSON, brother of Sir Thomas JACKSON

[3] Eliezer GILMORE, brother to Eliza Emily (Gilmore) JACKSON and son-in-law to Eliza JACKSON by his marriage to Sarah JACKSON. He lived at Liscalgot, Co. Armagh.

[4] Amelia Lydia Dare, wife of Sir Thomas JACKSON

[5] Sir Thomas JACKSON

[6] The first seven children (six surving infancy) of Sir Thomas Jackson and Amelia Lydia Dare would have been ages 17 to 2 at the time of this letter. Two more were yet to be born.

[7] McCULLAGH's store in Dundalk? A John M'CULLA ran a Grocery in Dundalk in 184. SOURCE: New Commercial Directory. p97. A William M'CULLOCH of Mullahralin was a seed merchant some time before 1909. SOURCE: Tempest's Annual p. 89 ALso, A William M'CULLOCH was a grocer and linen merchant 4-5 Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk. SOURCE: Slaters Commercial Directory 1846 p.37-38

[8] A Joseph DONALDSON (1821-1880) of Sytrim is listed in the Freeholder records of 1832. His wife was Mary DICKIE. Her death was listed in a will on June 9, 1886 - so it isn't her, but it may be her daughter, Mary Helen DONALDSON whose death date is not known. I am unsure about which Mary DONALDSON she might have been.

[9] Ellen DONALDSON (1816- Dec 24, 1888) daughter of William DONALDSON and Jane Elizabeth RUNCIE

[10] Mrs. DONALDSON of the Rocks?

[11] Martha DONALDSON?

[12] John DONALDSON ?

[13] Andy McCULLAGH ( - 1897) - probably the husband of Margaret JACKSON, sister-in-law of the author

[14] Willie SPEIRS?

[15] Willie CORR. He may be the solicitor who married Susan DONALDSON.
[16] Andrew Coulter Bradford JACKSON - husband of Eliza Emily GILMORE & son of Eliza JACKSON