Ellen Bridget O'Neill was born in 1835 in Scalpnagown, between Crusheen and Kilkishen in north east Clare. She emigrated to the United States in 1854 where she lived with to her Aunt Ann Connell Higgins on Gay Street in Manayunk, a small town outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ellen married Patrick Francis Welsh and had a large family. She died in 1908 in Manayunk. This collection of letters, donated by Ellen’s great granddaughter, Ann Buckley, relates to Ellen and her family. It includes correspondence from her father and siblings in Ireland, particularly her sister Mary, her brothers Patrick and Tim and niece Frances in New Zealand and a cousin in the USA. There are also letters from Frances to Ellen’s daughter, Rose.

The O’Neill Family of Scalpnagown

The Letters:

1. 18 Jan 1855 from cousin Thomas Purcell, Elmira NY re letter from her father; social life and marriage prospects; neighbours from Tulla in Elmira; quotes Robert Burns’ song

2. C. Feb 1855 from Father, Thomas O’Neill Scalpnagown, Tulla relating her mother’s death and local emigration to Australia

3. 13 April 1855 from father Thomas, re death & burial of mother; request for money; sister wishes to join her; price of crops rising.

4. 23 April 1855 from cousin Thomas Purcell, Elmira NY encouraging her to move to Elmira

5. C. July/Aug 1855 from father re her possible move to Elmira; things improving in Ireland

6. 29 March 1857 from Thomas Purcell mentioning a letter from her father and wages

7. 18 Nov 1857 from Father re bad year for potatoes and congratulating her on her marriage

8. 26 May 1864 from father and siblings re family news; infrequency of letters; good price for crops; brother’s desire to emigrate.

9. 26 Dec 1873 from sister Mary Malony, Lisofin recording a number of family deaths including those of Ellen’s father, sister and grandparents.

10. 12 May 1874 from sister Mary with family news

11. 13 April 1885 from sister Mary re brothers in New Zealand

12. 1893 from sister Mary with family news and possibility of Ellen visiting home

13. 27 July 1895 from Ellen and Pat in Lisofin to children in USA

14. 19 Feb 1900 from sister Mary mentioning death of Ellen’s husband and Mary’s own son

15. 1 Nov 1900 from brother Patrick, New Zealand telling of New Zealand

16. 31 March 1901 from sister Mary, Lisofin with family news

17. 20 April [1901] from sister Mary, Lisofin with family news

18. C. Dec 1901 from Mary Cassady, NY, after returning from visiting Ellen

19. 22 Nov 1901 from niece Frances O’Neill in New Zealand with family news

20. 23 Jan 1902 from niece Frances O’Neill in New Zealand with family news

21. 23 July 1908 from brother Tim in New Zealand informing her of brother Patrick’s death.

22. 30 August 1908 from brother Tim in NZ re hotels, farming and family in New Zealand.

23. 17 Dec 1908 from Frances in NZ to Rose Welsh Bell re Ellen's death

24. 1916. Two letters to Rose Welsh Bell on the death of her sister Julia Welsh Strain

25. 15 Sept 1919 from Frances O'Neill visiting San Francisco to Joseph Strain

26 22 Jan 1920 from Frances O’Neill to cousin Rose Welsh Bell on Frances’ return to NZ after US trip

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Letter 1
From cousin Thomas Purcell, Elmira NY re letter from her father; social life and marriage prospects; neighbours from Tulla in Elmira; quotes Robert Burns’ song

Thursday, Elmira, Jan 18, 1855
Dear Cousin,
I received your kind and affectionate letter today and am glad to hear that you are well in health. But I am sorrow for your mother being sick hoping she will get better in her next letter. So I wish then many a happy day.
Dear Ellen, I ask one request of you that is to send me the letter you received from your father to send it to me and I will be entirely oblige to you and I will thank you for future favors. I will send you an envelop to put your father's letter in it and you may send another letter in the inside of it also.
This letter I received of you, it was as much as I could do to get it from the post master because my name was spelt wrong. The way it was spelt is Thomas Purcelly and that was wrong. The way is Thomas Purcell (the last "l" with a long tail) of Elmira, Chemung Co., N.Y. or Thos Purcell. Either will do. All our people are well. Mary and I have been to 5 balls in a month and we are going to another tomorrow night, that is Friday evening but I wish you were here and you would come along with us. How delightful it would be to have you here and if you come I will get you a good husband that is as true as the gospel if you want to get married or supposing you don't we would like to have you here and all our people and the neighbours that used to live near you to home all the folks that ever lived in Tulla they are here and a great many others besides of the old acquaintances.
Ellon, if that gentleman that you reference to, if he is not a good looking man and you to get married to him, I will give you a purty good scolding and I should think you would send for one of your brothers or sisters before you would get married and then you see they would help the old fox. Mary Sally is in Newmarket, upper Canada. Margaret is married and have two children. So is Hanora. They are out west in Ohio. John is gone to Illinois about 3 years. Father and the old woman and children Mary and me are in Elmira and we are enjoying our selfs according to the times. Thos Daffy and family are along with Mary Sally in Canada.
My pen is poor my ink is blue, my love to you it will be true as a mother which is considered to be extremely nice. The rose is red the violet blue the pink is purty and so are you. Beware thou the voice of a stranger, though of friendships its accents may be in his presence. My heart is in danger then flee from this and grin, O flee. O quit such prosaical stuff about produce and caution and care. We'd live in a cot and have more than enough if love but abode with us there. But beauty how frail and how fleeting the bloom of a fine summers day while worth in the mind, O my Phillis will flourish with out a decay
Write to me as soon as you receive this letter and I will be in truly obliged to you and thank you. I am keeping grocery all this winter and I could treat with a good glass of wine or candies or anything you would want. So no more at present from your truly cousin Thomas Purcell of Elmira, Chemung Co., New York.Miss Ellen O'Neill, please write me often lines backhanded til I see how well you [piece missing]

Letter 2
From Father, Thomas O’Neill Scalpnagown, Tulla relating her mother’s death and local emigration to Australia

