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McCully Collection
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Page One
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Page Four Marion McCully auto album
Letters from 1950 to 1965
1950
 
   
    
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1) 11th January 1950 - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3 - Dear Folks, Just a wee
note to let you know that I have arrived safely. Wendell met us at Belfast &
grabbed my case. We then went for some tea, which Wendell paid for, and then
both of them came down to the boat with me, pushed their way passed
everybody, and left my luggage at the Purser's Office, so I hadn't to touch
my case at all. I think the officials must have thought they were
travelling. I suppose they know their faces so well. I was speaking to 2
"Dick" boys on the boat, Johnny Minnis & Douglas Newsum. I met Gillian &
Maureen on board. Doris says she thinks the Vet Ball is on Tuesday, so it
would be better to post my things now. I cannot remember whether it is 17th
or 27th. Wednesday There is really no news except
that the work is terrible & we have been writing notes all day. The
photographs of the Ball have arrived & I will send it to you some time. Lots
of Love Heather
2) 20th January 1950 8 Park Drive, Glasgow E.3 Dear Folks, Many
thanks for parcel just received & also the letter I got earlier in the week.
I expect you got a letter from me asking for the wee white silk dressing
gown which I had when I was small. Well we had a brainwave & we are thinking
of going as Yum-Yum, Peep-Yo & Pitti-Sing in the Mikado. Doris & Chris have
got dressing gowns like mine, so if you could please send it, I feel
terrible about giving you so much trouble, but it is really terribly
difficult to know what to wear. Don't you think it is a good idea! because
we can all go to-gether. I will send the fur cape home next week Mummy. The
Vet Ball isn't until Feb. 9th., but my grey coat will do fine. You really
need the cape more than I do. By the way the laundry staff think that the
only thing for my pink frock is stiffening with canvas, so I will wait until
I go home. Another thing about Charities Day is I will need an old
black hat to wear on my head. I feel terrible about asking you for all these
things, but what can I do. I was wondering is there a Hygiene Note Book of
mine at home. It is just a wee small soft backed note book with a brown
paper cover, so if you could please send it sometime. We have just been told
that we are only going to have 8 weeks nutrition instead of 15, so I really
don't know how we are going to get through the course. The last fortnight we
will have to go out to canteens, which means I will need my other white
overalls at the end of term. At the beginning of march we have our Business
Affairs Finals. I don't know how I will even get through the work. I am
going to the library to-night to do some learning. You couldn't imagine what
it is like in here. Nutrition, Physiology, Bacteriology, Diet Therapy,
Business Affairs & Bookkeeping, so there are stacks of notes. Chris and I
went down town yesterday afternoon, and I managed to get a pair of grey,
suede shoes with crepe soles, they are Joyce & really look good, and so
comfortable. Last Saturday I tried all day & couldn't get anything. You have
no idea what it is like trying to get a pair of shoes. I have also been
trying for a yellow scarf to wear with Maria's grey coat, but no luck, then
I thought I would try for some cotton or rayon material for frocks, but
couldn't get anything, not even in Nevis's? I cannot think of any more
news now & I must write a wee note to William. I wish I had been there for
that lovely supper on Thursday night. I wish you could see the supper we sat
down to, bread & jam & cold tea!!! Lots of love Heather
3) 24th January 1950 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown,
Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow E.3 24/1/50
Dear Folks, Just a very short note, as I have little or no news. Chris & I
were at Wellington on Sunday morning & it was a missionary called Fraser who
preached. Last night we had to go out collecting for "Charities Week" It was
great fun out on the back of a lorry. Money seems to be very hard to get
this year, & they have been asked for money for lots of places, so we really
don't know if we are going to reach our target. To-night I am going to do
some work. Wellington Church had their Annual Ball in the "Burlington" last
week & quite a few of our girls went, Dr. Jarvis spoke & he was telling them
that when he came to Wellington, his wife was singing in the choir, and
"that is the only time I even looked down on her". He really is a scream.
The girls seemed to enjoy it thoroughly. I have had one short note from
William this term. When we go out collecting we don't be in until 11 or 12 &
our last meal is at 6.15 p.m. so we feel very hungry, yesterday however we
bought a sausage roll each & ate it when we came in. Miss Gibson allows us
to stay out until 12, because the need for money is so great & they don't
think they are going to get enough. I think I told you in my last letter
that I bought a pair of grey shoes. My twin set is finished except for the
bands. It is very dirty, so I am afraid I will have to wash it before I can
wear it. I do wish this term was over. I am fed up completely with Nutrition
& I just don't know how I am going to get through it. You didn't say what
you thought if Lily Twadell's singing, was it really better than Mrs.
Faulkner's. How is Mr. Irwin? Is his cold better? When I was out last night
Robert Stewart phoned, & he left a message for me to phone to-day, so I must
remember this afternoon. I really cannot think of any more news. By the way
I will send the fur cape as soon as I get a spare minute. I haven't bought
Marion's scarf yet, but will send it as soon as I do. I do hope there will
be a letter this afternoon. Lots of Love Heather
       
   
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1) 15th February 1950 8 Park Drive, Glasgow E.3 Dear Folks, At
last I have made time to write a very few lines. We had a wonderful week-end
with Doris. Mr. & Mrs. Gibb are wonderful. We got the 3.55 p.m. train to Gourock on Friday, and then steamer to Dunoon?, and in to Tighnebriaich
by bus arriving 8015 p.m. when we had meat roll?, peas, potatoes, toast,
bread, & cakes. We sat chatting until 12 o'clock, and then to bed - Super
fine in bedroom. We got up on Saturday at 11 a.m. and went into the village,
and then for a long walk along the shore. In the afternoon we listened to
the Rugby Match, and at night we went to the pictures "All My Sons" - very
sad. The picture house is something like Lissan school, and Chris disgraced
us when we went in, she laughed until the tears were running down her
cheeks, and what a loud laugh!!! We got up on Sunday morning at 12 noon and
had a big breakfast, finished at 1 p.m. and then we went for another long
walk, and arrived back in time for afternoon tea. Mr. Gibb came with us to
church at night, & Mrs. Gibb had a big meal ready for us when we came back,
Tomato Soup, Roast Meat, Yorkshire Pudding, Peas, Potatoes, Jelly,
Raspberries & Cream, Tea & Chocolate Biscuits & then we had another cup of
tea before going to bed with lovely Ginger Sandwiches & cakes. On Monday
morning we climbed the hills behind the village, and the view was wonderful.
I have never seen anything quite like it, the steamers going up the Kyle's of
Bute. I only wish you could have seen it. Lunch was ready when we came back,
and we got on board the steamer at 3 p.m. which took us to Gourock. It was a
really lovely cruise up the Clyde. It was a marvellous week-end & I have got
lovely rosey cheeks after the sea air. It did us the world of good after
working so hard all week. Sea air certainly agrees with me. Oh! I forgot to
tell you about the bus we came in on Friday night. Well there is only a
driver - no conductor. After leaving the pier we stopped at some shops,
while one woman collected her parcels & every house we stopped at, the
driver for out & carried the parcels into the house & saw the passenger
safely inside. It was a scream. We paid on the way out. The Vet Ball was on
Thursday night & we enjoyed it thoroughly. Johnny & Doris were there also.
There is a dance in Dough School on Friday, but I am not going, as I just
cannot afford the time & the Residents Ball is the following week. We have
four College Finals, March 9th, Business Affairs, March 13th Nutrition &
Diet Therapy, 15th Physiology & Bacteriology & then the practical. The last
fortnight we spend in Canteens. Doris' father is coming up for the week-end
and I have been invited out for tea with them on Saturday afternoon. I will
probably drop the tea pot, Chris says!! It is his father's first holiday for
5 years. Johnny's mother has invited Doris, Don, & me out for supper some
night, but I am afraid we will not be able to go, as time is too precious
just now. Don't expect very many letters from now. I have just finished a
huge washing so I am feeling very tired to-night. I tried for materials this
afternoon. There were a few dress materials (rayon) in Copelands, 5/11 yard,
but it wasn't very nice, so I didn't take any. No lingerie materials. The
cotton materials seem to be coming in now, so I will keep my eyes open. I am
sure Marion is thrilled about going to Switzerland. It is wonderful. I have
just had a brain wave. After I do my year out I am thinking of going to
Sweden for 6 months to an hotel for experience. I think it would be a
marvellous idea - don't you! I would get my keep & probably about 10/- per
week, it would be a marvellous way of seeing the country, learning the
language, & also Swedish cookery methods. I wouldn't go alone of course,
some of the other girls would come with me, let me know what you think about
it, 2 girls are going to Switzerland next year & Miss Taylor thinks it is a
splendid idea. I am very glad you all enjoyed the Customs & Excise Dinner.
How did you get on with the Nesbitts? What is Ian doing? What is this about
Nellie Hagan? Has she left school? Now about the Rectory Concert. Are your
people responsible for Storey & Helen Sloan acting? I wasn't so far wrong
about Marianne? Rea? Now a wee word about letters. There is not enough
detail. Just look at all these questions I have had to ask. Now Marion,
imagine you are doing an exam paper & the more you write, the more marks you
get. Detail is really most important. By the way it will be alright about
Doris & Chris coming over in the summer I hope. Please let me know. Has
anything been done about the hard bed in the spare bedroom. To go back to
the Switzerland trip, Maureen says Miss Buchanan will put a damper on
things, she is a very nice person with no friends & Maureen thinks a great
pity of her, but she is very dull. Maureen wants you to give George her love
(but no kisses) as Johnny Creighton would say. Have you seen that disgusting
pig "Hastings" recently? Does he come to Hutchisons for dinner at night??
What about the photograph of the Dough School Ball? You didn't say anything
about it. I hope you didn't show it to anybody, Did you? Don't forget to
send it back some time. By the way you know the Beauty Contest that Margaret
Hutchinson won, I see where Mrs. Russell Vance? won a prize too, Is that
Lily Bell? Is the Annual Report out yet? Is the freewill offering a success?
How much more did they have? Is Mrs. Sloss back again with Bob? Please
answer all these questions. I will post this to-morrow, so you will have it
on Saturday, & Sunday afternoon can be spent answering it. I am Housekeeper
in Cookery this week & I had to do all ordering, so I will have to be in
very early in the morning to check stores & I am nearly asleep now, as it is
very late. Thursday Morning: Just finishing this off as I have to go
to class early, I haven't heard from William this week. The Dick Ball was
Friday before last & June Bryson was over with a chap called Hutchinson.
Lots of Love Heather
2) 23rd February 1950 - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3. - Dear Folks, Many thanks
for letters and Mid received yesterday. I will answer your questions first.
I wore my pink rock at the Vet Ball. I had a lovely time with Don's father
on Saturday, but it is nearly finished with Don & me. I have a funny feeling
I am going to be asked down to his home for the Grand National, & I want to
finish it off before then. However he is coming to the Resident's Ball with
me to-morrow night. I am looking forward to seeing the hall paper & also the
bedrooms. It will be a great improvement. What is this about George
McCulloch's wedding? Will I go if I am asked, and if so, what will I wear?
I went over to Edinburgh to see William on Sunday & we had a lovely time. We
went for a 7 mile walk in the Pentlands? & it was glorious. O am very lucky
about canteens. We have to spent the last fortnight of this term in Canteen,
Chris, Doris, & Maureen have to start at 7.30 am & finish at 5.30 pm. They
will have to have 6.30 am breakfast. My hours are only 9am to 5pm & I hear
it is a lovely canteen though. We don't get paid unfortunately & we have to
pay our own travelling expenses. It will cost me about 8d per day to get
there & back. Poor May Stark is going to the Canteen in Tech College & she
doesn't finish until 7.30 pm. Eleanor Quinn has been very ill with her
throat & was in bed for over a week. She was out at school yesterday & came
back last night with a terrible throat. She cannot swallow. William is
looking very well & very happy. Many thanks for letter received this
afternoon. You asked me what dance William was at. Well there was the "Dick"
ball, but he didn't go, & I think he was invited to one in A.C. but it was
cancelled. Answer No. 2 George McCulloch invitation reads
as follows: Mr. & Mrs. John Canavan request the honour of the company of
Miss Heather McCully at the marriage of their daughter Joy Wallace to Mr.
George McCulloch in Murrayfield Parish Church on Sat. May 25th '50 at 2
o'clock, & afterwards at 13 Whitson Walk, the address is in case you want to
send ? 13 Whitson Walk, Saughton, Edinburgh11. Marion seems to be
having a wonderful time visiting with the Rainey Staff. I was sorry you
didn't enjoy "Red Shoes" Chris & Doris saw it & thought it was marvellous.
By the way the Houswifery Results are just out & Ann Twigg has got a First
Class pass with a Distinction in Needlework, Gillian Carton has got a First
Class Pass also. You have asked me dozens of times about eats. Well just a
wee tuck box with something really exciting. Those wee coconut things are
lovely, or a few choc. biscuits would be marvellous. Must finish off now, as
I want to reply to my invitation & write a wee note to William. Lots of Love
Heather PS By the way the new shade this spring is a mauvey colour.
    
