Reference: Jeff Palmer from Kingfisher, Oklahoma <twindad@pldi.net> recently sent a query to the Northern Ireland discussion list that mentions a Dan Fulton living in Coleraine, NI in 1883 who possibly has some connection to his Smith and Campbell family. Perhaps some folks on our Fulton-L list may see a connection. The letter he shared with me gives one a glimpse of what it was like to visit one's family roots overseas in the 1880's. Roberta R. (Fulton) Hirth Harriman, New York 10926 Fulton web page at: http://www.frontiernet.net/~elisa96/hirth/fulton.htm Search Fulton-L archives at: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl ***************************************************** Jeff Palmer wrote: > Looking for information on Dan Fulton who live in Coleraine. He is somehow > connected to the Smith's and Campbell's. > > A g-g-uncle went back to Coleraine from NY and visited Mr. Fulton in 1883 > and in a copy of the letter my g-g-uncle sent to my g-grandmother it stated > that he went to Dan Fulton's house to see the family Bible that had all > the Smith children's birthdays in it. Michael and Ann Campbell Smith were > my g-g-grandparents. > > Thanks for any help. > Jeff *************************************************************** Jeff further elaborated about the letter as follows: Roberta, My g-grandmother Sarah Jane Smith Hight was b. in 1846 in Coleraine. She left there and moved to Carlisle, England before coming to the US when she was 18 yrs old. She had a brother, John C. Smith who lived in the Albany area of NY. Their parents did not come over here. John went back to visit his family in Ireland, England and Scotland in 1883. Here is the letter that I typed and saved on disk: Dear Sisters and Brothers, New York, Sept. 22, 1883 I received your kind letter tonight when I came in from work and I was glad to hear from you all and that you had arrived safe and glad that you are all well, as this leaves me at present. Thank God for his goodness. I have been in Ireland, all over the country. I was in Glasgow and in Edinburgh and in Carlisle and in Belfast twice and twice in Derry and at the Giant's Causeway, Portrush, Portstewart, Bushmills, Ballymoney, Garvagh. I was all around a great many places that I don't mention. I never had such a time in all my life. I was treated like a lord every place I went to. Sister Mary weighs, I think, over three hundred weight. She was asking me about you all. I had Brother Hugh with me and one of his sons, John. I stayed one day and two nights. We slept in John Sauer's (Sister Anna's son). He is married and a fine young man. The other I did not see. I saw James Blair. He goes on crutches. I did not know anyone. I saw my Brother Thomas in Glasgow. He is well and his son and daughter. One of Mary's daughters got married the day I went there. I got into Carlisle at 8 o'clock on Saturday evening and left Monday morning. Hugh wanted - home again. I stayed one day and two nights with Thomas in Glasgow and then left for Belfast and then I had only 2 days to get ready to come off again. So I am here once more. I was 11 days going and 10 days coming back. I stayed there 6 weeks. They all did not know what to do with me. They were so kind. Brother Hugh had me riding around every day. I did not know him. He met me at the depot in Coleraine and 2 of his sons. They asked me if my name was Smith, when I got off the train. I said I did not carry such a name, and Johnny got his arms around me and kissed me and said you are my uncle, and I laughed and they all kissed me. They had the horse and wagon there waiting for me. I got 14 pounds heavier while I was gone. I would have known no one there (only when they would tell me who they were). I went to Dan Fulton's and got my father's Bible and took all our names and ages off it, which I will give you as they were on it. Sarah's name is not on it. It don't give some of our birthdays, but you will get it as I got it. Thomas Smith b. April 29, 1825 Hugh Smith b. January 1, 1827 James Smith b. January 28, 1829 John Smith b. 1831 Michael Smith b. 1833 William Smith b. 1835 Cathern Smith b. September 19, 1837 Anna Smith b. September 14, 1839 Mary Smith b. December 12, 1843 This is all the account I could find in the Bible. Sarah's name is not there.* Hugh has plenty of everything he wants. He cried like a child when I went to come away. He thought he would never see me again. He felt bad parting and all the children cried after me. Our old home looks nice. Everything looks well, fine crops all over the country. I could not tell you how I enjoyed myself. I have been in good health. All the time thank the giver of all. No more at present. Write again >From your affectionate Brother, John C. Smith, my love to all * Sarah was born 1846