Three letters written by Edward S. and Mary G. Morgan
04/16/2018 This first letter, sent to Edward's sister in America, gives a picture of the struggle that the Morgan family was having to make a living in the mining valleys of Wales. They had sent their oldest son Tommy over to America where he worked in Utah so that he could send his earnings back to pay for the passage of his whole family to come over.
They had not received the money they were hoping for when this letter was written, but must have received it shortly afterwards because they immigrated and settled in Carbon County where Edward got work in the Pleasant Valley Mines: Scofield, Clear Creek, Winter Quarters.
The second letter was written to a niece, Elizabeth Cook, of Pennsylvania (daughter of Edward's brother, Abraham Morgan). It is a brief history of sorrows in Edward's family.
The third letter, again to his sister Jennett Morgan Williams, who still lived in Cleveland, Emery County, Utah, is a plea for them to come for a visit, as Edward was unwell.
To John and Janet Morgan Williams (1882):,
Dear Brother and Sister, you ought to be thankful that you have gone from this miserable country, there is nothing here but poverty, there is three weeks strike here. We are force to begin on the lo percent drop therefore you can see that it is not very rich here. If you think so make your mind up please write back as soon as possible, about little Annie Sis, we cannot fulfil our promise this time again because we have no means never you mind, Annie Bach, we will think of you again. Tommys companion is from this country this fifteen months ago, and he have sent for all the family therefore you can see that it is Thomas' neglect. My dear bro and sister we wish if you was there with him to take care of him and put him on the right way. Mary Ann is working the hay, we have not much more news at present but we send our kind love to you all. Tommys address is Thomas G. Morgan, in care of William M. George, 8 Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah No. America. Our address is Edward Morgan, No. 18 Oak Row, Cwmbach, near Aberdare, Wales.
Yours truly your bro and sister Edward and Mary Morgan
Spanish Fork City, Utah
May 5, 1896
Dear Niece:
I take the pleasure of writing these few lines in answer to your most kind and welcome letter which was glad to receive and hear something from you. Hoping to find you all well. In regards to us as a family we have buried all of our children except Thomas and he is in Salt Lake City but he has a little home here. He is 39 years old in July and is married and has 5 children and has buried two.
Mary Ann was burried in the Old Country after we come out. She had 3 children. She did burry one before we came out and two is left. She was 23 years of age. William was cild he was 26 years of age and was a good boy, he was at home. Margaret Jane was 22, she had Three, one is burried and two are left, we have one and the other is with his father, The one we got is a girl six years and five months. She is in school. Elizabeth was buried when she was a bab was a baby and Janett was buried here, she was eleven and seven months.
Now you can see some of our trouble. I am unable to work these seven years but the Lord has blessed us. We got a little home of our own in the city and we got seven acres of land. We had sold our farm and that we got to live on now. We have been in this country 14 years this spring and we did spend the first part in the mines and there we saw your Uncle Thomas Rees. Your mother his cousin. There is lots of talking about Utah. She has some of the richest mountain in America. When we was in the mines we was near your Aunt Jannett. They did rise homestead in Emre County about 60 miles from us. Last October we was in the Greett Eisteddfod in Salt Lake and we saw lots of our Old Country Friends from Gellydeg and Tranch Bach. William Hopcin and his son Thomas, Thomas Bowen and John his brother and Mary his sister, Alexander Lewis and Margaret his wife and David and Mary John, and many more of our old country friends.
Please tell your mother we are very sorry about your trouble but the Lord may bless you all. Give our kind love to your mother and family and pleas accept our love for yourself, this from your Uncle and Aunt, Please excue my poor writing.
The Address.
Mr. Edward Morgan
Spanish Fork City.
Utah County, Utah.
To Mr. an Mrs. John and Jennett Williams:
Spanish Fork, Utah
Sept. 21 1897
Dear Brother and Sister,
It is with pleasure that we drop you a few lines to let you know how we are getting along. Edward is very sick and still keeping his bed. He has being very sick now for a quite a long time. But feels better tonight, but not much better. And he said he would like to see you very much if you are in a way to come down, he would like to see you, bad. May and myself is feeling pretty good, hoping these few lines will find you all in the best of health.
Well dear Bro. and Sister we hope you will excuse us for not writing sooner as if you don't come down we will send our picture.
Since Edward has being sick he had no one to write, We are very lonesome here, and dear sister and brother if you come let us know in return, we would be very glad to see you coming down.
Remember us to Harry and Gwen and all the children, and May wishes to be remembered to her cousins and the baby.
We received a picture of your brother Abraham, five of Abrahams children, and four of Elizabeth. This is all at present. Mrs. John R, Davis and daughter is here tonight and wishes to be remembered to you, and except the same from us. Pray the blessings of heaven to be with you is the heart desire of your loving Bro. and Sister.
Edwart and Mary Morgan, and Mary. XXXXXX