  
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1) 6th March 1950 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3. 5/3/50 Dear
Folks, Just a wee note. I am lying on top of my bed, and it is almost dinner
time, so I thought I could write a few lines. My head just seems to be
spinning around with worry. Exams are just on top of us, & I cannot get
anything into my head. We have four Theory papers. One on Thursday, tomorrow
week, Thursday week, & Friday week. I don't think I will be able to get
through them. I am going to concentrate on Nutrition & let the others go to
pot. I think it is best to try to pass in one, instead of failing in
everything. However it has one advantage, our exams will be finished on
March 17th & there will be no more worry. We begin working in canteens on
the following Monday. Now about George McCulloch, what about a wedding
present? & what on earth will I wear at the wedding? Please do let me know
now because it is really only a fortnight. It is on March 25th. Robert
Stewart phoned the other night. He is going over to Dublin for a few days,
with a boy who works in Boots with him. This boy's home is in Dublin. It's
practically dinner time & I just cannot think of any more news. I was
speaking to Jean Gardiner yesterday. She says when I finish I.M.A. I should
go to Paris to do my "Cordon Bleu" Mon. Morning Just
going out to see through Beattie's Bakery & I was to post this when I am
out. Mummy I am a terrible state for a cardigan. Do you think Miss Creighe?
could knit a white one. Tell her I have a very long back. My red cardigan is
just dropping in to holes. Friday Morning This is
the day of the Resident's Ball & we are all terribly excited. By the way I
have the bands on my twin set done but I have not got it sewed up yet, so I
will send it home & perhaps some of you people could sew it up for me. I
just cannot get the pattern to match on the sleeves. It is very dirty & I am
afraid it will need a wash before I will be able to wear it. Maureen
has heard about a factory in Paisley, where you can buy material cheaper but
unfortunately it is not open on Saturdays. However we are going to try to go
out some day to see what we can get. Taffeta is supposed to be 3/- per yard.
I must finish off now, but please do write & let me know what I should do
about George McCulloch's wedding. What about a present? & will I go or not?
Are any of the Scott family coming over for it? Later
There is great excitement here over the Election. I am waiting to hear about
Mr. Shearer. Chris is going out now so I will give her this to post. Lots of
Love xxxx Heather
2)
(no date but fits here re George McCulloch's Wedding & exams) - 8
Park Drive, Glasgow C.3. Monday - Dear Folks, I have just finished
lunch & I am lying on my bed writing this. We have been out at Ross's
Creameries this morning & this afternoon we are going to a hab? so I want to
post this when I am out. I have just received an invitation to George
McCulloch's wedding, & I am wondering what I should do about it, so I think
I will just phone you to-night to ask. Thursday Night
I have spent 1 hour every night since Monday trying to phone & each time
there is no reply. Do you ever be at home? I was wondering what to do about
George's wedding, William cannot go & he wrote to tell me that I will have
to go. However I wanted to ask your advice, but I will just have to write
to-night & accept the invitation, as I cannot get in touch with you folks.
Please write at once & tell me what to wear & what about a present. Are any
Scotts coming over. The ball was marvellous last Friday night, I
finished it off with Dan though, but I had a wonderful time & danced a lot
with Eleanor Quinn's partner. Poor Eleanor is none to finish it with Buck
now too. However I men Dan accidentally this afternoon & he asked me to come
with him for tea, but I didn't go. Exams are very near & I am just up to the
eyes in work. ~ (not convinced this page is in the right place >) ..
possible to stay for the week-end, so I am going for lunch only I will meet
Margaret there. Isn't it very nice of her. I have a lot of work to do
to-night - stockings to wash, frock to ? I expect there will be a letter
from you people to-morrow about materials, so I will try & get something. I
think I will have a look round Lewis? on my way home to-night. My hour is up
& I want to post this on my way out at 5 pm. Lots of Love Heather PS Will
write on Sunday & tell you about the wedding.
        
  
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1) 24th April 1950 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - (Envelope and letter were separate but the
letter was tucked under the env. flap, however some things seem out of place
so reader beware!) 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3 - Dear Folks, I am sure you
have been expecting to hear from me every day, but I have been very busy, &
just haven't had time for anything. We had a lovely crossing & arrived
in College in time for breakfast. Nearly all the girls have been vaccinated,
all English & Irish ones have, & most of the Scottish ones. I must say
though, that very few had as nasty an arm as mine. However it is entirely
better now & I don't feel a thing. Sunday was really its worse day. It isn't
even sore to touch now. Our reports did not have to be finished until this
morning, so I had plenty of time. I don't think I am going to the 21st
birthday party on Friday for several reasons. Number 1 is I have just been
told that I have a practical Institutional test next week and I will just be
exhausted after that. Secondly there is so much work to do this term that I
just haven't time & thirdly Chris has asked Stuart to come & he won't come
because of his exams & I know that I needn't ask Buck, because he wouldn't
come without Stuart. I think dancing and all pleasure will just have to go
for this term. Now about the summer, you will be pleased to hear that
our I.M.A. year does not begin until the beginning of September, which means
that we have not to begin working until then, so I will have a good long
holiday after all. Doris is definitely coming over in the summer, & would
just love to go to Portrush for a week. Chris does not think she will be
able to come, but she will find out later, her mother is not very well at
the moment. Now about the flat, Chris, Doris & I are going into Number
1 flat, Unfortunately Maureen & two others are going to be in Number 9 at
the same time. Now take note we will be in for the week May 22nd - May 28th,
so if you could please send as much as possible, we would be very pleased.
Remember it takes a parcel 2 days to come. Dinner mats if the next
thing. We order our material through College, & I have ordered some so you
need not send any linen. By the way, I need my tea towels immediately
as I am in the institutional Kitchen next week. We were told on Wednesday
that our College Bookkeeping final exam was on Saturday May 16th, so we
nearly went mad, May was going home for the week-end, & her mother had
arranged a party for that night, & needless to say I didn't want to sit a
Bookkeeping exam on my 21st birthday. However we went to Mrs. Lindsay, & had
it changed to Thursday May 11th. Tomorrow morning I am going out to look for
a Cherry loose fitting coat, so I do hope I will be lucky. I haven't seen
Jean Gardiner since I came back & she has got my Business Affairs note book
with the result I have pages & pages of notes to copy up, because we have
been getting Business Affairs notes for 2 afternoons. Mummy I am going
to send home some parcels now, & remember, anything I send home I do not
want back again this term. I just want to get some things cleared out now as
I just don't know how I will get home in the summer. I really think I will
have to be met in Belfast. I told the girls in bed last night about
Mrs. Wright's joke, & I really thought they would have killed themselves
laughing. The tears were pouring down Chris's face, and Maureen's eyes
looked swollen. I never thought they would laugh half as much. Sunday
Afternoon I had no luck about a coat yesterday. I saw lots of cherry
coats, but nothing really very exciting. Mt costume has been greatly
admired, & so has my twin set. I met the assistant supervisor from Aime?
Whingers Canteen yesterday, & she was thrilled with the handkerchief. Do you
remember the photographs I had developed when I was home - the ones of the
college girls I mean. Well could you please send them to me, also the
negatives. I haven't heard from William yet, but I think he had a
nerve to say, that I must have been asleep when he went off the boat!!!
Believe me, he was asleep when I went off. I was out for a walk on deck,
before the boat was in & I was about the 6th person off & I was up at
College in time for breakfast. I couldn't see him any where, but I saw a few
other "Dick" boys, that I didn't know. I am going to church to-night, so I
will post this on the way. Doris is coming to Ireland in the summer. She is
crossing on July 15th arriving with Maureen on the 16th & spending a week
with her. She will then meet me in Portrush on Saturday July 22nd, & then
come home with me on July 29th & stay until Tuesday August 8th. Maureen will
meet her in Belfast at 6 pm. take her for tea & leave her to the boat.
Maureen Gracey's wedding is on the 9th or is it the 7th. Please let me know.
Mrs. Gracey was telling me that she has got her frock. Lamée & she is not
sure if it has a silver or gold thread. It is very stiff. Her going away
suit is a violet colour. Mrs. Gracey seems to be very pleased about the
wedding. There is an open day in College again this term & we are in the
flat at the time so Chris's mother & Doris' mother are coming up & staying
for dinner in the flat. It is a pity Mummy will not be here. It is tea time,
so I must go down now. By the way I am sending a parcel home tomorrow, & I
don't need any of the things back again. Later I was at church
to-night & forgot to bring the letter. However I will ask someone to post it
first thing in the morning. I was going to phone you to-night in case you
would be worried about me not writing. It is bed-time, so I really must
finish off, Lots of Love xxxx Heather PS By the way I am crossing on
July 1st arriving on Sunday, July 2nd., so Marion can have my suitcase. It
will save her the bother of buying one. I have changed my mind about the
party on Friday. I told Elsie I couldn't go & she was most annoyed, so the
other girls have persuaded me to go. Love H. PPS. Evening frock & suit
arrived safely so many thanks. H.
2) 27th April 1950 Postmark Edinburgh to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown,
Cookstown, N. Ireland - c/o Donaldson, 17 Lutton Place, Edinburgh 8
Tuesday Dear Folks, The parcel & letters arrived this morning. The
other parcel came last week. My arm was at it's worst on Wednesday &
Thursday of last week, was? is nearly better now. It has been bitterly cold
here the last few days with a few snow flakes falling at times & heavy?
frost. Did the path dry out all right. I had a letter from Robert Stewart.
He is coming to Edinburgh for the day next Sunday. Robert is now appearing
as Joseph in Professor Tim. If you go to Monaghan please get me six 'blue
flash?' and two 'Warwich' golf balls. They are 6d - 9d cheaper in Eire. I
forgot to bring back my shaving brush. It is in the bathroom cupboard. If
you happen to know where the photo of Tom & Jim is will you please send it.
I haven't had a letter from Wendell since but I expect he will be coming
over for Victoria Weekend. William
         
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10th May 1950 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown, Co.
Tyrone, N. Ireland - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3. 8th May '50 Dear
Folks, Many thanks for the beautiful presents, I am absolutely thrilled with
all of them, and they have been greatly admired. I laid them all out on my
dressing table with the cards. The camera looked marvellous. Now about my
presents and cards. I will give you a list of what I got. Presents:
Ring with birthday stone (emerald) - Doris, Marion, Chris. Scatter pin
brooch - Jean Henry & Margaret Beaton. China floral brooch - Gwen
Tudor, Cissie Anderson & Norma. Little glass duck - Pat. McLennan.
Little glass dog - Frances Aimer. Photograph Album - William.
Make-up Mirror - May Stark. 2 Handkerchiefs - Peka Black. Box
chocolates - Doris, Chris, Maureen & Pat. Box chocolates - Helen
Robertson. & all your presents, so I really had a marvellous time. By
the way I am writing this in bed before breakfast, & so the writing is
terrible. Telegrams: 1 from your people. 1 from Chris's father &
mother. Cards: Maureen, Doris, Chris; Peka Black; Marion;
Elma & Ann Stark; Mary; Don or Dan Stanhope; Jean
Gardiner; William; Cargie Banks; Fiona & Isobel;
Mollie Coward; Elsie Scott; Joan Birkett; Ann Dod;
Jessie Miller; Elspeth Martin; May Stark; Eleanor Quinn;
Frances Aimer; Miss Byers & Miss Melrae (2 wardens). I don't
know how Jean Gardiner knew that it was my birthday. Now to tell you all
about my day. On Saturday morning at 7.15 am Pat McLennan, Ann Smeddle &
Frances Aimer walked in to the room singing "Happy Birthday" The three
in the room jumped up, and the 6 of them put me in to a hug, and bumped me
21 times - by that time I was awake, and they gave me all my presents.
Frances Aimer was in the flat last week, so I was in No. 9 flat for
breakfast. Before breakfast Norma, Cissie & Gwen came in with their present
singing "21 to-day" However at breakfast time in the flat I didn't
want Miss Hamilton to know that it was my birthday, but here all of a sudden
from outside the door the No.9 girls collected, and started to sing "21
to-day" outside the door, & Miss Hamilton congratulated me. We all roared.
After breakfast Doris, Chris & I went down town to do some shopping & I went
to Burns haird? office to book for coming home. The quque (queue) was
terrific, and there were 2 mounted policemen, & 2 others standing at the
door, so I went over to the policemen at the door, and asked about tickets
for going home. They were very nice, and one went inside to ask, but he said
no tickets for July 1st. However there was another man at the door, & I
asked him so many questions, about how I could get home, that one of the
policeman said to me "Animal, Vegetable or Mineral"? He was a scream that
man. However he advised me to come down on Tuesday, & see what I could do,
but I just wrote, as soon as I came back. We then went for coffee & back to
College, we came back at 4.30 pm. I was told to go down to No. 9 flat, and
there they had a surprise party for me, and they had Cyder, cakes, and
sandwiches of every description, & tea. One cake was iced & had "Happy
Birthday" with cherries. Doris, Chris, Maureen, Pat, Frances, Helen,
Christine, Gwen, Cissie, Norma, and my-self were there. We all went on to
the Theatre, and at the end Dave Wilts said "Miss Heather McCully from
Northern Ireland is 21 to-day & we wish her all the best. Stand up Heather
please" and the band played "21 to-day" & everybody sang. However there were
2 other birthdays, which wasn't quite so bad, but mine was heard first. It
came on me so suddenly, & I didn't know anything about it beforehand. During
the show there were lots of jokes about girls when they reach the age of 21,
& the girls all roared. We then came back to College, & I phoned home. It
was lovely to hear mummy's & Marion's voice, but I was terribly disappointed
about not being able to speak to Daddy on my 21st. Maureen & I went out for
coffee again at night so it really was a marvellous day, & the girls
wouldn't even allow me to pay for my coffee, or tram fare.
Tuesday Night I have had a very busy day, so I am feeling tired
to-night. I am in the store this week & we have our Book-keeping final on
Thursday. Many thanks for parcel received this morning. The pink frock is
very nice on me, except that it is a wee bit short (2"), but I can fix that
my-self. A terrible thing happened though. I was trying it on to-night, &
when I had it on I tripped & fell & the frock ripped under the right arm, so
I will send it home to hear what you think would be the best thing to do
with it. Cissie tried on my red one to-night, & pinned it for me. The bodice
would need to be taken in an 1" or 1½" at each side to just below the waist
- not at the hips. The tucks at the back will have to come up a bit further
& the waist will need to be raised at the back as marked, the front is O.K.
& the neck is perfect. Now to continue with my story about birthday
celebrations. I decided to have my party on Sunday night when May came back,
because I already had the one on Saturday, so on Sunday night I had mine.
There were 18 of us & we had lots to eat. Everybody was asking, Who made the
delicious cakes & marvellous coconut pyramids. One girl told me yesterday
that she had eaten 5 coconut Pyramids. Now about next Thursday night. The
girls in the class are giving us a party in the Union & May & I know nothing
about it, except that we got invitations. It starts at 7 pm. I imagine
asking permission to have the union The Staff were all Congratulating us
yesterday & to-day. I really don't know how, so many people knew about it. I
suppose it is because it is so unusual. It is not often that 2 girls in
hostel together & in the same class have their birthdays on the same day.
Now to answer your letter. I have now got 21 cards, so it is very nice to
get 21 cards on my 21st birthday. I haven't heard from the Scotts this term.
I thought that they would have sent a card. How is your cold Marion? I
noticed your hoarse voice on the phone. You can have my shoulder bag with
pleasure, but I really don't know that it is very safe. I will explain when
I go home. The strap seems to come out some times. You didn't tell me if
Mummy & Daddy got any gossip in Bradfords. I may have my photographs taken,
I really don't know though. I think 25/- to 35/- is a bit expensive for
Portrush. By the way our plans are changed, as Doris is going away for the
month of August, so if it suits us, this is what she is going to do, cross
to Belfast on Saturday 8th, stay with Maureen until 15th, join me in
Portrush then, & come home with me 22nd, & cross back home on 31st July.
Please let me know at once if this will suit, as we will have to book, that
means it will be Portrush 15th - 22nd July. Now a wee word to Mummy about
her baking. Everything for the party was simply marvellous. The birthday
cake was lovely & dark & delicious. Everybody was talking about it. I am
bringing a wee bit home to you. Do you think you could send me a few coconut
pyramids for the flat, say 10. They would be lovely for Miss Gibson's Tea.
Now this next subject is very important. Where would you like me to take a
job? If I go to Belfast I would like to go in to a Hospital. I was asking
some of the staff about this & they think it is a good idea. They say to get
a job like this you write to the Matron & ask if she has any vacancies.
Quite a few of the girls have got jobs in hospitals in Belfast this way.
Please let me know at once, as it is time I was thinking about applying.
Very few of the girls are fixed up yet, & the staff are very amused. They
say they have never seen such a light hearted class - always smiling, &
nobody has got a job. I have given up dancing this term, I have just
been to the one 21st party. There have been 2 Vet dances, but I didn't go.
The Vet Cruise is on Saturday & there is a dance after it, but I am not
going, I just cannot be bothered and now that I have reached the age of 21,
I am beginning to get some sense!!! I have to ? my semi-final cookery
test on Friday & so I will have to do it next week. I am really dreading it.
Our lone week-end is on May 22nd, I don't know what I am doing yet, but I
would just love to see William. I must finish off now, as it is 11 o'clock &
I have a lot of work to do before I go to bed. Please do let me know about
the job. Lots of Love xxxx Heather PS Do you think you could get me 2
testimonials. Perhaps Marion could ask the boss for me. Thank Mary for her
lovely card. H.
     
