Washington

Aug.15.06

My Dear Cousin,

I received your letter of May 31, in due time but mislaid it among other papers and only found it this morning.

I was very pleased to hear from you - even if you are English. I often I hear from my Irish cousins (Aunt Mary's girls), and from my American cousins (Uncle William’s children), but this is, the first from "tender relations" in the land of John Bull. I have the best of good feeling for the people of England, though, like all true Irishmen, agin the Government. I married an English woman, one of the best and handsomest that country ever produced. I married her when home from the army, wounded. She died in May '92, and I have remained a widower.

I went over to New York in June to see Cousin Mary (Sister Betina, Mother Superior, St. James' Academy, Danville, Illinois, U.S.) off on steamer to visit her mother (Aunt Mary) and sister (Kate) in Cork. It was my intention to go with her but could not get away then. I will go next year to see them and dear old Nenagh. Though more than fifty year ago I very well remember dear old Rathnaleen (Grandfather's place); and where your grandfather (Uncle "Rody") lived beyond "The Spout" on the left hand side going out to Riverston. The house stood back from the sidewalk, and had a garden. behind. Many a time I have heard uncle and others practising on their bugles, flutes, etc. Everyone of the family could play on some musical instrument except my dear old father.

Father, Mother, brothers Pat and Tom: sisters Julia and Mary are dead. Bridget, Jim (born in New York) and myself are the survivors. I am the oldest living Urell and Jim's boy, Emmet (1^1/2 yrs), is the youngest.

Did not some one of Uncle Rody’s children come to America? It seems to me I hear so; and he settled in Boston. ‘Tis probable that when I go over next year I will visit London, and run out to Burnley to see my English cousins. My wife’s people were from Manchester and London. One uncle, Simon Mendel, who was very wealthy at one time, died in Manchester some years ago.

Believe me I was awfully glad to hear from you and hope to hear again.

Kind regards to all my tender relations in England.

Very truly yours,