[c. February] 1855
Dear Ellon
I now take the favourable opportunity of writing those few lines to you hoping to find you in good health as this leaves me and all the family in at present, thanks be to God for his kind mercy to us all.
Dear Ellon, your mother wrote to you about the beginning of October last and stated in her letter the manner in which we had spent the three foregoing months, but she got no answer during which time she suffered much trouble. We tried every remedy we could to relive her, but alas it was death that eased her pain. Dear Ellon, your dear and beloved Mother departed this life on 1st of Dec., may God have mercy on her soul.
Dear Ellon, her death is a sore thing to us and we are very sorry it if we could it but we must have a welcome for the will of God.
I would like to let you know that your sister Mary has a notion of going to Australia and I'd like that you should be with her if you don't like your situation in America and if you chose to come home you can go for one pound each in the free emigration as your Uncle Daniel and wife did and are doing mighty well. Michael Hanrahan, John Keehan of your native village, Connor Loughery of Ballinruan and many others of the neighbourhood went out and are sending home lots of money. Michael Hanrahan sent 50£'s in the course of six months, in fact it is the best country for earning on the face of the globe and it would gratify me very much if you and your sister was together.
Dear Ellon, we would be very comfortable now had not the death of your mother taken place. I would like to let you know that she was buried in Tulla decently.
Write to me as soon as possible. No more at present from your affectionate father
Thomas O'Neill

The O’Neill home in Scalpnagown, 1962

Letter 3
From father Thomas, re death & burial of mother; request for money; sister wishes to join her; price of crops rising.

[Addressed to Mr. Peter Higgins, Manayunk]
Scalpnagoon, April 13, 1855
Dear Ellon,
I found a favourable opportunity of writing these few lines to you hoping to find you and your Aunt [Ann Higgins nee Connell] and Mr. Higgins in good health as this leaves me and family in at present, thanks be to God for his kind mercy to us all.
Dear Ellen, I received your kind letter on the 20th of March which gave me great pleasure. You want to know the reason why your Mother was buried in Tulla. The reason is because we had a notion of going to some other country and thus she fancied herself to be buried in Tulla. Your grandfather and mother and aunts often visited her during time she was ill. They were also to the funeral accompanied by all their friends and relations. She was a period of three months on her bed. Dr. Molony often visited her during that time but could do her no service and when she was approaching her end, she was very much troubled about you as she was from day to day expecting a letter from you.
You mention in your letter that you would like to know whether we had a notion of going to Australia or not. I would like to let you know that I have arrived to stay at home myself but Mary says that she will either go to Australia or to you. She says she would like to be with you and now she says she would like to know which place you would advise her to go.
Dear Ellen, as we had to undergo such hardship as we did, you know we spent a great deal of money and now if you could look into [letter smudged] and send us one or two pounds it would serve us very much and perhaps we may not want any more from you as the boys are getting strong and are now able to work, thanks be to God. The times are mending here in Ireland, potatoes 7 lb per stone, oats from 12 to 14 lb per stone, wheat 7-10 lbs. We got no letter from Mary O'Neill Sally but Mary Daffy wrote home last harvest and said that she was doing very well. Write to me as soon as possible. Not more at present from your affectionate Father
Thomas O'Neill

Letter 4
From cousin Thomas Purcell, Elmira NY encouraging her to move to Elmira

[Addressed to Ellen on Cotton St., Manayunk]
Elmira, April 23, 1855
Dear Cousin
I received your letter on the 22nd. I now sit down to write to you a letter not having much time and you must excuse me for all my mistakes.
I have read your letter to all of our people. They all felt sorrow for your mother's death but not any worse than I have. So the Lord be good to her soul for ever and ever. Our people want you to come out here and especially Mary. She says if you come out here to Elmira that she will find you work less than a minute. Mary she is to work at the milliner trade now and she says if you come do not buy anything as for dresses or a bonnet because you can buy them in Elmira cheaper than you can where you are. All of our people want you to come and live here. You can make $600.00 a month here free of all charges. Girls here generally work by the week from 10 to 20 shillings a week. Please do come. I have got a place for you myself. If you come here which you will, you have got to take the cars from Philadelphia to Williamsport and from Williamsport to Elmira. I do think that rout is the cheapest for you to come. When you come into the Depot inquire of a man the name of James Powell. He is only a few rods from the depot by Michael Fitzpatrick or Martin Cavin and either of them will show you where father lives or inquire for him. You might by very apt to find out where he lived and have them to go to the house with you. Write 3 or 4 days before you start so that I will meet you at the depot and tell me when you're going to start and you can find out at the depot how long it will take you to come and when you will reach to Elmira and whether it is in the knight or in the daytime. Please wright as soon as you receive this letter. So nor more at present.
From your cousin Thomas Purcell Elmira
Chemung Co. N. York

I have not got many time to spare now but if it is a thing that you don't come, I will let you know more in my next letter.
Once more.
You have mentioned in your letter that you would be anxious to go there if I would give you good encouragement. Now there I am blocked. I do not know whether you want to go home to Ireland or to come out here to Elmira.
Now, in regard to going home to Ireland, I have nothing to say about it. You may do just as you think fit. Mary says if you come out here that she will go with you in the fall and perhaps I would too. There have 5 or 6 boys and girls gone from here this spring to Australia and we are expecting a letter from them in the fall. Ellon don't be downhearted. Keep good courage.
Thomas Purcell

Letter 5
From father re her possible move to Elmira; things improving in Ireland

[c. July/August 1855]
Dear Ellon,
I take the opportunity of writing these few lines to you hoping to find you in good health as this leaves me in at present, thanks be to God for his kind mercy to us all.
Dear Ellon, I received your kind letter on the 26th of June which gave me and your brothers and sisters great pleasure. The friends and neighbours were also very glad of its arrival. Your grandfather and mother are in good health. Their family are also in good health. Your Aunt Catherine and family are in good health. You say you would like to know your age and that I can let you know. You will be 21 years at Christmas next.
Dear Ellon, I don't like to throw up house and land altogether, but if you consider it fit, I will let one of the boys and one of the girls out in a short time.
Dear Ellon, I am glad to tell you that we are doing much better now than when you left home. Ireland is very good at present. There are great prices for stock and provisions of every description.
Dear Ellon, you say that you would like my advice about going to Thomas Purcell. I don't know what to say on the subject for I'll tell the reason why I received no letter from him but one and that about two years ago and then I can't say yeas or no but if you hear that it is a good place and that he is doing well, you may go there if you choose.
This summer was wet and unnatural for the season until about the 20th of this month but now we have charming weather and there is good prospect of the crops, thanks be to God Almighty. I would like to let you know that Thomas Poor's daughters are in Toville or in its vicinity. Toville is a town in the County of Pencastle and State of Delaware.
I would like to know if you have any account of your cousin Mary O'Neill. Catherine Burke mentioned in her letter on May last that she lived convenient to herself and is married to a blacksmith. Nancy and Bridget Noon are living in Toville town.
No more at present from your affectionate father
Thomas O'Neill