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1) 13th May 1950 - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3 - Dear Folks, Just a wee not to
put inside the parcel. I had a wonderful time at the party last night. First
of all we went out to the park, and took some photographs and when we came
in again the room was in darkness except for the light coming from the
candles on a lovely cake. A girl called Isobel Hutson made it. It was really
wonderful. It was just a plain butter cake with white icing. In the middle
there was the College crest done in College colours, and across the top was
written May, and at the bottom Heather, and around the edge 21 candles,
Isobel's father is an architect and he designed it. He drew the crest on a
piece of paper, and Isobel marked the cake with pin pricks. Then May & I
blew the candles out and cut the cake, we had lemonade, rolls, sandwiches,
and cakes, of every description. One of the girls brought in her gramophone
with lots of marvellous records, and so there was music all the time, while
we were playing games. At the end 3 girls walked in with 3 beautiful bunches
of daffodils, and gave one to Miss Davidson (head of the union), one to
Mary, & one to my-self, and then we thanked them!!! We all joined in singing
Auld Lang Sang, so it really was a marvellous evening. I have got 2 more
presents, since the last time I wrote - a beautiful sponge bag from Elsie
Scott (the girl whose 21st I was at in the Plaza), and a bottle of Eau de
Cologne from Anne Smeddle. I cannot understand the Scotts not sending a
card. Another thing I have been meaning to write about is a pen. My
pen has started to do funny things. It leaks all the time, & I am always
getting blots, so I am really dreading finals with it. Do you think if you
are ever over in Monaghan you could get me one with a very fine nib and send
it on. Another thing I forgot to tell you in my last letter is about my
teeth. There is a girl in our class called Pat McLennan, and she goes around
with a 1st year dentistry student called Brian Murray, his brother Kevin is
final year, and is up in the dental hospital, and he is doing my teeth. He
really is a wonderful dentist, and Pat was telling me that his father is
too. I have 8 fillings to do. He doesn't seem to think that they have been
very well done before, and he is going to drill some of the old fillings out
and redo them. At the dental hospital the student examines the teeth, and
marks down on a chart, what he thinks needs to be done, the Professor then
examines them to see if he agrees. Kevin then drills the tooth, and the
professor examines it again, and then he puts in a temporary dressing for 3
days. At the end of the 3 days he puts in a lining which prevents the tooth
from further decay, and then the actual filling, so things are really done
perfectly. They spend about 1 hour drilling each tooth, and 1 hour
actually filling it. I have got one completely finished, and another with a
temporary dressing. I am very glad that I went to the dental hospital,
because it means that I will be going home in the summer with my teeth in
good condition. I have an appointment for Monday but I cannot go because of
exams. I have just drawn my semi-final cookery test. "Plan & cost a
menu for 50 women engaged in light industry, cook & serve the mean, & also
coffee and biscuits for 11am." I have to do my preparation on Monday
afternoon & my actual test on Tuesday afternoon. It is very difficult to
know what to give them, I have decided on: Fried Haddock & Parsley Sauce;
Baked tomatoes & Chips; Fruit Jellies & Cream; Tea & iced slab cake; Coffee
& Shortbread Biscuits. I am going to put peaches & pears down in
Raspberry Jelly, & then across the top I am going to do lines of cream &
lines of whipped green jelly alternately. I am very lucky to have both
tests over so early. Some of the girls haven't got their first one over yet.
Jean Gardiner has asked me out to her house this afternoon for tea & then
she is taking me to the Theatre (Eric Portman). This is for my 21st, I think
I will try to get some flowers this morning to bring to her mother. Isn't it
very good of her. The Vets are having their Cruise to-day & dance to-night,
but I just couldn't be bothered going. I haven't been to a dance this term
except Elsie's 21st. I am going over to Edinburgh to-morrow for the
day, I really must finish off now, as I have a lot of shopping to do down
town. Lots of Love xxxx Heather I have just got the parcel partly made
up. Just received your letter. The red frock is really very wide. I had my
Key? signed on Thursday night on the V? It is 2.15 pm & time I was getting
ready to go out to Jeans. The weather is marvellous just now, although it is
too hot to move. Heather. I had a photograph of George McCulloch's
wedding this morning from George.
   
   
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1) 21st May 1950 - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow - Dear Folks, As I told you in my
letter yesterday I am spending this week-end in Carnoustie. This is our long
week-end & Frances Aimer? asked me to come home with her. I am having a
wonderful time. Yesterday we went to Arbroath, & I am just back from Church
this morning. To-morrow we hope to go to St. Andrews to see Bing Crosby &
back to Glasgow. We move in to the flat as soon as we go back. I really do
not know what to do about a job. I must find one before I leave College,
because the College authorities have to approve of it. I am thinking of
applying for one in a women's University Hostel in St. Andrews. There are
about 11 girls in our class applying so I am sure I wouldn't have a hope.
After all I am Irish. Please write and let my know what you think I should
do. The girls are all applying for jobs now. Monday Evening: I am now
writing this in a cafe in Dundee on our way back to Glasgow from St.
Andrews, we had a great time in St. Andrews in spite of the fact that
everything was against us. This morning we missed the 7.45 am bus from
Carnoustie & had to get one at 8 am. When we reached Dundee we missed the
8.40 am Train to St. Andrews. It was just puffing out of the Station.
However we got one at 9.15 am. and arrived in St. Andrews at 10.20 am. & it
was absolutely pouring, well I was in such a rush on Friday when leaving
College that I forgot to bring my waterproof, so I was just wearing my suit
this morning & I just had to buy a plastic waterproof for 15/- & it is too
small for me. I was wondering would you sell it to Mary, or give it to her
for her birthday. Please let me know as soon as possible what to do with it.
Mary might buy it. However we came by Train from St. Andrews to Dundee &
just saw the 4.40 pm. to Glasgow puffing out so what a day it has been & I
am just furious. However I have seen Bing Crosby & Donald Peers quite easily
& took some snaps. Bing looked very worried & Donald very happy. We are now
having a coffee in Dundee & we catch a train to Glasgow at 6.15 pm. I do
hope there will be a parcel at the flat when I go back to-night. I forgot, I
saw McCready (Portadown) playing this morning. He was laughing his head off.
I must finish off now, as I am in such a bad temper, that I can hardly hold
the pen. Please let me know about a job. Lots of love, Heather Wed.
Morn 7am.: Many thanks for marvellous parcel. About the job on the Royal. I
phoned you last night to ask about it, but the receiver had been left off in
the Kiosk. As I am in the flat this week, I am just up to the eyes, so do
you think Daddy would please send a letter for me to the Royal explaining
that it is my 3rd year ? & I want to do & I will copy it out, but I just
haven't time to sit down & think one out. It was after 12 last night when I
got up to bed & I am up again at 7 this morning. Doris? is going out for
rolls, so will post this. Please send letter by return of post. Love Heather
2) 25th May 1950 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow, E.3 - Dear Folks, I am
writing this during the Bookkeeping lesson. We have no afternoon tea in the
flat on Thursdays as we have to come to Bookkeeping. I just can't have Jean
Gardiner for tea, as we have only 3 lunches & 2 afternoon teas, while she is
in College. For lunch we have to have Miss Forrest, Miss Brown, & Miss White
(Head of I.M.A.) - Teas, - Miss Taylor, & another member of our staff, so it
is just impossible. Chris' mother & cousin are coming for dinner tonight &
Denis' mother on Saturday. What a pity you people were not here. Many thanks
for all the wonderful things you sent Mummy - you were far too good to us.
We have got tons of stuff now. Meat seems to be the big problem, so the
chicken will just make us here enough. It will be marvellous for Sunday. I
think we will have primrose cream jelly & fruit for a pudding, so we are
going to have a lovely meal. It was marvellous to hear your voices last
night, where was daddy? It is very funny I tried to phone you people on
Tuesday night too, & I was told that somebody had left the receiver off, so
it must have been off in the Post Office. The exchange told me I was trying
to phone a call box & the receiver was off. I am looking forward to the
chicken, but I feel I have put you to a lot of extra work Mummy. We will
boil it just & then roast it, so we can have chicken soup. We are well off
for bacon, so we will be able to have lots of bacon rolls. It was very
funny. I had thought of a chicken & then I thought when you didn't mention
it, perhaps you hadn't one to spare. The letter that you wrote on Thursday
only reached me yesterday morning. You addressed it to me at College of
Domestic Science, 8 Park Drive, Edinburgh, so it went to Atholl Crescent & a
friend of Doris saw it & sent it on to her for she thought it must have been
meant for the Glasgow College, wasn't it very funny. I expect you were
writing to William at the same time. We were in desperation about meat, so
then I just sent the wire. You will be glad to hear that I wrote to the
Royal last night, I was in bed at almost 1 a.m. & up again at 7 a.m. this
morning so I am dead tired, however the letter has gone & that is the main
thing. Doris & I both think that it would be best to book in Kantara, but
failing that try ? ? Let us know as soon as possible what is happening. I
cannot think of any more news. Oh yes I had a lovely pair of ear rings from
Gillian Carter yesterday for my birthday. She had forgotten that it was
earlier. Must do some bookkeeping now. Love Heather
   
    
   
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1) 29th May 1950 - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3. - Dear Folks, I have just
finished my week in the flat, and I am just dead tired, so I am going to be
very early to-night. Mummy thank you very much for all the lovely things you
sent. You were far too good to us. Your cakes were wonderful, and everybody
was talking about them. Miss Taylor was thrilled with the Coconut Pyramids,
she thought they were marvellous. The chicken was delicious, it arrived on
Friday morning, & if it had been sent by ordinary post we wouldn't have had
it until Saturday afternoon, so it was well worth the difference. I boiled
it on Saturday night, left it overnight in the water it was boiled in, &
then we did it in the oven on Sunday. It was lovely & tender. You must have
been very busy baking for me. Open Day in College is on Wednesday,
1400 school children are coming. Miss Forrest was telling us that it is an
advertisement because they cannot get girls to do Diploma. They all want to
do I.M.A. Only 5 girls have entered for Group 1 starting in September, &
they are nearly frantic. I wrote to the "Royal" the night you phoned,
but I haven't had a reply yet. I do hope they have a vacancy, it would be
great to be near home. June Bryson did her 3rd year there, & I was asking
her about it. She says it is marvellous. In the Main Kitchen, you start at
7.30 & finish at 5.30, 10 mins break at 11 am, & 1 hour lunch, 1 half day
each week, & every other Sunday afternoon off. I long week end each month
which is from Sat. 12 noon until Tuesday morning - The work is hard, but
everybody is wonderful to work with, & the matron is a sweet person, she
says it is the best place to get experience, the pay is not very good, when
she did her year it was £100 per year & all residence, & laundry which she
says makes a great difference, but she says they have raised it now to £115.
By the way could you please send me a new cloth and 2 tea towels. Our finals
are very near. June 14th & 15th Housework Practical; June 21st Inst.
Catering; June 26th (A.M. Business Affairs & Bookkeeping - (P.M.) Optional
Bookkeeping; June 27th Large scale cookery; June 28th Catering & Nutrition;
June 29th Inst. Management; June 30th Optional Science. So you can see
I am going to be very busy. Do tell me more about Mr. Irwin leaving. When is
he going? What are you going to do about a new minister? How are the people
taking it? I cannot remember if I told you about William. You remember the
Sunday I was over some weeks ago. Well we went for a walk, & really he was a
scream. Every garden he saw, he had to see the path, hedges, lawn, etc., &
judging by the way he talked our garden is going to be greatly improved. He
is so excited about coming home, I never met anything quite like him. He
just talks about Churchtown all the time, no time for anything else. I am
still attending the dentist. I have been 6 times & I have only got 2 teeth
d? He does it so well. They spend ages at them in the dental hospital. It's
great to have the done properly. I am afraid I will not be able to get the
front ones done, that is the main thing. Kevin is really very nice & I
just dare him to hurt me, so he is very careful, & keeps asking me if it is
sore. It is suppertime, so I must go down for a cup of tea & then straight
to bed. I had to pay my Examination Fee to-day £7-17-6, Isn't that shocking?
Tuesday Just going out to post this - No news from Royal, Lots of Love
Heather
2) 6th June 1950 Postmark Edinburgh to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
N. Ireland - c/o Donaldson, 17 Lutton Place, Edinburgh. 5th June 1950
Dear Folks, Many thanks for the eggs & the sweets. The weather here for the
last few days has been very hot. I find that it agrees well with me; I find
I can work better in the warmer weather. We had a cold spell earlier & I had
a cold for about three weeks, I felt terrible then I think I must have had a
touch of the flu. I was getting worried about the work but I am getting over
the ground pretty well now. Professor Boddie is ill but I expect he will be
better by the time of the exams? I think he would be a pretty decent
examiner. Wendell is coming to Edinburgh this week and I have got a locum
for August with Mr. Cassells of Newtownards. He wrote to John Rankin, who
sees practice with him, and asked him to contact me. He said he knew my
relatives. I since heard that his wife is a terror and that he has some very
big clients eg. Londonderrys & Lord Glentoran. Last Sunday I visited George
McCulloch. They live in a very beautiful part of the country, on the edge of
the Pentlands. They are living in a cottage but it is quite comfortable and
they seem to like living there. George showed me the Ayrshire herd & the
farm buildings. There are some cows there which Joe Allen could rightly
describe as splendid. One cow is giving seven galls per day. George says
that the grass is very ? in that district. I expect Heather had a good
weekend, she was lucky going home when the weather had improved. Cheerio
William
3) 9th June 1950 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow E.3 Thusday Dear
Folks, I am just writing this wee note in the library, I haven't brought my
pen with me so Chris has given me the loan of her pencil & this piece of
paper. I am sure you have been expecting to hear from me sooner, but I have
really been very busy since I came back. Our finals begin to-morrow & we are
all feeling very nervous. I had a lovely crossing on Monday night - very few
travelling & I think everybody had berths. Billy, Dora & Lindsay were
leaving me down to the boat in the car when suddenly the engine stopped &
just wouldn't start again. Two policemen came along & they tried but no
luck. We were just about half way, so Dora & I had to get out & take a bus
down to the boat. However I was in ......... most annoyed. The Staff were
all very pleased to hear about me getting the job. By the way I had a
Telegram from the Scotts. Did they tell you that they had sent one? Have you
phoned Dr. Elliott? How did you enjoy yourselves at the Assembly? Now Marion
is there anything you want me to get you before I leave Glasgow - Piping
bags or pipes, needles, thread, or anything. Will you look at the sewing
machine & see if it has a darner, or will I have to buy one. Have you got ?
I have for a reel of white damask thread. Do you want any other colour?
Maureen has been allowed to take the job in Newry & she is thrilled about
it. Yesterday was Sports Day in College, but our class at to stay in until
2.30 p.m., so I just didn't bother going to the Sports when we came out. I
just went to bed & slept until dinner time. Chris is not using her pen at
the moment, so I have borrowed it for a few minutes. I have missed
Children's Day in Wellington. It happened to be last Sunday too. I was
expecting a letter from your people today actually, but probably there will
be one to-morrow. I had a letter from William yesterday, & he seems to be
greatly surprised about me going home for the week-end. I must finish off
now, as it is time to go & I want to post this on my way back to College.
Lots of love xxx Heather
  
