Noel, For discussion purposes here is what I make of the content of the 1850 letter. In October 1850, the Nolan widow was writing from Kilkenny to her son Patrick (Patt) in Providence, Rhode Island, and had one son remaining at home, namely Richard or “Dickey” (probably the youngest and hence more of a burden for someone elese to assume). Two older but still relatively young children, namely John and Joseph, were, for now, living with an uncle John (Nolan?) until such time as the mother could send for them when she made it to America. The previous June she had written to her other son James also in America. He had promised to bring over his two younger brothers John and Joseph living with uncle John (Nolan?). However, she had not heard from him since and was wondering if he was living with Patt in Providence. She was also pleading for help to move to America. Bye for now, Roger PS#1: Here is a tentative overview of the Nolan family in 1850: >> ???? Nolan (deceased) m. ???? ???? >>>> James in America >>>> Patrick in America >>>> John living with uncle John >>>> Joseph living with uncle John >>>> Richard living with the mother PS#2: Take a look at the following Nolan family for a possible connection: http://www.nolanfamilies.org/index.php?country_id=2&region_id=3#415 . I note in particular that Richard (Dickey) is a first name found in this Nolan family. PS#3: Here is a tombstone transcription from Rhode Island (ref: Sue Clement) Gravestone in St. Mary's Cemetery, Newport, Rhode Island, USA (4 sided monument) James Nolan, born in Ballyhackett, Co. Carlow, Ireland June 8, 1837?, died Nov. 17, 1910 his wife Ellen Walsh, born in Kanturk, Co. Cork, Ireland June 15, 1834, died Feb. 1, 1896 (side) John H. Nolan, born in Colorado, May 3, 1861 died Nov. 17, 1905 Mary A. Nolan, born in Newport, R.I., Mar. 26, 1863 died Aug. 8?, 1934? (side) children of James & Ellen Nolan James, born in Nebraska Aug. 21, 1857, died Aug. 24, 1857 James C., born Oct. 15, 1866, died Oct. 6, 1867 May they rest in peace. Amen. (side) Ulysses Grant Nason, born in Newport, R.I., August ??, 1872, died May 31?, 1944? [can't read the rest of this side] PS#4: Here is also some information on a William Nolan of Providence, Rhode Island, originally from Limerick. William Nolan b: 6/12/1838 Knockpatrick [Limerick]. Emigrated 7/28/1858 [or 7/13/1857 on ship “Rising Sun” out of Liverpool?]). Naturalized US 4/1/1872. Occupation: “stonemason”. d: 3/31/1896 294 Douglas Ave., Providence, RI [age: 57, ] buried St Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket RI. According to his obituary, William Nolan also operated a newspaper distribution business in Rhode Island. +Catherine Carr baptized: 5/19/1844 St Michaels Church, Athy, Kildare, Ireland m: 9/10/1867 North Providence, RI Church of Immaculate Conception by Fr. E.J. Clooney. Groom’s age: 28, bride’s age: 23 [ref: vol 1867 pp 580-581] d: 8/1/1917 550 Douglas Ave., Providence, RI [age: 71,] buried St Patrick’s Cemetery, Providence RI Note: St Patrick’s Cemetery is across the street from 294 Douglas Ave, Providence, RI, longtime residence of William and Catherine Nolan and family. ++++++++++++++++++++++++ From: noel walsh Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2012 10:31 AM To: irl-carlow Subject: [IRL-CARLOW] Letter 1850 from Kilkenny to USA. *Letter from Mrs. Nolan, County Kilkenny, Ireland, to her son Patrick, apparently in Providence, Rhode Island, * *October 8, 1850* Dear Patt, I received your letter with the thirty shillings in our greatest of want. I hope God will reward you for it. The day it come, I was without one bite to eat. Dickey's 8 weeks in bed, without a stitch on him, and my petticoat and coat's all pawned. Dear Patt, we've no place to lay our heads. We were lodging under James Street arch, but were put out of it. Then a few nights up in the Sconce, still without a bite. We'd be dead long ago, only for two neighbors that often gives me a bite, for God's sake. Little ever I thought it'd come my turn to beg. No more would I beg, only for your father's death. But thanks bit of God, whatever me or his child here is suffering, your father died and was buried the way he lived: respectable and decent. Dear Patt, I've had not a penny. The blankets, bed and boots of my feet was pawned. You can't know how we're suffering unless you were in starvation and want, without friend or fellow to give you a shilling, then you'd know. But on my two bended knees, Patt, fresh and fasting, I pray to God that you nor none of yours may ever know, nor ever suffer, what we are suffering now. Uncle John said he'd keep little John and Joseph until I write from America for them. I wrote to James and he promised to take them out last June and never wrote us since. Send word if he's in Providence with you. If he be in Providence, tell him that poor little Dickey longs both night and morning to see you and James. The poor child says he'd not be hungry if he was near you. Oh Patt, hurry and take us out of this. It's the poorest prospect of a winter that ever I had, without house or homefire, friend nor fellow nor bit of food to eat. That's my prospects. For the love of God, dear Patt, bring me and little Dickey out of this, as quick as you can. I pray that God's Holy Spirit be with you all. You promised to take us out. Your loving mother until death. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message