Letter 6
From Thomas Purcell mentioning a letter from her father and wages

Elmira, March 29th, 1857
Dear Cousin,
I take the pleasure of writing these few lines to you, hoping to find you in good health as this leaves me at present.
Dear Cousin, the happy news I received from your father yesterday that was the 28 day of March I received a letter from him from Ireland. All your people are well and your cousin Cate Hennessy and Mary and Mac and all the family are well. I wrote to your father for your brother Patrick O'Neill and to see if he would let him out to me and he said he could not spare him at the present time but he would see afterwards about it. I told him to send me the directions where you were and he did so. He said you sent him some money and if you were here I would help you and I will as it is. I do intend to send him some money purty soon. Father sends his best word to you and so do the girls Mary Purcell and Hanora and Margaret and so does myself, Thomas Purcell. Your father says that potatoes are 8 pence a stone and corn meal 2.2. Thomas Daffy and family and Mary Sally are in Newmarket in upper Canada. He did not give the directions or I would write to them. But if you are so kind and condescending as to send me the directions where they are, I will write to them.
I should like to know how much wages you get a week. Make it mention on your letter. Girls get here from $1 to 10 shillings in private houses and 12 shillings to $2.00 in taverns. So I wish you would write before you would come to Elmira. I should be very happy to see you and so all the family in like manner. So direct your let to Robert Purcell are in my name. Please do not forget to write as soon as possible.
So no more at present from your truly cousin Thomas Purcell of Elmira, Chemung Co., N. York
State your letter in this way
Thomas Purcell Elmira
Chemung Co., N. York (that is all is required)

[Envelope noted "Please forward to Ellen
Welsh]
Scalpnagoon, January 1855

Letter 7
From Father re bad year for potatoes and congratulating her on her marriage

Scalpnagoon, November 18, 1857
My dear daughter,
Your letter dated the 18th May duly came to hand which gave us all great consolation to hear that you were in good health as this few lines leaves us all in at present, thanks be to God for his mercies bestowed upon us all.
My dear daughter, I hope that you will excuse me for my long detainment not writing to you before this, but I was waiting how would the crops turn out. I am going to inform you that we have very bad potatoes this year. Dear daughter, we would be very comfortable but for the death of your mother the Lord by mercy, and the potatoes failing which leaves us always buying. My dear daughter, you will let me know would you recommend one of your brother out, he would be willing if you pay his passage.
My dear daughter, I am very happy to hear that you have joined the nuptial band of marriage. My dear daughter, I am going to let you know that your grandfather and family is all well your Aunt Catherine and family is well. Your cousin Mary O'Neill got married to a smith but I do not know her address.
No more at present. But I send you and your husband my kind love and best respect until death.
Thomas O'Neill

Patrick & Ellen Welsh

Letter 8
From father and siblings re family news; infrequency of letters; good price for crops; brother’s desire to emigrate.

May 26th 1864
My dear daughter
I take the present opportunity of writing this letter to you hoping to find you in as good a state of health as I am at present and my family thanks be to God for his mercy to us all.
My dear daughter, my family is a little scattered of late. Patrick went to Australia two years last Candlemas and Mary got married last February next door to your Aunt Kitty Connell at the Mall [a small settlement in Cutteen Beg townland, SW of Tulla] to John Molony, son of Dennis Maloney and to 80£ fortune.
Dear daughter, I was very much troubled not to hear from you this long time and I was inquiring ever since for you. I lost the address and did not know where to write. I was ever so glad to hear from you now. I was in dread something happened to you in the heat of the war. I wonder you did not send any account about it. We hear there was a great deal killed there. We got one letter from you these 5 years.
Dear daughter we would be happy enough now but for the loss of your mother, may the Lord of heaven have mercy on her and forgive her sins. Your grandfather departed out of this world last summer, may the Lord have mercy on him and pardon him his sins,

Dear Sister,
Your brother, Patrick, mentioned that he was doing well and he sent us 20£ which we did not expect. Dear Sister, the crops are doing very well these late years, thanks be to God. We have plenty of potatoes every year.
Dear Sister, I hope you will let me know all about the country and to let me know all the clothes I have to bring. As soon as ever you get this letter, I hope you will send me an answer and to let me know will you get it or not.

My dear Sister,
There is none of the family to emigrate now but me, your youngest brother, Thady O'Neill. I will surely venture to go to Sydney or to America before this time twelve months with the help of God. Patrick said that he would free me out if I would go to him. There is very bad accounts coming out of it. I would be better pleased to go to America but I would not like without follow my brother for he was worth following him through fire and water. I send him an account which ever place he would advise me to go that I would go there. I will shortly have the account and I would most anxiously wish to see you and your husband so I hope I will see you all yet with the help of God.
So dear brother, Patrick Welsh [Ellen’s husband], I request of you to let me know all particulars about the country. How much could a man spare in a years time or how much per day and to let me know is it good place for my equals to go there and if you advise go to you however and Patt might come there and yet that is all I expect thank I can get enough of money to go there
No more at present but remain loving and affectionate Father, brothers and sisters.
Thomas O'Neill, Mary, John, Catherine and Thady

Letter 9
From sister Mary Malony, Lisofin recording a number of family deaths including those of Ellen’s father, sister and grandparents.

Lisofin, December 26, 1873
My dear Sister,
I don't know how to address you after my long silence. I must first begin and let you know how it happened that I did not answer your letters it is now nearly four years since I got your letter. Soon after I got it, it was lost and I could find no trace of it until a few days ago I found it. Were it not for that I would have written to you long ago. Me dear sister, I have a good many sad newses to send you after my long silence when I got your letter first, my father was dead more than a year. Also my grandfather and grandmother are dead this long time and my Aunt, James Quinlivan's wife, was buried twelve months last August and the saddest death of all was the dear of our dear sister, Kate. She was buried a fortnight after Aunt Kitty. My sister was married three or four miles from me and was very comfortable, to a man name Patt McNamara. There is one little child after her, a daughter. She was 16 months old when her mother died. Her name is Mary Anne. Her husband did not get married since she died on her second child. She was a strong able young woman when it was God's will to take her to Himself. She is buried in Tulla. My brother thought to take her to his own place but we would not let him. I like to have her buried near where I am living. My dear sister, I could not tell you how I feel since my poor sister died. I was so happy to have her living near me but I am sorry to say she was not left long to me. I got very bad after her death. The priest and doctor was with me. I will never be the same again. I cannot let her out of my mind night or day. I must now let you know my brother was married before his father died to a girl of the Hanrahan's from Ballinruan and neither of my brothers wrote home since before their father's death until about a month ago and when I hear of it I went up and
who and it they would but let him see it. I never heard from Mary Sally since she went but I heard she was married to a smith and doing very well in some part of America. Your Aunt Kate Hennessy is buried three years and her family are all married. Her sons is married to the second wife and living in the old house. Myself and my family are all well and Aunt Kate's family are all well. All join me in love to you.
Your fond sister,
Mary Malony
Give my love and my to all your own family.