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1) 12th June 1950 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 8 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3 Dear Folks, I am
writing this is the Library, ass I have the morning off. The Housewifery
finals are on Thursday week & I do my preparations on Wednesday & test in
Thursday, so I am really very busy, & there is a lot of work still to be
done. I haven't heard from William for quite a while, but I expect he is
working very hard. Marion, you know the photographs you have of the staff
playing cricket, well, Maureen would like to see them, just to have a wee
peep at your darling George!! I think he is in another one with
McFadden etc. so could you please send it too. In my housewifery final
I have to do linen repairs, which means I will be mending, sheets,
pillowcases, table clothes, etc. I will send a copy of the actual exam
later. We had to do our preparations sheet on Friday morning, so we didn't
have very long to think about it. I was asking Gwen Tudor again about that
mister again & his name is Porter (Presbyterian) & is now in Belfast, so
Daddy was thinking of the same person. He also knows Dr. David Hay? very
well, & they are great friends. Gwen thinks he has a ? a doctor bit is not
very sure. This is all I have time to wrote this week, so don't worry,
because I am feeling fine, but up to the eyes in work. Lots of love xxxx
Heather
1952
    
  
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1) 18th July 1952 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - Belfast. Thursday Night. Dear Folks, It
is just 8 pm & I have just come on board the "Scotsman" after a terrific
journey up to Belfast. I haven't touched my luggage yet. When the train
stopped at Portadown, there was a nice young porter just at the door of my
compartment, so I asked him to take my cases, so he lifted them from the
rack & walked the length of the train with me & it was rather full, but not
packed & he said never mind I'll put you into 1st class & I said I would
rather not as I had only a 3rd class ticket, so he just said "Follow Me" &
he put me into a 1st class compartment under the nose of the guard, & the
Guard locked me in, so I had a first class compartment all to myself from
Portadown to Belfast. I was wondering if he had noticed my name on the case
or was it just my good luck. When I reached Belfast, again there was a
porter at the door & he took my luggage to the Office & I met Mary & her
friend. We had a coffee together & then Mary & Rita helped me carry my
luggage to a taxi. Again I got a porter, so I haven't had to touch my cases.
I am sitting in the lounge at the moment, & there doesn't seem to be a great
number of people travelling. There are lots of vacant seats here, & I am
sure we will soon be sailing. The other lady in my cabin is Miss Wilson, but
she doesn't seem to have come on board yet. There doesn't seem to be
anything more to write just now, I don't see any one on board who I know.
You will be shocked to hear that the fare has gone up again. It is now
£3-12-6 return & that's 6/- each which means it costs £4-4-6 for travelling
alone. I have never seen so many "pots" on one boat, so I am not the only
one. Dough School. Here I am safe & sound, & never touched any
cases. I am down with Doris in the kitchen at the moment, & I am afraid
there is very little work being done. Doris is as large as life & she has
most of this week-end off, so we are going to do some visiting. I have a
lovely wee bedroom & Doris has it all done with flowers. I think she must
have bought them herself. She is off this afternoon, so we will have a look
round the shops. Later. Just had morning coffee & finished
unpacking. Jean Gardiner is in College at the moment lecturing to the SS
course so she will be having lunch with us. Must wash my face now & get
ready for lunch as the Principal will be there & she is expecting to see me,
so she will be asking me all about my work. May phone home tonight. Lots of
Love xxxx Doris Heather
2) 22nd July 1952 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 1 Park Drive, Glasgow E.3 Sunday Dear
Folks, Doris has to stay in College this evening, so I decided to stay with
her, we are just discussing our visit to the continent in 2 years time. One
of the wardens? here has told Doris that Paris is a wonderful place to spend
a holiday, & she knows a splendid place to stay. Doris is very keen to go,
so we are considering it. This has been a glorious day. We went to
Wellington this morning, but Dr. Jarvis? is on holiday & it was a very
famous American minister who preached, but unfortunately I cannot remember
his name. Afterwards we went for a coffee, & then back to college for lunch.
After lunch I went out to see Madge & she was delighted with the butter &
sugar. She was telling me that Chris started in Bristol at the beginning of
July, but Doris & I still haven't heard from her. I had afternoon tea with
Madge & then back to college & High Tea with Doris, so we are going to go to
bed early to-night. Doris is off to-morrow, but we have not decided what we
are going to do yet. The shops will be closed, as this is the Glasgow Fair
week-end. Doris is doing some ironing at the moment so I am going to touch
up some of my ? now. Cannot think of any more news just now, you will not be
able to say that I am neglecting you this time. Lots of Love Heather
Monday Morning: Just rushing out, as we are going to Ayr for the day. Having
a wonderful time. H.
     
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1) 23rd July 1952 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 1 Park Drive, Glasgow E.3 Tuesday Dear
Folks, Many thanks for letter received this morning. Yesterday Doris & I
decided to go to Ayr for the day, as all shops were closed owing to The Fair
week-end, but the queues were miles long, so we decided to go to Gourock
instead. It was very showery thought, but it was good to get the sea air. We
came back to Glasgow in the afternoon & then to the pictures at night. This
morning I decided to start out early, so I went to the Food Office - then to
the Post Office!! & proceeded to do some shopping. I was very fortunate, I
bought a pair of black shoes & black gloves (8/6) for my suit, a pair of
white gloves 6/10, a white slip, & you'll never guess what - a tapestry
cover for Mary's? chair & I am going to do it this winter, so wasn't that a
good morning. I have just had lunch & am now lying out on the roof in
glorious sunshine. Now about my watch. I didn't tell you in my last letter,
it was going beautifully until 10.30 am on Friday morning & it stopped &
just wouldn't go, I was nearly frantic as I didn't want to have it sorted
here, at 1.30 it started again & went beautifully until 9.30 am on Saturday,
again it stopped & wouldn't start until 1.30 pm & it has been going
beautifully ever since. I can't think what might have happened to it. Oh
well, I must be back & get some sun. By the way, don't bother sending my
gabardine to Helmsdale as I find the navy skirt, with costume jacket &
waterproof ideal. Wed. Morning. Just had breakfast, so I am
going to start the blouse hunting to-day. Breakfast is at 8 am here which
means I can be around the shops very early. Last night we went to the
concert in Kelving? Park afterwards for coffee, & when I was walking up
Woodlands Road there was a bus stopped at a Bus Stop & a girl was waving to
me, & you'll never guess it was Jean Hamilton from Coltrin? I wonder did she
marry a Scotsman by any chance. I just couldn't believe my eyes. Must go now
& I will finish this letter later when I see how I get on with the blouse
business. Lunch Time. Just back for lunch & have managed to get
a blouse. It is not a perfect match though, but it looks quite well with the
suit & I so seldom wear the hat. I have just bought my train ticket to
Helmsdale. It is a short train journey & the fair (fare) is £4-2-6, I
thought it would have been more. I had better give you a price list of my
purchases, & put poor Mummy out of agony! Blouse £1-10-8, Shoes £2-15-9,
Petticoat 21/- (roughly), & I won't tell you the price of the tapestry chair
cover!! Things are not any cheaper here than at home. Some things are
terrific prices. The evening frocks seem to be coming in now. Doris has to
stay in to-night, but is off in the afternoon, so we are going to try for a
handbag for my suit, & then tonight we hope to do some washing & ironing.
Doris has a half-day on Friday, so we are thinking of going over to
Edinburgh. I am really enjoying this holiday thoroughly & it is marvellous
to see such wonderful shops. I am going to pay my College expenses after
lunch so I will let you know in this letter how much they charged. I am sure
it will be quite a bit as I have a lovely room to myself & the maid cleans
it every morning & also the food is excellent. How is William getting on? Is
he still as busy? Any calls in Orritor direction yet? I mean paying
ones. By the way many thanks for sending on the Mid Ulster Mail!!! Isn't
Mrs. Eadie a so & so. Imagine not cleaning the bowl - the stupid ass. I have
just paid my fee & it is just for nothing 6/- per day & for the whole
fortnight it cost £4-4-0, so really I have been very fortunate. Must go now
as Doris is getting ready to come down town with me. Lots of Love & xxx
Heather
    
     
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1) 26th July 1952 Postmark Glasgow to Mrs. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown,
Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 1 Park Drive, Glasgow C.3 Thursday Night
Dear Folks, I am in bed now for the night, feeling very sore indeed after
all the sun I got this afternoon. I spent the afternoon on the roof
sunbathing & my arms & neck are very sore. I have never seen such hot
weather. It is terrific & is making such a difference to my holiday. Tonight
we went to the pictures in the Regent & then for a coffee. Doris is off from
tomorrow lunch time until Saturday at lunch time, so we are going to look
for an evening frock if possible. There are a few in the shops just now. The
shops are full of red jumpers & twin sets & the shoe shops are full of red
shoes. Red shoes are the height of fashion. I have seen a few Autumn coats &
the majority seem to be fur trimmed. The Sales are now on but I haven't seen
any great bargains yet. Really this heat is terrific. I do hope it will
last. Saturday morning. I have just spilled a glass of water, so
please excuse the marks. Well I have bought an evening frock & you'll get
the shock of your life, it is navy & I do hope that you won't think it too
dark. It is strapless. Unfortunately it has to be altered slightly, & they
are posting it home on 15th August, so you won't see it until I arrive home.
I will have to buy a little white cape to wear with it. The weather is still
wonderful, I have never been so brown before. The lady in Peggys house said
yesterday "you would think I had been to the continent" Still it is
disappearing though, I don't seem to keep it. Ma? I have 2 slips & that is
easily enough so please don't send the other one. Really I will never get
all my luggage home. I am going to send a parcel next week though with a few
things which I won't need again. I am doing a little Xmas shopping, you
remember the balt? cap & cape which Doris gave me 2 years ago, well they are
just 4/11 each, so I have bought 2 sets & am going to get 4 more, would you
like any for your friends Ma?, if so write at once & I could get some for
you & send them home in the parcel. Doris & I didn't go through to Edinburgh
yesterday as it was too hot to sit in a bus. However I think I will go over
on Tuesday afternoon & see Miss Moir? I intend doing all my washing to-night
as Doris? is on duty so will be staying in so that means I will be going up
North with everything clean including blouses. Doris & I are going down town
just now so I really must get ready. Haven't seen Robert? yet, but I hope to
go down on Monday. It was lovely to see the Shears. I am sure you had a
great evenings chat. My watch is still going beautifully & hasn't stopped
since. Why do all the eligibles? have Norman? come to our house when I am
away!!! Lots of Love Heather
2) 27th July 1952 Moss Side, Longtown, Carlisle - Dear Mrs. McCulley, At
last I've got down to writing letters. Since coming home from Switzerland we
seem to have had a continual stream of visitors with the result - my
correspondence has been sadly neglected! I expect by now you will be settles
down & at home again. I do hope you had a nice time in Maidenhead, it would
be a very nice finish to your rather hectic holiday on the continent. How
did your snaps come out? Many of mine didn't, I was most disappointed about
the one I took at the Bear pit. I must try & get one from Jean. I am
enclosing some I took with Mr. McCulley & you on, unfortunately the light
seems to have got in most of these I'm afraid I'm a very poor photographer!
How did your daughters like their brooches, I feel sure they would, they
were so pretty. You remember the blouse I bought got my Aunt, after trying
it on she decided the style was too young for her & insisted I kept it
myself; I find it most useful as it washes beautifully. We are having rather
a quiet time, apart from friends visiting is, in this pace, as all outside
social events have been cancelled owing to Foot n Mouth disease in
Cumberland & Dumfriesshire - We are surrounded by it, so many of my friends
have had all their cattle slaughtered, in fact two brothers I know, have
lost between them 1300 head of cattle. Isn't it dreadful, one feels so sorry
for them; as they were so keen about their dairy stocks, it must have been
tragic to have to see them all slaughtered on the farm & burned there, we
hope & pray we shall be lucky enough to escape. I'm going to have quite a
busy time these next few weeks helping my cousin to prepare for her wedding,
I'm being chief bridesmaid, we (the bridesmaids) are wearing gowns of
aquamarine poult with off the shoulder collars & full skirts, we haven't
decided on the flowers or head dresses yet, we are going up to Edinburgh on
Wednesday so perhaps we'll get some ideas there. In conclusion I do want to
thank you for all your kindness to me on the trip, especially that day I
felt so ill, I feel sure I would have died if you hadn't got me that
brandy?, it certainly did the trick! Do give my kind regards to Mr.
McCulley, In do hope that sometime in the near future you will both manage
to come & stay with us here. We'd be more that delighted if you could. Yours
sincerely, Margaret (?)
        
