A Letter From Mom

Submitted By: Gerard Nash

 

                                                                                                                                            

Text Box: Here is a letter from my grandmother Mary Jane Nash (Downey) to her daughter Madeline Nash                                                  who lived in St. John's. It provides a slice of life in Branch at the time.—Gerard Nash
Text Box: July 3, 1946
Dear Madeline:
I think it is about time for me to answer your letter.                                                                        I hate writing just like yourself. 
Jim (my father James Willie Nash) writes so often.                                                            He wants to know what way everything is. He sent a glass for the front door.                               It is a nice one, pale green. I got ?? Power to put it in.                                                       He is sending a spring for the little bed this time by Leo English.
Vera Nash was home a week. Mary Power was in town and had an x-ray.                                   She has to rest. Madeline there was a good many like to meet a watery grave                    on St. Peter and Paul’s Day (June 29) only for the priest calmed the wind.                          Neishy was out and Jim Roche and Austin were near being drowned.                                     This is an awful blustery summer. They can’t get out to get a fish.               Neishy got a new engine. He has a new stage of his own.
Poor Joe Power is gone to hospital. He has gall bladder trouble.                                                                                It comes from all the hard work, the poor man.                                                                           Will you be able to tell Jim?                                                                                      Frankie Nash is to get married the last Sunday in July.                                                            Bride Corcoran is married. Agatha has another young daughter.                                       You won’t know James (my uncle Neishy’s son and Madeline’s nephew)                                          if you see him. He walks on his own and he can say everything.                                                                  Raymond Nash is fixing up his shop today.  Arthur is married.                                                                             Lil scalded the two feet off herself today. The bottom came out of the teapot.
Your father (my grandfather, Thomas Joseph Nash) is going to work on                                     the gut tomorrow. If you see Jim, tell him Joe (Joe Power, was my father’s uncle)            was transferred to the General Hospital. I had a message this evening.                               Willie English’s wife is going home tomorrow.                                                                   Willie is here today himself.  His mother is not well and he couldn't stay.                                                        Young Pat is in the hospital.
I will close now. Hoping to hear from you soon,
From your loving mother

In italics and brackets  Gerard has given his relationship to some mentioned in the letter—RLC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Branch Come Home Year

August 9-19, 2007