Letter 10
From sister Mary with family news

May 12, 1874
My Dear Sister, I received your welcome letter in due course and the likeness of your daughter. I was very glad to get it and happy to hear you speak so well of how yourself and your family were going on. You must think me very negligent in not replying to you much sooner but I was waiting to hear from my aunt or to see her as she lives seven or eight miles distance from me now and I had no opportunity of seeing her but enclosed you will find a little note she sent me to put in the letter. I had no falling out with my brother, Johnny, but when I went for to see my brothers' letter, he would not show it to me. You ask impossibilities my dear sister in asking for father's and sister's likeness. People who are dead and gone and never got it done during their life. I have not the likeness of you and your husband but poor Kate brought it down to show it to me after you sent it but took it back again. I suppose there is no account of it now. Johnny's wife's father was a brother of Paddy Hanrahan who live in our street when you were at home. There was a son of James Quinliven going to New Zealand and he went up to get the address of my brother Tim and when he got it he brought it to me and if they knew I would get it they would not let him see it. I never heard from Mary Sally since she went but I heard she was married to a smith and doing very well in some part of America. Your Aunt Kate Hennessy is buried three years and her family are all married and her son is married to the second wife and living in the old house. Myself and my family are all well and Aunt Kate's family are all well. All join me in love to you. Your fond sister,
Mary Maloney
Give my love to my Aunts and to all your own family.
Michael [Quinliven] took the address. He is his second son and married His son sent on that . He sent him when he writes home I will send the address.

Letter 11
From sister Mary re brothers in New Zealand

Lisofin, April 13, 1885
My Dear Sister,
I received your kind and welcome letter on yesterday morning 12th of April which gave me the greatest pleasure in hearing from you. As I thought I never would hear from you. You blamed me very much for not sending you your brother's address. I had not it at that time. I will tell you the way I got it. I heard after you sending for his address to me, I heard there did a letter come to my brother John from Teady and I went up for the address and himself and his wife denied it to me. He was going to mass. I went over to Michael Hennessy's. They did not know where to have and I remained there until he came back. I came back then and he would not give it to me. I came home then and never stopped crying thinking of my poor father and mother and my sister Catherine that would have a welcome for me. I heard last summer that you wrote to him. I met him in Tulla one day. I asked him did he get a letter from you. He told me that he did. I asked him to bring me your address and he never did. The way I got Teady's address, Michael Quinlivan was going out to Australia and he went up for his address, his wife brought it out to him and he put it in his pocket and brought it to me. I wrote to him then and answered my letter and send me 10 pounds. He was the kindest brother I ever had that is six years last Christmas night since I got that letter. He sent me his address and Patt's. He told me Patt was 20 miles from him living very happy. He was married and had three children and Teady was married and had two at that time. He told me he would send for my eldest son. It was he stood for him before he went. I have no less than ten or twelve letters wrote to them and never got an answer for the last six years now. I am going to you send you the very address send me with fear you might think I would send you the wrong one. You asked Mary Sally's address but she never wrote a line since she left home.
Nor neither did Tom Purcell ever write a line too so I cannot send you their address. There are two neighboring boys after coming home and they give a great praise of America for any boy that would mind him he could do well there and they say it is better again for girls. There are girls gone from here and I could not tell you all the money they have sent home even for the last two years.
Their people here would not ever hold their house and land but for them. Dear sister as you say, it is a bad place for boys. If you was so kind as to send for my eldest girl, I would let her out as I never troubled you before. I know. If she went to you you would stand a mother to her as she might be of help to me here at home and she might send for her brothers as I would not ever able to meet my calls until there would one or two of them be out. There is nothing blind of her in the line of needle work and I think she would do well there as she is very anxious herself to go out to her cousins and then boys are going back again and more of their brothers going with them. Uncle Teady was here yesterday coming from mass and read your letter and was very glad to hear from you. He told me to ask you was Aunt Anne living far from you or how is the boy that was going to college or did he go back again.
Dear sister, I would like very much to see your picture and your husband's picture and all of them, but it would be too much trouble to send them all as I cannot see you any other way as there is a great deal of them coming home here.
I hope dear sister you won't delay the answer of this letter and let me know all. I must now conclude by sending you all my sincere love.
I remain
Your ever fond sister,
Mary Molony
Lisofin

Letter 12
From sister Mary with family news and possibility of Ellen visiting home

Lisofin, Tuesday, 1893
Dear sister Ellen,
I received your very welcomed letter yesterday. I was very glad you to think of coming home. I would be very anxious to see you. So try and come, it would be a new life to me again to see a sister.
Dear sister you did not say if any of your daughters were married.
Uncle Dan is still living in New Zealand. He was home here about two years ago and he is very hardy still. Mary Hennessy is very strong yet. She is married in Ballinruan to Michael Sheehan. She has one daughter married and some in America and five in family at home. Mike is married at home and Bid is married and her husband is buried, her eldest son is teaching school in Ballinruan and Mr. Hogan pensioned off.
We know nothing about Maggie Carney. Her mother would not speak of her. We heard she was married to Aunt Anne Son, let us know if it is true.
Brother John is well. He has five in family. I did not get any letter from brother Tim since my children went out but they tell me he is very happy. He has got nine children.
Dear sister, write to me often. I do fell so happy to hear from you. Try and come home for a while. Good-bye from your affectionate sister.
Mrs. Mary Moloney
Lisofin
Tulla
Co. Clare

Letter 13
From Ellen and Pat in Lisofin to children in USA

July 27, 1895
Lisofin, Ireland
Dear Children,
We arrived here safe yesterday and we rode 8 miles in a jauntin' car and it cost 8s. It has rained ever since we landed and if it keeps this kind of weather, we will be home soon.
The people here expected us here last Monday. My brothers and cousins were all here waiting to see us and when we did not arrive, they give us up. We have a hundred to go to see. They have all been talking about us before we came and expect us to visit them.
Our fare on the cars was £1.s7.d2 from Derry to Dublin and from Dublin to Limerick £1.sl and from Limerick to Sixmilebridge s2 and from there s8. It is trying to clear off as I write this. It has been very warm and dry here in May and June things was all burned up, but they are getting plenty of rain since then. As soon as the weather clears up, we are going on a foraging expedition. Miss Ellen Maloney expects to go to Australia as soon as we go from here.
Having no more to say at present, we are, Dear Children, your loving Father and Mother,
Pat and Ellen