  
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1) (no date but fits here) guessing 31st July 1952 ~ 1 Park
Drive, Glasgow E.3 Monday morning. Dear Folks, I expect there
will be a letter from you people to-morrow, with all the latest news. I
haven't really any news since the last time I wrote except that I have spent
a lot of money. Honestly I can hardly believe how much I have spent, but
there is one good thing about it, I have got all my Christmas shopping done
which means I will have no money to spend around Xmas. Things are much
cheaper at this time than they are later, so I am just going to send all my
friends one of the plastic affairs, so if you just throw them all into a
drawer & I can sort them when I come home. I was down town on Saturday
afternoon & you'll never guess who I met - ? it Doreen Adams, or Gibson, of
Cookstown (Molly Rea's friend). She had just spent a holiday in Dundee? &
was spending the day in Glasgow & crossing home on Saturday night. The
weather is still marvellous, I cannot believe that there hasn't been any
rain since last Monday. It makes such a difference to a holiday. On
Saturday morning & afternoon I went round the shops & as Doris was on duty
at night I did some washing & ironing, which means I have everything clean
for going North. My suits are perfect, as I have only worn each of them once
- the weather has been so hot, so I will just put a tack in the pleats.
I had another letter from Norma this morning, really she is a scream, she
says "the people of Helmsdale are all primed up like MacDonald Bailey on the
starting point to see this Irish freak" I am going to stay in this morning &
just put a tack into my costume pleats, just to hold them together for
packing. Doris & I are crossing on 15th & arriving 16th. We are thinking of
not going home on the 8.25 am train, as Doris would like to see over the
Royal ? & I would introduce her to Mary Breslin, so Mary could probably meet
her on the return journey in Belfast & take her to the boat, so could Daddy
please let me have the times of the two trains after the 8.25 am. We won't
want to stay long in Belfast, just an hour or so, so let me know as soon as
possible the other times & then we can decide what to do. About my
evening frock. I would like to get a white cape to wear. It would work well
over the navy, & then that will be my buying finished for another year, & I
will have to start saving. It will be marvellous to not have to spend
anything at Xmas. Glad to hear William is doing well. ? still as busy.
Isn't it a good one about Bertha Millar being engaged. It amuses me about
Tom Scott. They all laugh at B. Dougherty & then Tom takes her to the
pictures. Oh, I am afraid I have had my chips!!! I will just have to look
out for a Highlander. I don't now what I will feel like on Saturday. Norma
was telling me that I will arrive there at 8.30 pm on Friday night & at 11
pm we are going to a Highland Dance 20 miles from her home, & we will be
home again in the early hours of Saturday morning, so don't expect to hear
from me too soon. Actually it takes a letter 2 or 3 days to go home from
Helmsdale, so don't start to worry. Doris is going home to-morrow, so on
Wednesday I will look Robert Stewart up & on Thursday I will have to touch
up my things finally wash my hair, & do my packing & then I will just go to
bed about 8 pm, so I will be well rested for my journey on Friday. The train
leaves Glasgow at 10.15 pm, so I want to get up very early to make some
sandwiches for the train. The short frocks for dancing are beautiful this
year, all lace & organdie, I have never seen so many beautiful ones. I am
rather early though for a woollen frock. Believe it or not I have not been
to a dance at all in Glasgow, so that is quite a record. There are no
student dances now which means for all other dances you need a partner.
Must go now & have a bath. Will finish this later. Tuesday.
Well, I have just seen Doris off. I was up at 7.15 am this morning & was at
Central Station at 8.10 am. It is marvellous to be out so early in the
morning. Your letter has just arrived & I do hope that by this time Mummy's
pains will be a lot better. Could she not go to Miss McBride again about the
knee. Thanks Daddy for the newspaper cutting Is Miss McConnell the one
that Dr. Dixon doesn't like? Now about the Mid Ulster Mail. I am very
disappointed about not getting one. I thought I would have had them to read
during my 10 hour train journey on Friday but no luck. A funny thing,
this morning I picked up the "Bulletin" & noticed a picture of an evening
frock with the sane idea as mine & it said a Paris model. Actually there
isn't much to my frock. It is much the same as the picture, only not so much
of it!! It is strapless. I felt it would be more serviceable than any other
colour, as there will probably be a lot of dances this winter & it will not
be easily soiled. Doris got a new white one last year & it is beautiful on
her. I will have to spend Thursday 14th August in Glasgow, as my train will
not be in Glasgow until after the boat sails, so I booked in the Woodlands
Gate this morning - 17/6 for Bed & Breakfast. My buying I am afraid has come
to an end, otherwise I will not be able to make ends meet in the North.
Daddy wasn't so far wrong when he said "You'll be home before the month"
Things are really very expensive, but more plentiful than at home - A cup of
tea is now 5d. & a cup of coffee 6? Last night Doris & I went to Half
Past Eight & it really was a scream. I am going to phone Robert & arrange to
see him to-morrow, if I cannot manage down to-morrow morning, but really I
have so much still to do for going North - shoes to clean & I will have to
wash my striped frock & I have this wretched parcel to make up. I really
must go now as I am going to have a bath & then going over to Edinburgh to
see the shops & go visit Miss Muir. She has a baby just about a month old.
There is a terrific bus service not to Edinburgh. Express Buses (1hr. 40
mins) leaving every hour. 4/6single & 6/5 return (I think) Wed.
Morning. I am posting this letter with Maureens? card. "Many Happy
Returns of the Day" I had a lovely day in Edinburgh yesterday, I went on the
2.10 pm bus & had a look around the shops. I have never seen Edinburgh look
so well, but it is practically impossible to move on the streets. It is
packed. I had a cup of tea in Crawfords when I arrived & then High Tea in
Ma? & I had to queue for it. I bought some Scotch Shortbread for Mrs. Scott,
& I am sending it home in the parcel, so will you please give it to her. It
is the only thing I could think of for her. Then I went out to see
Miss Muir & she was thrilled to see me. Her baby is just 5 weeks old & it is
a lovely wee thing. She gave me one of her wedding photographs (Miss?) I
left there at 8.30 pm & came back home in the 9pm bus. It only took me 1½
hours going & 1hr. 20 mins. coming home. There express buses are marvellous.
Glasgow & Edinburgh are very different during the holiday season from what
they normally are. Many thanks for "Mids" - they have just arrived. Wasn't
the Eastwood wedding beautiful? This morning I am going down town to
see Robert & then I am going to collect some photographs. There is only one,
it is taken here. The others are Claggan Choir etc. This afternoon I want to
do some more ? & then if Robert suggests a coffee, I may meet him tonight
for one. Tomorrow morg. I am going out to buy some fruit etc. for the train.
In the afternoon I am going to wash my hair & do my packing & try to get to
bed about 7pm or 8pm. I will be posting the parcel to-morrow. Lots of Love
Heather
2) 4th August 1952 Postmark Helmsdale, Sutherland to Mrs. McCully,
Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - Belgrave Arms Hotel,
Helmsdale, Sutherland. Thursday Dear Folks, The above will be my
address from to-morrow. At the moment I am just in the middle of packing &
really I am amazed to see my cotton frocks so grubby. I had a very nice
evening with Robert last night. First of all we had tea in Wendys & then on
to the theatre. He is still very dull, but hopes to be over during? the 2nd
fortnight in September. The wedding has been postponed until the spring.
Will finish this when I reach Helmsdale. Monday morning. Well so
much has happened since Thursday that I scarcely know where to begin. I will
tell you all in detail when I get home. I arrived in Helmsdale on Friday
night about 8 pm & Ma? & her father met me at the Station in the car, Norma
has been ill, so her mother wanted her to have a week-end rest, so at 10-30
pm Bill Grigor? called for us & took us to a dance at ? 15 miles from here &
then took us on to an Hotel in the wilds of Sutherland about 8 miles further
on & we arrived there in the early hours of the morning. We were in bed
about 4.30 am on Sat. morning, that is at the Garvault? Hotel. The dance was
great fun & I never did so much Scottish dancing in my life before. We spent
Sat. night & Sunday night there & then came back down here this morning in a
Land Rover & it was a delightful run through the wilds over the bumpy roads.
I couldn't phone or write from Garnault? because there are no other houses
around there for miles. The hotel is isolated & there is no phone or post
office, so that is why you have been so long in hearing from me. I had to
send my P.O. book to London to be added at the end of the page & it hasn't
arrived back. I don't understand it & I am pennyless. Anyhow we had a ?
week-end & I still owe Norma my bill for it. These hotels that the Grigors?
have are wonderful & it is a great ? to stay in one. They are all very very
wealthy people staying here. The two of us could never afford it. Norma is
dying to come over to Ireland, but cannot get off during the holiday season,
but is very keen to come in October ? Will just pop out & post this now.
Don't expect to hear from me to much from here, as my note paper is
practically finished. Lots of Love xxx Heather
1953 - 1954
 
 
 
 
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1) 2nd July 1953 - Coronation Visit of Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal
Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, Garden Party at Stormont
2) 28th June 1954 to Miss Marion McCully, Churchtown Lissan, Cookstown, Co.
Tyrone, Northern Ireland, British Isles from Mrs. A. Darbyshire, Dhirkot?
P.O. Via Kohala, District Rawalgindi? W. Pakistan - (somebody cut the
stamp off and some of the writing) My dear (Marion?) I g(ot? your letter
and?) parcel of clothing safely over a week ago. Thank you very much indeed
for it & I assure you everything in it is most useful. I expect you meant it
for the poor people around but I have helped myself to that lovely green
frock in it & also to the knickers & underskirts as I was rather short in
undergarments. The women out here don't wear knickers or underskirts, they
wear a kind of loose wide trousers, very much like pyjama trousers, they
also wear a shirt with a large cloth thrown over their head & shoulders.
They just love our old frocks as a gift of these they alter into their own
style of shirt. I have had a rare time all last winter distributing old
clothes to the crowds of poor who flocked to me from all directions. I could
not have kept up with all the demands for clothes had I not got big parcels
from home from time to time. Those W.M.A. parcels came in the right time
after all. I believe I must have given out about 400 garments since last
November to different poor people. The distribution of all these clothes had
gone a long way in breaking down hardness & opposition against the gospel. I
got a real kick out of it all. One day a dear old lady came to me begging
for clothes. Well I was blessed if I could think of what to give her to wear
as at that time I had hardly any old clothes left in my poor box. However I
? out an old vest which I had converted from an old pair of woolly knickers
(How I made this conversion I will leave you to figure out) then I found an
old worn silk undershirt of mine with quite a few holes in it, this I put on
top of the above named vest on her & to round off her attire. I found an old
curtain which I put on her head & shoulders. It was an amusing sight, the
old lady was delighted & began calling all the blessings of heaven down on
me. I called Albert & our servant to see her attire & they were highly
amused. Well Marion these days we are planning & thinking of our furlough,
we hope it will be possible for us to get home this September, we are
looking forward to it very much. We may be home in time for the Harvest
Services. (if October) One thing I'm looking forward to at home & that is to
hearing the church organs & nice music again, one misses music & singing so
much out here, especially when you are on a lonely mission station as we
are. Well we have just come through a real testing time of sickness
with the children. The whole three have been very ill with whooping cough
for 6 weeks, the little baby was at deaths door with it, but thank God is on
the way to recovery again. Now Marion I must close & I do appreciate all the
way you have helped me with parcels while I've been out here, it all extends
God's Kingdom. Now I won't need any more parcels as I trust soon to see you.
You will hear from Anna when I'm due home. Have a nice anthem? for the
Harvest Services & I'll enjoy it. Yours very sincerely Martha
3) 25th July 1954 - Anahilt Manse, Hillsborough, Co. Down - Dear Mrs.
McCully, I am sure you are wondering what on earth has happened to the
Irwins, that they have not replied to your very kind invitation to be
present at Heather's wedding on Wednesday next. The fact of the matter is
that I took ill on the 12th July, and have been in bed until Friday last.
The trouble is entirely menopausal. I get fainting and weak turns quite
frequently, and so have to be very careful. I am feeling better at the
moment, but never know how long the improvement will last. We postponed
replying to your invitation until we would see how I would feel. I wonder
could we leave it that if I feel able enough to go on Wednesday, we shall be
there, but if we don't turn up, you will understand that I could not make
it. Being very fond of Heather, who was such a charming and unspoilt girl,
we both hope that she will be blessed with every happiness in the days that
lie ahead. Thanking you Sincerely for your kind invitation, and with
our best wishes for a memorable & happy day on Wednesday. Yours very
Sincerely Bessie Irwin
4) 28th July 1954 - heather M. McCully with Mr. & Mrs. J. D. Hatrick's
Compliments, Creggan Cottage, Londonderry, Married at 2nd Presbyterian
Church, Moneymore
5) 13th December 1954 - 18 Osborne Drive, Bangor, Co. Down - Dear Mrs.
McCully, We often think about you all & only hope one of us wrote to you to
tell you how much we had enjoyed our day etc. at Heather's wedding with you
all. We seem to have had a very hectic & going time ever since coming to
Bangor & find the days just fly. We hope you are all keeping very well & I
am sure you had a busy time helping to get Heather settled in her new home.
We need not ask if she is very happy & well settled as I am quite sure she
is. Maureen occasionally tells us she has met Marion at a meeting in Belfast
& any little bit of news is always interesting to us! We really feel quite
at home in our little bungalow & see lots more of our friends & relations
than we used to do. Yesterday three arrived from Belfast & spent the evening
unexpectedly with us, we have met quite a lot of people here & made a few
new friends, though we still miss the old ones! Did you ever know such awful
weather? We were glad this last week we were not any nearer the sea &
sheltered by a hill or we would have been afraid of being blown away? I
expect Marion will be feeling like a holiday soon? Maureen we think looks
very tired. We hope you will all manage to take a run to see us & we will
have to arrange a day when the weather is fine & the days longer in the
springtime. I expect your car turns mostly towards Derry now! Dorothy joins
with me in wishing you all a Very Happy Xmas & New Year 1955. Yrs. Sincerely
Ruby McKinney
1957
   
