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Transcribed by Betty Dean Holmes, [email protected]
Letters from Michael Broderick to His Children, 1916, 1917.
These two letters have been kept by my husband's family all these years. I don't suppose Michael Broderick wrote many letters, but other siblings in the family may have some. Michael Broderick and Elizabeth Lacy had ten children. Five boys, five girls. At the time of his writing these two letters, all the children had left home except the youngest son, John. Most came away to USA. Michael Broderick was born in 1842. He had a PEI country schooling, and at 72, he can write a fine letter filled with good advice. He was always a reader and subscribed to two newspapers.
My husband wears a replica of the signet ring given to Michael by his children. The original belongs to a cousin. Josie, whom he called "free lance", didn't marry until several years later. She was my dear mother-in-law. Betty Dean Holmes, [email protected].
Elmsdale Lot 4
Sept 12th 1916
Note: These few lines are addressed to Mary Ellen and Elizabeth BroderickMy Dear children
I understand by letters received that you both are married. To that I have not the slightest objection, providing you have chosen good honest and industrious husbands and much that I would wish to be present at the ceremony of your marriages, under the circumstances it was impossible and although I was not there in person, I was with you in spirit.
I suppose you both realize the very important step you have taken, the most important step you have ever or ever will take. Consequently, you should make up your minds to do your duties as married women in every respect so that you will live happy lives.
Remember you will have your dark as well as your bright days and always be ready to meet them. Be economical and saving of your husband's money and above all things live within your income and if possible, save something for a hard time. Sickness or some other misfortune may overtake you, then you will see the good of having saved something.
Attend strictly to your religious duties and always encourage and advise your husbands to be sober and faithful men.
A feeling of sadness steals over me betimes when I think that having reared five daughters that now in our old days we have not one . It appears I only had the lend of them for a few years. They thought their home a cage and like the birds flew away, but such is life. We must be reconciled. Perhaps it is all for the best.
I have not much more to say. Only think of my advice because the admonitions of your old father proceeds from love. Remember me to Josephine. Hope she is well, also your respective husbands. I may meet them some time. I will bring this letter to a close by wishing you and yours much joy and happiness.
P. S. I thought it unnecessary to write each of you a letter, so you both can read it in company.
We are well on with the harvest. The crop is pretty good. I get fairly good health. I have to work pretty hard. Your mother and John are well. Do you hear from Tom? Write soon.From your affectionate father, M. Broderick
Elmsdale Jan 11 1917
Dear Children,
You must forgive me for not writing you before to thank you for your kind remembrances of me at Christmas. I was more than pleased and delighted to receive that beautiful signet ring you sent me. It will always remind me of your love and affection. I will have to wear it on the little finger of the left hand as the little finger of the right hand is crippled, as you know. However, it makes no difference. It is as easy to look at the left finger as the right.
I hope you all spent a joyful and happy Christmas and that you will have a prosperous new year. As for ourselves, we spent a very quiet Christmas. No visitors, nor did we visit. We felt the absence of our dear ones. However, we had the old time roast goose and plum pudding. The goose and pudding lasted for nearly a week. At last a hungry man came in and finished it.
I hope you are well and enjoying your married life as good Christian people, that is those of you who are married. I suppose Josie is still a free lance.
From your affectionate father, M. Broderick