Letter 14
From sister Mary mentioning death of Ellen’s husband and Mary’s own son

Lisofin, Feb 19th 1900
Dear Sister,
I received your letter some few days ago. And I was awfully sorry to hear of your husband's death. He was so agreeable when here at home with us.
As for myself, I got my own share of trouble. My son, the youngest boy [John (Jack)] I had was buried last July twelve months in Seguey [Sydney, Australia] and I am not the same since it went through me so much. He was two years ailing with indigestion in the stomach. And they lost all they had with him. So you cannot blame her for writing to you. She had enough of trouble since she went out. They would not regret it atall if he recovered, but it all went for nothing.
Brother John is in good health. His daughter Bridget went to America twelve months ago and she sent them money at Xmas. She met her with brother John in New Haven and it is there they are now. I have not got their address at present. If I had it I would send it to you.
We have four children now, 2 boys and two girls. And don't you think, dear Sister, but I have enough to do nursing them. I am tired out from nursing them. I am subject to a pain in the back since you went. I get it very often. I was going to Mass yesterday and on my way I met Katherine Tailour and I informed her of your husband's death and she went on her knees praying for him for he often gave her money. I won't forget to pray for your dear husband and all the souls that departed us. We must put up with the will of God now. We have nothing to do but to pray for them. May God have mercy on them.
Mrs. Clancy is left for the past 9 months. She was turned out of her house for the non payment of rent. And she is in Kilkee now. She set up a boarding house there. Mrs. Mack sold her house and place and went to America herself and family and she was not 3 months there when she returned again. The place did not agree with her. And she is living with her brother Mike. Mrs. Keehan is in good health and her daughter Mary got married.
I am expecting a letter from Ellie in a couple of days. She is in the one hotel since she went and her misses is very kind to her. She is very much at home with them. Maria removed a bit away from her. They are twenty miles asunder. I will tell Ellie to write to you from Segney [Sydney, Australia].
I hope you will write to me often. It give me courage to hear from you my own. As we have not any other comfort.
I remain,
Your affectionate sister,
Mary Maloney

Letter 15
From brother Patrick, New Zealand telling of New Zealand

Durie Town, Wanganui, [New Zealand] Nov. 1, 1900
My Dear Sister,
I received your letter a few days ago. I was sorry to hear of your husband's death. Myself, Mrs. O'Neill and family are in the best of health. I have six in family, four girls and two boys. New Zealand is a fine climate. We never have any frost nor snow in the winter time. We are getting on all right. I have two farms about 2000 acres. One of them is leased for £400 a year and the other we are running ourselves. The most of the cattle and sheep we rear here are sent to England as frozen meat. The price of fat bullicks is about £8 each here and sheep 15s. My occupation for about the last twenty years has been cattle dealing, buying and selling.
There is good wages here for labourers, tradesmen bout ten shillings per day and farm labourers about seven shillings. My brother [Tim] and family are quite well. They are living in the same town as I am. They have moved from where they were to here two years ago. He has got a farm of land and also carrying on a butchery business. He is going to write to you also.
Now about the Moloney family. Maria is married to a blacksmith. He makes a good living for her, earns about £6 per week. Pat and Ellen are still single and Jack died about two years ago. He had been in bad health six months previous to his death.
I have often had a notion of taking a trip to the old country. If I ever do, I shall call to American to see you. It is just forty years now since I left Ireland.
New Zealand is a new country. It has not been inhabited more than fifty years. I came here from the south Island where you addressed your letter to 14 years ago. I am living in the North Island now. Land here now is worth from ten pounds up to twenty. If I were to sell all my land here, it would be worth about fourteen or fifteen thousand pounds.
Our population here is a mixture of Scotch, English and Irish. We have fine churches and convents here.
The population of the town where we are living is about 10,000.
This is the first of your letters I received.
Write to let us know all about yourself and family and send us your photos. I am sending you one. It is the only one I have just now.
I will now conclude with kind regards to all.
I remain
Your loving brother,
Patrick O'Neill

Patrick O’Neill with two of his daughters

Letter 16
From sister Mary, Lisofin with family news

Lisofin, March 31, 1901
My dear Sister,
Your very welcome letter arrived and finds me and all the family well. I also got the book of pictures so kindly sent by you but didn't get the little cheque mentioned in your letter. I'd write and answer your letter sooner, but I was waiting for a letter from Ellie but it didn't come and I said I'd answer yours without further delay.
My brother John was to see me the other day and he was very glad to see your letter. His son and daughter, John and Bridget, are in New Haven and he would be very glad if you would get to see them. Will send you their address later. All his family are well. I'm killed from nursing children. We got a big crowd since you was here. We have one more little girl and two little boys, fine healthy little children. We were all so sorry for Dear Pop's death [Ellen’s husband, Patrick Welsh] and we don't forget to pray often for him.
Mrs. Keehan buried her husband since but is very strong and well herself and family. Mrs. Mack sold out her place and went to America and wasn't at all satisfied with your country, so she returned again to poor old Ireland and lives now with her brother, Mike Hennessy, a very discontented poor woman.
I'm very glad to hear Pat wrote to you and better pleased still to hear of his intention to visit us. I would be so glad to see him.
Write again soon and don't forget to write to me often. With fond love to you and all your family, I remain
Yours affectionately,
Mary Moloney

Letter 17
From sister Mary, Lisofin with family news

Lisofin, April 20 [1901]
Dear sister Ellen,
Your letter and picture arrived safely and in due time. It was kind of yourself and the children to send them to me. We are all very proud of them and very thankful to you all for sending them. Mary Ellen is delighted with the dress that's on Katie. She is all the time admiring it. She is expecting she will send it home to her. The children are all the time wanting to get the picture. I will have it framed soon. Everyone thought it a beautiful picture. We have five children now, two girls and three boys. I have enough to do minding them.
Brother John is in good health. I didn't see any of them since Xmas so I don't know the children's address. I delayed this letter hoping some one of them would come down; as soon as I get the address, I'll send it to you.
You got very stout since you were here. I got thin. John Kearney was here last week. He said the boy with the moustache is like a brother of his that came home from America. He is married to a first cousin of his in Ennis. She lives near where Mrs. Clancy lived.
Mrs. Mack didn't go back since she is living with her brother. She was her with us for a week.
I didn't hear from Ellie for some time. She often told Frances O'Neill is going to be married. Last time Maria wrote she said that brother Tim built a hotel that cost 1,000 pounds. It's a wonder he to be leaving it. Write soon. Mary Ellen expects her cousin Kate will send her that dress in the next letter. I do pray for Pop [Patrick Welsh]. He was so nice when he was here and so fond of the little child.
Denny and Mary are in good health and send you and family their love.