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1) 17th May 1957 Postmark Edinburgh to Mrs. Edith McCully, Churchtown,
Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Ireland - May 15th North British Hotel, Edinburgh
Dear Mrs. McCully, We are getting along ? with our travels. The ? tour
through England and Scotland is more than we could hope for, as the bus is
large, comfortable and has an excellent driver. A charming Scottish girl
acts as our courier, and then, too, when we make stops at museums or
cathedrals there is always a special guide there, fortunately also our
hotels are first class with good food. All the passengers are either
Americans, Canadians or Australians. While in London, before we started on
this tour, we had a fine time with our London friends and saw them three
times. Other times we visited the museums, shops etc. and went out to Kew
Garden, which were beautiful with tulips, wall flowers, and rhododendrons.
One of our pleasant memories of this trip will be the visit we did with you
and your fine family. You gave us such a genuine welcome that we felt at
home with you at once. We only hope that some day we can welcome you to our
country. You will always be welcome. Now we can remember you all one
by one - your son and lovely daughter-in-law and Heather and Marion. To you
and your husband we both send our best wishes. Sincerely Marion C. Walker
   
    
 
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1) 14th June 1957 Postmark Glanford Station, Ont. to Mr. S. McCully,
Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland from ? McK. Eadie, Carluke
Manse, Glanford Stn. R.R.3., Ontario - Dear Mr. McCully, Many thanks for
your very welcome letter received a couple of days ago. I hope that all @
Churchtown are keeping well as this leaves us here now. How is the baby
doing. I am sure she will be getting quite a big girl since we left. A
couple of months can make a great difference to a baby! I am sorry to hear
that there is so much trouble over the playing the organ, but to be honest,
I am not the least surprised. Perhaps if you offered them £100 a year there
would be no trouble. I saw this coming since the Harvest Service time last
year when they told me one thing & then made out to you they were quite
willing to play. Personally I always considered them a pair of girls with a
great opinion of themselves & with a very hateful disposition these last few
years. If Doreen Crooks could carry on I would let her do so & let the other
two see that the organ & music could be got through without them. By the way
have you had childrens say yet. All the children in the exam get a first
prize for their answering. I am glad to know that you are all well & that
Marion is keeping a lot better now. It is a good job that William is getting
plenty of calls in his work but I suppose if there is much night work, it
would get very tiring. How is Heather & Jim getting along. I suppose they
are still kept pretty busy on the farm. It would help things a lot it Mr.
McCahon would return & Orritor & Claggan be united because I don't see much
hope of you getting another man the way things are at the present time. We
are having a mutiny of the Presbytery here in Carluke next Tuesday & the
ladies will be entertaining them. It will be much like Claggan except of up
in the gallery, it will be down in the basement for the food. Well Mr.
McCully all for the present. Hope you are all well @ home. All our best
wishes yours sincerely C.? McK. Eadie
2) 13th August 1957 Postmark Timmins, Canada to Miss M. McCully, Churchtown,
Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - Timmins, Ontario, Canada. 12th August
1957 Dear Marion, Many thanks for the letter which was waiting for me
when I arrived at Amprior a week ago. I was so glad to hear that you enjoyed
yourself so much at Stranmillis and that your gloves were such a success. I
shall be looking forward to seeing all your samples and work next term. I
hope that your visit to the South of Ireland was enjoyable too. I just heard
on the wireless that there is a curfew on some parts of the border because
of new I.R.A. outbreaks, it didn't give any more details so I am wondering
just what has been taking place now. Mrs. Mc? had some letters from
friends in Magherafelt and I was sorry to hear that Maeve had a bad time and
lost her baby, I am sure that they are very disappointed about it. I have
been dreaming every night about examination results with all my pupils
failing, so I suppose the results will be out pretty soon and I shall know
soon enough. I suppose that's one of the few things in school life where we
reverse our roles and I worry and you don't! I was interested to hear
that John Blackmore had got his B.A. As I re-read your letter it is so fully
of interesting items - I don't wonder Victor Sylvester junr. divorced that
awful Patti Morgan, she must be as bad as she looks! I suppose Anne is
getting more enormous each day. Has she got brown? The weather has been
wonderful - of course we have spent so much time travelling that you need
not expect to see me very brown! I was sunbathing on Saturday afternoon for
about half an hour but it was really too warm to lie out. I came up north to
Timmins by myself a week ago to my cousin's house. He left Cornwall 30 years
ago so he was certainly glad to see me. I have had a wonderful time up here.
My cousin, Leslie, had a week of his holidays last week and we went around a
lot. He has two daughters one 20 and one 14. He has 48 acres of ground about
4 miles from his home - he calls it a farm - but there's not much of a farm
about it! Most of the ground is wooded but part is clear and there are two
tiny cottages. To reach it, we have to cross a river by boat. We have had
some fishing trips on the river and picnics out at the cottage. Another day,
we visited the lake-side summer cabin of another man and we spent the
afternoon chugging around the beautiful lake. We saw a dam built by a
beaver. Mrs. Mc. is on holiday with her sister just now; I think she returns
to Amprior today. I am going back there on Saturday then I am looking
forward to a few days in Toronto when I hope to visit Niagara one day. I am
looking forward to boring you with greater details of my holiday!! Enjoy
what's left of your freedom, with best wishes to you all, Love from Dorothy
3) 24th October 1957 - R.V.H., Belfast - Dear Mrs. McCully, Thank you very
much indeed for your nice letter. I don't know about our kindness to
Heather, but can say with full appreciation that she was always most kind &
thoughtful for us. She is certainly a sad loss to the R.V.H. Kitchens, as,
apart altogether from her work, she has such a buoyant personality, & this
naturally had a very good effect upon those working with her. I assure you I
enjoyed writing her report, as it isn't always that I can let myself go!!
She wasn't entirely dependant upon that, however, altho' she may be modest
enough to say so! I am delighted for her sake, that it is all over
satisfactorily & also that she has got such a nice Post. When I first heard
about it, I just had to "sing dump"? & I knew how much you wd. appreciate
having her at home. We shall be delighted to hear from Heather when she can
spare the time. Our very best wishes to her meantime. with Kindest regards
yrs. V. sincerely Willa? Crothers
1958
         
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2nd February 1958 to Mr. Samuel McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone,
Ulster, Northern Ireland from S. Rankin McCully, Photographer, 6868 Clover
Lane, Upper Darby, Del. Co., Pa. U.S.A. - My Dear Uncle Sam, Please, please
forgive me for being so long in replying to your two lovely letters and also
to the beautiful calendar which I received from Cousin William at Christmas
Time. Just because I didn't have the time to write, don't think that I
didn't think of all of you , every day, and I had planned to write to you
many times but then something came up and I had to put it off. Please
believe me, I am a very busy man and they're are so many things I want to
do, that I just don't get around to doing everything I'd like to. Sometimes
I wonder if it is worth it all, - but then that's the American way of life,
but then not everyone here in America works as hard as I do, they are not
that ambitious. I suppose you are wondering about the new address? Well we
bought a house. It is a new house (stone and brick) but in a very nice
community just outside the city limits of Phila, about ½ mile, - 10 miles to
the centre of Phila. We were so glad to get a place of our own, outside the
city. My mother-in-law Mrs. Dorrian gave us the down payment on the house,
and Kay's brother is a Realtor so we did not have to pay all the settlement
charges. I was going to write to you and tell you about this but then
something always came up, so I thought In would wait untill I got settled
and tell you the good news, buying a house is not the simple matter that the
newspapers would lead you to believe, it is quite involved, especially for a
non veteran. We moved in here Dec. 31 (new years eve) so you can see
we didn't celebrate Christmas or New Year very much as we were preparing to
move. We were so glad to get out of Phila. as the city is being overrun by
the colored people, its practically a black city. They are all right, but in
their place, but they don't want it that way, they want to be on an
absolutely equal basis - intermingle, intermarry then they will tell you
that they are better than you are, a great deal of the crimes here in
America is committed by them. The first chance I get I will take a few
pictures of the house and send them to you. It is very quiet here in the
house compared to our apartment in the city, which was in a metropolitan
district, here it is like the country when you look out our back windows. We
have a cemetery in back of us but it is like a park, and the street which we
live on is not a through street so very little traffic and still we are only
one mile from the 69th St. shopping district (the first shopping centre
built in America - about 20 years ago) - I don't know what they are going to
do with the cities if they keep building shopping centres, every year
several more of these go up - in the county. (there's a drawing of a map
of their house, the cemetery, and roads) Please extend to William my
congratulations on the birth of Elizabeth Ann, and I hope she is doing very
well, send me one of her snapshots. Kayne? is a real live wire and is a very
intelligent child. She talks a blue ? and has quite a large vocabulary - not
yet two years old. One Sunday about 3 weeks ago I was planning to write to
you, and that very morning Layne drank Pine Oil a disinfectant - (similar to
Kayes Fluid) and we could not reach the doctor (Sunday) so we had to rush
her to the Hospital - they pumped her stomach and detained her for 3 days -
believe me I got another 1000 grey hairs as the Doctors were very worried
about her. Pine Oil is a member of the Phenol group of chemicals, difficult
to analize and poisinous - it wasn't even marked Poison - American Pure
Foods Laws - what do they mean - nothing - that's American business - Thank
goodness she is O.K. now and back to her old self. Connie (22 yrs.
old) my step daughter was a stewardess with United Air Lines for about 9
months and flew all over the United States and was based in New York, she
didn't like being away from home so she resigned and is now working for a
Brokerage House here in Philadelphia - Pennington & Stokes - Connie is a
very cultured and beautiful girl, very sensible and an asset to any
organisation. We are very proud of her, and she certainly is good to her
sister, Kayne, and they love each other very much. That company for
which I work 5 nights a week "Plasechi or Kasecki?" has changed hands and is
now the Verton Aircraft Comp. - Things are rather slow and we have laid off
over 2000 employees - a laugh I am still there - it is a wonderful place to
work, very clean; everyone is so nice, and good money. I am negotiating for
a job with General Electric, in a very hush hush position, (high security
level) guided missile branch. So the next time you hear from me I may we
with them. I would be happy to stay where I am - but the future for
helicopter type of aircraft seems limited. Several times when I was in
New York visiting Connie while she was with the air lines I phoned Bessies ?
and learned that she was in Ireland from her son and daughter. I haven't
heard from her since her return but I will phone her soon. Besides
working for Vertol, you know I carry on this Photographic business, mostly
weddings and commercial work, and since we moved I have been going like a
one armed paper hanger trying to fix up the cellar (basement). I have to
construct a darkroom as soon as possible (half completed) and then convert
the rest of the cellar into an office and studio. This is quite an
undertaking and quite expensive, but eventually I will get it finished.
Right now I am away behind with my orders, pictures for people, moving and
renovating takes so much time and effort. But I hope to eventually have a
nice place down there. One of the weddings which I took last summer
was all Irish. The fellows were all Doctors (Dublin) and the girls were all
nurses. They were all from the South of Ireland, but it was really a lovely
wedding. They had just migrated to this country, some of them had to return
to Ireland to finish school. I told them to take my advice and stay there,
they would be just as happy. You may have had a lot more material things in
this country, but you sure work for them. I don't know how it is in
Ireland but over here in the business world, there is no ethics, you can't
trust the word of 90% of the business men, they would take the gold out of
your teeth, if you gave them half a chance. You've got no idea how crooked
they are, you just can't trust them. So I guess this brings you pretty well
up to date on us, and again, please pardon me for not answering your letters
sooner, but something always came up and I would think "well I'll wait to
untill I know the outcome of this before I write to Uncle Sam" So we are all
well and all happy, write soon and let me know how you all are, and I hope
you are all fine. Sincerely Yours loving nephew Sam. P.S. I have
just mailed a 6 mo. subscription to TIME magazine in your name, so you
should start getting it soon, I hope you like it. I wrote a letter to Bobby
and Ada McQuoid last year and enclosed a couple of dollar bills in it but I
never heard from them since. I had the wrong address on Court Street but
they should have received it nevertheless. When Kayne drank the Pine
Oil I told Kay that I remembered my father telling me about one of his
brothers who drank turpentine, I think that it was you, am I correct? or was
it Uncle Andy?
   
