Finding 124-year-old letter was like hearing voice from grave
»»Son’s comfort from note in mum belongings »»Message from US offered condolences
Ironically, John tells Michael not to be sad on their mam’s passing
CLLR DAVID GILROY ON 1900 LETTER’S CONTENTS
A FAMILY mourning the loss of their mother was stunned to discover a 124-year-old letter of condolences sent to their great grandparents.
Paul Lynagh was sorting out Nora’s belongings when he came across the missive John Gilroy sent from Pennsylvania to his brother Michael and his wife Julia in Crossmolina, Co Mayo.
Dated February 17, 1900, it saw John tell his brother not to be saddened over their own mother’s death.
Paul’s brother Independent Cllr David Gilroy said: “Michael came to Athboy in the 1880s to build houses and here he met and married local girl Julia Farrelly. They returned to Crossmolina until Michael’s death, shortly after the letter.
“Julia then returned to her people here in Athboy, bringing her two sons Patrick and Tom who became our grandfather.
“I remember when I was a little lad rummaging through the house on a day off school and finding the letter around February 17 too because I remember thinking in my head that the date was the same as that day.
“I put the letter back and forgot all about it until Paula rediscovered it when going through mam’s things.
“Ironically John is telling Michael in the letter not to be sad on their mam’s passing, that she was generous and kindhearted and would be in a better place.
“It was almost like a voice from beyond the grave telling us that our own mother, who passed away three weeks ago, was going to be OK. We know that the letter was from Pittstown which was a coal mining town in the US and we know John was present in Mayo at a funeral in 1886 so he must have left for America after that.
“One thing about the letter is the handwriting which is almost like calligraphy and the sentences are so eloquent.
“I guess people assume that most emigrants couldn’t read or write but this letter is so beautifully detailed and so legible considering it is 124 years old.”
In the letter John wrote: “Dear brother, do not feel mother’s death with sorrow and deep regret. She was kind hearted and generous. And you dear sister knew her only in the shortened venting of her existence. When would sorrow and disappointment must have obliterated that magnanimous and great spirit she was possessed of.
“But she is gone where I hope she will be rewarded for the long years of trouble and disappointments she received in this world of sorrow. The Lord have Mercy on her soul.”
David said the family are still trying to piece together the letter as some parts are a little faded and are hard to read but they will then ensure the correspondence is preserved for future generations of the Gilroy family.
He added: “We are just delighted with this find and feel it really is poignant to come across it again on the 124th anniversary of it being sent, and so close to our mother’s passing, who was really into her heritage and local history.”