Letter 18
From Mary Cassady, NY, after returning from visiting Ellen

Monday 9 a.m. [c. Dec 1901]
Dear Ellen,
At last I have managed to scribble a few lines to let you know that I arrived home safely. Had a very pleasant journey and found many waiting for me. They all very much pleased to see me and thought I must have received a very kind and agreeable reception to have remained away so long. I hope Julia [Welsh Strain, Ellen’s daughter] is up and doing nicely by this time. I thought of her and her boy [Ellen’s grandson, Joseph Francis Strain, b. 12 October 1901] yesterday and would have liked very much to have been with you all to drink his health and prosperity. I hope Joe drank one for me. The folks here and all anxious to see Anna [Strain, Ellen’s granddaughter]. They think she must be some thing wonderful as I am such a crank about children. We have had many a laugh about her. Give her a great big kiss and a hug for me. I have got to settle down to sewing today the first I have done since I came home. My eyes still bother me and I found so many other things to do and this is first attempt I have made to write to anyone but you. Know they say better late than not at all. I promise today better next time, and hope you will return good for evil and answer soon and let me know how everybody is getting along. Kiss the baby for me and tell Anna I was lonesome when I came home for her. Give my love to Frank, Kate and Julia and Joe, and keep a large share for yourself. Also to Joe Welsh and his family. Yours sincerely,
Mary Cassady
552 Avenue
New York
Aunt Mary made me write these few lines to send her best love and wishes to all, and a big kiss to Anna, and the baby. The girls also join with her in sending their love.

Letter 19
From niece Frances O’Neill in New Zealand with family news

Ekelatuna
November 22nd [1901]
My dear Auntie,
Your kind missive to hand by the last mail. I was quite delighted to hear from you. You were so long in replying to my last letter, I came to the conclusion that you never got it, so it was a great surprise to us all. We also got the photo of you. They are very good. My father [Patrick O’Neill] thinks you have altered such a lot. He would not know you. I think it is a very nice group taking them on the whole. We got our photo taken an open air group of the girls. I am going to send you one. Since I wrote you last we have gone in for hotel keeping in a place called Ekelatuna, near Wellington. We all like it very much. It is quite a change from private life. The two boys are on their farms at Wanganui. I suppose the next thing is they will be getting married and settling down. Uncle Tim likes gone for hotel keeping also none of either of the families are married yet. Mother says we are too hard to be pleased. I am the oldest; had a couple of engagements and broke them off. When had you my Father's photo last? I will send you one if I can find one in the house. My sister, Monica, next to me, has been sick for two years. She has been five months in the Wellington hospital had an operation of the stomach. Opened up and found inflammation. She has great pain and is now nearly as bad as ever.
Maria Maloney [Maria Maloney Sheehan, daughter of Ellen’s sister, Mary] now is living in Cambridge. She has three children, all girls. There is six in our family, four girls and two boys. They are the youngest. I see there is six in your family also. My Mother [Margaret Clune O’Neill] has not being very strong those late years in fact she has been always delicate. I think you asked if Uncle Dan Connell was still living. Mother says he is alive still. She was in Melbourne a few years and saw him then. He was as lively as a cricket then. Dear Aunt have you any notion of every coming to New Zealand? Do you live right in the town Philadelphia? How I would like to go to see you. What a lovely trip it would be. However, I must live in hop, collar someone with plenty of money and go on a honeymoon trip, how nice it would be. I do delight in travelling. We take a holiday in turn every year to some part or another. It is scarcely a month since [until] Christmas, so I hope I am the first to wish you all a very happy Christmas. I do not suppose you will get this better then in any case. Are all your daughters married, Aunt? I do not think you told us and of course I must inquire after the sons also. I suppose you will think I am a bit of a hard case. My mother is very lively and we all take after her, but they all tell me I am the picture of my Father, so you will be able to judge when you get them by the way I sent you one of mine and the girls when you first wrote to me. Did you ever get them. Let me know in your next letter if you got them. Reply to this letter by return of mail. We are so delighted to hear from you. Father does not do much writing so you must excuse him. It is all the same I will give you all the news. I must conclude from with love from all to all and wishing you the compliments of the season, I remain,
Your loving niece,
Frances M. O'Neill

Letter 20
From niece Frances O’Neill in New Zealand with family news

Durietown, Wanganui, January 23, 1902
My Dear Aunt,
Your nice kind letter of November 5th to hand some time and quite delighted to hear from you. I thought that you were not going to reply to my missive, the time seemed so long. I also received the photo of your cousins. They are very nice indeed, but Dear Aunt, we would like very much to have one of yourself or else one of the family. We would be so pleased. You never said if you received one of mine and two of my sisters taken together. I often wondered if you did get them.
Father has been away superintending the shearing at one of the stations. He is home now. He is going to write to you. Uncle Tim said he wrote last to you some years ago and you never replied to it. They are going to go hotel keeping next month to Hawera, that is 60 miles from this town. We will miss them very much indeed. Father would like very much to see you. He is always talking about you although he does not write very often. Have you any notion of ever coming to see us? What a lovely trip it would be. Maria Maloney (Mrs. Sheehan) is now living in Auckland. Dear Aunt, how many sons have you in your family? Are the girls the eldest? I am the eldest of our family, four girls and the two boys the youngest. We are all very tall, five feet ten is my height, of course father is tall. He is quite fat and a little grey but quite fresh looking and Uncle Tim is thin and wirey and lots of wrinkles. They are not a bit alike. Father tells us you were tall and good looking, so we would like a photo very much. Father often says he will go to see you. I do not know if he means it or not. I will conclude as Father is going to write. With love from all to all and wishing you all a happy new year. I forgot to say I got all the papers and many thanks.
From your loving niece,
Frances M. O'Neill

Letter 21

From brother Tim in New Zealand informing her of brother Patrick’s death.