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1) 15th June 1958 Postmark Philadelphia Pa. to Mrs. E. M. McCully,
Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland from Elizabeth H. Walker, 5217 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia Ps., U.S.A. - Dear Cousin Edith, The time
is growing very short before we will be leaving Philadelphia. In just a
little over a week we will be on our way, so I'll probably not write again
until we go. Thank you for your gracious invitation to supper. I would like
you and Mr. McCully to have either High Tea or Supper with my Cousins the
Tranks? Franks? and me before we leave McGucken's Hotel in Cookstown. I
shall call you on the phone as soon as we arrive either in Belfast, or from
Cookstown, and see how we can arrange the time for you to do this. Our
time of arrival has had to be changed since I wrote to you. We leave London
on Monday August 4th in the afternoon for Liverpool, and sail from there
that evening for Belfast, where we arrive about 7:30 Tuesday morning August
5th. A car and driver from Johnson's Sons of Belfast will meet us there and
drive us by way of Moneymore, where my cousins Aunt is now living. After a
short visit with her we proceed to Cookstown, where we hope to arrive
sometime in the afternoon. We will be remaining all the next day, Wednesday
August 6th, in Cookstown and will leave in the early morning of August 7th
by car, for Dublin in order to join the rest of our party, who will be
arriving there by ship from Liverpool that morning. A sight seeing tour in
Dublin is planned for that day, and in order that we do not miss it, it will
be necessary to leave Cookstown very early in the morning on Thursday August
7th. You said you would like to see our itinerary. I am enclosing a
sheet prepared for us by the Travel Agency. It gives not only the names if
the hotels; but also the country and the time of our visit to each. U have
made a few notations on it to make it a little more clear and to show our
North Irish visit, which the other tour members will not have. They will
stay in London. I hope you and the members of your family have been well,
and I am looking forward, with much pleasure and eagerness, to seeing all of
you before long. Until then my very best wishes. very sincerely and
cordially yours Elizabeth H. Walker
1960
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1) 13th February 1960 - 38 Fernagh Avenue, Whiteabbey - My dear Marion &
Gretta, Mr. Jamieson told me when he was at Churchtown last week that your
Mummy was in Derry. I hope she found Heather all right & Barbara, & enjoyed
her stay, & got home again before the snow came. Thank you both very much
for the nice box of eggs, oranges, jelly & jelly squares, mints & big bottle
of Lucousade (Lucozade), all so good, you would think with all the
strengthening things I'm taking that I would be stronger, I do wish I were.
Isn't this weather terribly cold? I'm sure its cold about Churchtown, but
not inside the house. Mr. Jamieson has got a lovely oil heater, its one I've
often seen advertised, it gives out a lot of heat. I have 3 hot bottles in
my bed these nights, did you ever hear the like, no more now, with much love
to all, Lizzie
2) 11th May 1960 - Molesworth Presbyterian Church, Cookstown. The Session
and Committee request the pleasure of the company of Mr. & Mrs. S. McCully
at the Opening and Dedication of the McKinney Memorial Hall
3) 12th July 1960 Postmark Interlaken? to Miss M. McCully, Churchtown,
Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - Monday Thank you very much indeed
for your parcel. It was most unexpected. I thought the soap bag was very
pretty. The plastic cases for the shoes were great actually I had never seen
them before. I had never seen the talc either & it's here in Interlaken too.
They were all lovely presents, far too good of you. We are having a lovely
time. We were up the Nie? today & are going to Grindelwald tomorrow. Wilma
McFarland?
1961
 
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1) 28th December 1961 - 38 Glenvale Avenue, Portrush - Dear Mrs. McCully,
This is just to wish you & your family a Happy New Year. I have been like
yourself ill with gastric flu for 7 weeks & am now just getting up for an
hour or so each evening. I hope you are feeling better, flu takes a lot out
of one & this cold weather does not help. It was nice you had your family &
grandchildren for Xmas. We had a quiet Xmas, just Betty & Ella for Xmas
dinner as I had mine in bed. Betty has been in Edinburgh on a Sister Tutor's
Course & goes back to the Royal College of Nursing on the 2nd Jan. Margaret
was busy in the Route? Hosp. on Xmas but we had her for an hour or so at
night, & Walter? & Rosemary & wee Robin wanted to be in their own home in
Coleraine on Xmas day. Walter was kind of upset after his father's death,
Mr. Martin did not enjoy his nice cosy bungalow at Dhu Varren for long & we
were all sorry when he passed away. (I think there's at least 1 more page
missing)
1962
   
 
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1) 15th January 1962 Postmark Philadelphia, P.A. to Mrs. Samuel McCully,
Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland - 5217 Wissahickon Avenue,
Philadelphia 44, PA. January 14, 1962 My dear Cousin, Your
package of very pretty handkerchiefs arrived just before New Years Day.
Thank you ever so much for them. The Irish are certainly very clever with
their hands when it comes to embroidery or lace, and of course there is no
finer linen anywhere, Each time I use one of the pretty "hankies" I will be
thinking of you. I hope you had a very pleasant and happy holiday season,
even though a rather sad one, I know, but I hope the sadness was lessened
somewhat by very happy memories of former times. I am glad the family could
all be with you. Children always seem to make a happier Christmas. As is
usual for the past four or five years, I spent Christmas with my neice and
her family. They live about thirty five miles or so from Phila, in a
suburban area. They have a son and three daughters. The son, Dick, is
eighteen years old and in his first year of college. Sandra, the next older
one, is sixteen and in the last year if High Street, next year she will be
in college too. The other two girls, Marilyn and Janice are fourteen and
eleven. Both my brothers and their wives were there also, making eleven of
us. At Thanksgiving time, in November, the entire family was together making
twenty of us, and three generations. We were all at my brother Will's home.
My Neice's husband had a photographer come to take a group picture. As he
said, we might never all be together again. My brother Will, who you met, is
close to 80 years old and my brother Bob, the doctor, is two years younger.
Will has been fine and his last medical check-up, made last week, shows that
he is even better than last year. His doctor says he is in excellent
condition, but Bob is not at all well. He was quite miserable just before
Thanksgiving with a serious heart condition and the poor circulation the
heart caused, affected other organs. He is somewhat better now but must take
medicine for his heart regularly. Of course, with a serious heart condition
one never knows what might happen. I hope you and your family have kept
well. We have had quite a bit of "Flu" and Virus Infections here, my brother
Bob immunized me for colds and "Flu" about two months ago, and so far, I
have been quite well. I have read in the papers that England has been having
a very severe winter with heavy snow and very cold. I hope this is not the
case in your section of the country. We have had two very light snows here
in Phila area, but very unusually cold weather. On very cold days I just
stay in doors. Having a freezer, I can store food for some time and if I
should run out of anything I especially want, I telephone to a grocery and
produce store about two blocks away, and they bring me what I want. Please
give my kindest regards to all the members of your family and my best wishes
to you and the family for a Wonderful New Year. I hope the National
Geographic Magazine is arriving on time and without mishap. If it does not
come as it should, please let me know, and I will contact the publishers.
Thank you again for your kind thought and the pretty handkerchiefs. Your
affectionate cousin, Betty
2) 13th September 1962 Postmark Belfast to Miss M. McCully, Churchtown,
Cookstown, Co. Tyrone - Belfast Royal Academy, Cliftonville Road, Belfast
12.9.1962 Dear Miss McCully, At a recent committee meeting of the
Association of Assistant Mistresses? I was asked to write to you to ask if
you would be agreeable to be one of our delegates to the A.A.M. panel on
D.Sc. We did want experienced people with some commonsense & would value
your experience. I do hope you'll say "Yes" The panel discusses matters
affecting syllabus etc. & brief our delegates to the Grant Committee. Best
wishes Yours sincerely Nan Savoy or Savage
  
 
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1) 21st December 1962 (its at the very end of the letter) - 6868
Clover Lane, Upper Darby, Del. Co., Pennsylvania, U.S.A. - Dearest Mrs.
McCully, How very thoughtful and kind of you to send Sam and me such a
beautiful gift, we are most grateful. I am dreadfully sorry not to have
written and thanked you sooner but we have all been ill, three of us in bed
at the same time. We really had quite a hectic time of it, for, a while -
so, as a result, every-thing, has been delayed considerably. Sam and I sent
you one of our Women's Magazines for a year. We thought perhaps you would
enjoy it. You should start receiving it around about January and each month
for a year. If you do not please leave me know. O do hope you have all been
well, and you enjoy a truely happy Christmas. I know holidays must be quite
hard for you, with-out your dear husband. Sam and I bought a very beautiful
new house out in the Country - we should be moving in about May or June. We
are quite excited and thrilled. I shall enclose a picture of it, it is on
one half acre and Kay?? will be able (to) run and have a dog. She simply
adores them. One half acre may not sound much to you people, but, here it is
quite nice, as property is very expensive. We are really going to have a
White Christmas, the snow is coming down quite heavily. Kayne? is in first
grade and doing quite well. Right now, she is like a jumping jack, so,
excited about Santa coming. Sam wishes me to wish his Dear Aunt Edith and
all his relatives a most Happy New Year. Again, Thank you, we are ever so
grateful. Lovingly, Sam, Kayne and Kaye. December, twenty-one Sixty-two
2) 24th December 1962 Rock Lodge, Tullyhogue, Cookstown. Dear
Anne, Thank you very much for your present, I was absolutely delighted with
it. In my bedroom there are pale pink curtains and a pink bedspread, it
matches these perfectly. I hope that Santa Claus came and brought you lots
and lots of presents. Kindest regards, Yours very sincerely, Rai? Bruce?
1963
     
  
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1) 4th January 1963 Postmark Belfast to Mrs. S. M. Scott, Tullybuoy,
Moneymore, Co. Londonderry - H. J. Duffield, B.A., M.B., D.O., 4 Fitzwilliam
Street, University Road, Belfast 9. Diet for Mrs. S. M. Scott
2) 12th March 1963 Postmark Bangor to Mrs. Edith McCully, Churchtown,
Cookstown, Co. Tyrone - Heathvale, Gransha, Bangor 11th March 1963
Dear Mrs. McCully, Many thanks for your letter of Sympathy and to say how
deeply I appreciate your kind thoughts at this time. It has been a very
trying and sad time for us all, but have been comforted with the thought
that Mother didn't suffer. Although in feeling healthy for the past year she
was able to be up and about most days until she had a stroke on the Friday
evening previous, loosing her speech and power of one side. Nothing gave her
more pleasure than seeing her friends. She would often recall your visits
here. I can remember how delighted she was to see Sam and William last time
they called. Sam's death must have been a great shock to you and I realise
just how you miss him, although you have the blessing of a family and
grandchildren. We have two grand daughters, Jim & Noel have Lorna aged 7
months and Rena & Winston have Lynda aged 2 years & 9 months. Rena is
expecting her second baby in June. They are living in Coleraine now so don't
see them so often. Fergus and I are hoping to spend a weekend with them
soon. Will you please convey to William my very grateful thanks for his
message of sympathy. Hope he is keeping well and not working too hard. Many
thanks and kind regards to you all. Yours Very Sincerely Agnes Moore
3) 2nd January 1964 30 Haddington Gardens, Belfast 6 - Dear Edith,
Many thanks for your very prompt congratulations, which I much appreciate.
In addition to the pride & pleasure felt on being selected for an award of
this nature, it is most gratifying to get warn-hearted good wishes from
friends. Dora is now looking forward to a visit to the Palace where she
hopes to see some of the celebrities! We both send our best wishes to you
all for a happy & prosperous 1964 - & onwards. Very sincerely Billy
1964
     
  
 
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1) (first page missing, mentions it's after xmas and also after January,
says Happy New Year for 1964 putting it here) - ... It is a parade of
beautiful floats all made of various fresh flowers illustrating some idea.
There is always a theme as the big idea and each float represents some phase
of this theme. This year the theme was "Freedom" I knew my friend Edith and
her sister Laura would like to see it, especially since it came from
California. Edith does not have T.V. Set, so I invited them to see it
with me and also to have luncheon, as the program was on at luncheon time.
Because of this we had to eat in the living room where I have my T.V. Set.
I put up two card tables. On one I placed the dishes of food, and we ate at
the other. Your gift was on the table on which we ate, and the beauty of the
cloth added much to the enjoyment of our meal. I hope you had a very happy
Christmas day with your family. As usual my brother Bob (the doctor) and his
wife stopped for me, with the car, and took me to Swarthmore, which is a
suburb about forty miles from the city. There, at my neice's home, and
together with her family and my brother Will and his wife we spent a very
pleasant day. My neice, Roberta, has two children in College. Dick, the
eldest, is in his third year in Temple University in Phila. He is majoring
in Mechanical Engineering and following in his grandfather's footsteps, my
father was a mechanical engineer. Sandra, the eldest girl, is in her second
year in Westminster College which is a Presbyterian College and is located
near Pittsburg in the western part of Pennsylvania, about one hundred and
forty miles from Phila. Of course she lives on the College Campus and only
comes home at holiday time. Of course we were all glad to see her as we see
her so seldom. Altogether it was a very happy day. I am glad you enjoy
the National Geographic Magazine, I thought the January issue was especially
interesting. I was sorry to hear in your note to me that your arthritis is
still severe. Have you tried taking aspirin? I find it helps me
considerably. I do hope you will find something soon that will bring relief.
Of course you know that there is no cure, all we can hope for is occasional
relief. My best wishes to all the family for a wonderful New Year in 1964.
Thank you again so much for your thought of me and the beautiful gift. Your
loving Cousin Betty
2) 9th April 1964 to Mrs. Edith M. McCully, Churchtown, Cookstown, N.
Ireland from Mrs. Louis E. Jervis, P.O. Box 196, Pomeroy, Pennsylvania - Dear Mrs. McCully, Have just received, today, a letter
from grand daughter Nancy Trout, telling of your wonderful hospitality and
extreme kindness to her and companion. It would be so marvelous if somehow
her grand mother Annie Wallace, could know of your treatment of Nancy and
I'm sure she would say "How like Mrs. McCully" you probably met Betty, our
daughter, and Nancy's mother, when she was in Ireland with mother and Uncle
Robert. Am sure Nancy has related historical events concerning the family so
I won't repeat but I did want to express my gratitude to you and I'm sure
Nancy will always consider her visit with you as the "high spot" of her
visit to Ireland. Again, I am deeply grateful to you and yours, most
sincerely, Louis Jervis
3) (no date but see above letter 9th April 1964) Galway - Dear
McCully family, We got as far as Sligo on Sunday & stayed in a small hotel
there. Today we came down to Galway, it took us quite a while because there
wasn't much traffic. We did some shopping here is Galway & walked out, took
a look at the bay, and are going to the movies tonight. Tomorrow we'll hitch
down to Killarney. The weather is still nice for travelling. We'll have
quite a trip to look back on, but our stay in Claggan (Churchtown) with you
will always be one of my fondest memories. These two unexpected guests
really appreciated your warm hospitality. Thank you so much for everything.
Fond wishes to all of you, Nancy. ~ I just want to say a few words to echo
Nancy's thank you, we certainly enjoyed a wonderful stay at your home. The
little bit of time we spent there will always be a memory to me of pleasant
friendly Ireland. Debby
 
