1916 Letters |

Letter from L. T. Silvester to Edward O’Farrell, 21 July 1916

National Archives of Ireland

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<hi rend="underline">EXTRACTS FROM LETTER RECEIVED FROM MY WIFE. MRS. SILVERSTER.</hi>

<address>5 Leinster Street, 
<lb/>North Strand, 
<lb/>DUBLIN.</address>

<date>Monday 16<hi rend="superscript">th</hi> July 1916.</date>

.................. Well I received a shock today, one which I shall
<lb/> not easily forget. We evidently have "friend" near us who is
<lb/> trying by every means in her power to do us some harm. Why? Because
<lb/> we are Catholics. Mrs. Cotterill showed me what was supposed to be
<lb/> the Sinn Fein oath of course it was a "got up" thing and simply
<lb/> imbued by religious intolerance. I replied that I did not believe
<lb/> it was true and the upshot if it was that she taunted me for being
<lb/> a Catholic and said I was sympathizing with the rioters, that I
<lb/> should not be considered as an Englishwoman. She declared she
<lb/> would write to the War Office and tell them I was disloyal, and that
<lb/> she saw no reason why she should have to help to keep the bread in
<lb/> my mouth etc..............
On reaching home from shopping I heard a knock
<lb/> and found two gentlemen asking for Mrs Sliverster, I asked them
<lb/> inside and enquired their business. They stated someone, <hi rend="underline">they did</hi>
<lb/> <hi rend="underline">not know who</hi>, had complained that I had a large quantity of
<lb/> Government things in my possession. I know whom I had to thank
<lb/> for this and told them so. They were very severe in their manner
<lb/> and said they must do their duty and search the house which they
<lb/> did systematically and minutely. My conscience being clear I offered
<lb/> them every assistance and on completion they stated <sic>their</sic> were
<lb/> perfectly satisfied and that the accusation was groundless........
I might tell you it upset me very much coming
<lb/> as such as complete shock for I had put Mrs Cotterill and her threats
<lb/> out of my mind as not being worthy of notice but I never dreamt she
<lb/> would do what she has done .......................

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Letter from L. T. Silvester to Edward O’Farrell, 21 July 1916

National Archives of Ireland

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