Bess Golden letter 1874
Barnicohill, June 9, 1874
My Dear Jasper,
I hasten to drop you a line hoping to find you & all your family in good health. It is a long time since I saw you or any of ye. I was up at Rathscanlon a fortnight ago and read the letters you sent to my aunts. Was happy to hear of your welfare and that of your brothers and sisters.
(Sideways at top): When you get this I will be expecting a long letter from you please and if you know where any of my Uncle James children are let me know how they are getting along . I am as fat when you last saw me and in good health thank God.
Direct Bess_ Golden
Barnacohill Dromore West
If I am feared to get your answer from you will send you a long letter the next time.
(Page 2):
Rathscanlon is in the same old place still I was not there since this summer 19 years til the last month there is a great change in the place I thought so at last where our house and your grandfather’s house was looks very bleak. Willie’s Richard is in the same old place married to Jane Clarke. His mother is living still. Mrs. Clarke looks very fresh.
She as we very comfortable house where my Aunt Maxwell lived. I think you remember Isabella Clarke. You were casting sheeps eyes at her once.
(Sideways writing): I have part of the prayers that used to hear and father say
(Page 3):
She is a long time head the house you lived in looks the very same outside that it did in former times I do not know how it looks inside I never stood below road Since the morning that your father and mother and the rest of the family left I spent the last night with them. I saw your mothers mothers arm chair in my Aunt’s.
Dear cousin my father is dead 18 years the first of last March and this day 2 years my mother died. Their trust was Jesus. My brother John died in London years ago. James and Richard was there when he died. I cannot say whether James is dead or alive.
(Page 4):
Richard and his family and Isabella are living there. Richard is in the London Police his wife
Is Watson sister & Sam Watson’s son. Saw him when Maria and you were at the sea. Winifred is married here and lives with her. Her husband is Allen – he is a cousin to Patt_____ that was going to your school. His father’s name was Alex Allen. She has 4 children, Isabella and Abram, Lizzie and Richard. John Longhead and his family are well
Remember me to Maria, Sarah, _Annie,Fanny, Lizzie (Elizabeth), Richard and John. I send my fond love to you and all your family. I am your affectionate cousin til death.
Bess Golden, W. J Golden.
The prayer the writer refers to may be the Travellers Psalm. It was used at many family gatherings over the years before different members of the family went on trips and annually at the Golden family reunions.. I know it was said before they left Ireland. It was also read at my parents wedding and my wedding. It was most recently read at my mother's funeral 2010.
Last updated:
January 25, 2024
