LETTER
OF HENRY IDRIS DAVIS
SON
OF JENKIN DAVIS, THE ONE WHO STAYED BEHIND
London House
Penygroes, N. Llanelly
Carmarthenshire,
South Wales
Great Britain
December
11, 1928
My Dear Uncle John,
Received your kind letter few years ago dated Jan 21st
1925. I am truly sorry that I did not reply previous to this, but you mention
in your letter not to write direct; as you could see same with Uncle Henry.
Well Uncle it is only natural that I should send direct to you. I sent a letter
to Uncle Henry on Sept 12th 1928, but I hav'nt
received a reply yet, as he is very prompt in replying. I do hope that
everything is allright and that he is still with you
in Utah. He
told me in his last letter of is [his] health. I am sorry about him as we cant
do without health, but as for my self I don't know what health is this last 10
years, as life is a Burden to my [me], and the want of it.
I am living in the western part of Wales and the worst part of England & Wales for weather. If I could go to
the South of England as they get good weather there, plenty of sunshine which
we don't get in Wales, but that's were [where] my luck comes in. Your country
is the place for fine weather and you have everything you require. In fact you
are outstanding every other country, in every way. France is also a good country for
fine weather. If I could go there for few months or few years I would be a new
man but that's my luck in this world, being born unlucky. The old saying, is "It is better being born luckey
than rich." I am not luckey nor
rich. If I had health other things would not trouble me.
The King of England is ill. This last 14 days, 3 bulletin is issued every day outside the palace. The
bulletin is signed by 5 doctors. Well as for me self I hav'nt
had a half hour of good sleep this last 5 years since I was tapped with dropsy,
and no doctor calls on me this last 4 years. I am for house by my self. I study
diet. At the time of writing I feel cold in bed and I get same in bed. The
dropsy is coming on a little, but no more tapping for me. I can doctor my self
now, but it is too late. If I had this experience 10 years ago as I have today
I would have experience this trouble. But I give my self to the Doctors and
they are Doctors. They cant even cured them self never
mind other people. Nature way is the best. Well Uncle years
ago I used to talk a lot about your country, but I am afraid its too late now.
But my Brother Trevor talks a lot about coming out. So should he come, I shall
go under his wings as he would look after me "well". He does this the present
day. I must give him 'credit'. He is good to me "The Best". I often think would
they let me enter U.S.A.
I have been tould if anyone travels first class they
don't examine them. But what about a job for my Brother.
I dare say that jobs is very scarce in your country.
But I think he would stand a good chance. He as [has] a good
Trade. He is the head Electrician at a big Colliery, these years, but
the wages is very low to compare what they gets in
your country. He is a single man who __________ ______________. I understand that things is much better in your country than what it is here.
We are taxed in this country to the very bottom, unemployed is increasing. So
we must get a new Parliament and I think we shall have same next year 1929. The
working men is pressed down, _______ only ________ 2.80 pound a week, the pound
is about equal to your sterling and at present that's about 1/3 per day off.
The House is very high 2.20 pounds to 2.10 pounds per month, so you can guess
how much they got left when they got 4 to 6 children to fee. The miners have
been pressed to the very bottom, that big strike in
1926 has put the tin hat on.
Business people have suffered owing to the credit trade, and
some people don't trouble much about this. So I am afraid that things is not going to last like this and something is going
to happen. The shops in this country are going to be taxed in about 6 months so
every shop will have to pay about 40 pounds a year taxes. The tax is called
"Re-assessment" and the shop keepers don't half saying it. So you see the food
will get up in price. I don't know what things are coming to. France is much better off than we, less
unemployed and tax and I dare say your country is the same as France.
As I have just mention about your country and that I would
like to come over. I am in "New York"
very often on the air by radio. I have been listening to dance music, from WGY Station relayed from Lanyke
Hotel New York. My brother built this set for me, but at present I am unable to
get any music owing that the storms on November 16 blew down the poles. I hope
in future that I will be able to see you country by this new invention
"television". I am enjoying the wireless very much as this is only way of
enjoying myself. I think this is a good _________ to
__________.
Well, Uncle I understand that Blaenantllwyd
was not Uncle Henry's birthplace s you mention in y our letters. Was your
birthplace also in Cwmdu. I know the home well. The Garden is in front of the house.
Cwmdu is the same today as when you left little "Wales". I dare
say you remember Talley this little village is still the same, the old Talley
Abbey is still there same shape, but I wonder how much is left at present after
that 100 mile gale which was experienced on November 16, 1928. I dare say you
know that your Mother was buried in Talley graveyard as was my Father. So I
will take a snap of these when I get a chance, if I remember. I think cousin Tom "Uncle Henry" son took a snap of the grave when
he visited us years ago. I will take a snap of the places and I will send them
on to you. I haven't been up that way since 1923. Could you send me one or two
snaps of your city.
I don't hear of Edward's people, Hannah and Etta, as for
cousin Lod, I understand that he died in some gold
mine years ago. I remember them well. I don't know much about Uncle Thomas, and
Uncle Tim is dead. I think I saw a ___________ of Tim's son's "twins" Uncle
David _________ thing on in age_______ ago____________ out. I often think of
that, but my __________ gone.
Well, Uncle, I hope that you are in the best of health and
also the family. If this letter will reach you in time before Xmas, I wish you
all a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year and all the rest of the relatives out
there. We are all in good health at home, except me. By the way, we are only
boys at home, all the sisters is married and my brother, John, he has 8
children, sister Mary has two boys, __________ Blodwen
none. Sister Myfanwy 2 boys.
I could mention my brother John has only 2 boys out of 8. My brother Trevor is
40 years aged and myself I will be 37 on February 7, 1929.
Well, Uncle I must draw to an end, and looking forward for
the best. I hope to hear from you soon. I want you to send me a snap of
yourself and your family and the city if possible.
With love to all,
Yours_________
/s/ Henry Idris Davis