Wanganui, [New Zealand,] July 23, 1908
Dear Sister,
After a long absence from writing to you, I have desired to send you these few lines hoping that they may find you enjoying good health as it leaves me and all my care, thank God. I am very sorry for to have to let you know of brother Pat's death. He died on the 7th of February last, may God rest his soul. He was never sick a day in his life to my knowledge and he did not have the slightest idea of death after he took bad, as he wanted the family to hurry up and get down to the train and he would be down in a few minutes, as they were leaving Napier that morning for Wanganui as he had sold out in Napier and was coming to live to Wanganui. And I had sold out at Hawera and was also coming to live to Wanganui where we both had a lot of land and the sons were living on it, but to my great sorrow, I have lost his company in Wanganui, but I hope to have it in heaven.
He was very fat. He weighed 18 or 19 stone. I weigh 13 stone. He died of a paralytic stroke. I got there 36 hours after it happened but he was unconscious until he died after three days in that state. We fetched him to Wanganui to be buried.
[Tim O’Neill]

Letter 22
From brother Tim in NZ re hotels, farming and family in New Zealand

Wanganui, [New Zealand,] August 30, 1908
You can see by this note paper, I was keeping a hotel at Hawera. I was there for six years. It is a good business here, but prohibition is getting strong and I was safer out of the business in that district. I got ten thousand pounds for the hotel property which I believe would be about fifty thousand dollars, which was too much to risk. Brother Pat left his family well off. He was worth over forty thousand pounds. I feel very lonely after him. He was the best brother ever left Ireland and the same as husband and father. Everyone who knew him respected him, may God rest his soul.
This is a very good country and a splendid climate. The heaviest frost is not thicker than the smallest silver coin and no snow except on top of the mountains which is 14,000 feet high at one part on the South Island. The highest temperature is 80 in the summer, so you see it is not very hot or very cold. The boys are all farming. Tom, the eldest, has a farm with 5000 acres. It is all sheep. We keep on it no tillage unless enough for our own use. It carries three sheep to the acre, something like the sheep you would see in Ireland. It keep them winter and summer, that is the best feature of this country. You want no winter feed, two men with Tom can manage the lot. The people very much vary in their occupations here, maybe a farmer one year, a draper next, a barber next and so on. My son Pat has a farm of his own and Teady and Johnny are partners in another place, all sheep farms. Any person with any brain in this country never work for wages. They all start on their own; they borrow some money if they got none of their own to commence with, but there is plenty here has done no good and never will either, bad luck, bad management or too much whisky. The Moloney's (Mary's sons) has not done much good. The youngest, Jack, died about 8 years ago of an ulcerated stomach. Pat is still in the gold fields about 200 miles from here, has not saved much money. I was looking after him until I thought he had £400 or £500 pound saved when I wanted him to invest this money where he would double it in six months. To my great surprise, he had none. He had it all spent. This is fifteen years ago. He left the district and have not seen him since, but hear from him. The two daughters are married, the oldest is none to well. Of Ellen, the youngest, is all right. Got a good husband.
Their is none of my family married. The youngest, Francis Joseph, is going to the college school. We got a photo of the group which I will send to you taken last Christmas in Hawera.
That coloured gentleman that said he knew me and brother Pat must be a fraud. He did not know us at all. We never lived in Wellington. He did not ever see either of us. Would it be any use to ask you to come over here to avoid the winter in America. You could have three summers in succession and I may go back with you. Pat's family is in this town. It is a small town about 1200 of a population.
Hoping sincerely that this long looked for letter will find you enjoying good health and all your family and let me know if you got any word from Ireland and if brother Johnny is still living. Pat was always strong and healthier than I was. I cannot use any meat. It disagrees with me but can eat eggs and butter all right.
I will say good bye Remain your brother,
T. O'Neill

Letter 23
From Frances in NZ to Rose Welsh Bell re Ellen's death

43 Campbell Street, Wanganui, Dec. 17, 1908
My dear Cousin [Roseanna Welsh Bell],
Your letter to hand gave us a big shock recording the sad death of my Aunt [Ellen]. I thought by your last letter that she must be very unwell but we never expected her death; her death has upset my mother. There was only about six month between my Father [Patrick] and Aunt. Uncle Tim received his letter the same mail. I think he must be the only member of the family left. He gets very good health so far. He also got a letter from some of his nieces later. As for me, getting a letter from any of them they never reached me. The only correspondents is yourself now that poor Aunt is gone. Of course they may be mislaid when we moved from Napier. I would be only too pleased to hear from any of them. If I have any I may scare a trip to America and then you will have the pleasure of seeing the writer. I am sending you some papers with results of the world's champion sculling race. I am sure you will be very much interested in it. The race was one sided as you will see by the places of the course post cards I will enclose also. My mother has been ill for this last three weeks. She gets very delicate health - chest complaint. Uncle Tim has sent a group of his family. I hope you will have received by now, in conclusion, I wish you all the compliments of the season and a bright and happy New Year.
From your affectionate cousin,
Frances O'Neill
43 Campbell St.
Wanganui, New Zealand

Rose & John Bell

Letter 24
Two letters to Rose Welsh Bell on the death of her sister Julia Welsh Strain

[These two letters refer to Julia Ellen Welsh Strain’s death.]
5735 Malclom St.
W. Phila
My dear Rose,
I was grieved and shocked when my cousin Irene (Mrs. Rowland) phoned the sad news. On account of illness, a very severe cold, I fear it will be impossible to attend the funeral.
My sister joins me in love and sincere sympathy and will you please extend same to Joe and the other members of the family. I will surely remember Jule in my poor prayers. Hoping you are well and will be brave. I am with love
Your cousin,
Nell Hasson

November 27/16
St. Patrick's Convent
630 DeKalb St.
Norristown, Pennsylvania

My dear Friend,
Needless to tell you how shocked I was to hear of your dear sister's death. Truly we are here to-day and gone to-morrow. I need not tell you that if human sympathy can in any way assuage your grief, you certainly have mine. Of course you have the greatest of all consolations in the knowledge that she always led a good life, and after all that is what counts in eternity.
Kindly extend my sympathy to Mr. Strain, Anna and Joseph, also to the other members of your family. I shall remember her very especially in my prayers, Masses, and Holy Communions. May He who has placed this cross on your shoulders, give you courage and grace to bear it with merit for your own hereafter and the hope of again meeting in a happy eternity comfort you. The prayer of
Yours in sympathy
Sr. M. Boniface, I.H.M.