   
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1) 20th April 1964 990 Dobbs Ferry Road, White Plains, N.Y. Dear
Mrs. McCully, My daughter, Nancy, has written telling me of the lovely visit
she had in your home. It was so kind of you, and I just felt I wanted to
express my appreciation. She enjoyed her visit and the chance to learn more
about her family ancestors. My mother would have been so pleased. I still
have some very happy memories of my visit to Ireland when I was a little
girl and hope someday to come back for another visit. One memory is of
buying penny candy at the McCully's store, that was a long time ago!
My mother treasured the contacts she had through her correspondence with
you. She always spoke most warmly of the McCully family. Thank you
again for your kindness to Nancy. Should any of your family come to the
United States, I hope we would have the opportunity to meet them and
entertain them in our house. Sincerely Betty Trout (writing: Thos. ?
Elagh? Stewart's for call with Jas. Bell Killmena?)
2) 2nd December 1964 - 145 Slengrove? Avenue W., Toronto 12, Ont. Can. -
Dear Mrs. McCully, This letter is long overdue, please forgive me. What a
wonderful trip we had last summer!! The weather for the three weeks was
unbelievable, so sunny and warm. The two short days we spent in Ireland, we
will never forget. Everyone was so kind and friendly. The young man in
Cookstown who helped us to locate Claggan and directed us to you, and Hope
Scott who showed us around and loaned us a book on Claggan, were both so
very kind. I was sorry his wife was not there. He showed us around and we
took some pictures & they all turned out well. The house was lovely & what a
wonderful view! We felt very proud to be related to the Ramseys? The next
day we drove up to Port Rush & along the North coast, at the Giants Causeway
we walked about five miles - so interesting! The scenery all the way down to
Larne was absolutely beautiful, so open and sunny. Our little car ran
beautifully & we enjoyed every minute of our stay in your lovely green land.
The boat trip across to Sranraer (Stranraer) was very pleasant - there we
took the train to Prestwick & the next morning at 8 am our plane left for
home. John & I both enjoyed our visit in your home so very much, it was
especially appreciated when we were so far from home, travelling around and
staying in hotels. I'll enclose an add I cut out of the paper some time ago
about your daughter-in-laws' brothers store - Jack Frasers. When I mentioned
this to Ted Rogers (Aunt Lilys son the lawyer) he said his firm does the law
business for the Jack Fraser stores - isn't it a small world! Ted took the
book on Claggan home with him & he is having photostatic copies made in his
office of the pages of interest to the family. Mr. Crooks was waiting for us
when we stopped at Claggan House. He was so kind and friendly. We were right
back here in our own house by 11 a.m. Isn't it wonderful to travel so
quickly. Nancy & Mary Lou had had a good time at camp but were very glad to
have us home again. If you or any member of your family ever come to Canada
Please do come & see us and let us show you some of our spots of interest.
Best wishes for Christmas & a very Happy 1965 Sincerely John & Marian Lind?
1965
    
  
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1) 14th January 1965 Postmark Philadelphia P.A. to Mrs. Samuel McCully,
Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland from Elizabeth H. Walker, 5217
Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia 44, Pennsylvania U.S.A. - January 3, 1965
Dear Edith, I'm writing the date I suddenly realized that we have passed
another milestone and have entered another new road to travel this year. God
grant that it will be a better road than the last one for the world. I
received your package just before Christmas and want to thank you so much
for the very pretty guest towels and the fine hand make hankies. I do
appreciate them very much. The towels will harmonize with my bathroom
beautifully as floor and walls are finished with pink tiles and trimmed with
blue tiles. I hope your Christmas was a happy one with your family
around you. There were sixteen of us at my neice Roberta's and we had a very
happy afternoon and evening. The newly weds were there and Sandra, the
eldest daughter was home from college for the holiday. So far our weather
has been unusually cold and wet. Fortunately the rainy days have been
somewhat warmer so that we have not had to contend with slippery pavements
except when we have had some snow, which has not been often so far. About
two months ago I acquired a little dog, a cocker spaniel who I've named
Honey because she is the color of honey. She has been quite a comfort to me
and keeps me from being lonely. I have to take her walking about four times
each day and I think it is good for me to get the exercise and fresh air. I
am hoping the weather will not become so severe that it will be difficult to
take her out. I will not be bothered with any puppies as she has had an
operation to prevent that. Please give my kindest regards to all the other
members of your family and please accept my best wishes to all of you for a
wonderful year in 1965. Thank you again for the gift and your kind thought
of me. Affectionately your cousin, Betty
2) 14th January 1965 Postmark Cairns North Australia to Mrs. E. McCully, Senr., Churchtown Lissan, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland, U.K. from
Mrs. A. Darbyshire, 372 McLeod Street, Cairns Nth., Australia - 11/1/65
Dear Mrs. McCully, At last I have found time to acknowledge your very nice
letter sent me after my dear mother's death in August. I did appreciate so
much your kindness in writing that letter of sympathy, thank you very much
for doing so. At the time of Mr. McCully's passing I felt I wanted to write
you but I never got down to that. I was so sorry to hear of his death as I
appreciated him very much. Death comes to us one & all but if we knew the
Lord Jesus Christ as our own personal Saviour that takes the sting out of
death. My mothers death was a loss to me personally & I miss her letters
very much, she kept me up in all the family news, (which takes some doing)
besides all the news of the community & church. She was a wonderful mother
to us & sought to train us all in the ways of the Lord. I believe at the
last she had become quite difficult to manage ......... but Edna was so kind
& patient with her. Her life work was over & she hadn't much to live for & I
believe was happy to go to her Heavenly Home. She was ready to meet the Lord
which is the main thing. I was sorry to learn that you suffered from
Arthritis, it is a very painful thing, there are quite a lot of sufferers in
this country too. There seems to be no real cure for it. It was interesting
to hear all your news of Marion, William & Heather. Do remember me
especially to Marion, she has been teaching for a good number of years now
at the Rainey. Is it still the same good school as it was? The standard of
education in Ireland is the highest I've met anywhere. We are all well as a
family I'm thankful to say. I have five children ranging between 17 months &
15 years. Andrew our eldest boy will really not be 15 years till March, he
is a tall boy at High School, 5 inches taller than me now, he is much like
Andy Crooks in looks, Ann is nearly 13 yrs. Chase? is 11 yrs. Faith is 8
yrs. & baby John is only 17 months, he was born when I was ?? years old so
was rather a surprise packet, he is a bonny fair haired little fellow & full
of life. We are now 9 years in Australia, we like it very much up in this
Far Northern part & tropical Australia where we have no winter. Winter with
us is like summer at home & summer here is very very hot. Sometimes we don't
know how to get cool but everyone has refrigerators & that is such a help.
The houses here have fireplaces, we never see a coal fire or chimney pot.
Just now we are away on a 2 weeks holiday in a place 60 miles from Cairns
out on a dairy farm. We love it here as it is nice & quiet in the heart of
the country. We leave tomorrow for Cairns. I have been able to catch up on a
lot of correspondence. I had Margaret Cameron call to see me over a year
ago, I was so pleased to meet someone from my own hometown. I heard a lot of
Cookstown news from her as she lives beside my brother Jamie? I hear from
Mervyn from time to time, he is happily settled in Derry now & is enjoying
his work, all the family write frequently & I try to keep corresponding with
them too. Now I will close as paper is finished, may you know the Lord's
good hand upon you this New Year in blessing. Yours very sincerely Martha
Darbyshire
  
   
 
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1) 22nd January 1965 - P.O. Box 138 Lamanga? - Dear Edith, Thank you for
your Xmas greetings and on your interesting letter of 12th December. I must
confess we and you no greetings. As a matter of fact, I have been very ill,
and I did not trouble Barbara to send cards to any of my people, she had
enough to worry about. I had a heart attack in August, but am now on the
mend. We sell most of our place this year and then rebuild, retaining only
our glasshouse and about ¼ acre of land. Our girl Lorraine came 2nd in N.Z.
for the National Speed Typing Championship, she was a Prefect at College &
next week she commences as Confidential Shorthand typist to the manager of
the local Bank of New Zealand. She starts at £560 per annum. & will be 17
years old on the day she starts. I am so sorry you were crippled with
arthritis, my Dad had it too. I hope that you are recovered? Yes, once we
build & get Lorraine well settled into her job, we plan to visit Ireland &
see our relatives at close hand. Greetings and all the best of good wishes
from us all. Rutherford?
2) 22nd February 1965 Postmark Pittsburg, P.A. to Mrs. E. M. McCully,
Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, Northern Ireland from 48 Leet?
Washington, Penns, U.S.A. - My Dear Mrs. McCully, Nearly a month has passed
since Mother's birthday and I am sorry we have been so late in writing to
you. My sister was waiting until I came for a visit and then I was delayed.
We do want to thank you on Mother's behalf for the beautiful handkerchief
and friendly letter you sent for her birthday. She was so pleased and
touched. If she were still able to write letters I know she would express
her thanks most graciously but since she can't we all want to tell you how
grateful we were. She has been so excited over the renewed contact with her
old home, particularly Lissan Church. It has given her quite a new lease on
life. She is fairly well most of the time, at least she eats and sleeps
well. Her hearing is getting increasingly worse and it gets harder and
harder to carry out a conversation with her. Did you know that when we
received her birth certificate she was a year older than we thought, we had
always celebrated her birthday January 20 and there it was given January 10,
and we thought her mothers name was Nancy but on the certificate it was
given as Anne. I do hope you are both well and that the winter has not been
too severe. We had a fairly heavy snowfall here a couple of days ago after
an unseasonable warm spell. I will be here for another week then will go to
my son's for a visit. He lives near Washington D.C. I am anxious to see
them, especially the three grandchildren, Missouri and Virginia are so far
apart that we only see them about once a year which isn't often enough. I
hope in the near future to get back to Ireland. Our time there was far too
short. ? and when I do return I shall hope to see you both. In the meantime
I send the heartfelt thanks of the whole family for your thoughtful and
deeply appreciated gift. Sincerely, Jim S. Miguelon?
3) 27th July 1965 - 66? University Street, Belfast 7 - The McCully family,
"Lakeview," Tullynure, Cookstown Dear friends, We wish to thank you
for your lovely of a rose-patterned dual-purpose fire screen, which is now
in daily use, and for your wishes for our future happiness. God bless your
home. Yours sincerely, Elizabeth Holland
4) 27th August 1965 Postmark Cookstown, Co. Tyrone to Mrs. McCully Sen.,
Churchtown, Lissan, Cookstown - "Grapes-Inn" 34 Milburn Street, Cookstown -
Dear Mrs. McCully, I want to thank you & all the family for your kind
message of sympathy. You will realise just how much I miss my mother, but I
still feel her presence very near and I have nothing but the happiest of
memories of the past and these will always be with me. Again many thanks,
Yours sincerely, Margaret Crooks
   
   
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1) 20th December 1965 Postmark Iroquois Falls, Ont. to Mrs. Edith McCully,
Churchtown, Cookstown, Co. Tyrone, N. Ireland from Mrs. I. M. Nesbitt, 2301
Victoria Park Avenue, Apt. 504, Scarborough 4, Ontario, Canada - My dear
Mrs. McCully, Just a little line to wish you & yours a very happy Xmas &
every blessing in the New Year. I feel so ashamed at not having written to
you for so long, & it is not for want of thought - as we often talk about
you all - but more for want of opportunity. Hope you are all keeping a1 & am
sure you have, like ourselves, great pleasure in watching grand-children
growing up. And how quickly they do grow! Sheila's two boys - Paul & Michael
make Bob & me feel like dwarfs. Both are at High School - it will be Pauls
last year there, & are doing quite well there. At the moment we are up in
Iroquois Falls, about 400 miles north from Toronto. We are here for the Xmas
celebrations and are enjoying the two little girls - Paddy who is 8½ &
Deirdre who will be 5. Great preparations are going on for "Santa" so you
can imagine what it is like when they are decorating the Xmas tree!!! All
are a1 & Bob & I love the life out here. We have made many friends, and are
only about 15 minutes run in the car from Sheilas. Both sisters are very
well & are living in Dublin. Florrie (Mrs. Younge) lost her husband about 1½
years ago, & has a very nice flat in Blackrock quite close to her
newly-married son & his wife. Clare (Mrs. Johnston) & her husband have a
lovely bungalow at Dundrum, outside Dublin, & is now a great grandmother.
They (the Johnstons) celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary, last year,
and Bob & I will be celebrating our 45th W. Anniversary tomorrow - 22nd
December, we came to Cookstown on January 1st, 1921, & well I remember it, &
Bob too. Between the "Beatles", etc. etc. it is hard to keep up with the
young people nowadays, & I am sure it is the same in the old country. This
Xmas Betty & Ian are getting a photograph taken of us all together, and as
soon as I get the copies, I'll send one on without fail. We had many happy
times with you all when your family was complete, and always remember many
humorous incidents that took place both at "Churchtown" & 21 Grasmere
Gardens. Our love to you all, & maybe sometime you would drop me a line of
forgiveness. Your old friends Bob & Isa Nesbitt
2) December 1965 - 5217 Wissahickon Avenue, Philadelphia 19144 - My dear
Cousin, Another year has rolled around since I wrote to you. Each one seems
to go faster than he previous one. I hope you have kept well. Taken all in
all I have been well this year. There were a few flare ups of my arthritis;
but it did not bother me much this year, I am thankful to say. There have
been some changes in the family since you heard from me, Marian, my brother
Will's wife, whom you met, had a stroke early last Spring, she was in the
hospital for some weeks, but was then well enough to get around with a
walker and was sent home. she now gets around with a cane and someone's arm.
Her speech was very difficult to understand and still is not good. Her eyes
would not focus together properly and is she tried to use both eyes she
became nauseated, consequently she has had to wear a black patch over one
eye. I very much doubt if she will be any better now. My brother, Bob, who
has been my doctor for fifty-five years has moved from Phila. to a small
community called Brown's Mills in New Jersey. He is nearer my brother Will;
but is too far away to see me if I should become ill, so I have had to find
a new doctor in my neighborhood. Bob had lived in the square below our old
home in Wallace Street since his marriage and in the neighborhood for over
sixty years. Things have changed greatly in that vicinity. I could see that
changes were not for the better at the time of mothers death. That was the
reason I sold the house when I did. Bob thought it would be better and
stayed on. This was not the case and now a good part of the street and
surrounding streets are occupied by colored people who are quickly making it
into a slum. Bob has had the house in Brown's Hill for many years but they
used it only for rest periods or vacations or week-ends. They have a great
deal of ground around it, practically the size of a city block. Part of it
is cleared, and part is in woods with fine trees and a few others and
rhododendron and laurel. They recently added a wing to the house as there
was no provision for an office or reception room for patients. Bob expected
to return when they would go there to live; but the neighbors begged him to
practice as there was no good doctor in the vicinity. He took the New Jersey
State Medical Examination and is now practicing there. The entire family
spent Thanksgiving Day at Will's and Marian's home, Marian said it would not
bother her and she wanted us as she did not know when the whole family could
be together again. There were twenty-five of us. We ate at two tables. The
young folks were at one table and the older folks at another. Marian has a
full time maid who had a friend to help her. Both women cooked the dinner
and served it so that Marian had nothing to do. It was a wonderful dinner
and everyone had a good time, Will's and Marian's daughter, Roberta, had a
son Dick, who was married just after Thanksgiving last year. He and his wife
were with us this year with their new baby boy. This makes Will and Marian
great grandparents and O am a great great aunt. Time marches on! "Doesn't
it? Please give my good wishes to all the members of your family and I
hope all of you will have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and will enjoy
the National Geographic Magazine again this year. Affectionately yours Betty
next page Letters from 1966 to end
includes Postcards, Misc. & Letters without dates
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