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Archiver > AUS-Tasmania > 2004-12 > 1102021285


From: "Geoff Connell" <>
Subject: Re: [AUS-Tas] Letter to a convict
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 2004 08:01:25 +1100
References: <000a01c4d803$b0f404a0$0400a8c0@nsw.optushome.com.au>


Any Idea what did happen, with Mary and did they ever get together again.

Regards
Geoff Connell

----- Original Message -----
From: "Yvonne" <>
To: <>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 11:13 AM
Subject: [AUS-Tas] Letter to a convict


> The following letter was posted on the Co.Tipperary List. I am posting a
> copy with the permission of the original lister.
>
> For Mary Walsh, Convict
> in care of ( ? possibly Brooks)
> Elizabeth St.
> Hobart Town
> Vandiemansland
> (?)
>
> Clonmel July 16, 1843
>
> My dear wife, I have received your kind and welcome letter of 20th March
> which is the greatest happiness I have enjoyed ever since he day I have
> parted my dearest Mary. It gives consolation to my troubled mind to know
> that you are comfortably situated in your exile and that you have the
> great pleasure of seeing your sweet child at times.
> It would be the only wish of my heart, Dear Mary, to go to you on my
> knees, but I have not the means at present for I have to pay so much a
> year for services out of my wages, and as there is no emigration nor any
> provision made by government for that country renders my state unable to
> go out to my lovely aand dearest Mary. Therefore if you could by any means
> make interest to bring me out would be the only happiness in this life
> which I could desire. So if you can learn any way let me know of it in
> your letter for you are in my thoughts by day and night. When you left
> Dublin, I sent Maurice to the County Cork, to my sister Mary, and have not
> seen him these twelve months past but intend on tomorrow the 17 July to go
> to see him.He is in good health as I receive letters from him. I have a
> new suit of clothes for him. Sonny Hays is in good health along with the
> Prendergasts near your Uncle Jack in service. I see him oftener than
> Maurice for I do not leave Sonny Hays out of my mem!
> ory at all, but give him every little thing that he wants.
> I am employed ever since you left home at Thomas Kennedys at ( ? ) and at
> Thomas Rourks. My dearest Mary there is not a moment that I am thinking of
> you day and night aand will be always so til it please God to restore you
> once more to my arms for you are my only thoughts by day and my dreams at
> night. I am sorry my dear wife, that I did not leave my children to go out
> with you for I could be able to follow you in a short time if people were
> carried out free as they were before. I would go out to you when I
> received your letter, but they are not without a great deal of money. If I
> lived for 100 years you would be as fresh in my heart as you were the day
> you left me. I expect a letter from you at every opportunity as it is the
> only pleasure I can enjoy since my loving wife is so far, far away from
> me. It is in my prayer morning and night to bring you safe to my bosom. I
> am glad to hear that my sweet little Mary is so well - my dear Mary this
> is a broken-hearted letter I am s!
> ending you as I cannot bring it myself. Send me word in your next letter
> if you intend to come home to me when your time is out for I could not
> live at home without being in the same place where my poor Mary used to
> be. I would send you another letter in a short time after this but hearing
> that you would remove from the place where you are at present, let me know
> how long you are to remain where you are at present. Think of your
> broken-hearted husband and children as long as you live.
> I am very well in health as also are your children. All your friends are
> well. (?) the neighbours are very sorry for you but hope God will restore
> you once more to me and be happy forever again. I will keep your letter
> next to my heart until I receive another from you, my darling wife. My
> dear Mary when I used to go to work every Monday morning from you, I would
> feel the week a year long until I could see you on Saturday evening, but
> what must my heart feel now when I cannot see you at all for when I am at
> work my labour companions give me any concern but thinking of you. My
> brother Jack and Maurice and families are well in health. My brother Jack
> lives now in the county Cork in Macroom. It troubles me very much to have
> my child so far from me as it would be great comfort to my mind to see him
> once a week. I received your kind letter on 11th July which removed a
> mountain from my heart. Whenever you write direct your letter to Thomas
> Kennedy. All your friends and
> neighbours send you (?). I know my dear loving Mary that you will deserve
> the love and esteem of those with whom you live, as you merited the
> goodwill of all who know you at home. Now my dear wife I am at the point
> of finishing my letter. Farewell, farewell and Mary receive much
> consolation at the reading of this as I have at the reading of yours. May
> your rest be ? and your dreams sweet always thinking of him who thinks
> of you. Again farewell until I can shake hands wwith my darling Mary,
> until death do us part.
>
> I remain your loving and affectionate husband
>
> James Walsh
>
> I have offered a Pound to Hennessy (?) to write if he could do anything
> for me by writing to the Lord Lieutenant,
>
>
> ==== AUS-Tasmania Mailing List ====
> Tasmanian Sites of Interest
> On the Tide - Stories of the Tamar
> http://www.onthetide.com/
>
>
>
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>



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