Julia Welsh Strain (right) with her daughter Anna Virginia and mother Ellen

Letter 25
From Frances O'Neill visiting San Francisco to Joseph Strain

Sept. 15th [1919]
Dear Cousin Joseph,
You will see by this letter that I have arrived in America just a week and love the place. It is just beautiful. I will be here about a month and then I will go to see you. My long promise will come at last. I am most anxious to see you all. I have a friend from Wellington with me and also another lady and her daughter with us, so we are quite able to enjoy San Francisco. I had a letter of introduction to a gentleman in the Union bank. His sister is a neighbour of ours in Wanganui, so she was kind enough to have me call on him. He has been so kind to us and took us out a good deal. The weather has just been delightful since we arrived here as pleasant after all the rain we had in New Zealand. It just poured for several weeks before I left so we do appreciate the sunshine. I do hope when we arrive in Philadelphia you will treat us with good weather. You will have my letter by now. It came on the same boat. As I told you I made up my mind in a hurry to come or else I would have written sooner. Uncle Tim is most anxious I should find you out. We are told that it will take us four days to go to New York. I have no idea how far you are living from there or how long it will take in the train, but we will find out. I would like you very much to write to my before I leave here and give us more information about our travels, if you would be so kind enough. Joseph where are all the rest of cousin Julia's sisters and brothers? Is any of the others any near so I could go and see them. I would like so much to see you all before I return to N.Z. Well dear cousin, I will be looking forward to a letter by return of mail, so will conclude with fond regards to all. I remain your fond cousin.
F[rances]. O'Neill

Joseph & Julia Strain

Letter 26
From Frances O’Neill to cousin Rose Welsh Bell on Frances’ return to NZ after US trip

Write by return 43 Campbell St.
of mail Wanganui,
January 22, 1920
Dear Rose,
I arrive home a week ago in Auckland and then had to go a train journey for a day and night. We had a very rough trip. We got the cyclone and it last several days, so we had to slow down. I was very sick. It was a miserable Christmas. I was thinking of you all. I was so ill I could not eat any dinner. We were too crowded, three in each cabin. We got it pretty hot when we were getting near the equator. It lasted for about six days and gradually got cool again. Lots were sleeping on deck but I would rather stay in my cabin which was on deck. We were lucky that way. I found all the family well. My brother Patrick is away in Sydney with his wife, so I have not seen them yet. I see by the paper that you have got prohibition for good. It will come hard on your brother, Joe. He thought it would not come. I am sorry if it does him harm. I am afraid we will get it next time here. We own the freehold of a hotel and we have it leased for a term of years. We are trying to sell it. Another party of New Zealanders are getting ready to go to America in March. They want my sister Margaret to go with them. She has not made up her mind as yet. I wrote you from San Francisco. I suppose you were angry with me for not returning. I got a letter from home and they rather I came back and then I had not time to go out again. I had to catch the boat. Uncle O'Neill is quite himself again. He is in Wellington for a week attending races. He used to own horses. How are all the Blanche's? I was so sorry I did not see Frank. You never know I may see you all soon again. I will go on my honeymoon. When travelling from New York to Frisco when we left Philadelphia, we had snow right through to Sacramento. It was wonderful. We had a light horse Australian mounted, a Captain, doctor of dentistry wore a feather in his hat. He was in Philadelphia for 2 months. His navie was Captain Mitchell. He was right through with us to N.Z. and then to Perth. You may have seen him lots of the men would call out "Fellow Osie". They knew by the feather. Well, dear cousin, I must conclude by wishing you all a happy new year. Your fond cousin, Frances O'Neill

------------------------------

Note:
The O’Neill Family of Scalpnagown

Thomas O'Neill (1804-1869) was born Scalpnagown, Co. Clare. He married Bridget Connell of Derrymore West, Tulla on 23 Feb 1829 in Tulla. Bridget died on 09 Dec 1854 in Scalpnagown. Thomas and Bridget had the following children:

Mary O'Neill was born in 1831 in Scalpnagown and died in Tulla. She married John Moloney, son of Denis Moloney and Bridget Daly on 06 Feb 1864 in Ballinruan, Co. Clare. John was born and died in Tulla. Mary kept in contact with Ellen and there are a number of letters from her in the collection.

Ellen Bridget O'Neill was born on 23 Dec 1835 in Scalpnagown and emigrated to the United States before March 1854. She came to her Aunt Ann Connell - who was married to Peter Higgins - and resided on Gay Street in Manayunk, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She died on 06 Sep 1908 in Manayunk. She married Patrick Francis Welsh, son of Richard and Rose Anna Welsh on 11 Nov 1856 in St. John's, Manayunk. Patrick was born on 10 Nov 1827 in Philadelphia and died on 28 Dec 1899 in Manayunk. Ellen and Patrick returned to Ireland in July 1895 for a short visit. Ellen and Patrick had thirteen living children. Letters from two of their children are included in this collection – from Rose Anna who married John T Bell and from Julia Ellen who married Joseph Strain.

John O'Neill was born in 1836 in Scalpnagown and died on 22 Aug 1932 in Scalpnagown. He married Jude Hanrahan in 1876 in Ballinruan, Co. Clare. Jude was born in 1841 in Ahish, Ballinruan and died on 21 Mar 1933 in Scalpnagown.

Patrick O'Neill was born in 1840 in Scalpnagown and died on Feb 1908 in Napier, New Zealand. He married Margaret Clune on 25 Feb 1873 in Greymouth, New Zealand. Margaret was born in 1850 in Scalpnagown and died on 21 Jun 1918 in Wanganui, New Zealand. A letter from Patrick to Ellen in 1900 is included in the collection. Patrick and Margaret’s daughter, Mary Frances, known as Frances, (1873-1938) kept up the correspondence with Ellen's family. She traveled to the United States in late 1919. Her Aunt Ellen was dead at that time but she visited Rose Welsh Bell in Manayunk.

Timothy O'Neill was born in 1846 in Scalpnagown and died 19 Feb 1923 in New New Zealand. He married Mary Ryan on 23 Jul 1874 in Reefton, New Zealand. Mary was born in 1853 in Carrackittle, Co. Limerick and died on 19 Sep 1918 in Wanganui, New Zealand. There are two letters from Tim to Ellen in the collection.

Catherine O'Neill was born in 1847 in Scalpnagown and died in Aug 1872 in Tulla. She married Patrick McNamara

Thaddeus O'Neill was born in 1848 in Scalpnagown.

Family Histories