Montreal,
June 17th '58
My dear
children:
I do for
the first time in my life take up my pen to address you wishing the
same may find you in the enjoyment of good health as this leaves me
at present, thanks be to God.
And pray
I ask you what will I say, what will your Mother who has borne you in
your infancy while she drew the sap of life, nay even your very existence
from her bosom, who clasped you in her arms with a maternal fondness
not to be equalled by any other than a mother who watched your sleeping
form, your infantile angelic smiles, willing to lay down her life and
her all sooner than have a hair of your head to be stirred & expected
sooner or later to receive the like embraces from you.
But alas!
My dear children how soon were those hopes blasted at the very time
I was expecting my hopes to be realized. We were parted for how long,
for eleven long years and I left in unutterable anguish with a broken,
a troubled mind, sorrow not to be equalled, pining over the absence
of my long lost children, lost to me but not to themselves, thanks be
to God and their kind benefactor who has watched over you with a fatherly
affection.
But I say
again you were lost to me. My slumber was wearisome, the tranquility
of my mind destroyed, nay nearly driven to despair was it not for that
Almighty Providence, who watches with an all seeing eye over the orphan
and the widow, strengthened me in my tribulation and at last brought
tidings to me of where you are.
O children!
O children! Am I ever to see you again? Am I ever to receive the fond
caresses of my dear children? O happy would I be if I could see only
one sight of you! It would inspire me with new life. O that God may
send the day I will be thus blessed.
If you receive
this letter tell your Uncle of it and give him all the blessings I can
bestow on him for his unremitting kindness to you and send me word if
it be his wish I would go to see you. If not I will not.
Send me
word how long it is since your aunt died. Also send me word how are
your other Uncles and if any of them are married. Also send me word
how is your Aunt Anne's child.
The markings
you sent to your Aunt for me I have received and it was a welcome gift
to me. You will doubtless wish to know how I came to know your address.
I was writing
home constantly to my people and could get no tidings of you until I
wrote to your Aunt Mary and she sent me your directions together with
the Markings you sent her. Send me in your letter a lock of your own
and your brother's hair and let Miss Anne Cotter know her people are
well.
No more
but wishes to give my best love and respects to your Uncle and I remain
your most loving Mother.
Ellen Sullivan
Write
immediately when you receive this letter and when you write direct your
letter
To Ellen Sullivan care of John Torrance, Eq.
St. Antoine Hall, Montreal Post Office
Lower Canada -
Ellen Sullivan
