January 2, 188?

Dear sister,

I received your kind and welcome letter which we were very glad to hear from you and that you are enjoying good health as this leaves us all in at present, thank God for his mercy to us all. We are very glad to see your picture once more you got very fat there. Sister I am glad that the boys is doing so well and that they are mind themselves so good indeed we are very thankful to. James is real good boy.

We are very lonely now for you and him and Ellen as for Annie I see her mostly every day. She is doing well both herself and her husband send their love to you, and they wish you and all your friends a happy New Year.

Undated

Dear sister,

We would all like to see you home once more but I suppose if you get married in that country we will never see you again. Perhaps you ought not to stay in that country if you get married. It would be nice of you get married or not to come home if that young man will let you of course. It be better get married and then you all come home.

I suppose James likes him and when you like him your self and he to think such a lot about you it would not be nice to slight him. I suppose my mother will have his letter soon. Tell him to send his picture to me. I would be very thankful to him.  Dear sister let yourself and James think about what you ought to do. I Wished James and you were at home once again in this little house on the hill.  Dear sister I hope your finger is better by this time. Johnny is going to write soon to James. I hope you and the boys had a nice Xmas. I am sure Matt would be very glad to get your picture. Also Anna wants to get it.

I had a Letter from Ellen. She is real well. Also Matt and family. So now dear sister I will conclude. My father and mother and sisters and brother join in wishing you all a happy New Year. We send our best love to you and James.

I remain your Af sister, Alicia Cassidy xxxxxx

April 2, 1889

Balrath Burry
Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland

Dear Daughter

I now take the pleasure of writing those few lines hoping to find you all in good health as the departure of this leaves me not at present.

My days are nearly up. I am near my last end and I beg of you to come home as soon as you get this this letter for I don't want you to wait for the fall for you won't have me and do not believe Mary, anything she says. I hope James and his mistress is well. I am very sorry for Matt's wife that died.

Dear Mary it is not for work I want you. I have a servant girl to do the work and what I want you for is to mind your father when I am gone. An do come home in June. I like to see you before I die and to have you about me. Johny is well and his mistress all in good health.  Dear Mary you have two good cows and you may milk them if you like or stand with the girl and we were up all night with one of them and there is two rather? calves that would do you good to look at. Then we have the garden planted with potatoes and cabbage. I hope James has his garden planted as we have ours with potatoes and cabbage and some nice flowers.

Also Mrs. Ginty is well and Fratie comes over by herself. We hear from Ellen. They say that she is well. Miss Bettersbys are ?? grieved for Miss Henrietta she died and the other ladies are not able to leave the room so Ellen has enough to do with them.  Please give this to Mary.Your father is well and out every morning at five o' clock. he is the earliest man in the walk.  No more at present, from your family and loving mother and father

Bridget and Patrick Cassidy

Dear Mary it is your fathers wish for you to come home. Come in June and if not you will not have your mother.

January 1, 1991

Balrath Burrey

My Dear Son,

In receipt of your letter to hand of which I received alright. Glad to learn by it that you and your wife @ children are in good health @ Mary also @ I . Cosey? as this leave me and all of us at present under the circumstance . It could not be expected for I to be strong now in the winter of my years. I always got pretty good health till lately. That attack I got cut me up much.

Its late for you now to imagine I to work hard. I think I have done my share in this world. I should expect its rest I do require for the future. But thanks be to God for the help I have at present. The two are very good. Could not expect better.  Johny is a very good boy and Sarah a very good girl.  Matt is in good health last we heard and so is all the family.  I hope little Mary is in good health.

I have here to tell you your mother received all the attendance we could give her. She had both Priest and Doctor several times. We could not do more. She had the priest about 5 hours before she died. She had the priest about 2 o'c P.M.. Died about 7 that night. She died very happy. She asked several times about you and wish to be remembered to you all. She was lonely she could not speak to you but let you all pray for her. We had the months mind. since so you see I have done all in my power for her. The only thing I have to do is to settle some bills belonging to her of which I am not able at present. The burial was very expensive on me. I buried her as decently as I could to show her respect for the last time. I had to pay f2 for a hearse besides car hire @ necessaries of which I wanted the whole thing came up to f8 pounds. She had a very large funeral.

Ellen was not down before she died.  She was down last summer for a couple of days.  Then she didn't expect her mother was bad enough to die at this time. . . We telegramed next morning after the dying.  She was down on the late train. We telegram for Matt same day he came same night also for the funeral next day. I never heard a word from Ellen since.  I wrote her three letters of which she never answered.  I am fretting about her at present.

You will be surprised to hear Mrs. Reynolds died about 3 weeks ago. Old "Vickie" is very bad also. Jack Jr. married about 12 months ago to Billy Nelson's daughter that lives at the Brewers. She is an "illigemate" child. He is living in Kells at present. Young Nick did not get married yet. You ask me did Johny Harde get married yet. No nor no signs. Michael Smith is in bad health, very bad. All the rest of the Smiths are in good health. They have Thomas' eldest son at present over here. He knows you very well his name is Ned.

John Smith policeman is soldiering in Wicklow at present. he is raised to the rank of Battery Sergt Major. He was home in his own clothes twice, he is married. And raising a family there. Willie hart was married this time twelve months to a sister of Tommy's wife. Mullally is the name. They live below us in Ballally.

I will finish my letter at present. Hoping it you and all in good health.

Johny @ wife
Barney @ Mary
and old Bryan
are all in good health

Wishes to be remembered to you.

Mrs. Ginty Daughters @ Husbands in good health

Good Bye
God Bless You
Your Aff. Father

Pat Cassidy

Poem:  "Dawn on the Irish Coast"

      The following poem was also forwarded by Geraldine Ellen (Cassidy) Lowery who wrote that this poem was in the possessions of James Joseph Cassidy.  The author was John Locke.  Geraldine commented, "Tto me this poem tugs at the heartstrings and I though I would like to share it."