Drim, Glen P.O.
Kilmacrenan, Co. Donegal, Ireland
Feb. 26th 1936

My dear Susan¹,

I must thank you for being so good + kind to
remember me at Xmas. It was surely a great surprise. I feel (?)
so very grateful. You saw so little of me when home² + its my (?)
regret ever + always that I did not see you far oftener + have (?)
some good talks. Will I live until you come to Ireland, I'm (?)
in my 81st year. I hope so though old people are a great trouble (?)

I am picturing your around Phila. visiting your friends
but your time is very short + "time flies", but it will be ___
little change, + help you, but wont rest you so much for
I suppose you'll have many to visit. I hope your health is (?)
quite good. You had severe stormy weather, snow, frost,
blizzards + I suppose when its cold its cold in earnest.

The papers gave a terrible account of it, + so many deaths
from cold too. Indeed our Winter was the coldest + the
worst I remember in my 55 years in Donegal³ + the frost
started very, very early + so severe, very bad before about
Xmas. Roads like sheets of ice + very dangerous. I got a
cold before Xmas, so spent my Xmas in bed the first time
in my life. It was even colder in Jan + beginning Feb here
frost + snow. Thank God we survived all but every one
felt it , + many deaths.

The Scarletina was here, there + everyplace + some young people (?)
died + schools all closed. Those children all had colds
Tommy⁴ an abscess on his ear. Ellen⁴ swollen glands. Nurse
said she was run down. I tell you, Fannie⁵ had a hot time +
she had a cold herself too. Then it got around that they
had scarletina, + would not be allowed to attend school
until after St. Patrick's Day, with complaints some good
neighbours made to the Dr. The poor children are to lose -
of course they don't mind. Geo⁶. would like to be at school
but Eddie⁷ + Manus⁸ for want of sense would never think
of it so they will have a hard time to pull up for the
time away.

About Sept. we had a visit from "Old Jose"⁹ dressed
in silk + covered with beads, sparkles + jewellery + so
many shining slides in her hair they would way (sic) down
a hay stack on a windy night. She was passing (and)
called. I was sick + upset for weeks after. When I'd think
of the style of her. No wonder God sends the storms,
people like the "Old Jose" would go mad.

Then to make things better we had a new arrival
in Oct. not with my wish indeed. so that meant more
trouble but little May¹⁰ is there anyway! Winie¹¹ paid
us a visit then though I suppose not so easy when she
has no bus (?) + Curran¹² must be watched, attended, so
she has her own trouble. Its the way with everybody.

I believe Anne¹³ and baby are with the mother. The tinker
was quite good enough + if the Fox had a tinker it would
settle her but she will never get even a tinker.

I had Annie (Neil) Coll¹⁴ + her sister-in-law¹⁵ in for a short ___
yes. Annie was getting teeth out in the dispensary¹⁶ + Mary¹⁷ (illegible)
has been bad with blood poisoned hand + was in hospital -
a cut of a rusty knife + it was thought the arm would
be taken off at one time.

Rodden¹⁸ (?) the Smith was married yesterday to a returned
Yankee¹⁹. I believe she is Gallagher from over there some
place. Neil Duffy's wife²⁰ is expected home in May (?)
I'd say she was another of the many fools if she __
as they say £200. Well, well, such is life.

Wee George²¹ was very good to me during the winter
getting me turf + sticks, putting on a fire + taking out(?)
ashes, etc.

So much to be done. We'd need a Knitter (?) + patches(?)
for this crowd if it could be got through. I try to (?)
do my best. I am too old and get tired, my fingers go astray/asleep (?)
and then I have no power of my hands. I can't expect
much anymore + its no joke to keep them all minded.
Its a great drain on a woman getting through a
crowd of children but its a labour of love I suppose

I hope you found Teresa²² looking well after her
trip to Ireland but a few months go in so quickly
that its scarcely worth the expense + passages are so hard (?)
for those 6 or 7 days. Still a change of air + scene helps one.

They tell me sometimes Lizzie²³ intends visiting Ireland this
summer. I hope she does + surely its time Mollie²⁴ took a trip (?)
before she forgets how to get down Barnes Gap²⁵.

I had a letter today from Phila. from a grand-daughter²⁶ __
18th inst.(?) She said the ground was frozen + covered with snow.
Very hard to drive cars, skidding etc. the sun shone that day
and they thought the worst was over, but snow again + freezing
that night I am sure you all would be glad to see all away (?)
and weather normal.

Nellie²⁷ + Mickey Kelly²⁸ + family are very well + escaped
all sickness during the winter. Mickey was here lately to __
me, and Winnie²⁹ was here Tues. afternoon (Shrove Tues30) to see me.
I spent this winter home here in Drim³¹. I have not seen M(amie?)³²
for some time she lives farther away so with storms __
could not face.

Poor old Peggy³³ is living still but I have not seen her
for some time. Likely she was barefoot all winter but
she was a healthy strong woman + the best soul that ever
lived - too good if anything

Now I will wind up this preamble or you may think
I am rambling or doting. The children are all well now but I
am pained looking at them going around from School. Geo.
would like school + be a bright boy but Eddie + Manus
have hard work to try to pick up something. They have a
young girl teacher now³⁴ + its as well. Mrs Kerr³⁵ retired but
she took things very easy - too much bother to exert herself.

Now. May God bless you with good health, good luck in
your work, save you from accidents + give you every
pleasure to make life pleasant.

Joined by all in every good wish for your welfare
and happiness.

I am very sincerely yours,
I always regret I saw so little of you Susan dear,

Sara Dennison

Notes:

Fanny (Frances) was born in Drumnaraw, Creeslough, in 1893 and lived in Drumdutton, Carrigart from 1924 until the mid-1960s. She lived in Carrigart and Umlagh for a number of years. She died back in Drumdutton in July, 1984.

Susan and Fanny's sister Mollie (Mary Ellen) died of cancer in US on 19/10/1936. She was not married.

Their other sisters mentioned: Theresa (1904-), Winifred Patricia (Winnie)(1895-1966)  and Elizabeth (1889-198x)

Mandy & Fanny's children mentioned: George (1925-2018), Eddie (1927-1995), Manus (1928-1990), Tom (1931-2019), Ellen and May. Their second-youngest, and Sara's namesake, Sarah (otherwise Sally or Sorcha), does not appear to be mentioned.

Children of Sara (and George) mentioned: Winifred (Winnie) Coyle, of Magheramagourgan, Ellen (Nellie) Kelly, of Claggan and Mary Teresa (Mamie) Boyce, of Meenacross. 

The letter was accompanied by a poem (or song?) called The Road to Creeslough

Here is a scanned copy of a copy of the original letter (warning: it is very big - 5.6MB)